THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 22, 1996 TAG: 9603200221
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 02 EDITION: CLIPPER
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Long : 109 lines
I disagree with those who are opposing the transfer of students from Treakle Elementary School to Camelot Elementary. I have a grandchild in Camelot Elementary School and one who graduated from it. I have been in the school many times, and although it has always been a good school it has excelled under Ms. Lillian Faulk and her staff.
The school has a small community flavor and is populated by mostly middle-class, very well bred students. I have never been inside Treakle Elementary and intend no disrespect toward its staff, but based on my perception of the area that it serves, it is clear to me that Camelot Elementary is being dumped on.
Incidentally, I m a white Camelot resident.
Barbara Terry
Sir Meliot Drive Spoiling the weekend
Why is school going to be open on Saturdays? There are so many other days that we could make up the days we missed for snow.
Nobody wants to go to school on Saturdays. There are only two days in a week that students get off school. Now, we will only get one day off for the weekends.
Couldn't we make up these two days at another time?
Daniel Strickland
Plantation Lakes Circle Generous youth
As a parent volunteer at Great Bridge High School, I've had the opportunity to work at the last two Red Cross blood drives held at the school. On both occasions, a large number of students turned out to donate. Naturally, many of them were nervous and somewhat apprehensive. However, they all had their hearts in the right place in wanting to help their fellow man. Many of these students were repeat donors. The representative from Red Cross praised these students as some of the best she has ever worked with.
In times when teenagers are so often criticized, my hat goes off to you wonderful young adults who so willingly gave of yourselves in order to help someone else.
Joan Horton
Chalbourne Court Tax is forever
Chesapeake residents never, ever own anything! No matter how hard or how long they work, the personal property tax is there - forever.
This is not fair, nor is it necessary. Other states don't have to have it. They spend less or have a higher sales tax and you decide if you buy or not and pay the higher sales tax.
Our finance people are outdated and should move on.
Sandra Cook
Jolliff Road Don't tax vehicles
It's time to do away with personal property tax on vehicles.
Every year we see on TV people standing in line to pay their taxes in order to be able to purchase a city decal.
For the most part, these are working class individuals who must have reliable transportation to get to their jobs. Public transportation is virtually unavailable in the neighborhoods surrounding our metropolitan centers.
I propose the lost revenue to the cities can be recovered by an increase in the real estate tax. Everyone pays real estate taxes. It may be hidden in the rent payment, but it's there.
In addition, with no personal property tax, the local economy would be stimulated through an increase in the sale of new and late model cars and trucks.
Continue, if you must, the local tax on recreational vehicles, boats and trailers. Those items are not a necessity in life.
William B. Nabers
Whitehaven Crescent Blame the media
I realize that you just printed a letter from me, and kindly gave it ``Guest Column'' status, but I must respond to your editorial that appeared opposite that letter on March 10.
That editorial makes the point that the police and the City Council should have the trust of the public, and I agree. But, one must wonder if perhaps you should not get your own house in order before making such demands on others.
I would be willing to bet that the media in general have far less trust by the public than do either of the above organizations. The Rodney King tapes (and the media's failure to show all the footage), The Virginian-Pilot's attempts to arouse public sentiment for a convicted brutal murderer (the series of article from Death Row inmate Dennis Stockton), and even the media coverage of the current ``scandal'' in Chesapeake (wherein Andy Fox refers to the crimes as ``robberies'' when they clearly were property crimes, and where you refuse to mention that the police officials involved cannot make a statement and continually say they ``refuse'' to do so) are all examples that make any thinking person wonder how you can think of yourselves as ``watchdogs'' of the public trust.
In your editorial, you mention that the sons of public officials should be treated the same by the government as any other person's son. Did the media treat them the same as they would any other person's son? Even before they are tried, you have found them guilty by virtue of the fact of who their fathers are. Is this the same paper that found Dennis Stockton so adorable?
Until the media - print, slick and on-air - admit that they are in the business of selling news, how can you demand candor from anyone?
A.C. Black Jr.
Hornsea Road by CNB