THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 17, 1997 TAG: 9701150153
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL LETTERS
LENGTH: 113 lines
Could someone tell me what has happened to John de Triquet?
Perhaps he has broken his arm patting himself on the back.
Over the last several weeks I have seen him:
1. Vote for the awful BPOL tax. Even though he says he is not in favor of taxes, he voted with the Democrats to keep this unfair tax. Thank goodness, Gov. George Allen understands the issue and is working to make our taxes fairer, no thanks to de Triquet.
2. Vote against the business community that provides hundreds of mid-level-income jobs. I guess not everyone can have a doctor's income, but he needs to understand the working man and woman. His vote against the auto industry, should be remembered by every hard-working person in the city.
3. Vote against the importance of private ownership with his vote against the jobs and homes that will be created off Butts Station Road.
Perhaps he has it made, with his income and job, but he needs to remember what helps make the economy tick. It looks like he has lost touch with the average hard-working person in Chesapeake. Too bad. We need common sense, not his long lectures.
R.A. Roundtree
Commonwealth Avenue Enough about Rhinos
Rhinos! Rhinos! Rhinos! Where will it stop?
I agree with Al Horton's letter to the editor in the Dec. 27 Clipper. Why is this organization dictating to Hampton Roads what it'll pay in taxes and what it won't? Why should we lay our money on the table and get nothing or little in return? These players get mega-bucks to play these sports. Now, imagine what the owners are getting - 10-fold, I would say. If this hockey team wants to come into this area, they should be subject to the rules that we set down for them, not the other way around.
And how is this going to improve our city? Are they going to help build new roads? Are they going to improve our schools and recreational facilities? Are they going to put money back into this community for future improvements? Last but not least, what about 10 years from now when their contract is up? Will they up and leave?
Put our tax dollars to work where they are needed.
Paul Zentmyer
Saddlehorn Drive Farewell, Leffler
Our children had the honor to have articles written by Mr. Bill Leffler while playing ``The Baker Damron Eye Center Junior Tennis Tournament'' at Elizabeth Manor Country Club. His reader-friendly information was recognizable to even a novice reader of sports.
We feel privileged to have had Mr. Leffler's name on articles written about our children, which they have saved in their scrapbooks.
Thank you, Mr. Leffler, and we wish you much happiness and sports enjoyment in retirement.
The Grover family
Suffolk Get the facts
I believe we should stand up for things we feel are right and oppose things that are unjust, but I wonder how many people sign a petition without getting all the facts.
There are those in our city now asking residents to sign a petition to overturn the rezoning of Warrington Hall, the planned development between Kempsville and Butts Station roads. They say safety and over-crowded schools and roads are their concerns.
If signing this petition would stop growth in Chesapeake, i would be glad to sign. Instead, it could hasten growth. You see this property was already zoned R-15, and the owner can already build those ``plastic palaces'' with narrow car-lined streets, no place for kids to play, no sidewalks and no waiting for roads or schools to be built. Instead with the new rezoning there should be fewer children added to our schools (most folks in assisted living don't have school-age kids), and development will be phased in with the widening of Kempsville Road.
How can those who have supported developers of open farmlands by purchasing homes in their subdivisions justify opposing this farm being developed? Is the Chesapeake Council of Civic Organizations against the large park, sidewalks or even fences and off-street parking?
Where was the Chesapeake Council of Civic Organizations when the corner of Battlefield and Cedar Road was rezoned? Stop and ask yourself what is the motivation behind the Warrington Hall petition. If you understand what is at stake here and wish to sign, more power to you. But don't be anybody's pawn.
Gene Leis
Clearfield Avenue Leadership change
For the past three years, the Chesapeake Young Republicans have taken the Hampton Roads political scene by storm. I have been honored to be at the helm of this organization. Since its inception, the group has worked for some terrific candidates, including George Sweet, Wally Erb, Dutch Andrews, Sen. Mark Earley, Chesapeake School Board member Patti Willis, John Cosgrove and Sen. Fred Quayle, plus many more.
Politics has always been a passion for me. If I had one wish for the new year, it would be for more people to participate in the political process, especially on the Republican side. It was again unfortunate that only about 50 percent of the population voted in the last presidential election. For our country to improve, we must do better in getting people involved in politics.
The Chesapeake/Kempsville Young Republicans has also grown with other organizations. I would like to thank Mary Henke and Matt Richie for their leadership at Greenbrier Christian Academy. Mike Augustine at Tallwood High School, Rusty Deal, Jeremy Phillips and Robert Collins at Deep Creek High School. Let me not forget Christian Haddock, the regional chairman of the high school Young Republicans. There are many others again too numerous to mention.
In closing, like many things, there always is a need for a change. With this in mind, I would like to congratulate Jason Walker for taking over as the new president of the Chesapeake-Kempsville Young Republicans. I am stepping down as chairman. He is a true leader who has a passion for politics. The Republican Party of Chesapeake should indeed consider him a great asset. I invite anyone between the ages of 18 and 41 who is interested in politics to call Jason at 482-7793.
Kenneth A. Robol
Amherst Court