THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, May 3, 1996 TAG: 9605010101
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Long : 280 lines
Awesome responsibility
Any person elected to the office of City Council has an awesome responsibility, both to himself and to the citizens who elected him. He must have a good business sense because running the city is a business - a big business - with us as the stockholders and the council as the board of directors. On the many diverse matters that will come before him, he must vote his conscience in the manner that the majority of his constituents would want him to. He must conduct himself in a manner that at all times reflects the dignity of his elected office. He should not be afraid to take a stand in opposition to the majority of his colleagues, and must not change his vote solely to provide the public with an appearance of unity on the council. Last, but not least, his demeanor must be such that you can be proud that you voted to elect him to this position where he speaks for you on the council.
Many persons claim that they can meet these requirements, and time proves that many cannot and or do not. One person who does meet these criteria is candidate Ed Hall.
I first met Ed when I became active in the Las Gaviotas Homeowners Association and have served with him on the board of directors for the past 2 1/2 years. He has proven himself to be an effective and fair leader, conscientious and forthright, and genuinely caring about what goes on past, present and future in the city of Chesapeake. He has demonstrated that he can effectively function (as part of a team) to set and achieve realistic goals, and to conduct himself as a gentleman and businessman at all times. It has been (and continues to be) a distinct pleasure to work with Ed Hall in a position where he represents more than 900 families in Las Gaviotas.
I believe that it is time that we had a City Council that is responsible to the desire and needs of the people, and wants to hear what he have to say rather than restricting our opportunities to be heard. We need a City Council that truly represents the people who elected them. Based on council actions over the past several years, it's time for a change!
Let's elect someone with courage and integrity and team leadership ability who can be counted on to conduct himself as a mature gentleman and responsible businessman while representing you. When you are in the voting booth on May 7, remember: Stand tall and elect Ed Hall!
Edward Samson
San Pedro Drive
Signs are useful
I would like to respond to a couple of letters concerning some of the candidates for ``trashing our streets'' with their signs for the upcoming election.
To single out Mike Woods and Jim Wheaton is very unfair. These are not the only candidates whose volunteers have put up signs.
Candidates have been putting up signs for years. This is a way to familiarize the public with their names and then we can read articles, attend forums, etc., to help us to become more familiar with their viewpoint on issues concerning our great city and our schools. It is also a way to remind us of the importance of exercising our right to vote.
I think we should concentrate more on the positive aspect of the candidates we would like to see elected and not put down others.
I know Mike Woods personally. He grew up in Chesapeake and is a product of the Chesapeake school system.
Mike Woods is interested in our city, our schools, and our youth who will be our leaders of tomorrow. He would be an asset to our School Board.
Nina Harris
Lambert Trail
Admired by children
Attention, parents and grandparents of children in the Chesapeake school system. We need to vote for Tommy Mercer on May 7 to serve on the School Board.
I have watched Tommy as he grew up in Oaklette United Methodist Church and would like to share some things you may not know about him and his qualifications. Tommy has a degree in education and religion from Atlantic Christian College. He has taught school at Indian River as well as at other schools in the area. He has also worked as youth director at several churches, including Oaklette. He did a great job, and was both loved and admired by the children as well as the parents.
Tommy has been the pastor at Hickory United Methodist Church for the past six years. Prior to that, he was pastor at Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church for seven years. The love and admiration of his congregations attest to his calling as a minister of the Gospel and to the character of the man.
He and Susan have three children in Chesapeake schools. Young Tommy is 12, Christa is 10 and Luke is 8. So Tommy is well aware of the needs and concerns of the system and he is ready, willing and well qualified to work in the school system, not only for his own children's welfare, but for ours as well.
Since we all know that our children are our future, let us try to provide all the opportunities we can to help them grow up into intelligent and responsible citizens. And we can begin by voting for Tommy Mercer for the School Board on May 7. I know I am!
Jacqueline M. Munden
Mattox Drive
Cooling-off period
Although I have not agreed on much with Vice Mayor Robert T. Nance Jr. in the past, I have to thank him for standing up against the Southeastern Expressway. It is about time someone stood up against continued development of Chesapeake. There needs to be a cooling-off period to allow our roads, schools and water to catch up with our growing city.
