THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 29, 1997 TAG: 9701290013
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 28 lines
One can't help but feel sorry for those who, evidently lacking dreams and aspirations for themselves, are content to see Norfolk and Hampton Roads fall short of greatness, too.
Why shouldn't our region have the best - the best shopping, the best caliber of entertainment, the best libraries? These people who slam the Rhinos, throw rocks at MacArthur Center, express glee about the attendance downturn at Nauticus and carp at what they allege is a ``failed'' Waterside, what do they do for their own amusement? If for them every night is a Blockbuster night, then surely they are to be pitied.
We live in a beautiful, wave-lapped region with a historic red-brick city of small gardens and big ships as its core. Ours is a region on the move, and the price we pay for living in an exciting place in exciting times has to be periodic tax increases.
Nothing makes me feel more alive than to be participating, every day as a citizen, in the rebirth of downtown Norfolk and the qualitative growth of Hampton Roads. And I cannot understand how anyone who has experienced the richness of the cultural and recreational opportunities we have at our doorstep could not want us to try for even more.
BRUCE C. EBERT
Norfolk, Jan. 22, 1997