THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, May 31, 1996 TAG: 9605300191
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 07 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 62 lines
I am very concerned about this issue of School Board members Tim Jackson and Ferdinand Tolentino and prosecutor Bob Humphreys.
What is prosecutor Humphreys afraid of? Why is he making the case against these two gentlemen such a federal case?
Bob Humphreys is grasping at straws, and he is about to fall. He's a drowning man and he knows it. He is only using these two School Board members as scapegoats. Somebody has to pay, is that it, Mr. Humphreys? Is that one of the reasons you are bringing these ridiculous charges against Tim Jackson and Ferdinand Tolentino? Don't you have bigger fish to fry?
I have known Tim Jackson for 35 years and I would trust him with my life. He is one of the most ``human'' human beings I know. He will give you the shirt off his back and he does anything and everything within his power to help his fellow man. Tim Jackson is a complete man of God and it tears me apart to see someone like Bob Humphreys dragging his name through the mud.
But there is always light at the end of the tunnel when your eyes are focused on God. God is all powerful, all mighty and He will bring Tim Jackson and Ferdinand Tolentino out of this total mess unscathed.
Della M. Jackson
May 21 City's water policy defies logic
The May 5 Home and Garden section of The Virginian-Pilot contained articles on swimming pools, including one captioned ``Know rules for filling and draining.'' In this article, Wanda L. Cooper, the water conservation coordinator for Virginia Beach, informs us that residents must apply for an exemption to legally fill a new pool or refill a pool when using city water. Average size pools require 15,000 gallons of water. Ms. Cooper states that there has never been an application rejected for filling a new pool. Am I missing something here? It was my belief Virginia Beach has a serious water resource problem. If the city arbitrarily issues permits (exemptions) for frivolous water use how could any reasonable person be expected to take water conservation seriously?
I am having a difficult time attempting to understand the rationale of our policies related to this matter.
Gene D. Royer
May 17 Our police deserve higher pay
I have had the opportunity to learn more about the police in Virginia Beach by graduating from the first ``Civilian Police Academy'' course.
For three hours a night, for nine weeks, I listened to dedicated police officers explain their work and learn of their dedication to our community on and off the job. Living most of my life north of Virginia, I can attest that we surely have the finest and they deserve more than we are giving them. The high number applying for positions are not because of the pay but to be on a well informed, highly trained and respected force.
Why can't we afford to raise their salaries? We can afford expressways, amphitheaters, stadiums, to draw business and tourists and still raise our taxes. So why not thank our police, who must protect these expansions along with the mass of people that it brings? Listen to the call of the people of Virginia Beach. After all, that is what the City Council should be doing.
John Feretich by CNB