THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 18, 1996 TAG: 9607160131
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 146 lines
Make students a priority
The city of Norfolk can find the money to renovate Maury High School to a showplace school, replace Ruffner Middle with a hi-tech ultra-modern school and replace Norview Middle School.
Norfolk can support Nauticus to the tune of a million a year and secure loans for the MacArthur Center by providing several city properties as collateral. Norfolk can spend another million to replace a fire station and fire headquarters so a parking lot can be built for the thousands of projected customers to shop at the MacArthur Center.
But now a 57-year-old high school scheduled for a promised renovation is being ``value engineered'' because the city (school board) does not have enough monies. I do not know of any improvement that has been made to Granby High School during my time at Granby or since my graduation in 1956. When are the students going to be the priority?
Steven Myers, Patricia Myers
East Lorengo Avenue
I am appalled that the city of Norfolk has such leaders as Randy Wright who ``need to be convinced'' to fund fully the renovation of Granby High School.
Granby is one of the city's oldest high schools, in much need of renovation. Why is the city trying to cut corners on this restoration project? What more important investment can the city make than to educate the future leaders of the city and the country?
If the proposed budget cuts are made, the resulting Granby High School will be little more than a ``resurfaced'' building that can accommodate fewer of the ever-increasing needs of our students. To cut the number of computers in a school that is supposed to be designed to meet the needs of the future is ludicrous. In today's work field, computers are a necessity, not a frill. How will our youth be able to compete in the working world?
It is truly hard to believe that this is the same city that can bail out Nauticus to the tune of $5 million and can find $300 million to build a highly speculative MacArthur Center shopping complex. Where is the city's priority? Why can't Norfolk's leaders understand that education is our only guarantee of a prosperous future? How can Norfolk expect to attract and keep residents when their schools are less than adequate? I urge the city to look again and fully fund the Granby High School renovation.
Vee Wroton
Creekwood Road Still waiting for repairs
Neighborhoods deteriorate when buildings are in disrepair, trash accumulates and infrastructure breaks down.
Willoughby Civic League, the residents and property owners have assumed responsibility and, for the most part, have kept Willoughby clean. Does the city assume its responsibility? In fact, promises are made and not kept. In 1994, at a Willoughby League meeting, Mr. Kieffer, director of Public Works, told the membership that utility repairs would begin on Little Bay Avenue in 1996 or at the latest 1997.
Since the repairs had not begun, I inquired of Mr. Kieffer as to when repairs would start. On May 16, Mr. Kieffer told me the standing water situation was so bad on Little Bay that no emergency repairs could proceed. Residents would have to wait until utility repairs were begun. I was also informed, at that time, of a new time line for replacement of Little Bay Avenue. The following is the present plan for Little Bay:
Phase one: Utility repairs will begin possibly in 1997 at Hansford Place and go west.
Phase two: will begin in 1998.
Phase three: will begin in 1999.
The street repairs will not take place until completion of utility repairs.
I just read the minutes of Willoughby Civic League of a meeting in 1975. At that particular meeting a motion was passed to ask City Council to repave Little Bay Avenue. That was 21 years ago, and we are still being placed on hold. But we are a patient lot at Willoughby - we really don't mind waiting, do we? Now we are told that the street might be replaced in the year 2000! Councilmen Wright and Andrews: What is your reply to this appalling situation?
Laura Lyons
Little Bay Avenue Some shortsighted cuts
In addition to other questionable changes this coming school year, the superintendent of Norfolk schools has decided to cut five positions from the Department of Special Educational Services.
In recent years there have been a number of smaller cuts in services to special needs children, but the cuts made for this coming school year are extremely shortsighted. The positions that were axed were in the areas of educational diagnosticians, psychologists, social workers and court liaison personnel. Obviously, these disciplines are extremely valuable in addressing the needs of special children, and they and their families will suffer greatly as a result of the cuts.
Early detection and appropriate programming for children suffering from learning disabilities, emotional problems and mental retardation result in significant cost savings in the long run. By significantly reducing staff in this valuable department, the city will end up paying a much greater price in the long run to address the needs of these children. Financial considerations aside, citizens of Norfolk should be outraged about these changes from a moral perspective.
C. Rick Ellis, Ed.D.
The Center for Excellence/
Psychological Services A patriotic July 4 picture
If Norman Rockwell were alive today he could not have found a more patriotic picture to paint then that of the sights and sounds I found on retrieving the morning paper from the front walk on July 4.
The sight was of fresh-cut, well-manicured lawns and American flags flying from every house, not to mention the flags planted at the end of every walkway up and down as far as the eye could see for several blocks. There were also the sounds of children riding their bikes at breakneck speed, with flags attached to any part of the bike that would hold them. The flags no doubt were taken from in front of their house when they saw the abundance of flags left as if planted by some whimsical character out of a child's imagination.
One could look at such a picture and close his eyes for a moment and hear the shrill of children's laughter, the smell of fresh-cut grass and grills prepared for the feast that have become a pastime on this day.
Thank you Thelma Drake and John Rogers and anyone who helped make this a day that I will remember for a while.
Michael E. Borkowski
Ara Street
I want to thank Thelma Drake and the Northside Civic League for flags on Bayview Boulevard. What a beautiful and patriotic sight to see. It makes you feel great to be an American. Glad to have citizens who are thoughtful and generous. God bless all the volunteers and all Americans.
Hope to see it again next July 4.
Sarah Zedd
East Bayview Boulevard
Many local, state and national politicians came and went, winners and losers as well. In my 40 years' life in this city I do not recall any other politician who appreciates having been elected more than Thelma Drake.
I saw her in General Assembly and saw and appreciated the bills she introduced and supported. She is the first and only person during my life in Norfolk to do what she does for every national holiday. For the Fourth of July she decorated each and everyone's front yard of her district with an American flag.
I hope she will be around to do so for many more national holidays to come. Thanks, Thelma. Keep it up.
Spyros Markatos
Malden Avenue Money down the drain
How many city employees does it take to paint a fire hydrant? Apparently three. Two to smear the paint and one to lean against the truck and watch.
Meanwhile, our schools need improving and our police, fire and other emergency services all need additional money to better protect the citizens.
Gloria R. Spruill
East Little Creek Road by CNB