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October 26, 1971
<br />
<br /> It seems that most of the people with whom I've talked feel it is wrong for yon all to
<br />listen only to a small group of citizens, such as the Cradock Property Owners Assoc., when
<br />they constitute only a small minority of the public whom you serve.
<br />
<br /> I have three (3) teenage children of my own who are active in all school activities, and
<br />I have no qualms about allowing them to attend night games myself. My wife and I attend all
<br />home Cradock High School games, as well as all their away games, and have observed only excel-
<br />lent behavior on the part of most all the students.
<br />
<br /> It certainly seems like we'd have little or no regard for these youngsters if you tell
<br />them that because of a very few they must all suffer the conseqaences. It most certainly
<br />would degrade the le,ade:rshi~p abil~itie~s of the adults in the eyes of our younger ge~neration
<br />and leave them, I'm afraid, With little respect for their leaders.
<br />
<br /> I can only hope you will be very careful in your considerations and take all aspects
<br />of this matter into ac,count,. It has be.come apparent, after talks with other people, that
<br />some of the incidents that were reported after the Cradock-Norcom .game of the 24 Septi 1971,
<br />were completely overemphasized and although they should not have happened, were in some way
<br />perhaps brought about zn part by those who were attacked.
<br />
<br /> If there zs anything tha% I or other members of the_organizations can do t~.~help, in
<br />particular the Cradock Band Parents Assoc., who number about 500 people, please feel free
<br />to ask us as we are all willing to cooperate to the. ~fullest.'!
<br />
<br /> On motion of Mr. Irvine Smith and seconded by Mr. King, to be received as~ information
<br />with copies to be sent to the members of the School Board, was adopted by the following vote:
<br />
<br />Ayes: Holley, Johnson, King, [rvine Smith, Raymond Smith, Barnes
<br />Nays: None
<br />
<br /> 71-487 The following letter received from Mr. Roland
<br />
<br /> "Enclosed please find Resolution, which I request that
<br />agenda' f6r Tuesday, October 26, 1'971.
<br />
<br />W. Dodson, ~o~mey?~wam:~read:
<br />you place on the City Council
<br />
<br /> Mr. John Tynch, President of the Portsmouth Sports Club, will appear in our behalf at
<br />this meeting, to present said Resolution, which pertains to the Portsmouth Sports Club's
<br />position as to the future of night football games within the City limits of Portsmouth,
<br />Virginia.
<br />
<br />I am also enclosing copies of said Resolution for the members of the City Council."
<br />
<br />Mr. John Tynch presented the following resolution:
<br />
<br /> 'WHEREAS: Let it be resolved that the Portsmouth Sports Club, City of Portsmouth,
<br />Virginia, by its President, John Tynch, adopts the following resolution pertaining to night
<br />football games withi~ the City limits of Portsmou,th, .Virginia.
<br />
<br /> 1. That the privilege of observing night football games in the City of Portsmouth,
<br />Virginia, should not be destroyed by a'sma~ll minority who take law into the.ir own hands.
<br />
<br /> 2. That to overcome total destruction of a high school sports program, it is imperative
<br />that our citizens give more support and backing to our Police Department.
<br />
<br /> 3. That the courts consider stricter penalties for those persons apprehended, who
<br />have endangered the life and limb of others at these local athletic events.
<br />
<br /> 4. That responsible City authorities place more police personnel at said athletic
<br />events in order to more adeuately provide safety for those persons attending the events."
<br />
<br /> Mr. Irvine Smith made a motion that was seconded by Mr. Holley that the resolution he
<br />received as information with a copy to b~ sent' to the Governor or State Chief of Police which
<br />ever is appropriate. An accompanying letter from the Mayor to be included requesting State
<br />Assistance at night games since some of the troublemakers accused are not Portsmouth citizens,i
<br />was adopted by the following vote:
<br />
<br />Ayes: Holley, Johnson, King, Irvine Smith, Raymond Smith, Barnes
<br />Nays: None
<br />
<br /> 71-488 The following letter received from Mrs. K. M. Bass, representing ~arents of
<br />Lakeview Elementary Students and Parents of Hedges Manor Elementary Students, was read:
<br />
<br /> 'I'm writing you concerning the reports given to you by our City Manager, Mr. A. P.
<br />Johnson, concerning the safety probk~ms at the Lakeview and Hedges Manor Elementary Schools;
<br />and also the report given to you as set forth in a letter by Dr. M. ~. Alford, Supterintenden~
<br />of Schools.
<br />
<br /> Let me take this opportunity to commend you, our City Officials, on your prompt action
<br />these matters, However, I feel there are issues relating to the above'circumstances since the~
<br />hav~ been discussed and reported on at the October 12 meeting that should be brought to your
<br />attention.
<br />
<br /> I would like to have t'he opportunity to spea.k to you at the next council meeting, Tuesday,
<br />October 26, so that I may express to you how the petitioners feel~ concerning the action you ~
<br />have taken and to make an additional request in order to completely clear up this matter to ~
<br />alleviate any further problems arising from the same or a similar situation. ~
<br />
<br />
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