THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, April 27, 1996 TAG: 9604270006
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 35 lines
Congratulations to R. L. ``Buddy'' Riggs, newly appointed interim member of the Virginia Beach School Board. At his first meeting he challenged the legality of the School Board s prior offer to pay up to $25,0000 each in legal fees for Tim Jackson and Ferdinand Tolentino, who are being indicted by a grand jury for malfeasance of office. Also challenged was whether these two men could be guilty of conflict of interest since they voted in their own favor. These issues have been placed on the agenda for the next School Board meeting on May 6.
Mr. Jackson and Mr. Tolentino were given a chance to resign. If they are found guilty, the maximum fine is $250 and termination. It was their choice to stay and ``clear their names,'' but it should be at their financial expense, not ours. They claim they care about the children, yet they have no problem taking $50,000 from the taxpayers and the school system to pay for their legal fees.
Unfortunately, Mr. Riggs will be in office only through June 30 since he was appointed by City Council. One person is running unopposed from the Beach borough. If enough voters write in R. L. ``Buddy'' Riggs on the ballot, (NU)154, he could win this seat and continue to provide the support and commitment the people of Virginia Beach deserve. Regardless of where you live in the city, you can vote for Mr. Riggs on May 7.
BARBARA EISENBERG
Virginia Beach, April 18, 1996 by CNB