DATE: Sunday, November 16, 1997             TAG: 9711140196
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER      PAGE: 12   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Letters 

                                            LENGTH:  129 lines

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - CHESAPEAKE

My neighbor, Floyd Credle, my son and I all set out for a day at the polls to obtain signatures to support the managed growth referendum to be put on the ballot in 1998 for Chesapeake. The response was overwhelming, and I'd like to thank everyone for being so nice and sharing your views with us.

Mr. Credle and I both wished we had had a tape recording of these citizens' comments to send to our City Council.

It surely seems as if there is a conflict or different vision for our city from what the people want and what the council wishes us to become.

Many people left Virginia Beach and its chaos only to find Chesapeake headed in the same direction. Others already feel it's too late to save the charm and ruralness of our city and are moving away. While others surely agreed that we should have adequate services for those of us already here before we let more development in.

How can these developments keep advertising great schools and roads not to mention our water problems when we are building at such a rate where we can't catch up?

We are not against growth, but surely if growth is coming, it need to be better planned, so we can educate our children, not in portables but in classrooms where they belong and travel down roads that are safe and adequate for our needs. in the long run managed growth will benefit everyone.

Cindy Bray

Elbow Road Candidate's thanks

I would like to thank everyone who gave so generously of their time and financial resources to ensure that my campaign for the House of Delegates was successful. Because of your support we were able to carry our positive message of better schools, lower taxes and safer communities to the voters of the 76th District. It would not have been possible without the efforts of so many.

Today, I am busy planning for the upcoming session of the General Assembly. i hope that you will keep me informed of your concerns and ideas. i know that together we will make a brighter future for Virginia.

Again, I deeply appreciate your support and my door will always be open to the citizens of the 76th District. If there is anything I can do for you please feel fee to call me at (757) 483-6242.

S. Chris Jones

Suffolk Speaking German

Quoting from the last letter I received from my cousin, Maggie Malone, who lives in Australia: ``Did you know that after America won her independence German was the language proposed to be spoken there? Fill me in. Why was it proposed and why didn't it happen?''

This American does not have a clue.

Can your readers shed some light on this?

Linda Batten

Windswept Circle Pup just plump

Recently I was at my vet's office with my dog, and another client in there made a remark to me about my dog, stating she was fat. I couldn't believe what I heard!

It happened again in the pet store. An employee said, ``Oh, a fat one!''

People need to realize that some of us think of our animals as our children. I am sure no one would appreciate someone calling their child fat. My dog may be pleasantly plump, but she's not fat. Even if she were, people shouldn't make rude and hurtful remarks about it.

Please, everyone, think before you speak. The things you say about one's beloved animal really can hurt people's feelings.

Renee Norman

Kempsville Road Move meetings

There is no question but that School Board meetings should be moved to the City Council's chambers.

The cost efficiency of moving these meetings to council chambers outweighs the thought that we citizens would feel intimidated by the level of seating of School Board members. Whether you as board members are sated at the same level or up above the citizens, we as citizens will still feel some intimidation. Considering additional funds for renovating the existing room or using the City Council chambers that we taxpayers have already funded is unbelievable. The thought that we would even consider this funding when the funding for so many other student-related projects is needed is ridiculous.

The plus sides of moving to City Council chambers are: (1) the cost of televising the school board meeting would be reduced, (2) the televising of the meetings would be improved, since the City Council chambers are already outfitted with the appropriate equipment, (3) We, the citizens would have the ability to see and possibly hear the board members as they peak, (4) the seating would be adequate for citizens, the problem of citizens waiting in the hall for their chance to grab a seat and hear the meeting would be eliminated, especially at awards ceremonies (where students and their parents are asked to attend) and (5) the sense of control for the school division should not be a factor in determining the most effective way to communicate between our school board and the citizens of Chesapeake.

Wanda Klooster

Winchester Way J.V. sports

I play field hockey for Hickory High School. I would like to say that I feel that the article ``Should terrible varsity teams be disbanded?'' (The Clipper, Oct. 12) was disgraceful. The writers should not have used the name of any team as an example.

I agree that junior varsity programs should be offered in all sports and not just the sports that bring in the most money.

Every team should have an opportunity to build its program. At Hickory, we had 50 girls try out for field hockey, but only 28 girls the team. That means at least 22 girls could be improving their skills on a junior varsity team.

The article should have discussed how teams could improve, not on what teams need improvement. You should remember that these are high school teams, not professionals. The athletes play to learn and have fun. Yes, winning is fun, but there are more ways to win than just scoring the most points. If you achieve your personal and team goals you are a winner whatever the score.

Our game with Indian River is one I will never forget - not just because we won, but because of the players' sportsmanship and enthusiasm on the field. I have never seen a team with such enthusiasm when they made a good save or got a short corner. Indian River had a never-say-die attitude, which I will always remember.

The next time you write an article on varsity sports, please write it about all varsity sports, not just teams you feel should be disbanded.

I hope many parents and students agree with my views. Those who do can phone or write local school athletic directors and principals to encourage them to have J.V. programs in all sports. If we work as a team, we can accomplish what my coach always says: ``T.E.A.M.: Together Everyone Achieves More.''

This will send kids the correct message: ``Yes, we want you to participate and have fun. We want you to explore your interest in sports, whatever that may be.''

Margie Baker

Weatherby Court

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