THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 9, 1997 TAG: 9702070281
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 07 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letters
LENGTH: 92 lines
I noticed the Holiday Inn-Portsmouth Waterfront is going to renovate. I don't notice anything about improving the parking when traffic is heavy. When there is a big dinner and many hotel guests, many times people have to go to the upper levels to park their cars.
The lower levels are rented by the month. This is tough on elderly people. I have noticed at times when I am looking for parking, there would be many vacant places in the boat area near the Holiday Inn. These businesses should have some kind of a working agreement.
I belong to the Portsmouth Sports Club, so I go down there several times a year. I used to like the parking at the Elks Lodge. I always had somewhere to park.
Sam L. Callis
Sleepy Hole Road
Suffolk
Jan. 27, 1997 New curbs and gutters
For 30 years, the residents on three blocks of Bobby Jones Drive have waited to get curbs and gutters.
In this 30 years we have seen postmen, newspaper delivery people and teen-agers run off the road and make water holes and mud puddles in front of our houses.
We try to repair the damage each time to make the street look nice.
Now that the city has a surplus in its budget, it would be nice if they gave us curbs and gutters.
Lee C. Daughtry
Bobby Jones Drive
Jan. 25, 1997 Some assistance, please
I spotted a large wire kennel with an animal inside along the curve on Race Street. When I pulled over to investigate, I discovered two dead puppies. These poor creatures apparently had been left caged and neglected to die of exposure. Judging from the amount of feces in the kennel, they must have been caged for some time before they died.
I called 911 and was told no one was on duty in animal control to handle this problem. The SPCA said they had no one to send out, either, but since the animals were already dead, I should take them to the incinerator.
I removed the puppies from the kennel, wrapped them in paper and put them in a box and carried them to the city incinerator on Frederick Boulevard. The incinerator was closed and ``no trespassing'' signs were posted.
James Weatherbee at Parker Services Inc., across the street from the incinerator entrance, came to my rescue. He made the same calls I had and got the same responses. He very kindly offered to put the boxed remains in his disposal until the incinerator opened.
Why is it that a city of this size cannot have at least one person on call to assist in such cases on weekends?
Doris P. Perry
Parker Avenue
Jan. 26, 1997 A place for children
I am really hoping that the carousel-in-the-museum issue will stop going 'round and 'round.
The decision of the Museum and Fine Arts Commission is an appropriate one, made by credentialled and seasoned people and should be accepted as such. Most of us have not spent our lives in the areas of fine arts and museums. Why challenge those who have?
There are other uses for the much-beloved carousel. For example, it could be put in the vacant building across from the museum (formerly Woolworth's, I think) as the centerpiece of a children's mall.
Around it, there could be several businesses of particular interest to children. A creative and visually pleasing ice cream store, candy store, kite kiosk, restaurant, etc. An area for performing arts for and by children - professional and non-professional. A theater for the showing of a historical video of the beginnings of Portsmouth, providing an opportunity for the promotion of Portsmouth's attractions. A first-class outdoor children's garden - another venue for performances or rentals for special events - with bronze sculptures of storybook characters. Well-lighted for nighttime use.
The whole creation should be a bright and beautiful place that is imaginative - where interesting things are happening. Definitely not the usual mall fare. Something should also be developed on the waterfront for activity, such as rentals of colorful rowboats, where you can row out to a floating dock. That would be a fun, family activity.
It seems to me this would develop the unique niche Portsmouth is searching for. We know from the success of the Children's Museum and Coleman Nursery at Christmastime that people will travel to Portsmouth if the draw is there. I can see parents, grandparents and visitors making these children's venues a destination.
Mary Sue O'Brien
Sweetbriar Circle
Feb. 4, 1997