I hope this May the vice mayor can get some help on the council by electing John Cosgrove and Dalton Edge. I again thank Vice Mayor Nance for standing up for the people of Chesapeake.
Bill Bresen
Johnstown Road
One with experience
I've seen all the signs and read the literature and what strikes me about the candidates for School Board is that only one has any experience dealing with Chesapeake's schools.
As a mother with two children in middle school, I'm not willing to run the risk that comes with inexperienced people setting policy that can have a direct effect on their ability to succeed.
I'm concerned about test scores and the need to get back to the basics. My children have already been through the primary grades and I'm thankful they did well. But I worry about those who are coming up who might not be as well schooled in the essentials like reading and writing, and I wonder what kind of impact that will have on overall test scores for our schools.
I also think we need to elect someone who will keep a close eye on our money and who will act only for us.
We need to elect Jim Wheaton May 7. He'll have my vote.
Pam Bowden
Kinglet Avenue
Negative campaigns
As a professional and a mother of two children in the Chesapeake school system, I would like to note my concern with the partisan rhetoric that the so-called Republican ticket has introduced into this year's council races. These so-called Republicans with their anti-growth, anti-business message makes you wonder if they are socialists or populists. I'm sure any business or corporation considering locating in Chesapeake would be very leery of investing millions of dollars in a community if they read the negative campaign literature being distributed by the Cosgrove ticket. If elected, Mr. Cosgrove and Mr. Nance may make it city policy to notify every new business at the time of the ribbon-cutting that we appreciate their tax dollars, but their employees must live elsewhere.
Nowhere in their professionally scripted campaign flyers is there a vision presented on how Chesapeake can move into the 21st century as a city that welcomes new residents and improves on its deficiencies. We, as a community, must move from these never-ending ``blame games,'' which are pre-packaged by highly paid campaign consultants to an era of balancing business, community and civic interests.
Mayor Ward, Ed Hall, Elizabeth Thornton and Dwight Parker deserve a chance to work with our community and business to improve our roads, schools and recreation facilities. We do not need another four years of scandal and partisan rhetoric in this great city.
Lois A. Strickland
Pecan Point Court
Community leader
The City Council election is fast approaching, and it's time for the citizens of Chesapeake to make some decisions. There is a councilman who is currently serving the city that deserves your support once again.
Dwight Parker has proven to the Chesapeake voters that they did not make a mistake in November's special election when they elected him over Dalton Edge. The big issue in the campaign was drinkable water. Edge was rejected by the Chesapeake voters because he wanted to force Chesapeake residents to drink bad water and because his idea for a rebate to residents who paid for bad water was completely unacceptable. Councilman Parker stood against that bad idea and was consequently elected.
While serving on City Council, Mr. Parker has used his expertise as an experienced community leader to make sound decisions for our city. He has been a valuable ally of Mayor William E. Ward. In addition, he has received the endorsement of the Chesapeake Education Association, which means that the teachers in Chesapeake feel he is the right candidate to guide our city through a time of rapid growth and development.
Chesapeake voters should settle for no less than the very best leaders available to us. We deserve Dwight Parker, and he deserves our support in the May election.
Debra W. Gresham
Silverwood Boulevard
Asset to council
As an extremely active and very proud mother, teacher and resident of Chesapeake, I felt strongly about writing to encourage Chesapeake voters to take a prominent interest in their local government on May 7 - vote.
With the tremendous growth Chesapeake is facing over the next few years, it is imperative that our city be well prepared. Overcrowding our schools will lead to higher student-teacher ratios and obviously less individual learning time to ensure that our children are getting the strong educational foundation they need. We want our Chesapeake students to continue to excel and to be selected by the finest colleges so that the best possible job opportunities are available to them.
We need someone on City Council who is aware of our goals and can effectively lead us into the 21st century. I feel that Ed Hall has proven himself to many of us over the decade in Chesapeake by the numerous accomplishments as president of the Las Gaviotas Homeowners' Association. He has shown us that he is an effective communicators, as well as an active and dedicated community member in our great city. We need someone who is willing to get involved on a personal level. He will be an asset to our City Council and a friend to all of us who love Chesapeake.
