LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Chesterfield parents are asked to pay for too much

Dear Editor,

I just want to add my support and give a cheer to C. Frey for communicating [Oct. 25] to the community about something I've felt for some time. Too much money is asked of Chesterfield parents in the beginning of the school year. Money requirements for school registration fees, calculators, school club fees, parent-teacher associations, yearbooks, various leadership conventions and pictures all stream in starting in September and just seem to go right through October. If you have it to pay, you write the checks and say, "Whew," and feel blessed for yourself and your children. However, my family always does feel the cost. Sometimes we've felt it more than others, depending on the situation.

If you live in Chesterfield awhile and have children, you learn to budget for that expensive time of year, just like you have to do for Christmas and tax time. However, I feel real concern for families of less fortunate circumstances and for those who are new to the area and get blindsided, learning painfully that a free public education isn't exactly free here. The money required is enough to throw the monthly budget of any family of modest means way out of whack. A family shouldn't have to choose between paying all their children's fees and eating the rest of the month.

Ms. Frey honed in on the seeming lack of competitive bidding for school picture contracts. The school pictures, yearbook and school-promoted graduation picture photographer is one and the same every year.

My pet peeve is the school-sponsored foreign travel packages. They send a packet of info home with your child that says Junior or Juniette can experience some wonderful country for 10 days for the tidy sum of between $2,000 and $2,500. Interested parents are invited to attend an interest meeting that is scheduled within a few days. Then, they give you a schedule of when installment payments can be made. When is the first payment for some ungodly sum of between $300 and $500 due? Usually, it is due immediately - that night or within the week!

I think these travel packages should be decided upon and announced a year earlier. Then, those families of modest means can plan to include this sort of expense in their budgets. For parents who just can't swing it, high school students might have enough time to earn their own funds through part-time jobs. As they are currently scheduled and announced, the international travel trips are a privilege enjoyed by a lucky few. I think with greater consideration, planning and creativity, the number who could enjoy these excursions could be greatly increased.

La Fawn Davis

Midlothian

More support for Nienow

Dear Editor,

After reading Susan Nienow's article on pillows [Oct. 4] and then Laura's Deeley's letter [of] annoyance about "the pillows," [here's] how I feel:

A long time ago, I saw a picture of an Indian sitting on a horse beneath a written verse, "Let me not judge my brother till I have walked a mile in his moccasins." I have always kept that verse in my mind. The generation gap enters into a lot of issues. Laura indicated that she hadn't seen a hotel since [her] honeymoon. I believe her reaction means she needs a weekend (or more) off with her husband. I bet there are a lot of older couples who would not mind keeping a child or children for a weekend. It's worth a try.

I know that Susan must be kind, compassionate and very friendly - it goes with the name. Susan - keep writing.

Susan Weddington

Salisbury

Newspaper shouldn't allow criticism of Nienow

Dear Editor,

I was shocked that you published the lengthy diatribe [Oct. 4] against Susan Nienow. That letter could have been edited to express its writer's opinion without belittling your faithful columnist.

Tammy Nixon

Midlothian

Taxpayers shouldn't bear legal costs for lawsuit

Dear Editor,

The lawsuit against Chesterfield County's Planning [Commission] going to a full trial reported in your article [Sept. 20] should anger every citizen in the county. Chesterfield taxpayers could be forced to pay up to $2.6 million in damages because then planning [commission] Chairman Sherman Litton and Midlothian Planning Commissioner Dan Gecker viciously abused, and had arrested, Mr. Steinburg during a public meeting where Mr. Steinburg was speaking on an issue concerning the Tarrington development.

As someone who has addressed the board of supervisors, school board, etc., I know it is not easy to prepare and deliver a public address in front of possibly hundreds of people.

Additionally, abuse of the kind experienced by Mr. Steinburg discourages people from participating in the government that is supposed to represent them, especially the planning [commission], which is not elected by the people, but appointed by the supervisor of each magisterial district.

Fred deMey

Carters Mill

According to county officials, the decision to have Steinburg arrested for disorderly conduct was made by the police officer at the planning commission meeting. Chairman Litton asked Steinburg to stop talking because he wasn't speaking about the matter before the commission. Editor

Letters to the editor can be e-mailed to letters@chesterfieldobserver.com, mailed to P.O. Box 1616, Midlothian, VA 23113, or faxed to 744-3269. Letters should include the writer's phone number and home address, but neither will be printed. All letters may be edited for clarity or space. For complete guidelines, visit www.chesterfieldobserver. com and click on "letters policy."