Copyright Norfolk Virginian-Pilot
Laskin shops Re “Laskin Road land to be used for apartments” (A1, Oct. 23): I am profoundly dismayed over the Virginia Beach City Council’s decision to demolish the Laskin Road shops. Clearly Vice Mayor Rosemary Wilson is the only member of City Council who places any value on the character of the city and the importance of preserving those dear iconic shops. And to replace them with apartments! Tourists and locals alike need to see a part of Virginia Beach that does not look like “plastic land” on steroids. Not only do these shops provide a charming island of enterprise; they have proven themselves to be assets to our community, often giving generously of their time and inventory. And please do not tell me this decision is based on a magnificent vision of the future of our city. The only vision I see is a heyday for developers. Georgia Sherlock, Virginia Beach Consequences I recently went to the U.S. Navy’s Boone Clinic to pick up a refill prescription for my wife. I was surprised when the pharmacist told me the prescription was out of stock and could not be reordered because funds are canceled due to the government shutdown. With no reasonable way to get the medicine, I decided to email my senators — something I’ve never done before. I emailed Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner. These emails said, “If you don’t vote for the continuing resolution, I can no longer support you.” It is baffling to me why Democratic senators won’t allow the federal government to execute its duties and responsibilities on the budget that former President Joe Biden signed into law. It is ironic that I can’t get my wife’s medicine, when I hear and read that the reason for not voting to keep the government running is based on better health care. This must not include medicine for service members and their families. Bob Rieve, Virginia Beach Road upkeep I don’t understand why Hampton Road cities are not maintaining basic road safety by refreshing street markings. Throughout Virginia Beach and Chesapeake, in particular, the cities have allowed highway lane paint to be worn away, both at major intersections and back roads. As seasonal daylight gets gets shorter and we get poor weather, drivers are challenged to stay in their lane. During the past week’s rains, I found it difficult to determine my lane line. We just visited Maine where we were delighted to see all the roads and streets had fresh painted lines, and this was a poor area where roads are hit hard by snow and snow removal. For everyone’s safety, the cities need to quickly repaint all road lines and arrows across the area. Ken Brown, Virginia Beach ‘No Kings’ Re “‘No Kings’ protesters need a lesson in history” (Other Views, Oct. 24): Syndicated columnist Cal Thomas completely misses the point of the “No Kings” movement. Thomas lists actions of past presidents who had held beliefs that are now unpopular or took actions that stretched limits of the laws or traditions in force in their times. The difference between them and President Donald Trump is the motivation behind them. Thomas’ reference to “Trump’s efforts to uphold the law” is laughable. It is he who perpetrated the “Big Lie” that the 2020 election was stolen. He is the one who sought to have Texas districts redrawn to pack more Republicans in Congress. He is the one who wrecked the White House on his own initiative. And he daily violates his own pledge to uphold the Constitution. Trump’s actions are in no way intended to serve the American people but rather are to feed his own insatiable ego. Kermit Hobbs, Suffolk Election letters We are no longer accepting letters related to the Nov. 4 general election.
