DATE: Sunday, May 4, 1997                   TAG: 9705020189

SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER      PAGE: 14   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Letters 

                                            LENGTH:   71 lines

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - CHESAPEAKE

The recent appearance of best-selling author Stephen Coonts during National Library Week at the Chesapeake Central and Russell libraries gives me yet another reason to applaud our library system and staff.

Mr. Coonts addressed April 18 a huge audience of more than 200 at the Central library talking for an hour about books, reading and writing and graciously answered questions from the floor for about an additional half hour. Prior to this, he stood for more than two hours at a reception signing books and taking even more questions.

This event was planned by Paula Alston, branch manager at Major Hilliard Library, with the support of system-wide library staff and the Friends of the Library. Those of us who voted for the library referendum a few years ago can be proud of our choice to support the libraries.

Mr. Coonts' appearance is just one in a long line of events for the Chesapeake community planned by a creative and enthusiastic library staff. I hope our new city manager, the mayor and council members will continue to see the benefit of a strong library system, not only in providing the city with a cultural identity but also in the overall picture of the quality of life and economic development.

William Blake

Brandywine Drive Most qualified

There are times when you have to wonder why anyone would want to get into politics. It can be a difficult job.

One person who deserves to be elected is Dan Evans. As a successful businessman, Dan decided two years ago to serve his community by running for the House of Delegates. Now with the retirement of Billy Moore, Dan has decided again to run for office.

He is the most qualified individual to run for this seat in a long time. As a community leader, he understands how Chesapeake and Portsmouth can work together for things like Lake Gaston. As a businessman, Dan will bring jobs to the area to help put people back to work and move our communities into the 21st century.

I hope everyone will support Dan Evans in November in the race for the House of Delegates.

Al Johnson

Canal Drive Save the trees

I have received a letter from Patricia Day, chairperson for the Chesapeake Citizen Council, expressing concerns about the proposed parking lot located behind the Great Bridge Community Center - a small area in which to have a leisure walk, dream a little, in fact, just a little bit of heaven.

Plans are ripe for the city to tear up these woods and replace them with cement. Haven't we done enough cementing in our city? Think about Volvo Parkway, Greenbrier and the historic corner of Battlefield and Cedar Road.

Is it necessary to have parking at this particular location? I think not.

I have discussed this with knowledgeable people who have suggested many different ways in which to conquer the problem. The most sensible one is a parking garage. This is indeed expensive, but the parking lot that is built on this little park will not be adequate in the years to come anyway, so it is just a ``Band-Aid'' solution to the problem. Also, this area is quite a distance from the actual buildings in the complex, perhaps this is being considered for the jail facilities, which I understand was overlooked when the new jail was being planned and built.

Our city needs people who are interested in trees to help stop this cutting. Our city is being ruined. Come to the City Council meeting on May 13. Voice your opinion. Call our council members to express your grief over this tree slaughter.

Betty Campen

Angus Road

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