DATE: Friday, March 14, 1997                TAG: 9703140011

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B10  EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Letter 

                                            LENGTH:  110 lines

LETTERS [TO THE EDITOR -- THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT]

I was outraged when I read about the quality of care that Virginia's indigent receive in state mental-health facilities (``State mental health care may be probed,'' Feb. 20).

Patients who receive their treatment from state mental-health facilities are uninsured. There is a direct correlation between quality mental-health services and insurance. It appears that because Gloria Huntley and Derrick Wilson were uninsured and had the misfortune of being in a state mental-health facility, they paid the ultimate price - their lives.

Ruth Baum

Chesapeake, Feb. 20, 1997 VIRGINIA BEACH Planners deserve praise, not panning

Your newspaper allowed Mary M. Heinricht to skewer the Virginia Beach Planning Commission in Another View on March 4. From my limited view, such scathing comment was stretched and incorrect.

I attended five of the 17 public meetings last summer; I have watched them agonize over zoning questions; I even attended the Economic Development's pitch to the commission on March 3, where only three ``outsiders'' bothered to come hear the city's dreams and quests for a more prosperous city.

Never once that day did the commission ``focus discussions on how to continue to build more and more houses.'' Instead, it focused on the quality of life and meaningful job creation at the Beach. The commission is neither dominated nor even populated with representations from the real estate industry, as Miss Heinricht claims. Rather, our Beach commission is blessed with an even balance of males and females commanding such jobs as farmer (and retired agriculture director), housewife, architect, lawyer, hotel owner, educator, et al. I can count one real estate type, no developers.

Frankly, I continue to be amazed at how extraordinarily well the Beach has defined its growth problems and addressed such concerns over the last several years. I hope it keeps up this positive momentum.

Eugene W. Hansen

Virginia Beach, March 5, 1997 REGIONALISM Sports franchise isn't the key

If Hampton Roads' regionalistic efforts are dependent upon a major sports franchise, then regionalism may never occur. I believe our regionalistic scope to be much broader.

First, a real-value assessment of the Norfolk shipyard must be made to determine alternative uses. Navy downsizing has the potential to significantly impact all economic spectrums. We must be prepared.

Second, technology continues to change the communication medium. We should become more involved in the research and development of this medium lest we be but a consumer.

Third, any serious regionalistic effort must include the education system. For example, the first-year academic probation rate last semester at Old Dominion University was 40 percent - tough to market to an outside client!

Fourth, roads and throughways may be overburdened or in need of repair.

Finally, regionalism requires that we form cooperative networks to attract new businesses and expand existing business in the region. The benefit to one benefits all.

Teach the populace, and the loss of the Rhinos will be a gain in a series of successes for Hampton Roads.

Walter Fielding

Virginia Beach, March 9, 1997 CRIME Youth rehab not for-profit business

Recently there have been articles concerning escapes from two facilities operated by First Hospital Corp., the Pines in Portsmouth and a new facility for juveniles at the former Norfolk Psychiatric Center in Norfolk. The public quite naturally is concerned for their safety from juvenile sex offenders and youths classified as ``nonviolent'' and committed to state care.

Hidden behind the headlines is a basic policy issue. How should the criminal justice system deal with juvenile offenders in an era of austerity and conservatism? Many people advocate that a variety of public services should be privatized, or contracted out to private, for-profit enterprises.

I believe that it is not in the public interest to transfer the care of these troubled kids to the for-profit sector. First, by definition their bottom line is profit and not the welfare of society or their charges. Second, I believe that, over time, entrusting youth to their care will cost more than facilities operated directly by government. Third, I know of no evidence that for-profits do a better job of rehabilitating youth than governmental institutions.

I am not a believer in NIMBY (Not in My Back Yard) for all community-based services. Many adapt well to their communities and are effective. But I do not feel that serious juvenile offenders belong in the middle of residential areas, nor that their care should be entrusted to those who may not hold the public interest as paramount.

Jeffrey Shelton

Norfolk March 7, 1997 ``Thanks'' to media for shutting facility

I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate the media, both print and television, on the excellent job they did in bringing about the close of the Tidewater Residential Institute here in Norfolk.

I now understand that it is better to take first-time committed juveniles from our community and place them in institutions in the Richmond area, where they can learn the tricks of the trade from repeat offenders. When the juveniles are released, they can come home and practice what they learned.

These kids are our sons and brothers, members of our community who deserved a chance to be a part of an excellent program where the staff cared deeply.

As a former staff member, I was involved in the future of my community. Today we can turn our backs on these kids, but what will tomorrow bring when it is time to welcome them back home?

Margaret A. Smith

Norfolk, March 8, 1997

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