DATE: Tuesday, September 16, 1997           TAG: 9709160004

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B10  EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Letter 

                                            LENGTH:  125 lines

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR -THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT

BRIDGE-TUNNEL

Passing ban is

a knee-jerk reaction

Thanks to sensationalist reporting and an uninformed public, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel Commission has taken a knee-jerk reaction to public sentiment and is prohibiting passing on the bridge complex.

I've read the bridge accident statistics. What isn't published is how many were a result of a passing error. Where are the analytical data to support and validate this new regulation?

I personally believe the bridge span has been the safest stretch of 17 miles anywhere in Hampton Roads. It is well policed and light at night. The safest part of my daily Eastern Shore to Norfolk commute used to be on the bridge.

I'm fearful, with this new regulation, it isn't anymore.

Susan R. Melow

Eastville, Sept. 11, 1997

Ban on passing

a great relief

As a parent of a daughter who regularly travels to the Eastern Shore, I would like to express my gratitude to The Virginian-Pilot for the articles and editorials concerning the lack of safety on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.

The recent decision by the bridge commission to ban passing will definitely help reduce the risk of any further serious accidents. The members of the commission needed a wake-up call, and they got one.

Bill Herter

Virginia Beach, Sept. 10, 1997

Most drivers

ignore speed limits

I am from New York and travel the Eastern Shore quite often. Regarding the recommendations for a lower speed limit and double solid line on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel: Give up.

There are well-posted 25-mile speed-limit signs and a double solid line on most of Mount Vernon Avenue in Portsmouth. Believe me, most drivers do not know what these restrictions mean, including school bus operators.

My wife and I just returned from a 2,000-mile vacation by auto. The danger on the highway is not unique to the Bay Bridge-Tunnel. Next time, we will fly.

John Marceau

Portsmouth, Sept. 9, 1997

PRINCESS DIANA

Thanks to Pilot

for fine coverage

As a native of England, I desperately wanted to be there during the recent outpouring of grief and sorrow on the untimely death of Princess Diana. I want to thank The Virginian-Pilot for its fine coverage of the events, including the special commemorative edition and the complete funeral service (with the exception of Earl Spencer's speech).

This was an extraordinary event that will no doubt go down in history, not only for its overwhelming display of pain and loss by the British people and many others around the world but also as a demonstration of the power of the people to effect change in a free society. Your coverage helped me endure.

Shirley Hurd Anderson

Virginia Beach, Sept. 8, 1997

COURTS

Lawsuit against doctor

an unnecessary ordeal

Concerning your Sept. 10 article, ``Jury rules against man who cut off his hand'':

Kudos to the jury for awarding Thomas W. Passmore exactly what he deserved: nothing. His lawsuit against Dr. Tad Grenga should never have gone forward, and Passmore owes an apology to Dr. Grenga and his family for putting them through this unneccesary ordeal. Attorney Robert Brown should be embarrassed for even appearing in court with this nonsense.

The jurors gave this case all the attention it deserved by coming back with their verdict in less than 30 minutes. Our court system has more important business to attend to.

Gary E. Taylor

Chesapeake, Sept. 10, 1997

VIRGINIA BEACH

Another $12 million

down the drain

I read of the $12 million ``truck'' that hit the Virginia Beach Community Services Board (``Beach buy becomes a costly surprise,'' Sept. 9).

I ask that the City Council stop spending our money without getting some guarantees that the proposed uses are backed up by sound judgment. Where is the responsibility of CMSS Architects for making such a blunder and overlooking such obvious problems? Or will another firm come out, after Paul Finch & Associates have us tear down the buildings, and say that they were good enough to use as they were?

The way I see it, $12 million would have gone a long way to building the facilities on property already owned by the city at Lake Ridge or Corporate Landing.

There was a public outcry when the School Board went $12 million in the hole, and I hope there will be an even louder fuss about this.

Charles F. Bowdoin

Virginia Beach, Sept. 9, 1997

ENVIRONMENT

Gilmore sending

the wrong signal

The recent attempt by Jim Gilmore, GOP gubernatorial candidate, to distance himself from Governor Allen's environmental record sends a signal that Gilmore does not know where he stands on the issue. Intentionally leaking a campaign memo criticizing Secretary Becky Norton Dunlop's environmental agency played into his opponents' hands.

The dominant environmental establishment does not like the cooperative approach to environmental protection taken by Governor Allen, but it is unclear what Gilmore could find objectionable about his efforts or what he would do differently. Allen has improved Virginia's environmental quality immensely.

Rather than running from Allen's environmental programs, Gilmore should embrace them. After all, he is responsible for creating many of them. Gilmore chaired the Governor's Commission on Environmental Stewardship, which made 53 recommendations to the governor on improving environmental quality. Many of these were implemented.

John Shanahan

Vice President and counsel

Robert Gordon

Member

Board of Conservation and Recreation

Commonwealth of Virginia

Arlington, Aug. 29, 1997

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