DATE: Sunday, April 20, 1997                TAG: 9704190008

SECTION: COMMENTARY              PAGE: J4   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Letters

                                            LENGTH:  200 lines

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT<

DOO DAH PARADE

Ms. Fat City float was not intended as insult

In response to the April 12 column, ``When sadism masquerades as mirth. . .

To the people who took offense at the Ms. Fat City float in the Doo Dah Parade, I would like to apologize for any embarrassment or heartache you may have suffered.

As one of the participants on the float, I feel a responsiblilty to emphasize that our float was not intended to be a sadistic jab at those who struggle with obesity. Every last one of us as members of the human race should be able to understand what it's like to struggle with a personal defect or a difference from the ``norm.'' It's more than just a struggle. It can be a battle or, much worse, a beating.

``Fat City'' used to be a term that implied success. Ms. Fat City represented an entity that stood strong in spite of her own imperfections, laughter from others and hurled insults. She may have been perceived as a silly symbol (one of ``hilarity''), but did anybody see her duck out of the parade from humiliation? She didn't because she knew that she was special.

Ms. Fat City was intended to be an incarnation of the spirit of a city that is prosperously ``fat, happy, and growing,'' as the sandwich boards indicated. It is unfortunate that she was misread.

Cynthia Davenport

Norfolk, April 12, 1997

VOLUNTEERING

United Way says thanks

In recognition of National Volunteer Week and on behalf of United Way and the local human-service agencies that it funds, I want to salute my fellow volunteers for the significant contributions they have made and continue to make to our community.

Each year thousands of volunteers work many hours making positive contributions to United Way and other worthy agencies in our community. The significance of their success is realized by local citizens through charities like the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia, Meals on Wheels, the Boys and Girls Club, scouting agencies and other vital programs and services.

Many of us in business realize the importance of volunteers who provide critical services to our community. In a time when government funding of Health and Human Services is being reduced, volunteers are helping to fill the gap with their time and talents.

David L. Bernd

1997 chairman of the board

United Way of South Hampton Roads

Norfolk, April 11, 1997

WW II

A salute to 10 heroes

I was deeply moved by Glenn Allen Scott's April 9 World War II column, ``Japan's former American POWs are `Heroes Still.' '' The column names 10 heroes, living among us in Hampton Roads, who survived inhumane conditions as Japanese POWs, including the Bataan Death March, the hell-ship voyage to Japan and slave labor.

May we all continue to honor those heroes and remember that each is ``grateful for the atomic bombs that (brought) Japan to its knees,'' and that ``they have no doubt that the bombs saved them.'' I have no doubt that millions of lives, American and Japanese, also were saved by the bombings.

Antonetta Robin

Virginia Beach, April 9, 1997

NORFOLK

Don't ban psychics along with sneezing powder

Why is it considered so mysterious that some of us might be able to ``see'' things that others can't?

Psychic ability (a much overused and abused word; ``intuitive'' is more accurate) is a reality for some people. Edgar Cayce and Nostradamus are two of the more renowned names.

Of course there are fakers and abusers out there, as in everything. And as in every line of work, the talent must be used responsibly.

But it is not up to the city of Norfolk to ban someone's rights and sandwich that ban in a law with unrelated items such as tattoo parlors and sneezing powders.

Norfolk needs to take another look at this law.

Carole A. Victorio

Norfolk, April 12, 1997

RELIGION

Restrict churches? Here's what founders would say

In his April 4 letter, Ed Monk recommends government licensing and review of religions and churches as a cure for wholesale murder of innocents by ``radical cults.''

I invite Mr. Monk's attention to the murder of ``religious extremists'' by government-sanctioned religion in the countries of Chad and Sudan today. Government-licensed ministers and churches are all the rage in China. What an excellent job of ``keeping . . . safe'' their citizens.

Hitler, Stalin and Lenin would applaud these ``modest, reasonable restrictions on our privileges.''

Mr. Monk thinks our founding fathers would not be upset by the imposition of a few rules to ``keep us safe.'' I might refer him to the First Amendment to the Constitution:

``Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. . . .''

Joel Burns

Virginia Beach, April 13, 1997

VIRGINIA BEACH

Be fair about taxes

Regarding the April 9 article, ``Beach edges toward tax increase'':

We just had a real estate tax increase - why not be fair about tax hikes?

