THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 28, 1996 TAG: 9606270180
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: 62 lines
Animal Control officers praised for their work
Your recent news article regarding the complaints of some Virginia Beach residents to the operation and effectiveness of this city's Animal Control personnel and policies should have provided a balance of comments by satisfied residents of Virginia Beach.
My experience with our Animal Control personnel began June 7 when I was bitten by a dog whose owner refused to provide me with any information and left the scene of the incident in his car.
I provided the Animal Control officer with the license plate number. He immediately located the owner, went to his home, quarantined the dog and issued a citation for not having proof of rabies vaccination. During this time, a second Animal Control officer came to my home to complete a comprehensive report.
All this action was completed within hours of the incident. The 10-day quarantine period completely upset my wife and I especially in view of the dog owner's inaction in having the dog vaccinated. Because of our concern we had to cancel a wedding trip to New England.
I spoke to the the Animal Control personnel on a daily basis during the quarantine period. Without question, they were concerned, caring and offered many words of encouragement. Of particular note was the extensive service I received from Animal Control officers Townsend and Humphrey. The supervisor, Mr. Snyder, was extremely helpful in providing me with the results of the final dog inspection at the end of the quarantine period, which greatly relieved my concern of possible rabies infection.
I am deeply impressed with the professional actions of these public servants. From my point of view, all the personnel at the Virginia Beach Animal Control Department deserve a sincere, ``Well done!''
Roy J. Hughes
June 21
Unnecessary work
This letter is in response to the May 19 Beacon article ``Hotel group backs Pacific Avenue revitalization.''
Is it any surprise that the Virginia Beach Hotel and Motel Association wants the city to spend some $1.5 million and eventually $48 million to $68 million to improve Pacific Avenue? After all, who are the direct benefactors of this capital improvement project? Of course - the hotel and motel owners!
I know, improving the appearance of our resort will increase tourism and bring in more revenue to the city, reducing or holding down my taxes. I've heard that argument before. Please don't get me wrong. Like most everyone who lives here at the Beach, I would like to see this city looking its best. However, I do question the need to spend this kind of money on a section of Pacific Avenue that does not need improving compared to other areas of the beach that could use improvement.
What about our schools? Surely if this ``special interest'' group can convince the city to come up with this kind of money on a beautification project, then the city can find the money to improve the rundown conditions that some of our children and teachers have to put up with throughout the year.
I hope our city administrators are not so easily influenced by this group and put the city's priorities in the proper order.
Let's remember the average citizen of the Beach, not just the influential ones!
Louis G. Figari
May 23 by CNB