DATE: Sunday, November 2, 1997              TAG: 9711010328

SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER      PAGE: 14   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Letters 

                                            LENGTH:  115 lines

ELECTION LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - CHESAPEAKE

Chris Jones is running for elected office again. Whoa, Chris! You've got some explaining to do.

Remember how you repeatedly refused to listen to your Suffolk citizens and Chesapeake neighbors when we requested you to reconsider building your race track within a mile of our homes? Remember how you smugly looked down on the hundreds of us who appeared before you, while you turned a deaf ear to any of our concerns each and every time?

How arrogant you are now, Chris, to think that we don't remember your disregard for our neighborhood. How self-serving you are to ask us citizens of Suffolk and Western Branch to believe that suddenly you care about our children and our welfare.

You can certainly count on us as good citizens to cast our vote this election. It will surely be a vote for anyone other than Chris Jones!

Voters, beware! Don't be fooled.

Lou DeToma

Wild Duck Crossing Record on drugs

I have noted the advertisements in the media by candidates for political office. A recent ad by Johnny Joannou proclaimed his support for keeping drugs out of our schools and being tough on crime.

Several years ago, Mr. Joannou was defeated in a re-election bid for state Senate. Prior to that election, it was reported that Mr. Joannou had used his elected position to delay criminal prosecution of a client charged with drug dealing. His client was eventually convicted on drug charges.

One of the lessons my parents taught me was ``Beware of people who don't practice what they preach.''

This November I will vote for Dan Evans.

William T. Cross Jr.

Portsmouth High standards

Michelle Degnan is a candidate for the House of Delegates for the 76th District, which includes portions of Chesapeake, Suffolk and Isle of Wight County.

I met Michelle in 1993, when I became a member of the Chesapeake School Board. She was then serving as president of the Chesapeake Education Association, and during her tenure as the leader of this organization she addressed the School Board at nearly every meeting. In her leadership position with the teacher organization she was an advocate for (1) safe and orderly schools, (2) parental and community involvement in the schools, (3) mastery of basic skills and (4) preparing students for the jobs of the future.

Michelle supports rigorous academic standards, and she wants all children to succeed. However, she feels that, to meet the new state education standards, the state will have to do a better job of funding its full share of the cost of education.

Bravo! Michelle's experience gives her the knowledge and ability to voice our education concerns in the legislature. I urge the voters of the 76th District to support Michelle.

James M. Reeves

Mobile Drive Reading problem

Last weekend you published two letters defending the Indian River High Schoolfield hockey team - one from someone who was angry at Paul White and another from someone who was angry at the whole world. While it is nice that these readers were passionate enough to rally behind their team, I wonder if either one actually read the article that got them so upset.

Contrary to what the letter writers thought, Paul White did not suggest that winning is everything or that any high school team with a poor record should be disbanded. Likewise, he never questioned these girls' dedication to their sport or how hard they work in practice and in games. Most of all, in spite of what the letter writers thought, he never said these girls should be prevented from playing.

What he suggested is that a fledgling team - not just a team with a losing record, but a brand new team with a lot of first-time players - might be better served by spending a year or two at the junior varsity or club level so that the players can master the fundamentals. The two letter writers were insulted and enraged by this idea, but isn't that the reason junior varsity teams exist in the first place - to provide young players with a chance to develop the basic skills they will need in order to be competitive at the varsity level?

Many high school sports programs do choose to go this route. It's not an insult; it's just a stepping stone.

These two letter writers should go back and read Paul White's article again. Even if they still disagree, perhaps they will realize that he was not attacking these young women or suggesting that they not be allowed to play field hockey. He was simply offering the opinion that it is easier for young players to master a sport at the club or JV level rather than at a varsity level that might be over their heads at the present time.

To these two letter writers, I make two suggestions: First, continue to support the girls on this team as they work to develop their skills. And second, learn to read a little bit more carefully.

Adam Kasabian

Worthington Lane Rude and unnecessary

I am writing concerning the article ``Should terrible varsity programs be disbanded?'' written by Paul White (The Clipper, Oct. 12).

I agree with those who were critical of Mr. White. He was completely wrong.

I play field hockey for Hickory High School. We played Indian River this season, and - yes - we beat them. But despite the goals we scored, Indian River's team didn't give up. They stuck with us. They kept their heads high and continued playing and being proud of playing for Indian River High.

I thought that was a very rude and unnecessary article Mr. White wrote. He owes Indian River's girls field hockey team an apology. No team should be embarrassed if they win or lose, whether they lose by 20 or 2!

The fact remains this team has kept its sportsmanship and hasn't let anyone or any team bring that down. You shouldn't try to do so, Mr. White!

Indian River has a lot of potential for being a good team in the future, and nobody should be allowed to get in the way of that, including Mr. White. I think he needs to write another article apologizing to the team and school of Indian River.

Gayla Dalrymple-Smith

Hickory High School

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