THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 12, 1996 TAG: 9605100193
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
As a candidate and citizen I would like to thank you for your coverage of the election. Considering the size of the field, the time available and your monopoly position as a daily paper in town, I think you did a pretty good job.
I have a few observations I would like to share:
Mr. Dean said he lost because, among other reasons, he did not have the ``organization'' Reba had. More specifically, he did not have John Langlois and Tele-Video Productions. John is tireless, cheerful, dedicated and Italian!
Most frequently asked questions the last two months: ``Why are you running?'' ``Why are so many people running?''. . . answer: for the same reason the 28 percent of voters that went out yesterday voted - citizenship.
I wish, for his sake, that Mr. Rose had not allowed himself to be quoted saying the school system's fiscal concerns will be a thing of the past. I truly hope he is correct, but, unless someone is raising my taxes substantially before the end of the century, he won't be. There are too many underpaid teachers, leaky roofs, gaps in computer and technology curriculum and resources and undiscovered budget gremlins in the system for that to happen.
I wish all the new School Board members great success in carrying out their duties.
Robert E. Beardsley
May 8 Health care needs cure
The issue that I struggle with now is that instead of being in the health care profession, I am now in the health care business. I have never been a business person before. I am a care giver not a salesperson. I care for patients not customers.
I see business administrators making huge salaries and boasting huge profits, but I see the quality of the product declining. It is this imbalance I find so difficult to deal with.
Catherine T. Edmunds
May 1 School trouble defined
The recent articles concerning the School Board and special grand jury prompt me to provide the following definitions:
Commonwealth's Attorney (Bob Humphreys): The word ``common'' is defined in the American Heritage dictionary as lack of distinction, coarseness or crudeness. Not distinguished by superior or other characteristics. Synonyms: ordinary, vulgar.
School Board: An organized body of administrators. Dedicated individuals who give their time to benefit children.
Grand Jury: A synonym of grand is ``grandiose,'' which refers to things which are on an exceedingly large scale, often with the implication of false pretense to greatness or pompousness on the part of the creator (in this case Bob Humphreys).
City Council: A group of persons called together for discussion (sit around and talk a lot).
Now I am confused. Which of the four above should be asked to resign?
My sincere thanks to the Virginia Beach School Board for a job well done.
David Weddle
April 21 Scrap real estate tax
I would like to remind City Manager James K. Spore and City Council that property owners aren't the only ones using Virginia Beach facilities.
Why, when they want more money, do they always look at the property owner? I think we should scrap the real estate tax and institute a payroll tax. This way everyone would pay their fair share.
Sherman V. Holmes
April 3 by CNB