THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 30, 1996 TAG: 9605250167
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 67 lines
I would like to comment on the public review of the budget proposal that was held May 8 at Norfolk Scope. I was one of probably 500 people who had very real concerns with the budget and who came that night to be heard.
I left more disgusted with our council and executive staff than I was before the meeting.
First, the meeting did not start on time.
Next, our newly re-elected Dr. Mason Andrews was about an hour late, so he missed a large part of the public comment on the public schools' portion of the budget. Mr. Herbert Collins was almost that late and got up and left the meeting at least eight times for periods of five to 10 minutes. Bladder problems, I guess? Mr. Paul Riddick was on time, but he got up and left the meeting at least three times before not returning at all about two-thirds of the way through. I guess he knew there was nothing else of importance to be heard.
It was funny, but also sad, to hear the individual speakers open with respectful greetings to the empty vice mayor's seat. Mr. Randy Wright came up to the council table with a ball cap on, apparently to show support to the Bayview community. The only thing he accomplished was to portray himself more as the modern ``Gomer Pyle'' than a professional city leader.
As a group, they all showed complete disrespect for the audience by joking, laughing and carrying on private conversations amongst themselves during the entire hearing. When some speakers distributed papers to the council to go along with their comments, some of the members appeared to mock the information on these papers.
They showed disrespect for all of us to the point of getting up from their chairs to joke with those at the other end of the table while speakers were speaking, completely oblivious to the concerns of the citizens.
The message that many, if not all of us, received was that the council was totally unconcerned with our problems and is intending to do whatever pleases them. The message was that all of these public meetings and budget workshops were just lip service to the citizens of Norfolk, with no real foundation in truth.
The council knows best, despite what the citizens feel. I would like to thank them, though, for showing their true colors. This way I can be confident in not trusting their leadership.
Ottis Bishop Jr.
Wailes Avenue Tighten up on alcohol
I have noticed that alcohol is a distressing problem in the United States.
Fifty percent of automobile accidents are caused by drunk drivers. Many teenagers are beginning to use alcohol and abuse it. They accept it as ``cool'' behavior and most don't stop to think about the dangers of alcohol.
There is alcohol at parties, home and stores, places in which alcohol is easily obtained. Alcohol-related accidents are the leading cause of death among teens. Beer commercials on TV are not banned and that adds to the illusion that drinking is cool and fun. However, when was the last time anyone has actually seen people drinking in them? I believe that today's teens are not being helped to overcome the pressure put upon them by ``friends'' and television.
In conclusion, alcohol should not be so easily obtainable by teens. Stricter laws concerning alcohol and teens may help but would not discourage many. Beer commercials on TV should be banned the same as cigarette ads on TV have been. Teens should also become aware of exactly what they are dealing with when they drink.
John Warlick
Larchmont Crescent by CNB