THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 24, 1996 TAG: 9603230126
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Long : 170 lines
In the Portsmouth Currents (Ida Kay Jordan column, Feb. 9) it was accurately stated that I.J. Richardson doesn't want the law broken. I believe that most people will agree.
Beyond that, the Long Point Cemetery does have significant historical background, especially local historical value. This Deans-Grimes cemetery is on property that was owned continuously by the Deans family from 1640 to about 1940. Then it was sold by Mr. Parke P. Deans, industrial commissioner of Virginia, during the Harry Byrd Democratic era.
When Long Point Development Corp. bought the property about 1974, the cemetery had been declared cleared.
The few graves with markers moved to the Olive Branch Cemetery were those of William Deans, his wife and his daughter and of Robert Lee Grimes. In 1987 another grave was discovered. At that time, the Portsmouth police, Health Department, the mayor, the city manager, director of planning, director of engineering and the city attorney were informed.
Long Point Development brought the case to court against the sellers. The case was dismissed, favoring the seller. I understand the counsel for Long Point thought there would be an appeal. There was no appeal.
Early in 1995, I learned that other graves had been removed, and I informed most city officials that were cognizant of past actions plus the city attorney's office. It was learned through efforts of these people that some bones and a marker bearing the name Grimes had been removed to the Bishops Green development adjacent to Long Point.
I cannot understand why the city attorney now feels that the city has no responsibility. It was the City Planning Department (that was) responsible for approving the cemetery site for development.
I was told by city officials that I could retain a lawyer to pursue the case. I have no claim to the site. My petition to intervene for removal of remaining graves was dismissed in 1989.
George and Thomas Grimes have agreed to verify that their sister was buried there in 1913 and their uncle in 1922. Other people have agreed to verify that there were additional graves besides the four legally removed.
I would welcome the opportunity to present the details of this case to Portsmouth City Council or to a higher court.
Something should be done to prevent further lawbreaking regarding remaining graves in this historic cemetery. In addition to the Deans and the Grimes families, other Churchland settlers also were buried there.
Specifically, there should be no further construction on this one-acre site until the remaining graves are legally removed and reinterred.
I.J. Richardson
White Chapel Arch
March 5, 1996 Praise for hospital
I have heard many ugly rumors about the Portsmouth Naval Hospital, and I am sure most people in Hampton Roads have heard them, too.
I recently had a C-section at the Naval Medical Center. The staff was very attentive and professional. The procedures performed were clearly explained. I was more informed of procedures and complications that could arise at the Naval Medical Center than at a civilian hospital with my first C-section.
I was not only impressed with the hard-working staff that actually cares about its patients but the upbeat attitudes that went along with it.
I praise all the staff on the labor deck and maternity ward at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth.
Christine Swafford
Virginia Beach
March 4, 1996 Remember veterans
March 29 is Vietnam Veterans Day, and we members of Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 22, would like to encourage all Vietnam veterans to join your comrades in commemorating this day.
This is the month for all veterans to reaffirm our commitment as a DAV member and a Vietnam veteran to aid and assist worthy wartime disabled veterans, their widows, orphans and dependents. Your involvement is needed.
Most Vietnam veterans are in their 40s and 50s now. Your careers are established. Some are retired. Your children are grown or nearly so. Most of us are at a point in our lives where we have more time and opportunity to devote to assisting our fellow veterans.
Vietnam era veterans make up 30 percent of the DAV's membership. The contributions they make to the DAV are tremendous. We at Chapter 22, at 4648 Portsmouth Blvd., are always willing to assist you in any way we can. We have service officers standing by three days a week waiting to help you.
The time when World War II and Korean War veterans stood as the active cornerstone in chapters is passing. Remember, these veterans who championed the DAV's cause are our fathers and grandfathers now. Many of us are no longer able to remain as active as we would like to be due to age and physical limitations. Now, we are holding out the torch of service to you Vietnam veterans to accept it and carry its flame brighter than ever before and into the future.
Remember, our doors are always open to a comrade, so come by to visit with us any time.
If our service officers can help in any way, call us at 465-8658.
Have a good Vietnam Veterans Day on March 29. May God bless all veterans.
James F. Cerza
Commander, Chapter 22, Portsmouth
March 19, 1996 Keep dogs off streets
On March 15 and 16, a bunch of dogs was on Hancock Avenue. On March 15 they were seen in the 800 block of Hancock Avenue, then they went to the 900 block of Hancock Avenue.
These are big dogs. This is bad on the little children waiting for the school bus mornings, also bad when our mail carrier comes with our mail. Is there any way to keep these dogs off the streets?
It would really be bad if one of the animals bites someone and it turns out to have rabies.
Christine Waters
Tazewell Street
March 16, 1996 TV-13 report misleading
After watching the 5 p.m. edition of Channel 13 news recently, I was shocked and amazed at the part concerning recovering alcoholics.
First off, there is no such thing as a recovered alcoholic. The thing that really upset me was the part that a recovering alcoholic can, after five years, safely consume five drinks.
The research by the WVEC news staff was done on the wrong people. The only thing the medical profession knows for certain is that it is a disease. The people who should have been consulted and questioned are the ones who have been down that road.
Talk to treatment centers, counselors and the thousands of people in recovery. The odds are about a million to one a program like that could ever work.
I am sure Channel 13 news can find more beneficial news to report. The mentioned report was simply hogwash.
WVEC - get your act together!
Harry D. Tevis
Summers Place
March 13, 1996 Watch the candidates
Let me say how happy I was to see the profiles of the School Board candidates that appeared in the Currents recently. (Cover story, March 10)
Let me also say how very disappointed I was in the few candidates who currently have children in the system nor serve on any school improvement teams. This is not to question their care or concern, but it does raise questions as to their level of knowledge about the system - how it currently works - as well as what the children within the system need.
Perhaps this says something about the very nature of elections. Our current presidential climate has sent a strong message that if you wish to run for anything in this country (even small system school boards), money, and lots of it, is required.
I am sure there are many parents who would truly love to serve their community as well as children in this capacity but simply cannot afford to run for such a position. In our current downsizing and ``rightsizing'' and corporate self-mutilation, many cannot afford to spend money for such a venture, especially if you are uncertain if you are going to be employed next week or next month!
This issue really raises questions about the kind of balance that these candidates will bring to the board. Who will speak for the children - parents who care but are economically pressured as well as teachers who find themselves caught in the midst of it all?
To the candidates running for the School Board, who do you speak for and what do you wish to say? Do you know about any of the programs that are offered in the schools and if they work? If Virginia Beach is to be a lesson for us, where did you get your accounting degree? Yes, there is fiscal oversight, but there is far more to it than that.
As a parent and a registered voter, I will continue to follow your profiles on these candidates. I sincerely hope that there will be at least one that I can feel has a sense of what is going on and what is needed.
I'll be watching.
Billie M. Cook
Templar Drive
March 18, 1996 by CNB