THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 3, 1996 TAG: 9612130923
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 6 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letters
LENGTH: 152 lines
Is it just because his character is so upstanding and he is someone to be admired and respected? Is it because he protested against his own country, about a war and he is now sending the military to places they do not belong? Is it because he admitted in a letter written years ago that he had no respect for the military?
Now, I don't know about anyone else, but I do not believe the government should be spending almost 50 percent of our money. But, when you add up federal taxes, state taxes, sales taxes, personal property taxes, real estate taxes, gasoline taxes, it may surprise you as to just how much of your money is going to someone else and they get to decide how it is spent.
I would really appreciate it if someone ccould cut taxes 15 percent and also cut the capital gains tax and make it possible for us to save money for out futures. We, the people, need to take care of ourselves.
Have you ever thought about, or considered, voting on the issues and not how much personality a person has? How can a poll say that people believe Dole has more integrity and character than Bill Clinton but they will still vote for Clinton? Why? Doesn't intergrity and character count anymore? Could it be that the reason there are so many problems with teens in this country -- they are not being taught responsibility and if they are using Clinton as a role model, they are definitely not learning anything about integrity and character.< Also, what you need to remember is that most of the issues that have been passed since the Republican Congress was voted into office in 1994 were part of Clinton's platform when he ran for president in 1992. But he totally ignored them until 1994 and then he became "almost a Republican" and made good on some of his promises.
Also, four years ago, this same man made fun of "family values" and now he believes in them. As far as I am concerned, family values are at the root of most of our problems in today's society. Somewhere along the line, they have been forgotten, but it is not too late to find them.
So, when you vote in November, think carefully about what you are doing. Mary Parrish Warren Drive Oct. 21, 1996 The city's rich history
The history of Portsmouth is the greatest of any naval city in America. Many talk about it, say we should capitalize on it, but few ``walk their talk.''
Efforts to promote and preserve our history that lies outside the four walls of the city's museums has been continously thwarted by those who promote only the status quo. Many of these same individuals control our history within the museums. Yet, most of our great history does not reside inside these walls but in the many buildings, streets, passageways and cemeteries of this city.
The same individuals who have put a ``choke hold'' on the advancement and explorations of our history are perhaps the same who would withhold our historical documents to noted researchers and scholars. Recent letters of complaint and ridicule from visitors to our museums and its research library contain the following statements: ``While the people who work there and nice, they are not very friendly,'' and ...when asked if I could photograph it for my collection, I was treated like I have no respect for history,'' and ``...a more interesting piece, which is similar to the one in the Naval Museum in Norfolk, is just lying on the floor, under another display case, unlabeled!'' Another researcher writes, ``Unfortunately, the museum now has a widespread reputation among historians as poorly administered and unfriendly to researchers.''
With another letter, a researcher seeking his doctorate at the University of Alabama writes after being denied access to certain material held in the Butts Research Library, ``I found that other historians and navy buffs, such as Dr. William Still and Bob Holcombe had tried to view the diary for the past 10 to 15 years but were denied access, usually without explanation.''
A number of local historians have said they refuse or hesitate to visit the facility because of the feeling of intrusion into a sanctuary. If these allegations are correct, then in my view this is a highly undesirable and unethical approach to projecting the helpful and friendly image we need to portray. How can we attract visitors with such a displayed attitude and of equal importance donations of artifacts and memorabilia to further our inventory?
It does not take a rocket scientist to realize we need to clean up our act! Moreover, we must establish a history commission to preserve and promote Portsmouth's great history. Should not our history existing outside the walls of the museum require and demand at least the same amount of emphasis and overview as the of the museums? Most assuredly it does...for the wealth of our history lies outside these walls.< Can we rely on the status quo or an ``ad hoc'' effort to promote and preserve our history? I am of the opinion that only those whose vision is illuminated by the glow of a firefly would advocate such a measly effort.
Citizens of Portsmouth, history is money if translated and projected properly. If you do not believe so, you have not visited Williamsburg lately. We must demand that our history get the proper respect and emphasis from our elected and appointed officials. For it is an available product ready for development and harvesting and can be the true ``cash cow.'' M.H. Morris Hodges Ferry Road Oct. 28, 1996 Where churches can help
It is most fitting that Portsmouth has a mayor who is sending a message that he backs the religious institutions of Portsmouth and that they should do more! This, coming from a politician is miraculous. It is a miracle that happened at the closing of the 20th century.
Thanks, Mayor James W. Holley III, for having a vision, of seeing a future for Portsmouth, that can only come from its churches working together.
I am a member of a church that is associated with the Southern Baptist Convention. In Portsmouth, there are at least 29 churches in this affiliation. They are bound together by an association common to each by what is know as the Portsmouth Baptist Association.
Portsmouth has 29 square miles within its perimeter and there are approximately 103,00 residents. If an average is used, there are 3,552 residents per square mile.
In the Portsmouth Baptist Association, there are approximately 16,000 members in 29 churches. Using an average again, this gives 552 members per church.
With 3,552 residents per square mile and 552 church members per square mile, thinking it terms of a one-on-one basis, this leaves each member responsible for 6.43 persons. This is not a tremendous task when thinking in terms of averages and generalities. At least this kind of thinking puts a handle on the sollution to a very real problem that exists not only in Portsmouth but in the nation and the world.
I am only using 29 religious institutions from the stated number of 247 that exist in the city of Portsmouth alone.
With an effort on the part of the churches to teach goodness, kindness, peace, patience, love, faithfulness, gentleness, and even demeanor (temper) and love, Portsmouth could become a mecca for industry, along with an influx of people to such a degree that great apartment complexes would have to be built to house the increase of people searching for safe streets, education facilities of excellence, shopping centers of superiority and churches who consider foreign missions any area within the 29 square miles of Portsmouth that does not meet the high standards of existence set for each individual within its borders.
Yes, Mr. Mayor, you are a true visionary, and your solution to solving problems of Portsmouth is the only true way there is, contrary to all the solutions the world can offer, and has offered, and does still offer the cities.
Within the continued, persistent, focused thinking of a mayor such as the one Portsmouth now has and the determination and willingness of the leaders of the 247 religious institutions to set an attainable five-or-10-year goal that can pull Portsmouth up by its own bootstraps, can there be any question in any rational, reasonable person's mind that the key to Portsmouth's well-being has been hit upon? Marion F. Vaughan Jr. Knotts Creek Lane Suffolk Oct. 28, 1996
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