1. Let smokers have additional taxes on cigarettes.

2. Let all alcoholic beverages have a tax increase.

3. Increase taxes on gasoline.

As I see it, that way all that come and enjoy our area will share in paying taxes.

4. Senior citizens on Social Security - no children in school - should not have to pay a school tax.

5. Senior citizens on Social Security living on limited means should also have their real estate taxes lowered.

Mary Gilbert

Virginia Beach, April 10, 1997

VIRGINIA BEACH

Build a ``vista to the sea''

As a lifelong resident of Virginia Beach, I have watched the dramatic changes along the Oceanfront from the old cottage and hotel line to the present. Fortunately, some reminders of Oceanfront history remain: the de Witt Cottage at 12th Street and the Lifesaving Station at 24th Street.

Now perhaps the last opportunity to create another open grassy park area presents itself at 31st Street and Atlantic Avenue. This site has historically been used in various ways for recreation: a casino, dance hall, miniature golf and Seaside Amusement Park.

An open park will make a beautiful presentation coming into the beachfront area from 31st Street. Since tourism is extremely important to our city, and the ocean is a big reason, then we should preserve a view. I applaud the city's Economic Development Authority for its wisdom in buying this land, but I do not believe its intention was to put a parking lot on this premium Oceanfront property. An open Oceanfront park would be the best use of this land.

I commend the Resort Area Advisory Commission for its recommendation to City Council that this area become an ``open, grassy vista to the sea.'' Since I joined the grass-roots campaign to create this park, I have found tremendous support from our citizenry. People have eagerly signed the petition.

For me, the message is clear: The citizens of Virginia Beach will support the City Council in creating the 31st Street Oceanfront Park. My hope is that our council will find a way to make this park a reality.

Douglas E. Thompson

Virginia Beach, April 3, 1997

VIRGINIA BEACH

Sandbridge needs sand - now!

The solution to Sandbridge is SAND, SAND, SAND. The replenishment of the beaches needs to be an operational plan. The time is now.

The citizens of Sandbridge have taxes levied for sand, have signed off potential beaches for public domain and have valiantly fought the battle of reclaiment by the sea.

Virginia Beach has consistently neglected the Sandbridge oceanfront. Houses fall in the sea, roads are obstructed by debris and sand.

The city has responded with a Band-Aid approach to these problems, while the North End has had consistent and ongoing restoration and maintenance of its beaches for several years. Without these efforts, all the hotels would be teetering on the edge.

I am pleading with the City Council to wake up. The history books do not need another story about a lost colony.

M. J. Penney

Virginia Beach, April 15, 1997

LAWSUIT

Dismayed by Norris suit

Chuck Norris' suit against the Chuck Norris Karate Studios of Norfolk and Virginia Beach did not make it to trial. That my daughter and I both attend classes at the Janaf studio gives us a unique perspective on Mr. Norris' claim against it and its Virginia Beach counterpart.

Mr. Norris said that the suit brought against the studios, more than five years ago, blemished his good name. Why, after all this time, did he start something over it?

The children, and adults, looked to him as a hero and a role model. Many whom I've spoken to at Janaf feel a sense of betrayal at his attempt to remove his name from the studios. The kids don't understand: They thought they were something special because they took ``Chuck Norris'' karate.

P. E. Nides

Norfolk, April 10, 1997

EDUCATION

Start sex-ed early; train parents, too

New medical studies show that many girls in the U.S. now enter puberty between ages 8-10. This is occurring at a time when our society is demanding more education and thus delayed entry into the labor force and marriage. Thus, we are asking our youth, with all those raging hormones, to abstain from sex from age 10-11 to at least their early 20s.

Are we providing appropriate sex education in schools? No. Most of these programs have been gutted due to the vocal opposition of a few. Information on birth control? State officials who presented ideas at a town meeting in Norfolk (April 7) on how to reduce Virginia's unwed-pregnancy rate for young women didn't even mention contraception, nor was the male's responsibility seriously addressed. Parental instruction? While this is the ideal, most parents do not feel comfortable and/or competent to discuss sexuality.

What can be done? As a beginning, the original state-approved sex-education programs should be implemented - starting in kindergarten or the first grade. PTAs should provide evening and week-end classes for parents. A similar approach has worked in Europe. It promotes responsible, moral behavior. It is also family focused.

Dixie D. Dickinson

Norfolk, April 10, 1997

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