Laura J. Dollar
Aguila Drive
Two caring men
I have known Tom Mercer and Harry Murphy for several years. They are both well educated, caring men of high integrity. They have both been heavily involved in their children's school activities. Over the past six years they have both been on numerous community boards and committees whose purpose is to help improve the quality of life for Chesapeake families. Tom and Harry have seemingly unlimited energies and work hard at any task they undertake. They go the extra mile to search for solutions and solve problems.
Though they both often work long hours in their respective careers, they find time for PTA, school field trips and are well read on current issues affecting Chesapeake schools. Tom and Harry both have children in Chesapeake schools and know the importance first hand of quality education. With their commitment to high standards in education and a vested interest in Chesapeake students, Tom Mercer and Harry Murphy have my vote for School Board. Their past record shows they truly care about Chesapeake families and will go the extra mile to make a positive difference in the future education of Chesapeake children. Exercise your vote on May 7 and vote Mercer and Murphy for School Board.
Celia W. White
Ballahack Road
Candidate's dream
I have been a resident of the Deep Creek area all my life. I have had two children in the Chesapeake school system. The youngest graduated last year from Deep Creek High, as I watched with pride, knowing that he had received a part of the American dream.
Recently, I listened to School Board candidate Michael Woods interviewed on radio. He talked about his dream - about parents and teachers working together with the School Board for what's best for our children. I listened as he talked about having grown up in Chesapeake and how he believes parents should have a voice in what's going on. How refreshing it is to think we as a city could get back to the basics.
I feel good knowing that we can elect to our School Board someone who believes the American dream is still possible for our children.
Marion Bowman
Shamrock Drive
Common sense vote
The adage ``common sense is not very common'' seems to apply to many of our elected officials both locally and nationally. Fortunately we do have the opportunity to elect a man to our City Council who has been blessed with a large quantity of this elusive commodity - Ed Hall.
Over the years and through many trying situations, I have been able to observe Ed's common sense approach to problem solving. The ultimate test for any leader is the test of time. In my opinion, Ed's decisions, direction and choices have stood the test of time because they were conceived and implemented with common sense. Now, more than ever, this common sense approach is sorely needed by our city government. Time will tell what a vote for Ed Hall was strictly a matter of common sense.
Richard M. Coradi
Las Gaviotas Boulevard
Ranking low
A recent National Press Club luncheon speaker brought some sad news to my attention. The United States places 14th worldwide in science and mathematics. The National Press Club speaker made the point that if we place 14th winning medals in Atlanta this summer the nation will be in an uproar. Will our average students be able to find room in our wonderful Virginia universities when the average students from those other 13 countries apply also?
Chesapeake's teachers are among the finest in Virginia. Many hold master's degrees in their fields. We are fortunate that they chose to teach Chesapeake children and, we owe them our support. The Chesapeake Education Association spent time using their expertise to select School Board candidates worthy of endorsement. The Chesapeake Education Association endorsed Harry A Murphy for the School Board.
I personally met Harry Murphy when he called to offer his services in helping to build Fun Forest. He attended Core Committee meetings and was instrumental in the coordination of a major fund-raiser. He donated a playground and set it up in several different locations while we sold raffle tickets. Harry Murphy won, with the Fun Forest Core Committee, national and local awards. He is hard-working, honest and intelligent. He is a good motivator and an excellent communicator.
Harry Murphy is a graduate of the Naval Academy and serves as a commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve. He is active in church and in PTA. He works with children in swim teams and soccer and received the ``Parent of the Year'' award from the Las Gaviotas Swim Team in 1995.
Perhaps the Chesapeake Education Association endorsed Harry Murphy because of mutual concerns about adequate facilities and technology; bus and school safety; and, curriculum and communication excellence. We need to become world leaders in educating our children. Harry A. Murphy is a leader who can make a difference.
Mary C. Haddad
Masters Row by CNB