THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 14, 1996 TAG: 9607120167
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 116 lines
He won't forget his roots
I would like to dedicate this letter to two people whose guidance and care have been unflagging through so much: my mother and my father, Judie and Cliff Middleton.
I think it is important that I write this letter now because of all the places I've been none are sweeter than Tidewater. Now it looks to be that I will be heading out of here again. It was my mom who sent the newspaper my letters from Saudi Arabia five years ago.
I didn't appreciate it at first. No one wants their innermost feelings a headline story. However, as time has passed and the world has moved on, maybe I see now that it helped. Not just me 2,000 miles away, but a nation that was collectively holding its breath. After Desert Storm, I was assigned to Panama. I had a great time and both MCI and AT&T employees put their kids through college on the money I spent on phone calls.
I was assigned to the Green Berets in Panama and got to see much of Central and South America. On the way home from Panama I met this girl that was in the Air Force. We are currently working on the happily ever after stuff now.
After that I was assigned to the 18th Airborne Corps ``Long Range Surveillance Company,'' LRSC for short. While assigned to this unit, I applied for an Army scholarship. I was then reassigned to the 82nd Airborne, where I am currently serving as a jumpmaster qualified ranger in a squad leader position. I have received the scholarship and am getting a free education.
The Army thinks that I am doing such a good job that this fall I will be attending Marian College, in Fond Du Lac, Wis., as an academic sophomore.
For my efforts, in three years I will be a lieutenant. I do not know if the Army will be my entire career, but it's shaping up that way. I feel fortunate that I have had such positive experiences in the military even with the down-sizing. Other equally great things I have achieved, I've not only added a wife, Colleen, to the Middleton roster but three boys: Brandon, Dylan and Cody. Each one with starry eyes and a million questions on things I had no involvement in bringing about.
I know I had a good foundation to build on through my interaction with the community of Portsmouth. I hope in some small way the visits I bring my children on to see their grandparents will in time give them the same values I picked up there. Thank you for listening, now and way back then. Good friends are always hard to find and even harder to keep.
Timothy L. Middleton
Hope Mills, N.C.
July 5, 1996 Wisdom must prevail
Vice Mayor Johnny Clemons has done well and will continue to do an outstanding job as vice mayor. However, I question the wisdom of council in breaking with the custom of multiracial leadership of our City Council. The change may not be a matter of wisdom but merely a power curb to ensure that Councilman Cameron Pitts would not become our vice mayor.
In 1992, when former Mayor Gloria Webb was re-elected, I served as president of the United Civic League of Cavalier Manor. Our league went on record to seek Mayor Webb's leadership, support and vote in selecting a minority member of council for the vice mayor position. I called the mayor as well as writing a letter expressing our concern. The contents of one paragraph of the letter to her, I now quote to the sitting council:
``We know that you are aware, perhaps more so than we, that our city has a pre-conceived image problem'' (racial). ``An image fueled by both the press and the citizenry. We are of the opinion that your favorable consideration of our request'' (multiracial leadership of council) ``will have a positive impact on quieting the press and dispelling those emotions and feelings that tend to separate us.''
The above was appropriate in 1992 for racial balance and is equally appropriate today. I only wish that wisdom had prevailed for our current council.
Carlton M. Carrington
Jamal Court
July 2, 1996 Building a better league
As secretary/treasurer of the Churchland Baseball Association, I would like to reply to the recent letters published concerning the costs of recreational youth baseball. Perhaps these people are unaware of the costs actually involved in running a youth athletic program.
A fee of only $45 to $50 certainly cannot begin to cover the costs. Liability and medical insurance costs alone are astronomical, however necessary, not to mention umpire fees, uniforms and equipment. The food, drink and supplies in the concession stands must be purchased. At Churchland Baseball, we maintain our fields without the assistance of city funds.
With regard to preparing for a tournament, we also do more to our facility during that time. However, the rewards far outweigh the trouble and expense. Those people visiting the facility will appreciate well-maintained fields, clean restrooms and well-stocked concession stands.
On behalf of Churchland Baseball, I would like to also take this opportunity to thank our volunteers, parents and board members who have helped funding this past season, who see where our money goes and who have worked hard to build a better league for the youth of Churchland.
Colleen Woodward-Miller
Secretary/Treasurer
Churchland Baseball Association
July 8, 1996 Awful road conditions
I have lived in the 600 block of Mimosa Road for 40 years. The condition of Mimosa Road from the 600 block down to the dead end is absolutely deplorable.
The corner of Mimosa, Lamper and Warren Drive could easily qualify as a mini-roller coaster. I have noticed over the years that certain sections of the city always get a nice blacktop surface. If we ever get anything, it's always a little hot tar with some gravel and that hasn't been seen in a long time.
I understand the city said sidewalks and gutters fall within the realm of the next 10 years for this area. If that's true, some of us will not be around to see it.
I could never understand why George Hanbury could spend so much money on his pet projects and not consider completing Mimosa Road when sidewalks and gutters were being installed from Elmhurst Lane down to Lamper Road.
When it comes to road maintenance, all city taxpayers do not get equal consideration from the city.
Orville L. Whitehurst
Mimosa Road
July 8, 1996 by CNB