Letters for Aug. 27: Moving Virginia MOCA to Virginia Wesleyan is a huge loss for current visitors

Virginia MOCA

Re “Virginia MOCA moving into yet-to-be built facility on Virginia Wesleyan campus” (July 25): The proposed relocation of the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art has been the source of discussion among some of us longtime residents who for years have visited, taken classes and brought out-of-town friends to the arts center. Nevertheless, we haven’t heard much public discussion about the move to Virginia Wesleyan University. While the generosity of those who are financially supporting the move and subsequent new building is admirable, there is a sense of sadness and loss for many of us who are simply lovers of Virginia MOCA.

Moving Virginia MOCA from the resort area, where it is easily available to tourists and also a destination for those who live in South Hampton Roads, to the Virginia Wesleyan campus is puzzling. I understand it was felt by some that the building was old, but that seems surmountable. Is there an expectation that local residents and tourists (almost 20,000 in 2022) will drive to the Wesleyan campus with the same frequency and loyalty as the current location? Should Virginia Beach’s resort opportunities be diminished to Pharrell Williams’ surf park and the sports center while eliminating its only full-fledged art museum?

Perhaps there is a approach that could include some aspect of Virginia MOCA, e.g., joint use of the existing building that can be retained in the resort area. I am confident that the trustees and supporters have thoughtfully explored many options, but it felt important to express the sense of loss that so many of us were feeling.

Sharon Q. Adams, Virginia Beach

Shame on you

Re “Parent involvement critical in transgender decisions” (Other Views, Aug. 19): Gretchen LeFever Watson’s recent column is aimed at scaring parents. In opposing the Virginia Department of Education’s 2021 Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools, LeFever Watson makes a grossly misleading claim. She says, “The 2021 policies enable school personnel to initiate gender-affirming care without parental awareness.” This claim is true in the limited sense that the 2021 policy required schools and teachers to use a student’s preferred name and pronouns and to respect students’ privacy; in some cases, this could mean a student’s parents might not be aware of the chosen name and pronouns their child used at school.

LeFever Watson goes on to say that such “social transitioning” “is followed by puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and various surgeries.” Social transitioning may be followed by such medical steps, but it is wrong to imply these must always or only be the next steps for a child who explores a social transition in their gender.

Even more harmfully misleading is LeFever Watson’s implication that school personnel could, without a parent’s knowledge or consent, be involved in any medical gender transition steps a child might take. That is false. Anyone with a child in Virginia public schools knows this from having to register any medication their child needs — even over-the-counter — with the school nurse, as Virginia Code requires.

This scaremongering is unethical. As a health care professional, LeFever Watson should be ashamed.

Arthur Knight, Williamsburg

Heath and safety

Gov. Glenn Youngkin intends to end Virginia’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. At the behest of the governor, the Air Pollution Control Board voted that the commonwealth will not remain a member of the regional coalition to reduce carbon emissions and generate funds for climate mitigation.

RGGI incentivizes Virginia toward less polluting forms of energy while empowering communities to become resilient to weather and climate impacts. Half of the funding supports energy efficiency projects that help low-income families.

Since 2021 when Virginia started participating in the coastal state coalition, $590 million has been generated from carbon emission offsets. Local flood planning is benefitting citizens across the commonwealth, but none more than coastal communities like Hampton Roads at risk from sea level rise and stronger storms.

What the governor is doing is wrong. The decision to join RGGI was made in the state assembly by a vote in 2020. We elected our representatives to protect the health and safety of citizens and ensure a robust economy. The Air Pollution Control Board is being prioritized over our elected representatives. Our votes are overturned.

Health, safety and economy — all are at risk when we disable a working initiative that is making tangible gains that benefit our communities. Leaders matter. Citizens have until Aug. 30 to post their comments on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall website: townhall.virginia.gov/L/comments.cfm?stageid=10026.

Susan Lee Feathers, Virginia Beach

Very wrong

Virginia Beach City Public Schools has the lowest starting salary in the Hampton Roads area, according to “We compare starting teacher pay across Hampton Roads” on 13newsnow.com. I believe it is around $52,000 a year.

Recently, I read that an average UPS driver with the new pay package will eventually make, including benefits, around $170,000 a year.

Let me keep this straight. Someone driving a truck with packages makes that much more than a teacher in Virginia Beach? What is wrong in America?

John L. Woods, Virginia Beach