THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 18, 1996 TAG: 9602170111
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 89 lines
I recently retired after nearly 25 years as an environmental health specialist senior with the state health department. I was responsible for the restaurant inspection program in Suffolk.
During the past several weeks, a terrible rumor has been circulating concerning the use of unapproved meats by certain ethnic restaurants in Suffolk. This is absolutely not true.
Neither I nor anyone else working for the health department has ever found any illegal or unapproved meat products in these establishments. None of these restaurants has been closed by the health department for this or any other reason.
These food establishments are operated by honest businessmen trying to make a living. This damaging rumor has greatly hurt the businesses. The restaurant operators have suffered, although they have done nothing wrong.
I feel that anyone who has repeated this offensive rumor owes these people an apology.
H.R. Gray Jr.
Suffolk Getting a big tax break because they're elderly
I have just filed our Virginia income tax form for 1995.
Unless I am mistaken (not unheard of), my wife and I are in for quite a windfall.
For some years, we have been told not to include any of our Social Security benefits in our state taxable income. And we know that, unlike younger Virginians, we are to take a double exemption each. This year, we were directed to subtract $10,000 each because of our age.
So we took off a total of almost $40,000 from our gross income because we are smart enough to be old.
Mind you, I'm not complaining. Who is not for lower taxes? But I do wonder about the fairness of it. Why should we get a tax advantage of more than $2,000 over a younger Virginian with the same income?
Should not some of these deductions be means tested as they are in the federal system? Or is there something to be gained by making Virginia a haven for retirees?
Dr. Jack Dempsey
Fenwood Court
Smithfield League wants Milteer
We, the members of the South Suffolk-Pleasant Hill-Orlando Civic League, wholeheartedly endorse Curtis Milteer in his campaign for re-election.
As a result of joining each of the civic leagues within the Whaleyville Borough, he has become aware of and sensitive to the concerns of those he represents. Throughout his 16 years on the Suffolk City Council, Vice Mayor Milteer has remained steadfast in his quest to improve conditions in our ever growing city.
Because of his continued dedication, the South Suffolk-Pleasant Hill-Orlando Civic League supports the re-election of Curtis Milteer. We wish him success and look forward to having him as our councilman for another four years.
Willie Lee Joyner
President
and Dorothy Ricks Ideas to cut damage
I have a few suggestions on how to reduce future damages from winter storms, hurricanes, etc.
One suggestion would take time and cost a lot of money, but so does repairing downed power lines. Many large cities have underground power systems that eliminate above-ground power lines and poles.
I would suggest that, when planting trees that grow large and tall, place them a safe distance from buildings and power lines. Trees that grow near the roadways and near power lines should be cut back or cut down. Keeping ice off above-ground power lines is impossible.
Trees are beautiful. They serve us in many ways in the form of shade, windbreakers and pollution catchers. The roots hold the soil together as well as absorbing excess water.
Weather patterns have changed. This is why grand old trees that have stood 200 years or more are being destroyed by storms.
There may be problems at times with underground power lines, but it would not be from falling trees.
Clarence L. Jones
White Marsh Road
Suffolk by CNB