Compassion needed
People everywhere are experiencing homelessness, sadly a circumstance that is not easily overcome without the support of others. We see it every day, people by choice or by force in our streets.
Is it distributed to the community? Or it is a tragedy that we as a community must address together? Depending on your views of your neighbors and compassion for people, is where we as a people have conflicts. A priority is overnight shelter because a good night’s rest will affect you the following day. When people who are homeless see they have support and resources available, homelessness will eventually not exist in our community.
Chiquita Hubbard, Virginia Organizing member, Newport News
Be respectful
Re “‘An answered prayer’” (May 29): I read the article with interest. Finding physicians for anyone with any disability remains a challenge. Many adults with disabilities and their families have been dismissed repeatedly by doctors who ignore their symptoms, fail to read the information on their rare disorders, fail to read their medical records at all, ignore their symptoms, repeatedly speak over their heads to the parent who is just there as a notetaker, question whether they have the conditions they were previously diagnosed with because the records weren’t read, the list goes on.
The damage to these patients’ physical and mental health is extensive and preventable. The world is hard on people with disabilities — they are ignored, teased and disrespected; that should not be their experience in the physician’s office, too.
Karen Harris, Virginia Beach
Treasurer’s office
Re “Chesapeake extends deadline for personal property tax bills, citing mailing delays in treasurer’s office” (May 25): “City Manager Chris Price said in a City Council meeting this week that this is the third consecutive year an emergency action of this kind was necessary to offset delays in mailing out bills.” This action comes after the council voted to strip certain duties and responsibilities from Treasurer Barbara Carraway’s office due to performance issues. I can’t help but question if the person or persons who are now responsible for these duties are being compensated for their extra work. Meanwhile, Carraway is still receiving her full salary of approximately $165,000 per year.
Patricia Byrum, Chesapeake
How outrageous
Once again, us locals come in last. Because it was raining, I drove to the CVS store located at 31st Street and Pacific Avenue where customers can park inside for free. However, standing next to a man at the entrance was a sign that said, “$20 to park.” I rolled down my window and explained that I was a local resident and needed to get some items inside. His reply: “It’s Memorial Day. Twenty dollars to park.” Arguing was fruitless so I drove in and drove out. I looked in my rearview mirror and saw three cars behind me doing the same thing. I don’t know who is responsible for this stupid stunt. But, I’m betting CVS wasn’t too pleased to see their paying customers drive in and then drive out of their store.
Jean Ansell, Virginia Beach
Crystal ball
Viewpoints
This gray, chilly, damp and windy Memorial Day weekend I couldn’t help but think back to Pharrell Williams’ desire to move Something in the Water from his April weekend time slot in search of better weather. There is an old Yiddish saying that translates to: “Man plans, and God laughs.” Good luck choosing a weekend months in advance that will have perfect weather.
Ben Potts, Norfolk
Wrong answer
Re “Another child brought a gun to school. The legislature must act.” (Our Views, May 23): No, the parents must act.
Sylvia Snow, Poquoson
Debt ceiling
The political game of chicken being played in Washington over the debt ceiling is putting Americans at risk of greater economic turbulence. Most of us are already jittery over bank failures (due to lax oversight) and the Federal Reserve’s tinkering with the interest rate to control inflation. Now this. The 2011 standoff may provide a glimpse of what’s ahead. According to analysis by the U.S. Treasury Department, household wealth fell $2.4 trillion as the stock market tumbled back then. A decline in household wealth led to a decline in consumer spending, which created other ripples in the economic pond. Because retirement planning usually involves the stock market, retirement assets fell $800 billion, according to the same source. Interest rates on mortgages, car loans and credit cards increased resulting in Americans paying more to borrow money and taking longer to pay off debts.
This standoff represents a cynical approach to governing using default as leverage. Repealing tax cuts for wealthy individuals and corporations are off the table, while Republicans look to housing, social safety net programs and air traffic control for savings. At Virginia Organizing, we are appalled at the Republican refusal to raise the debt ceiling when they did so without a peep for the former president. We encourage our legislators to support a plan that works for all Americans — not just the wealthy.
Barbara B. Edwards, Portsmouth