THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 22, 1996 TAG: 9602200047
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 82 lines
Thanks for their efforts
We in the Norview area want to thank the following for their efforts during the worst ice and snowstorm in years:
The paper carrier who in the wee hours of the morning braved the ice and snow to deliver The Virginian-Pilot.
The mailman who also traveled miles through the bitter cold temperatures to deliver the mail in a timely manner - thanks Felix and other carriers.
The Virginia Power guys who worked night and day to restore our power when a failure came at 11:40 a.m. on Friday and got us back on line by 11 p.m. Saturday night. You are greatly appreciated.
Last, but not least, the Virginia Natural Gas guys who also worked endless hours to keep the customers going. A neighbor who works for VNG, although his home was in the ``power outage,'' kept right on hanging in there and working literally around the clock.
To all of these people, our heartfelt gratitude in knowing that you were there for all of us in our time of distress.
Larry T. Hoots
Dare Circle
Thanks to street crew
We all need to express appreciation to our public servants who kept Hampton Roads moving during the recent snow and ice storm.
My line of work requires me to travel extensively in surrounding areas. This enables me to be aware of the many services provided. Therefore, I would like to personally express my thanks to Fred Rudger, superintendent of street repairs for Norfolk, Sam James and the rest of the crew. These good Samaritans, working as a team, were one jump above the other areas.
Jerry Pearcy
Bayville Street
Put lines underground
I'm astonished at the recent letters thanking Virginia Power for restoring power after the recent ice storm. As a resident of Norfolk, I have nothing good to say about this company.
While area cities require new developments to place power lines underground, many parts of Norfolk and older areas in the surrounding cities are penalized for being developed more than 20 years ago. When questioned about why our power lines cannot be placed underground, the answer is always the same: It costs too much.
What about the cost to employ untrained crews that go around the city yearly hacking away at beautiful trees to protect the power lines? How much money did it cost to bring in employees from around the state to help restore power? The blight that these power lines bring to our community is far more costly than a one-time project to place the lines underground. While power outages would still occur if these power lines were placed underground, the sources of trouble would be reduced dramatically and local crews should be able to handle these problem areas.
If Virginia Power was a good corporate citizen, it would do what is best for the community and place these lines underground.
I would like to thank the workers for restoring power to my house, but I do not want to thank the company heads who help create blighted conditions even in places where the homes are well-maintained. I urge all citizens and stockholders who care about the community in which they live to write Virginia Power and the local newspaper demanding that Virginia Power become a good corporate citizen by improving the conditions in which we live. Let's make this front-page news until something positive is done by Virginia Power.
Tim Howlett
East Severn Road
Thanks for the cleanup
We commend Boy Scout Troop No. 1 of Norfolk, sponsored by First Christian Church, for its work in cleaning up a stretch of shoreline along Jamestown Crescent and Bolling Avenue in Larchmont.
Brought out of the marsh by project leader David Weissberger and fellow Scouts were at least 26 bags of trash, two sets of mattress springs, several automobile tires and other junk. We deeply appreciate their having taken on this project. Well done!
George H. Bangs, Alice A. Bangs
Magnolia Avenue by CNB