DATE: Friday, August 1, 1997                TAG: 9708010003

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B10  EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Letter 

                                            LENGTH:  131 lines

LETTERS TO EDITOR -- THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT

TRIBUTE

Recalling Henry Howell

I first met Henry Howell almost 25 years ago and was privileged to have worked in two of his gubernatorial campaigns.

There was no one quite like Henry. Unlike many politicians, he believed and strongly cared about the issues he fought for. In many ways, he frightened Virginia's elite, the country-club set and the good-old-boy power brokers. They couldn't control or intimidate him, although they tried mightily to do both.

On balance, though, I remember Henry for the kind of person he was: A man who loved his family and cared greatly for the average person. While campaigning, he always had time to relate to ``his people,'' be it a gas station attendant, a waitress or a farmer. He spoke and reacted to each person he encountered on a personal level.

Henry would never play it safe. Being around him was always fun and exhilarating. There was never a boring moment. ``Keep the big boys honest'' was the perfect campaign slogan for Henry. One of his finest moments involved his fight many years ago to reopen Norfolk's schools during the time of Virginia's shameful ``massive resistance'' to integration in the '50s and '60s.

There may have been politicians in Virginia who were more successful politically. Few have been more successful as people.

Henry would have been a great governor. He lived a good life and fought the good fight. Virginia is poorer for his passing. I am proud to have known him.

Drew Valentine

McLean, July 10, 1997

BRIDGE-TUNNEL

Consider Peninsula

in new crossing

I have been following the news about the proposed bridge-tunnel connecting Norfolk and Newport News, which was recently approved by the regional planners. This new crossing, the widening of I-664 and the new Craney Island connector will be a great asset to the area.

However, once this $2.4 billion set of projects is completed, most of this additional traffic to the Peninsula will be funneled onto I-64 west of the Hampton Coliseum. Because of this, I-64 will require widening to eight lanes from I-664 in Hampton to uptown Newport News. Also, linking the proposed bridge-tunnel with I-64 near the Newport News airport, by way of a new interstate-type expressway straight through Newport News, may be needed.

With this in mind, I recommend that improvements to the transportation systems between the proposed Hampton Roads crossing and the uptown Newport News area be considered and included in this important and vital major venture.

James W. Corbitt

Chesapeake, July 19, 1997

LOCAL JOBS

Area needs fewer taxes

more modernization

Concerning your July 23 editorial on military downsizing, ``Lost jobs replaced'':

The quality of life here is not all you say it is. Quality of life is not sitting in traffic constantly, being charged to go to a park, not being allowed to throw a Frisbee and paying for rainwater that falls off your roof. We are taxed for just about everything. I wonder if a plan is in effect to tax the air.

Even if higher wages were brought to this area, it wouldn't matter because the wage increase would be offset by another tax or tax increase. If I were a company CEO, I would not even consider bringing a company to an area where the highways are 10 years behind and the taxes are high.

We pay taxes on groceries, food, gas, utilities, autos, boats, cable and tires. The list goes on. I have never seen a place where you pay tax on consumable items.

Another way to attract big business is to be a modern area. Remember how long it took to get rid of the blue law? This area needs to study the larger cities, and modernize. The Colonial days died a long time ago.

Scott Byrd

Chesapeake, July 23, 1997

NORFOLK

Let's not accept

low test scores

Regarding Norfolk's below-average Literacy Passport Test scores (news, July 25), our superintendent states that demographic factors, which are beyond the control of the city, affect the scores. Because 62 percent of our students are black, and 64 percent are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, the tendency is for these children to score below average.

It is encouraging to know that our superintendent believes ``our teachers are doing an exceptional job.'' I also believe they do an exceptional job, given contemporary classroom and political stressors. But if we accept that the teachers are doing a great job, and we accept that Norfolk cannot control demographic factors, how can we expect these scores to change in an upward direction?

The city of Norfolk must assert leadership to address the reasons for our children's low scores on the Literacy Passport Test rather than accept the scores as a characteristic of our fair city.

Betty Crickenberger

Norfolk, July 25, 1997

WATER SAFETY

Regulate Jet Skis

before it's too late

As a boat owner-operator who takes safety seriously, I applaud your July 27 editorial ``Restrict them,'' referring to water scooters (or ``Jet Skis''). I cannot believe the city is taking as long as it is to impose and enforce strict regulations of these vehicles, but especially of the idiots operating some of them.

Boating on even the quietest tributaries has become extremely dangerous as a result of the careless disregard many ski operators have for the rules of the road. Let's do something before the serious injuries turn into fatalities.

Robert Fort

Virginia Beach, July 27, 1997

MOUNT TRASHMORE

Fowl aren't alone

in fouling up park

While I can't really address how much damage our fowl friends are doing to Mount Trashmore, I can address the damage from our fellow human beings.

I jog around Mount Trashmore at least three or four times a week, and while I have never encountered a poopoo problem, there have been numerous man-made obstacles in my path.

I have noticed plenty of trash - everything from aluminum cans to fast-food wrappers, even a car tire - at the park in the past couple of weeks. Now, I doubt that the geese and ducks have anything to do with this, and I'm sure the Mount Trashmore staff does its best at cleaning up the park, but maybe we should address the problem of human waste before we worry about our flying friends.

Maybe the geese and ducks are dirty, but they're just doing what comes naturally. Can the same be said for us humans?

Jim Van Slyke III

Virginia Beach, July 25, 1997

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