THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 31, 1997 TAG: 9701290112
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letters
LENGTH: 107 lines
As unofficial hostess of Chesapeake's Welcome Wagon, I would like to extend a big ``Welcome!'' to John Pazour and his family.
One would think that, as the new city manager, Mr. Pazour would like to meet the people he will be working for - namely, the citizens of Chesapeake. I personally feel that such a meeting would prove beneficial to all parties. I'm not suggesting a City Council meeting with its red and green lights (although they are sometimes needed), but a real meeting where we, the citizens and taxpayers of Chesapeake, can tell him how we would like our taxes used.
For the most part, the citizens of Chesapeake are polite, intelligent and responsible people. Given half a chance, we would like to have a real say in things we want.
So, what do you say, Mr. Pazour?
Rita Blazonis
Spurland Circle Quick response
How blessed I am to live in Great Bridge, Virginia! I say this after living in several other states. From Pennsylvania to Arizona, I have never lived in such a place as this! To live in a city where many don't fence their back yards; where children are known to school officials by name, not a number; where the population still cheers for the high school football team, is an experience to be grateful for.
Last week, an occurrence at Southeastern Elementary School brought this blessing to the top of my to-be-thankful-for list.
With volunteer manpower and administrative guidance, our school handled a lice outbreak in an upfront and professional manner. The administration and staff worked to stop this problem quickly with minimum disruption to the teaching and learning of the day. Parents delayed appointments, rearranged schedules and missed work to provide assistance. We are fortunate at Southeastern to have Mr. Woody Koonce as our principal.
Thank you, parent volunteers and school administrators, for the time and effort you put into all your days in our special school. You make Southeastern Elementary School a place to be thankful for.
Kristie Matheson
Woodstream Court Beauty swept away
The city of Chesapeake has plans to pave over the baseball field and park surrounding Great Bridge Elementary School and the Great Bridge Recreation Center. In order to provide the Chesapeake City Hall complex with another parking lot, the park, the stately trees and the fitness trail will be cleared away very soon.
I attended elementary school in Great Bridge, and I also spent many pleasant hours beneath those trees watching my brothers play baseball. Time and gain, I explored the park, wandered through the woodland and ran the course of the fitness trail. It is astonishing to me that the city plans to pave this spot of loveliness in concrete. The grove of trees outdates the complex by more than 50 years.
It is indeed unfortunate that the city fathers, local planners and community architects do not share the same passions that others feel for natural beauty. Architects such as Sir Christopher Wren and Thomas Jefferson felt sensitivity toward the needs of future communities. They were concerned about the quality of life of future citizens. Without a sense of the future, developers in Chesapeake are bulldozing scenic areas and crowding the city with strip shopping centers that are devoid of simple architectural beauty.
As historic Great Bridge continues to grow, the rural beauty is being swept away. Desire for development seems to suppress the more noble passion for beauty. Nevertheless, I think the poetry of a grove of lovely trees far exceeds the immediate community needs, and I hope that Chesapeake city fathers, planners and architects soon come to their senses!
Karen Perreault
Norfolk Extraordinary program
On Jan. 24, I had the good fortune to attend the graduation ceremonies for the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program at Greenbrier Intermediate School. During the ceremony, the school's fifth graders were recognized for having completed the 17-week D.A.R.E. program presented by Officer Cecil A. Philpott, a 20-year veteran of the Chesapeake Police Department.
It was an extraordinary event and one that I was so pleased to have participated in!
In an era where the attitude of ``lock them all up and throw away the key'' is the norm, it was so very refreshing to witness the fantastic work done by the D.A.R.E. officers. Officer Philpott might not make many huge arrests while performing his D.A.R.E. duties, but he is doing something so much more valuable for our children and our community. Quietly, in a low-key fashion, he is impacting the lives of children and instructing them on the dangers of drug abuse and the terrible losses associated with violence.
No, we might not see the results of Officer Philpott's labors right away, but we will see them years from now when his efforts and that of other D.A.R.E. officers throughout the state come to fruition through decreased crime rates and increased success stories!
In an age where our jails and prisons are filled to capacity, I applaud the efforts of the Chesapeake Police Department and our school system to invest in a program that will result in fewer of our youths entering the criminal justice system.
To the 1997 D.A.R.E. graduating class from Greenbrier Intermediate School, I congratulate you on your accomplishment and urge you to follow diligently the lessons of the D.A.R.E. program. To the faculty and staff at the school, our hats are off to you for the outstanding support you have provided to the D.A.R.E. officers.
Last, but not least, to Officer Philpott, we offer our deepest gratitude for your dedication and commitment in investing your valuable time in our most precious resource - our children. May God bless you!
G.W. Roessler
Kemp Meadow Drive