DATE: Tuesday, September 2, 1997            TAG: 9708300006

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B8   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Letter 

                                            LENGTH:   96 lines

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR -THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT

NORFOLK

Good, clean fun

in Ocean View

Congratulations to Norfolk on its cleanup of the prostitution problems that have plagued the east-end section of the city for such a long time. With the newly enacted law that the city can claim the owner's property if it is found to be bawdy or promotes such illicit activity, the cleanup is almost complete.

I'm pleased to now know that all the go-go bars will be offering ``good, clean fun'' for their patrons and not condoning these types of activities. Now I can take my family there for a nice Sunday brunch to enjoy the free hot dogs and appetizers they offer while enjoying the new, wholesome entertainment.

Roger A. Clark

Norfolk, Aug. 23, 1997

HOSPITALS

Public mental health

system needs reform

The Virginian-Pilot has done a great service with its timely articles and editorials concerning the bad treatment of mentally ill patients at Central State and other mental hospitals.

Concerned Virginians are horrified by the abuses some mentally ill patients have suffered in Virginia institutions. We commend Margaret Edds of The Pilot and Bill Baskerville of The Associated Press for keeping us informed.

Many Virginia families use the public mental health system, which is overloaded and underfunded. Almost all community services boards have long waiting lists for services and a lack of necessary funds.

When reforms of the mental health system are offered by the HJR 240 Hall-Gartlan Commission, which is completing a two-year study, I hope that increased state funding for community services boards and an independent human rights department will be among its recommendations.

R. H. Armstrong

Norfolk, Aug. 23, 1997

MILITARY

Oceana was there

before the community

With regard to the Aug. 20 letter, ``Low-altitude flights a hazard near Oceana'':

Since moving to the Hampton Roads area 10 years ago, I have consistently heard the civilian community complain about the noise and safety from military aircraft after people knowingly move into a high-density air traffic area, like Oceana.

Oceana was built in the '40s, when the Oceana area wasn't much more than swampland. It kills me that the Navy loudly and routinely opposes any civilian construction in the vicinity around its Oceana flight path (like Lynnhaven Mall), then that same civilian community that aggressively pursued construction rights self-righteously complains about the noise and safety of the community from military aircraft.

This is the same community that stands with open fist to collect any revenue the military community has to bring.

Stephen P. Davis

Virginia Beach, Aug. 20, 1997

VIRGINIA BEACH

Agriculture vital

to Green Line, city

In your Aug. 24 editorial, ``A new era,'' regarding changing the guidelines for Virginia Beach development south of the Green Line, you merely dismissed the alternative to development as an obsession with ``quality of life'' and ``preservation of the city's rural character.'' You failed to mention the key factors of the agriculture as industry and environmental responsibility.

The tax revenue from agriculture below the Green Line is a close second to that generated by the tourist industry in Virginia Beach. And, unlike the urban development you propose, this revenue is achieved with minimal infrastructure costs to the city.

Back Bay and the North Landing River are the drainage basins for the half of the city below the Green Line, just as the Chesapeake Bay is the drainage basin for the northern half of the city. But Back Bay is very sensitive to pollution due to its lack of tidal flushing action.

Contrary to your smug assessment, more than preservation of Virginia Beach's ``pastoral qualities'' is at stake.

Georgette Constant

Virginia Beach, Aug. 26, 1997

CRIME

No-parole put

brakes on thefts

In regard to the Aug. 26 headline, ``Norfolk puts brakes on car thefts,'' you may have ignored one of the reasons for the decrease in the theft of automobiles.

In addition to the police task force, increased security and a little luck, I believe that the mention of Virginia doing away with parole for criminals is also a powerful deterrent. A small percentage of the population commits the largest percentage of crime. Since automobile theft can carry a 20-year prison sentence, criminals are thinking twice before they take the risk.

Peter V. Farley

Virginia Beach, Aug. 26, 1997

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