THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 27, 1996 TAG: 9609260137
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 137 lines
It seems strange that since Dickie Foster exposed his plans for an old folks development on the wrong side of the Green Line both The Beacon and The Pilot have received many letters, even from way up in Northern Virginia, saying what a great idea it is.
As one who would be eligible to live in this restricted community, I can't for the life of me see why it would be popular. Let's look at it from an old guy's perspective.
It would be a relatively high-density development in the country. Thus you get the problems of close-to living, without the benefits of an urban environment (a wide choice of restaurants, entertainment, etc.)
Since it's restricted to pre-baby boomers, it means your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews will, in most cases, be far away. I am one ``senior'' who would hate to be isolated from young people in general.
It's a pretty good drive to Virginia Beach General Hospital if something unexpected happens. And I hear of no provision for any medical services by the contractor.
Having vulnerable old folks living together out in the country would pose a security problem.
If the projected golf course is built that would be nice for the many golf nuts still swinging clubs in their old age. But I wonder what the hundreds of golf widows would do for amusement?
I suspect that the fact that the project threatens the Green Line adds to, rather than detracts from, its popularity with certain people.
This is one old-timer who isn't longing for those green pastures.
Edward F. Bacon
Sept. 21 Council should approve Coastal Green proposal
As I watch the city of Virginia Beach grow, with the refacing of Atlantic Avenue, the Amphitheater and the Oceana military base, I think of all the transitional people that visit and live here. Most of the military do not call this home.
My husband and I are retired military. We have stayed in Virginia Beach since 1985 and we plan on working here. For our family, Virginia Beach has been constant upheaval with an element of stability because other military families had to move a lot. I have enjoyed the recreation centers, the Farmer's Market and the parks and many of the free or almost free services the city provides for its residents. These things helped our family get together, because we have used these to go on outings and to meet with friends.
That is why the Coastal Green retirement community is the best idea proposed to the City Council ever. For the constant influx of non-permanent people, we need to develop a place where the generations of people can feel connected. We need to have a place that the older crowd can get together as friends to help one another. We need to be a city that talks about family ties to keep the generations of families coming back here to live.
Since the project broaches the Green Line, there should be many problems with it being built along the 900-acre tract. However, only density is an issue. Only this project will not become a tax burden, use public services or over populate our schools. The project will place 900 acres of land in a planned community with virtually no growth after the initial project is completed. Can the City Council say 100 percent that they will never allow anyone to build or enhance the area over the Green Line? If so, then vote NO or stop putting this project off for the future. Stop procrastinating! Without Coastal Green, Mr. Foster's plan will be built in another community. Where will Virginia Beach get such a wonderful plan to replace it?
Also, who determined where the Green Line should be, or was it indiscriminately drawn? City Council needs to re-evaluate the Green Line and vote YES to Coastal Green.
Karen Straka
Aug. 14 Extracurricular events help students
``Students who don't make the grades wouldn't take part in extracurriculars.''
This statement (Sept. 19 Virginian Pilot, ``Beach explores minimum GPA'') sounds really like a good idea, but in reality the students who do extracurricular activities make better grades because their coaches and their teachers take an active role in their attitudes and their grades. The student has a sense of belonging and a sense of pride. I have witnessed many a young person's grades go up and pride in that achievement. If he/she had not had this opportunity, would this have happened? I think not. To belong to something would he have joined in some negative activity? Possibly.
I feel you should be looking into the positive roles these activities have on young people. Even to the point of requiring every student to be a member of some activity that the school sponsors. You might be pleasantly surprised at the results.
Sally Swiger
Sept. 22 John Tate is qualified to lead us in Congress
I wholeheartedly recommend John Tate as our next Congressman.
I'm writing this letter not only as an employee of John's but as his friend.
I have worked for over three years as a production supervisor at the Telecommunications Center that John runs for the National Right to Work Committee. In that capacity, he has employed over 300 people at a time.
In those three years I've worked closely with John and watched John at work. I know he is an honest man, a fair man and a man of principle. He is a good businessman and a good manager, always treating his employees fairly and with respect while running an efficient and productive operation.
I know John understands the tough issues facing the citizens of our community and nation. He knows how hard it is for the average working man and woman to make ends meet. And John understands the need to restore the strength of the family in our community.
John will be a Congressman we can be proud of. He is committed to the kind of economic government reforms we need. John will work to cut our taxes so you and I can keep more of our hard-earned money. And he will battle tirelessly to balance the budget by reining in the out-of-control government spending.
Like me, John cares deeply about our community. And as our Congressman, John will work to make Virginia Beach and Norfolk a better place to raise our families.
Vanessa R. Akinyanju
Aug. 23
I am very glad to be able to recommend John Tate as our next Congressman.
John has been a community activist all his life. He is a man of deep conviction and believes that government must be responsive to the will of the people.
As director of the National Right to Work Committee Telecommunications Center, John employs over 300 people in the Second District, while helping lead the fight against forced unionism.
Most important, John understands the critical importance of our national defense. Before his current job, he served as the legislative director of the U.S. Defense committee, a group which organized grass-roots support for strong defense policy.
Too many people in Washington have forgotten the words of Thomas Jefferson, that ``Eternal vigilance is the price of Liberty.''
John Tate knows that peace is maintained through strength and he will fight to preserve our strength.
The Second District needs the leadership of John Tate.
State Sen. Edward L. Schrock
Sept. 2 by CNB