THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 12, 1996 TAG: 9605110136
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letters
LENGTH: Long : 210 lines
After reading The Virginian-Pilot article on May 9, ``Chesapeake Split Council Along Party Lines,'' I would like to paraphrase Mark Twain when he said that if we have five people on a committee and all agree all of the time then we only need one person to conduct and carry out the business of the people. We can change that number to nine City Council members and I concur wholeheartedly.
Who needs a rubber-stamp City Council, School Board, hospital board or any other body conducting business? Because the behavior of the population had become so negative, we tend to think that if one person disagrees with the majority on an issue, he or she is a pariah of sorts. Wrong! This country was built on disagreement and discussion. Any history major should be able to tell you that. And, according to Robert's Rules of Order, discussion should be conducted and not construed as something negative. That is the positive and proper procedure for conducting business.
In the newspaper article, Dr. John de Triquet spoke of divisiveness of personalities and divisiveness of principles. He stated, ``If divisiveness is based on principle, that is healthy, productive dialogue, which I think must continue on the council. And I hope the folks see the difference.'' So do I!
When we begin to see nine votes in the affirmative or nine negative votes at all times, we should have great concern. When that happens, the citizens of Chesapeake will be in jeopardy. I welcome discussion among our council members. I want them to ask questions, discuss an issue intelligently and make an intelligent decision that benefits the people of Chesapeake. That is the right thing to do.
Remember the words of Mark Twain. We surely don't need nine rubber stamps to conduct the business of Chesapeake. Only one can do the job. Discussion is healthy!
Lou Little
Woodland Terrace Drive Joining forces
The battle is over. The armor is off. The people have spoken.
I wish to thank Jean Loxley, owner/publisher of The Shopper newspaper for quickly, keenly and accurately recognizing Jim Whitener's credibility as a viable candidate for Chesapeake City Council. Her unique writing skills introduced Jim and his family to the citizens of Chesapeake in both the March and April issues. It is my belief that Jean's ``positive slant'' set a precedent, the pre-election spin didn't seem to have the usual public mud-slinging. Issues and answers rather than personalities were addressed in the public debates.
The print media offered factual and wide coverage of all the candidates. No one needed to creatively select their candidates like punching lottery numbers.
Working on the Whitener campaign was my gift to the city. More than 6,000 citizens were appreciative. Now, let's unite, stand tall, link arms and march forward with the newly elected candidates to make the voters proud of their choices.
The battle is over. The work begins. Join in!
Betsy Patterson
Benefit Road Grateful candidate
I would appreciate the opportunity to thank all of those citizens in Chesapeake who braved the weather on May 7 and went to the polls to support me in the election for the mayor's office. My heart is filled with gratitude to those folks, and I will never forget your support. I also would like to express my appreciation to all the people who worked so hard for my candidacy. We sure came close!
Most importantly, I want to urge the people of Chesapeake to continue their support of our brave fire and emergency medical services personnel. These men and women supported us because they believed that we would listen to their needs and find the resources to provide four firefighters per engine and that we would have the resources to acquire improved critical radio communications systems. The tragic loss of two brave firefighters has brought the need to meet the NIOSH recommendations to light, and we must work together as citizens to insist that these standards are met. It is important for everyone to know that the Professional Firefighters Association had never asked me to support pay increases or any benefit increases for their members. They only asked that we support the idea that the city should provide the manpower and communications equipment they need to protect our lives and their own lives while doing their job of protecting our families and property.
I am committed to working, as a concerned citizen, for these valiant and life-saving people. I encourage you to join me in letting the City Council know that you support the additional manpower and communications systems that have been identified by the federal government and adopted by the Commonwealth of Virginia. The firefighters' lives and ours could depend on it.
Finally, I hope that all of our citizens will become informed on current city issues and stay informed of the workings of our city government. We live in a wonderful city, and the potential for our quality of life is limited only by our imagination and determination. We must all offer our talents and energy to making Chesapeake the premier city in Hampton Roads, and we must work together for the common good of our city. Again, thanks to everyone for all the support and friendship during this race. I'll be forever grateful for the opportunity to have been a candidate for Chesapeake's mayor.
John Cosgrove
Amy Marie Lane Civic league views
Before Ed Hall cries ``dirty politics'' (The Clipper, April 28), he should review the minutes of the Chesapeake Council of Civic Organizations meetings and watch the videotapes of City Council meetings at which he spoke in direct opposition to the position of the majority of the members of the CCCO.
Mr. Hall previously served the CCCO, both as president and on the board of directors, at a time when the board made policy decisions, usually in closed session without requesting the view of the general membership. Several years ago, while I was serving as vice president of the CCCO, constitutional and by-laws changes were made to be sure the views expressed by the CCCO before the City Council had been heard and approved by the general membership by means of a vote. After these changes, Mr. Hall, still a member of the board of directors, did not attend CCCO meetings. How could he possibly understand or represent their interests?
