DATE: Saturday, June 7, 1997                TAG: 9706070004

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B6   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Letter 

                                            LENGTH:  136 lines

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR -THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT

REGIONALISM

A compromise

for area, cities

The controversy over a name for our area will go on and on. All the cities involved do not want to give up their identity for another name but at the same time realize that Hampton Roads as a whole must be promoted.

This can be solved by adding one line to everybody's address. Example:

The Virginian-Pilot

150 W. Brambleton Ave.

City of Norfolk

Hampton Roads, Virginia 23510

The same for the cities of Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk and Portsmouth.

This should not create a problem for the post office since everybody would use their current ZIP code. Cities would retain their individuality, and the name and location of Hampton Roads could become well-known over a period of time.

Bernard H. Florack

Chesapeake, May 27, 1997

MARIJUANA

Dangers of drug

need exposure

Lynn Waltz's June 3 article on marijuana was excellent information, and I hope it will be followed by one pertaining to alcohol.

This is a problem that needs as much exposure as the dangers of smoking.

Waltz points out that alcohol is the leading cause of death among young people. It also is possibly the leading cause of abuse in the home.

We tend to avoid confronting the ways our children are introduced to alcohol, and this heartache goes on and on.

Margaret K. Nixon

Chesapeake, June 3, 1997

Decriminalize pot

- it's harmless

I was so happy to read Stephen Chapman's commentary ``Marijuana news no one wants to hear'' (Perspectives, May 24). This conservative columnist acknowledges that every study attempting to prove the evils of marijuana yields the same results - that it is a nontoxic substance that is not harmful to your health even with long-term use and should be decriminalized.

Though Mr. Chapman does discuss the enormous waste of taxpayer money spent fighting this so-called drug, he does not add the money wasted imprisoning at a cost of over $60,000 per year over 400,000 Americans for marijuana charges alone. Nor does he elaborate on the enormous suffering these people and their families have endured because of this long-outdated law.

B. G. Howard

Virginia Beach, June 1, 1997

NORFOLK

Citizens should OK

$100,000+ projects

As a lifetime resident of Norfolk, I would like to offer my views on the Hooters subsidy.

I can see a time when the City Council will decide that since they have so heavily subsidized Hooters, they have a moral obligation to conduct council meetings there to support the business.

My main objection is that council has the power to make such a deal with anyone. I would like to see a city ordinance that requires that a referendum be held for any project with expenditure of $100,000 or more.

I wonder what would have happened to Nauticus, MacArthur Center, TCC and Waterside if the citizens had had the voice that they so richly deserve.

Richard S. Stoakley

Norfolk, June 3, 1997

Count me out if

you bring in Hooters

I appreciate your editorial and op-ed piece on Hooters at Waterside (May 29). I doubt I'll ever go to Waterside again. I hate going to a place to relax (for which Waterside has been wonderful) knowing I'll be uncomfortable; knowing Hooters is there; knowing tax dollars helped to put it there; knowing others will be uncomfortable.

Come on, city officials. You've done well by the Norfolk waterfront until now. You may have made some mistakes (Nauticus, so far), but at least they were well-intentioned, even classy mistakes. Hooters, by your admission, is tacky, exploitive of women and with little redeeming social value.

Lucien X. Lombardo

Norfolk, May 30, 1997

Waterside's image won't

suffer from Hooters

My wife and I have occasionally patronized the Hooters on Military Highway. While the young women working there do seem to dress in a style that accentuates their femininity, their outfits shouldn't cause anybody's sainted mom to faint or get the vapors.

Mostly it's just a lot of plain folks, young and old, male and female, enjoying conversation, good food and drink, excellent service and sports on a wide-screen TV.

I seriously doubt that Waterside's ``upscale'' image will be tarnished by a few sailors or women dressed in shorts and T-shirts. If so, better cancel Harborfest.

Richard Eberle

Norfolk, May 30, 1997

MILITARY

Sub families merit

a special salute

It was with a Navy wife's pride and happiness that I read about the ``T.R.'' Roosevelt's homecoming after six months at sea. But I was more than pleasantly surprised to have a submarine's arrival highlighted as part of the welcome for the battle group's arrival.

Until the end of the Cold War, most people weren't even aware that submarines were in battle groups.

Communications with loved ones are severely limited on submarines. It's not unusual, if there are no port calls, to have no communication at all for four or five weeks. Most submarine families are envious of the surface ships' ability to send and receive E-mail, U.S.O. grams and letters.

As a former ombudsman for the Hyman G. Rickover, I have nothing but respect and admiration for the extra hardships from lack of communications that sub families endure during long deployments. I'm glad their efforts are finally being recognized.

Jean Wright

Virginia Beach, May 23, 1997

VIRGINIA BEACH

City needs more

``rec & roll'' centers

With millions of tourists and locals trying to use the Boardwalk, there need to be rules and limits for safety. Skateboarding is a radical, dangerous sport. But it is an excellent outlet for young males.

I petitioned the city of Virginia Beach to build the skatepark at Mount Trashmore. I also petitioned the city in 1991 to legalize roller-skating on the Boardwalk. It was a four-year battle. Roller-skaters were banned in the late '70s because of the skateboarders damaging property.

The city spends 21 percent of its budget for tourism but only 1.3 percent for parks and recreation. We need more recreation centers and parks in Virginia Beach.

Barbara Messner

Virginia Beach, June 1, 1997

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