but it's a better solution than paroling

but it's a better solution than paroling them for lack of space. The Democrats who run Arlington plan to tear it down to build an underground parking garage with a big grassy on top.

Nearly 400 needed spaces for dangerous criminals tom down so Virginia's taxpayers can build new, expensive, comfortable prisons elsewhere, and Arlington can have another park. ,

So when opponents of. the AllenGilmore plan say that we can’t afford to build the new prisons that will be needed if we abolish parole, remember “The Tale of Two Jails.”

Why is it that some politicians never seem to think we can afford more for important things like schools, roads, and jails, but they find plenty of money to raise their own salaries and pass around pork barrel spending?

As taxpayers, we must send a strong message. Jails are not supposed to be resorts, a sentence is not supposed to be a vacation, and the best way to stop repeat offenders is to keep them locked up.

Otherwise, the real “prisoners” will be Virginia’s citizens, trapped by a fear of crime that our elected officials have done little to stop. Until now.

JAMES PARMELEE

State Chairman

Virginia Young Republicans

Centre ville

North

Supported

Reluctantly

To the Editor:

People have said “I voted for the lesser of evils” to me many times, but I don’t think it has applied to what I’ve thought of my own choice. My time has come.

I was a Jim Miller delegate to the Republican State Convention, and I really do not like voting for someone who has a reputation for being less than altogether honest.

But when we elect a legislator, we do so hoping that he or she will vote on legislation as we would think best. (To me, that means less, rather than more, government intrusion into our lives.) I’m rather sure that that is how Oliver North will vote, and very sure that that’s not how Chuck Robb would vote.

So I will vote for Colonel North, and will be unhappy with my vote and with the outcome, either way.

ROBERT BRIAN BEATTIE

Wood ville