THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 25, 1996 TAG: 9604230127
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Long : 115 lines
In recent weeks we have witnessed many letters lamenting statements by Councilmen Riddick, Green and Collins questioning the appropriateness of a bid for the Superward 7 seat by one of the candidates.
Because all these things, taken in the aggregate, constitute unequal advertising for that candidate, and because the negative emphasis on Riddick and Collins - who have endorsed another candidate - cannot help but have a subliminal and a prejudicial effect upon the public's perception of the candidate they favor, conscience compels me to offer the following in support of that candidate, William E. ``Wes'' Swindell Jr.
Firstly, Wes Swindell is on record as supporting the right of any citizen to seek elected office. He has correctly pointed out that the person who is elected should best represent the interests of the majority of the voters based upon that person's record of achievement.
Wes Swindell is the only candidate in Superward 7 who conducted the research, surveys and analyses that were presented to the U.S. Department of Justice and approved by the General Assembly and resulted in him assisting in drawing up the first single member legislative districts. Those tempted to paint Mr. Swindell with the same broad ``racist'' brush used on Collins and Riddick are reminded that his efforts also produced a House seat for the mostly white East Side.
Did any of the others expand upon this effort by participating as a plaintiff in the suit that gave this city the ward system, and with it, truly representative government? Again, the East Side gained a council seat because of Wes Swindell's vigilance.
It was Swindell who joined the effort to insist on referenda on the use of public funds to construct Harbor Park and Nauticus. Of all the candidates, he was the lone voice demanding that Norfolk's citizens be included in decisions effecting major expenditures of their taxes. He later championed the cause of hiring Norfolk residents at Nauticus and Harbor Park.
Who else was named to the Mayor's Task Force on Public Housing or the All American City Committee because of his knowledge and grasp of Norfolk's needs? These are but a few of Wes Swindell's distinguished accomplishments.
The choice is clear: While all the others were learning leadership in civic leagues and schools - commendable, though not at all remarkable - Wes Swindell has been exercising leadership throughout the entire city and helping to shape a brighter future for Norfolk.
W. Wesley Jacobs
Marlboro Avenue
I am a lifelong resident of Norfolk and reside in Superward 7. In the election for City Council the voters are fortunate to have six candidates of the highest quality who have volunteered to step forth and offer their services to the electorate.
After reviewing the platforms of all the candidates, William E. Swindell Jr. stands out as the best qualified. For two decades Mr. Swindell has been involved in community affairs in Norfolk. He time and again led the fight for quality jobs in Norfolk, often working with members of various civic leagues to lobby council and the General Assembly for programs of economic development. In addition, Mr. Swindell supports the right of taxpayers to have a referendum on key financial issues like Nauticus.
The main reason I chose to support Mr. Swindell was dedication. He has been involved in our community continually. In my lifetime I have seen many politicians come and go. Leaders stay. Leaders are there when the going gets tough and hard choices have to be made. William E. Swindell Jr. is a leader. Norfolk politics is a tough arena, and you don't last 20 years working in it day in and day out and not be a leader.
Charles P. Pierce
Benwood Road Cautious about donations
During the early evening hours of March 28, I received a telephone call from a gentleman representing the Virginia Police Association.
The purpose of his call was to solicit a monetary contribution to support this organization. The person, later identified as Charles, started his ``sales pitch'' with ``The Virginia Police Association gives money to the families of police officers killed in the line of duty.'' After hearing this I stopped the sales person and asked him to repeat what he had just said. He did verbatim. I, being familiar with this organization, asked to speak to his supervisor.
When the supervisor answered the telephone he was asked if what the sales person had said was correct, and he stated it was. I explained to the supervisor that I have had over 23 years experience in law enforcement and the statement was false.
I later talked to a local contact person and was informed he would look into the matter but doubted the event had happened.
The Virginia Police Association is an organization made up of members of the law enforcement community. When a member dies, the surviving family receives a death benefit, then the members are assessed a given amount to replenish the treasury. There is nothing wrong with this organization; in fact it is a very good one. It provides money to a member's family at a time when it is most needed.
The purpose of this letter is to inform the public to be cautious when making donations to organizations. When receiving such a call, ask for the caller's, supervisor's and local contact's name. In addition, don't forget to get a call-back telephone number and the telephone number of the contact person. If you need to verify the authenticity of an organization, call your local consumer protection organization and in the case of an organization representing the police, please call your local police department.
D.W. Everton
Appleton Drive Change the spelling
Concerning the April 11 article in The Virginian-Pilot about using Light Rail transportation from Virginia Beach to Norfolk:
To speed the process, what you do is look at ads and take their cue - very simple ... more compelling: ``Lite Rail!'' Merely change the spelling.
Nanette Emanuel
Monterey Avenue by CNB