THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 14, 1996 TAG: 9603130099
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Long : 151 lines
Some caring neighbors
Now that the ice and snow are long gone, the electricity is on, and the homes are warm in Ingleside, it is time to thank a caring neighbor.
While all the elements of nature were upon us, Harvey E. Reynolds, vice president of Ingleside Civic League, took time to check on neighbors to ensure all was well. He jump-started a few cars and even changed tires for people. Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds opened up their home and their emergency heating system to needy neighbors during this time.
This is to say thank you for thinking of others.
Dempsey Sumler
Hadley Road
Article generates interest
On behalf of the Old Dominion University Institute for Learning in Retirement, I wish to thank The Compass for the excellent article about our organization that appeared as the cover story in the Feb. 22 edition.
Jo-Ann Clegg put a great deal of effort into gathering information about our institute and attended two of our classes to gain a personal perspective. Her article was well-researched, well-written and highly informative. As a result of the information in the article, the Old Dominion University Institute for Learning in Retirement has received numerous phone calls from prospective members. Obviously, the article generated a great deal of interest among your readership.
At a time when the population of senior citizens is increasing, many experts stress the importance of continuing education in maintaining an active lifestyle in retirement. We believe that our program meets that need for continued learning and mental stimulation that many seniors are seeking.
Dixie L. Johnson
Membership and Promotions Chair
ODU Institute
for Learning in Retirement
Some 911 teamwork
On the night of the big storm, Feb. 3, at 3:15 a.m., I called 911 and told them of my plight. My mother and father, both heart patients, living alone in Portsmouth, were not answering their phone. The electricity went out in Norfolk, and I became concerned should they not have electricity that they would not be able to receive help.
The 911 operator in Norfolk connected me with the 911 operator in Portsmouth. I then informed this operator of the problem and asked if she would send out a police cruiser and notify my parents to call me so that I would know that they were all right. They were, and I just wanted to thank the operators at that hour - a job well-done!
Marilyn F. Schlain
Butterworth Street
What's really happening?
Why does the city of Norfolk and the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority in particular keep denying the truth to property owners in the Pretty Lake area of East Ocean View concerning the time frame in which they will purchase all property in the more than 90-acre tract?
Initially, the NRHA stated all property in this area would be purchased within two years. Now the NRHA is indicating the purchase will take an additional four years. I read in the paper every day where the city is pursuing funding for a stadium to entice a professional sports team and build a $300 million MacArthur mall while many homeowners, myself included, are slowly going broke paying the mortgage on our property.
I cannot rent the property I own in this area due to NRHA's negative publicity, stating this area is ``drug infested and has uncontrollable crime.'' I can't sell my property since the city announced it will eventually buy it. Why can't the city take care of their own taxpaying residents before pursuing additional projects?
The NRHA first announced in late 1993 its intent to buy all the property in East Ocean View. Soon after this announcement my tenants moved out because they thought the city was going to tear down all property in a short time. It is practically impossible to get tenants now after the negative publicity that East Ocean View has received. I have talked to many property owners in this area and they are experiencing the same problems. Numerous letters to NRHA officials informing them of the impossible position they have put me and other owners in has only been answered with ``there is no money.''
None of the owners I talked to received any notice about what the city was/is going to do. The city's attitude is: We want the property and we are going to take it.
A January article stated that Norfolk taxpayers will have to fund part of the purchase for East Ocean View. I have talked to sources who say that the NRHA wants to hold off as long as possible to purchase the property so the property will deteriorate and the city can condemn it. The owners would have to accept whatever payment the city would offer.
This area is prime waterfront property. I don't have anything against renovating the area. But I vehemently object to kicking people out of their homes so the city can make a buck.
Robert S. Blandford
Virginia Beach
Recycling responses
This letter is in response to Tom McMahon's letter in the Feb. 29 Compass. I was disappointed to read that Mr. McMahon now throws his recyclables in the trash so as ``not to help scavengers.''
Recycling is an issue that affects every inhabitant of this planet. We are running out of landfill space and through recycling we can conserve our natural resources. Some cities mandate recyclables be placed in appropriate containers. Those who don't comply are fined.
I was placing my recyclables at curbside early one morning when a young woman asked if she could have my aluminum cans. Her son's school was collecting aluminum. A scavenger? I hardly think so. Sensible? Yes! Even if she were doing this to supplement her income, why label her a scavenger? At least she wasn't sitting at home waiting for a handout.
Not recycling in all probability won't affect me or Mr. McMahon, but what about our great-grandchildren? Come on, Mr. McMahon, pitch in and give future generations a hand.
Cathy Moxley
Louisiana Drive
I am writing in response to the letter ``Recycling to What End?'' (Feb. 29).
It never ceases to amaze me how shortsighted people can be. The letter writer states that he no longer recycles cans because ``scavengers'' were getting them before the SPSA collectors. In other words, he would rather let trash dumps continue to pile up at an alarming rate than let a person of lesser means make a couple of cents recycling his cans.
We could learn a lot from the Native American philosophy of weighing every action by how it will affect the earth and their descendants generations hence. If everyone thought as this letter writer does, the Earth would be no place to live 20 years down the road, let alone in several generations.
Michele Starck Dinsmore
Graydon Avenue
Thank you for Infoline
Thanks to the support and vision of two businesses in our community, Blair Middle School is now ``online'' with its parents. Hills Department Store and The Virginian-Pilot have co-sponsored the installation of an Infoline service at Blair and several other schools in Norfolk.
Through this classroom connection, parents and students can call the Infoline at any time to obtain information concerning homework, field trips, school events and important school issues. Teachers and staff at Blair update their messages daily.
This is a technological marvel that would not have been financially feasible without the support of the businesses in our community. Their contribution enables a depth and consistency of communication between teachers and parents that heretofore was only available within the realm of the imagination. Concerned parents now have a viable link to the school so that they can assist their children with their homework on a daily basis.
A partnership has been strengthened that enables parents and teachers to reach across to each other and hold hands in the education of Norfolk's children. This type of collaboration is an example of what makes Norfolk truly great.
Karen Sanford
Secretary, PTA Executive Board
Blair Middle School by CNB