THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 25, 1996 TAG: 9604240134
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Long : 120 lines
At the Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority board meeting on April 16, Miss Thelma Hinton, president of the Hoffler's Tenant Association, accused the African-American board members of discrimination.
She said that they do not care about the living conditions of their people and that she could no longer serve as president after the May 7 election.
I can't support the things Miss Hinton said.
People of all races, creeds and sexes are encouraged to speak to the board on any issues affecting the security and safety of where they live.
She told the board that she supports Richard Harris' bid for City Council because he had done so much for the residents, and that the white board members had tried to aid her more than African-American board members had.
The things Miss Hinton is upset over are real issues, but she's blaming the wrong people for not hiring a housing manager to live on-site at Hoffler. The board votes on issues as a unit, so what makes Miss Hinton think that white members favor her proposal for an on-site manager, unless someone is feeding her inside tips on how the board voted?
Leroy Bennett has done a fine job representing the people as Housing Authority chairman. His being black has nothing to do with how he has performed his duties. White chairmen have faced the same problems that Mr. Bennett has faced and have not been accused of racism. Where is justice?
I encourage voters to be careful who they elect to public office.
Why must Miss Hinton wait until after the election to resign? If she is so unhappy with the way things are in public housing, why not get out?
Geneva B. Hall
Jackson Street
Suffolk Retain Art Smith as education advocate
When my daughter began attending Elephant's Fork Elementary School in 1984, I became involved with the PTA. Serving as an officer in elementary and middle school units, and with the PTA Council, gave me the opportunity to work with many individuals dedicated to public education. Art Smith is among the most dedicated of these people.
As School Board chairman, Art Smith is a strong advocate for education and the well-being of all children. He has earned the trust and respect of those who have worked with him, and he emphasizes teamwork when approaching challenges. He gives time and energy promoting our schools locally and at regional and state levels. These qualities were cited in 1995, when the Suffolk PTA Council presented him with the PTA Life Membership Award.
Art Smith has been a leader in the effort to make Suffolk schools a source of pride for our community. I encourage voters in the Nansemond Borough to recognize these contributions when selecting their representative to the Suffolk School Board.
Frank L. Tetrick III
Winterview Drive
Suffolk Riddick and Bennett get nod in contested races
The Suffolk Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance has unanimously agreed by vote to endorse and support the following candidates in their quest of the following offices:
John R. Riddick and the Rev. Dr. Mark A. Croston for School Board, and Curtis R. Milteer and Leroy Bennett for Suffolk City Council.
These four candidates had petitioned to appear before this elite group of clergymen for their support. After many hours of articulation and meetings with these individuals, it was overwhelmingly felt that these persons will truly represent all the people with greater sensitivity to the needs of all the people of greater Suffolk community and not a select few.
After careful review of these persons' qualifications, past and present experience of having served the public in some form of endeavor, it is with great pleasure that this SIMA body endorses and supports these candidates for the election May 7.
Elder Felton Whitfield, President
Bishop John H. Kindred, Chairman of Political Action Committee
The Rev. Isaac J. Baker Jr., Co-Chairman Former classmate seeks Holland, Suffolk students
It is my hope to contact some friends from my past.
I am a former resident of Suffolk. My family moved from there to Bristol, Va., in 1964.
If I had stayed in Suffolk, I would have graduated from Suffolk High School in 1966. But before we moved to Bristol, I transferred to Holland High School for my freshman and sophomore years.
I have often thought of all the people I knew at both schools and wondered where they are and what they are doing.
Since this is 1996, I would like to know if there is a 30-year class reunion planned for the classes of 1966 from Suffolk and Holland high schools. I think our class graduated from Forest Glen.
I would like to attend both reunions if possible. Even though I did not graduate with these classes, I spent most of my young life with the people from these schools and would enjoy seeing them again.
If anyone from either of these schools remembers me, I may be contacted at the following address: Mrs. Regina Martin Peals, 804 Beaver Drive, Maryville, Tenn. 37801. The telephone number is 423-984-4263.
I would love to hear from any of my former classmates and friends.
Regina Martin Peals
Beaver Drive
Maryville, Tenn. Pen Friends invited
I am an international representative for a pen friends organization called International Pen Friends (IPF). It is non-political and non-sectarian.
Our club was founded in 1967 and now has over 350,000 members in 210 countries worldwide. We provide a pen friend service in English, French, German, Spanish and Portuguese. We are open to people of all nationalities and age groups. Our youngest member is eight years of age and our oldest member was born in 1920. We also have our own Stamp Exchange Division and over 6,000 stamp exchanging club members. In addition, we have a unique program which is available for teachers, school classes, girl and boy scouts, as well as youth groups for ages 10 to 17.
Details regarding membership may be obtained from Friedrich Cohrssen, IPF, P.O. Box 3426, Pietermaritzburg, 3201, South Africa. by CNB