THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 20, 1996 TAG: 9610190104
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letters
LENGTH: 151 lines
The recent passing of Chesapeake Police Chief Ian M. Shipley Jr. is a great loss for the residents of not only Chesapeake but all of Hampton Roads and the Commonwealth. Supporters and advocates of an orderly, civilized society have lost a true champion.
Chief Shipley embodied the qualities of leadership, courage, integrity, knowledge, devotion to family, compassion, humor and strength. It was his strength of character and conviction to do what his common sense and high moral standards told him to do that made him so effective in our complex society.
I worked with this man for 25 years and will miss him personally and will also miss the stability and strength that he provided to our community.
James W. Rein
Woodcroft Lane Sorrow and anger
Those who know me will vouch for the fact that I'm seldom at a loss for words. But since Oct. 6, I have been unable to express my sense of loss, grief and anger. At about 11:05 p.m. that night, my old partner on Chesapeake Police Division called me to say that Chief Ian M. Shipley had just died suddenly. Like everyone else, I was shocked that such a picture of health and fitness had succumbed to a heart attack just when he was on the threshold of enjoying a much-deserved retirement.
On Monday morning, when I stopped by his house to offer my love to his family, I was still unable to express my feelings. I, like them, couldn't grasp the fact that he was gone. Even now, after his funeral, I still am unwilling to believe that life can really be so cruel. Here was a man who gave 110 percent of himself to his family and his city, and now - as the time approached for him to be able to get back some of what he had sacrificed - he was taken from us without warning or time to prepare. But, as my anger at fate changes to sorrow and my disbelief becomes acceptance, I must say these words to the following people:
To Dixie, Jim and John I want to say how much I hurt for you all. You so willingly shared Ian with all of us, and I know I speak for everyone who knows you when I say I wish we could bear your burden for you, as he silently bore the burden of his office. Like all who know you, I am here for you and hope you know that I appreciate your allowing us to share Ian with you and to benefit from his dedication and sense of duty. God bless you.
To the men and women of Chesapeake Police Division I want to say: Carry on in the grand tradition the citizens of this city have come to expect from you. Chief Shipley has made you into one of the finest police agencies in this country, and you will keep his vision alive with your continued dedication and service. It is obvious that you all cared for him in the same manner that he did for you. I, like all the good citizens of Chesapeake, will honor Chief Shipley by continuing to support you as you protect and serve.
To all the old friends and colleagues whom I have seen during the past sad week: it was wonderful seeing you and reliving the ``good old days'' under then-Deputy Chief Shipley. But, as great as it was, I would have forfeited seeing any of you again if I could have nullified our reason for gathering.
To those television-media-hounds who harassed the chief's family and friends with your inane speculation (one of you even called his home and asked for him by name - to confirm his passing), I simply say, ``Shame on you!'' Your lack of compassion is only matched by your stupidity and total absence of professionalism.
To the political hacks who used your office to attack Chief Shipley personally earlier this year, I won't bother with a ``Shame on you.'' You probably wouldn't understand. I will, however, say thank you for motivating me to tell the public and the chief how much I thought of him as a public servant and as a man. Without your cheap shots at Ian Shipley and the department he loved, I would probably have seen him go to his grave without knowing that I came to realize what a fine person he was. I will leave it to each of you to decide how much blame you must bear in his early demise. I hope you have enough humanity left to understand what you have done to his family and his city.
Finally to my fellow Chesapeake citizens - especially the ones who didn't know Chief Shipley - I want to say that we have lost a real, honest-to-God, caring public servant. Ian Shipley was a private man who kept a low profile in a highly placed position. Over many years of leadership, he quietly endured the burden of Chesapeake politics, and protected his people from the day-to-day shenanigans of ``across-the street.'' His last decision not to fire back at the public critics of his department was typical of the man's management style, as was his constantly quiet battle for his people. Ian Shipley's influence on Chesapeake public safety will be long remembered and will positively influence the safety and security of our city for many, many years to come.
Even though our ``Ship'' has sailed to a much better place, his mark will surely make this world quite a bit better for all of us.
A.C. Black Jr.
Hornsea Road Dole's plan
Under Bill Clinton, American families have been squeezed between falling wages and higher taxes. Today, the typical family pays 38.2 percent of its total income in taxes - more than for food, shelter and clothing combined. By cutting taxes and balancing the budget, Bob Dole will create more opportunities for families.
Bob Dole's economic renewal plan does the following:
It cuts income taxes across the board by 15 percent. A typical family of four earning the median income of $38,782 would take home $122 more per month.
It gives 23 million families a $500-per-child tax credit.
It cuts the capital gains tax rate in half, increasing investment in small business and creating new jobs.
It repeals Bill Clinton's 1993 tax increase on Social Security benefits.
It balances the budget by 2002 and adds a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, which Bill Clinton opposes.
It saves families up to $100 per month on home mortgages. A balanced budget will result in lower interest rates, saving more money.
It allows the economy to grow at its full potential - by 3.5 percent or higher every year - resulting in higher wages and more jobs.
Bob Dole's economic renewal plan is supported by numerous Nobel Prize-winning economists. And governors of both political parties are proving that it is possible to balance the budget and cut taxes at the same time. Just last year, 21 states enacted tax cuts, and all of them balanced their budgets. Even Indiana Democrat Gov. Evan Bayh, in his keynote address at the Democratic Convention, admitted taxes can be cut while balancing the budget: ``It is possible to do it all at once. We've not balanced our budget by raising taxes. Instead, we've done it while cutting taxes.''
Bob Dole's economic renewal plan will not ``blow a hole in the deficit.'' Remember, Bob Dole led passage of the first balanced budget in 26 years while cutting taxes for families and economic growth. A balanced budget would be the law of the land today had Bill Clinton not vetoed it.
The deficits of the 1980s did not result because families were taxed too little, but because Washington spent too much. After President Reagan's across-the-board tax cuts, total federal revenue doubled and individual income tax revenues actually increased by 56 percent. However, for every $1 of additional revenue collected by the government, the Democratic Congress spent another $1.33.
Jason A. Walker
Jule Drive Smelly dealz
The Chesapeake City Council has voted to pay Armada/Hoffler $30 million for a $9 million convention center. Not only does Chesapeake not need a convention center, the terms of this deal smell to high heaven.
Armada/Hoffler was the only bid received. It's hard to do comparison shopping if you are only getting to deal with one supplier.
For the citizens of Chesapeake to pay $30 million for the use of a $9 million building is a scandal.
After the citizens of Chesapeake have paid Armada/Hoffler the $30 million, they own nothing.
On the assumption that the land and buildings of the convention center are worthless at the end of 30 years, Armada/Hoffler will have made an annual return of more than 10 percent per year on the initial cost of the building. If the value of the property goes up, they could make much more. Chesapeake residents should not be fleeced to enrich a local builder.
Armada/Hoffler has been trying to unload this piece of land for years. Now, seven out of nine members of the Chesapeake City Council have turned this useless property into a gold mine for a heavy campaign contributor.
Chesapeake has many more pressing needs than a convention center. This action by the ``Chesapeake 7'' is totally wasteful and should be dropped.
Arie J. Korving
Harding Drive by CNB