My presumption is that Mr. Hall was not interested in hearing the concerns of the membership of the city's civic leagues and CCCO.
As for the letter distributed by Gene Waters, the current CCCO president, to my knowledge, neither Robert Nance nor William Pierce had anything to do with the contents or the distribution of the latter. Personally I voted for both Mr. Nance and Mr. Pierce, who took their valuable personal time to attend many CCCO meetings, where the concerns of the citizens of Chesapeake and contribute to the discussions on these issues.
Mr. Hall, if you want to see ``dirty politics,'' try looking in the mirror!
Kevin Butler
Woodwind Way Emergency help
There was a recent incident at our school that involved many of our students being exposed to a potentially dangerous element - mercury. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people who assisted us throughout this ordeal.
The citizens of Chesapeake should feel reassured that so many people in our community reacted to this kind of situation in such a manner as to protect our most precious treasure, our children.
Thanks to the cooperation from parents, students and teachers, we were able to react to the potential dangers in a quick and efficient manner. Thanks to the HAZMAT Team of the Chesapeake Fire Department, we knew the appropriate actions to take. And, thanks to the medical staff at Chesapeake General Hospital, who were able to get proper evaluation and treatment for 82 adolescent children. They were thorough, patient and very cooperative dealing with our students. I have recently learned they provided their services at no expense. We are very fortunate to have a hospital in our community that is willing to give so much.
Finally, I want to thank Chesapeake Public Schools' central administration, from the superintendent's staff to the bus driver who transported the students to the hospital. Their attitude of support and encouragement was sincerely appreciated.
I would like to name everyone individually who assisted, but I know space will not permit. You know who you are. Please know how much you meant throughout their ordeal.
Richard W. West
Principal
Great Bridge Middle School North Thanks to teachers
Last week was Teacher Recognition Week, a time to think about how much good teachers mean.
My children are ages 7 and 9 and attend Southeastern Elementary School. My daughter's third-grade teacher, Tricia Ward, who was Southeastern's ``Teacher of the Year'' last year, has a classroom that is a real-life version of ``The Magic School Bus.'' Ms. Ward defines creativity in teaching.
I am particularly grateful for the Southeastern team who teach my son, Brennan. My son has a developmental disorder and is progressing well beyond the predictions of naysayers, thanks in large part to the interest and skill of his teachers and therapists. His first-grade teacher, Michelle Eason, has done a wonderful job of emphasizing Brennan's strengths and ingeniously managing his weaknesses - all the while very effectively teaching the other 25 children in her class. Brennan loves his learning disabilities teacher, Cathy Collier. Ms. Collier teaches Brennan what he is unable to learn in a large group of children. The occupational therapist, Karen Folta, supports what Brennan is learning in class while she is working with him on handwriting, for example. Although the law requires that all children be educated to the fullest of their abilities, you can't legislate enthusiasm and teamwork, and both are in abundant supply at Southeastern.
I make a special effort during Teacher Week to communicate the appreciation my husband and I feel to our children's teachers and to Woody Koonce, the principal, whom the kids spontaneously hug.
Good teachers should not be taken for granted. Teachers Week is a time to show your appreciation by giving the teacher a break by spending a half-hour reading to the class, sending in a gift certificate to a restaurant or teachers' store or, if time and money are scarce, writing a short note to the teacher with a copy to the principal and just saying, ``Thank you!''
Gayle Nicholas Scott
Fordsmere Road Costly proposal
I think I now know why Sen. Bob Dole is having such a hard time finding supporters for his presidential bid. The reason is that he has lost touch with the voters.
Take for example Dole's own ``takings'' bill, S. 605. The senator claims that his bill will make the government pay the fair market value of land it ``meddles with.'' The fact is, the Dole bill will mean more taxes, more bureaucracy and more pollution - more of what we do not need.
The Dole bill would allow polluters and resources exploiters to claim a ``takings'' when they are prevented by law from despoiling a public resource - such as air and water.
A conservative cost estimate drawn for the Office of Management and Budget calculates that a takings bill such as this one would cost U.S. taxpayers (that's you and me) some $100 billion over seven years! Remember, this is just a conservative estimate!
I am all for fair compensation for property owners, but this bill goes way too far and it costs way too much. I thought the new leadership in Congress was supposed to be cutting waste, not adding to it. Then again, the real estate lobbyists who helped to draft this bill are donating a large amount of money to Sen. Dole's campaign fund.
Sean O'Neil
Chesapeake by CNB