Letters for June 29: Chesapeake residents fighting compressor station – The Virginian-Pilot

To the residents of Eva Garden, Crestwood and Georgetown who filled the Chesapeake City Council chamber on June 24, it looks like the fix is in. The issue is rezoning so Virginia Natural Gas can build a compressor station within a mile of neighborhoods that do not want it.

On June 17, the City Council voted against the rezoning. Residents of the impacted communities spoke against the project. They won. VNG did not show up. After the vote, the machinations began. Council members Amanda L. Newins, Debbie Ritter and Daniel W. Whitaker requested reconsideration, triggering the June 24 vote.

Again, residents were there in force. VNG showed up, arguing that residents were misinformed about the negative impacts of the project. They were not. They had done their research. Speakers begged council members not to reverse their votes of the week before. Members Ella P. Ward, Dr. Patricia Y. King and Les Smith Jr. stood with the residents. The residents lost.

Vice Mayor Dr. John M. de Triquet said the project can now be reconsidered with a clean slate. This is a slap in the faces of the people who put time and effort into opposing the project. They canvassed their neighbors, gathered petitions and spoke at city council meetings. The residents have seen, once again, that the current Chesapeake City Council puts profits of a big corporation over residents’ health and safety.

The re-vote on the rezoning is scheduled for July 15. The residents will be there.

Nancy Pettigrew, Chesapeake

As the Virginia Beach Field House marks its 15th anniversary, I want to extend heartfelt congratulations to the entire team at both the Field House and Eastern Sports Management.

The long hours, weekend shifts and sacrifices made by employees and their families over the years have helped create a place that’s become a cornerstone of the community. Watching a child beam after scoring their first goal shows just how meaningful their efforts are.

At the heart of it all is John Wack, the owner of Eastern Sports Management and the Field House. Wack is one of the most genuine, kind people I’ve ever met. Whether coaching youth sports, volunteering or serving Thanksgiving dinner to families experiencing homelessness, he gives back quietly and consistently.

When my father-in-law passed, Wack not only showed up to the memorial — he brought food for 60 people, cooked and gave his time without being asked. That gesture meant the world to our family and speaks volumes about his character.

Congratulations again to Eastern Sports Management, Bryan Schmidt, Steve Cariello and the entire Virginia Beach Field House team on 15 impactful years.

Heidi Ballard, Virginia Beach

Re “National Guard” (Your Views, June 18): I’m no fan of a standing army or calling out the National Guard but I’d remind readers of several instances when governors and mayors sat on their collective hands. Both under Democratic governors, Charlottesville in 2018 and assaults on Jewish students at Columbia University both ended badly. We could have ended up with more problems following the recent protests if we had not been so proactive.

Keeping opposing viewpoints (I’m being gentle here) when the polarity of opinions and actions are obviously beyond what local law enforcement can handle, or refuses to handle, puts the onus on governors to control the situation.

Protests in Columbia University in New York City, Los Angeles, Portland, Oregon, Baltimore, Md., did not end well when overwhelming forces were not there to serve and protect.

National Guard use should be rare but available. Is it being kingly or are you protecting the local populations and businesses from being looted, assaulted and burned out?

When polled by Gallup, minority communities have not objected to increased police presence to protect their homes and neighborhoods.

Stephen Restaino, Chesapeake

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