DATE: Tuesday, June 3, 1997                 TAG: 9706030009

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B12  EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Letter 

                                            LENGTH:  132 lines

LETTERS TO EDITOR -- THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT

SPORTS

Teed off that winner's

not on front page

I was extremely disappointed to read the headline on the front page of the May 26 Sports section that Tiger Woods did not win his third consecutive tournament.

No, I am not a Tiger Woods fan; I don't follow golf at all; and I don't care who wins. I simply resent the fact that the loser was given front-page coverage, while the winner was relegated to the absolute back page of the Sports section.

Sure, I've heard from my duffer friends how wonderful they think Woods is, but does the winner deserve such shabby treatment?

Joan Ford

Virginia Beach, May 26, 1997

TRANSPORTATION

Two alternatives

to 3rd bridge-tunnel

I am very much surprised to hear a discussion about building a new third crossing of a bridge-tunnel project for Hampton Roads. There are alternatives which would have a lesser impact on the environment and be less costly.

1. Build a second tube to the existing Midtown Tunnel. Roads on the Norfolk side have to be improved to dispose of the onflow of traffic within peak hours, as well as in Portsmouth.

2. Build a third tunnel to the existing Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, which will guarantee four lanes open at all times, even while an accident site is being cleared. At peak traffic times, four lanes can be opened in the heavy traveled direction.

A long-term goal should be to eliminate the Berkley Bridge so that traffic can flow without a lift bridge on an interstate.

Peter Siegel

Portsmouth, May 22, 1997

DISABILITIES

Let's give new

work guidelines a chance

In her May 5 column, Suzanne Fields criticizes the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for its new guidelines regarding the adaptations employers have to make to accommodate employees with major brain disorders or other psychiatric disabilities. Unfortunately, she makes use of prevailing misconceptions and stereotypes in her writing. Those with mental disabilities are portrayed as unkempt, smelly, hostile or glassy-eyed and sluggish. Although she implies sympathy for those with physical disabilities, she states that ``physical and mental disabilities are of a completely different order.''

Psychiatric illnesses are as much biologically based conditions as other physical illnesses, yet the stigma remains. The high cost of that stigma is that 85 percent to 90 percent of people with major brain disorders remain unemployed. Sometimes something as simple as adjusting the work schedule to start one hour later allows an individual with mental illness, whose nighttime psychotropic medications cause morning drowsiness, to be a productive person on the job.

Let's give the new EEOC guidelines a chance.

Dacia Juhn

Virginia Beach Mental Health

Consumers Association

Virginia Beach, May 22, 1997

SPORTS

Bruce Smith, Sweetpea

are a plus to community

I had the pleasure of attending the recent Bruce Smith Charity Golf Classic's ``Dinner with the NFL.'' The event was held at an Oceanfront hotel. It is refreshing to see a native of our area use his celebrity status for the betterment of those living within our community. Bruce and all of his invited NFL comrades were approachable, personable and humble.

However, what impressed me the most that evening was the appearance of Pernell ``Sweetpea'' Whitaker at the club afterward. Even though he was not officially affiliated with the dinner, he was not too busy to stop and shake hands with fans, sign autographs and pose for photos.

I must express how fortunate I feel we are to have Sweetpea as a local ambassador. Sweetpea, you are our champ!

Tammy Scott

Chesapeake, May 28, 1997

NORFOLK

New or improved,

keep Taylor on site

With regard to the problem of what to do about Taylor School, it can be argued that the old school be renovated or that a completely new structure be built. However, what is very important is that Taylor School remain on its present site. As it stands now, the school is perfectly situated on its lot with the playground in front facing south, where it is sunny in winter.

Also, leaving the school where it is would make it unnecessary to cut down any of the beautiful old trees that so greatly enhance the schoolyard and the surrounding neighborhood. At a recent meeting of the Design Committee, a man who supports building a new school in front of the old one remarked that doing so would involve cutting down ``only nine trees.'' Only nine trees?

Let's save our natural beauty. If it really is too expensive to renovate and extend the old school, let us at least put any new school on the exact site so wisely chosen by the original architect.

Mary Brooke

Norfolk, May 26, 1997

MILITARY

U.S. sovereignty

is top priority

In regard to the proposed base closings by the Clinton administration, our esteemed Senators Warner and Robb are in agreement with the proposals, ostensibly to save billions of dollars. However, not a word was mentioned about closing bases in dozens of countries where our troops are stationed.

It seems our senators are in lock-step with the one-world internationalists who see the U.N., NATO and other organizations as the only military and political force we need. American sovereignty is at stake and should be considered before all.

L. C. Derleth

Portsmouth, May 21, 1997

VIRGINIA BEACH

Hold that line

- the green one!

Urban sprawl and the expense associated with the necessary infrastructure has been a problem in Virginia Beach for 20 years. With the approval of the great majority of the citizenry, the council established the green line in 1979 and developed comprehensive plans and transition zones in an effort to manage urban sprawl.

We again find ourselves at a critical crossroads. At a time when we still need new infrastructure for areas already developed and the necessary repair of aging existing infrastructure, council is being asked to approve urban sprawl below the green line.

Voting to approve development below the green line would establish a most dangerous precedent, and I urge council to ``hold that line.''

K. W. Holmes

Virginia Beach, May 23, 1997

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu