THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Sunday, February 16, 1997             TAG: 9702140013
SECTION: COMMENTARY              PAGE: J4   EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                            LENGTH:   23 lines

COUNCIL DOESN'T CARE

About the Feb. 5 MetroNews story, ``Council says no to school board's $144 million list'': I'm ashamed to be a resident of Norfolk. Why? We have a council that doesn't care about the education and safety of our children.

It's appalling to know that the council feels it's all right to have leaky roofs, exposed wires, water leaks around light fixtures and other safety hazards in our schools, not to mention being in noncompliance with state guidelines.

The council can build up Norfolk all they want with their Nauticus, MacArthur Center and Rhinos. But what good is it when good people are moving to send their children to schools elsewhere?

I would strongly urge the council not to budget that $144 million, because they will need it to pay lawsuits when our children are hurt.

PAM FLOYD

Norfolk, Feb. 6, 1997