DATE: Sunday, September 28, 1997            TAG: 9709270153

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 28   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Letters 

                                            LENGTH:  138 lines

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - SUFFOLK

With the beginning of the new school year, there was the usual anticipation and excitement. But, after the first weeks, there is nothing but frustration, resentment and anger.

I'd hoped that our School Board and City Council had our children's best interest at heart, but, yet again, I feel they have fallen short. I realize that anyone on any of these councils has a tough job and that all people cannot be made happy with their decisions. But I feel that the citizens, especially the children, in the southwestern parts of the city are getting the short end of the stick.

While money and efforts are being funneled into the quickly growing sections, those areas south and west seem to be conveniently forgotten. We have schools that have fallen into disrepair.

Two ``state-of-the-art'' schools have been completed in our northern sections, with a third to be completed in the near future. Meanwhile, our existing facilities must contend with antiquated buildings and equipment that is definitely not state-of-the-art.

There are faculty and staff who are skilled and dedicated to teaching our children at these schools. Yet our city leaders expect them to do their jobs, and do them well, with little. The teachers are doing their jobs. Now it is time for our city leaders to help educate these children with the same advantages as in those classrooms in the northern sections.

I do not want to deny any benefits to those children, but all children in our public schools should have the same opportunities, not just those who happen to live in a faster growing region!

When was the last time anyone on the City Councilor School Board visited any of these schools other than when invited? To those with school age children or grandchildren, how many are in Suffolk's public schools? Yes, you have the right to choose to send your child to any school, public or private. But, if you live in the City of Suffolk and choose to send your child to private school, that speaks volumes about how you feel about public education in Suffolk. Many of us have no choice but city schools.

I challenge each City Council member and School Board member to go to these schools and see the conditions in which we expect our children to learn. Go to the schools, all of them, not just the ones in the borough you represent. They will see that the quality of the educational environments are not equal throughout our city.

If you want this city to prosper and grow, the best investment we will ever make is in the education of our children.

Deborah Duck

South Quay Road

Suffolk School bus overcrowding is just courting tragedy

My husband and I are both former school bus drivers from Colorado. We moved here last month and are staying with friends who also are former school bus drivers. We are all absolutely appalled by the current conditions on the Suffolk school buses.

The students must sit three to a seat, which is great for young children, but unacceptable by all safety standards for teen-agers. The students who do not find seats on the bus are told to go to the back of the bus and sit on the floor.

I understand that the district is in need of more drivers, but the blatant disregard for safety is disgusting. I do not even have a school-age child, and I worry about these students.

The actions of the school board and the transportation department of Suffolk seem to say that they do not care about the safety of the children, only getting them to school.

I am sure that this behavior is not only dangerous, but highly illegal. Something should be done to save the children of Suffolk before something very tragic happens.

Lisa Young

Burnetts Way

Suffolk Thanks to volunteers, literacy event a success

On behalf of the Suffolk Literacy Council, we express thanks to the many volunteers who helped make our summer reading programs at Parker Riddick, Cypress Manor and Colander Bishop neighborhoods a very successful project, with an attendance of more than 500 during July and August.

We extend special thanks: Gia Jackson, coordinator of Family Investment Center; Herman Booth Jr.; Frances Davila (Francesca the Clown); Betsy Ellis (Betsy the Clown); Deborah Howell (Merry Heart the Clown); Diane Bourn (Apples the Clown); Aubrey Everett, science teacher at Forest Glen Middle School; Donald Long with Suffolk Public Works; Jim Evans with Salvation Army; Heather Kinsey with Suffolk News-Herald; Phyllis Speidell with The Virginian-Pilot; David Horne with Southeastern Public Service Authority; Martha Rooks; Maggie Gay; Mary Ellen Culpepper and Barbara Moore of Delta Kappa Gamma; Jane Stone; Judy Walls and Obici Hospital; Lipton Tea; Suffolk Rotary Club; Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority; Wal-Mart; and Suffolk Fire Department.

As part of the reading initiative backed by the federal government, the program was designed to encourage literacy among residents of public housing and make programs available to children who lack transportation.

As we get ready to celebrate our 10th anniversary this month, we are thankful that our community volunteers have supported this major undertaking.

Gary Williams

Suffolk Literacy Council The 4-H `family' makes Isle of Wight job fun

As the 4-H extension agent in Isle of Wight County, I had the pleasure of working on four significant events that were part of the 4th Annual Isle of Wight County Fair: 4-H Lamb Show, 4-H Dairy Goat Show, 4-H Open Horse Show and 4-H Cured Ham Contest.

Each of these events required countless hours of pre-fair preparation, fundraising and old-fashioned hard work.

The 4-H volunteers, leaders and members made each of these events possible, and I would like to thank everyone involved in the 4-H effort at this year's County Fair. All the work that went into the new horse arena, the countless hours put into the livestock projects, and the work done on the ham project since January were labors of love for all those committed to 4-H here in Isle of Wight, as well as those Suffolk and Southampton residents who were involved.

Words cannot express my deep appreciation to the 4-H ``family'' members who make my job so enjoyable. Isle of Wight County 4-H is thriving because of the dedicated 4-H'ers, parents and volunteers who believe in the motto, ``To Make the Best Better.'' Thanks to all the many volunteers who made this year's fair the best yet, and to everyone who made 4-H such a great part of that success.

Teresa Weaver

Virginia Cooperative Extension agent

Isle of Wight County Dedicated volunteers minister to patients

This letter is related to the recent, complimentary article concerning the Obici Hospital Radiation and Oncology Department.

Although the article, justly so, tells of the wonderful medical service given to patients with cancer, directed by Dr. Mark Sinesi, an important pair of individuals appears to have been overlooked. I am sure this was inadvertently the case.

For several years, the Rev. Hershel and Mrs. Hill have jointly visited the hospital, mostly on Mondays and Tuesdays, as volunteers to counsel and provide religious needs, if requested by the patient, regardless of the denomination. I am very cognizant that the Rev. and Mrs. Hill devote many hours during each visit to the third floor of the hospital performing this service for cancer patients.

I am sure The Virginian-Pilot will be pleased to learn of this and perhaps give the deserving couple recognition.

Retired Col. A. Lewis Greene

Quaker Drive

Suffolk

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