Virginia — 2nd District

Keep your word

Call me old fashioned, but keeping your word still matters to me. In 2022, after redistricting put former U.S. Rep. Elaine Luria’s home outside the 2nd Congressional District, Luria said that she planned to move to Virginia Beach and was “working out the logistics.”

Four years later, she still hasn’t moved. Instead, she bought another house in Norfolk, also outside the district she is now running to represent.

There is nothing illegal about running for Congress while living in another district. But that isn’t really the point.

Luria told voters she intended to move here. She had four years to do it and apparently decided not to. Now she is asking the people in the 2nd District to vote to send her back to Washington, D.C.

If you want to represent a community I don’t think it is unreasonable for voters to expect you to live in it. And if you tell voters you are going to do something, I think they should be able to expect you to keep your word.

Bob McCrudden, Virginia Beach

Flock cameras

I hear something on the local news about Flock cameras almost daily. It seems the major concern of many people is the idea that monitoring vehicular travel is a violation of our freedom of movement and privacy. I understand the concern but I also understand the need of law enforcement to maintain peace and safety within our cities.

There is another way to meet the need for “peace and safety” without Flock cameras. That means cities need to allocate enough police officer positions to adequately cover the city 24/7. That way every time you look into your rearview mirror, you will see a police officer. Of course, that is not a reasonable answer.

What we need to understand is that the cameras record crimes as they occur and aid law enforcement investigations. I believe that law enforcement agencies should issue monthly reports to the public regarding criminal activity recorded that is resolved with an arrest.

Have you noticed the mobile surveillance camera setups at various locations around Norfolk? They have a blue light on them to make them noticeable. Those cameras record movements of people, cars in and out of the camera range. Why aren’t you complaining about those cameras that are collecting the same type of data?

I value my privacy, too, but I also value being safe. The various camera systems add to everyone’s safety.

Ellis M. Jones, Norfolk

Data centers

I have spent my life watching Virginia Beach grow and change. My hope is our younger generations will inherit a community with clean air, reliable water and the natural beauty that makes this city home. But that dream is being threatened by decisions made for corporate gain. This is why I was encouraged when the Virginia Beach City Council decided to consider zoning restrictions that would prohibit large-scale data centers.

These massive facilities can bring constant noise, enormous energy demand, dirty diesel backup generators and added strain on our electric grid and local resources. They are not compatible with the character of Virginia Beach or with the healthy, livable future our children and grandchildren deserve.

The recent DEQ report on the state of the Potomac Aquifer is further reason to not overdraw precious fresh water supply.

We need our elected leaders to follow through on the commitment they made: Protect Virginia Beach from industrial-scale data centers before they are allowed to reshape our neighborhoods.

I am grateful that the council recently enacted a temporary 12-month pause on data center development. Now it must turn that into a permanent, clear and enforceable ban. Our future generations are watching and so are we.

Susan Lee Feathers, Virginia Beach