Letters
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Like This? Click to Recommend ItEditor
Northern Virginia Daily
Sir:
Can anyone tell what Creigh Deeds platform for Virginia voters is? All he does is complain about Bob McDonnell.
McDonnell has plans for Virginians. Voters, be smart and give your support to Bob McDonnell.
GLORIA J. PLAUGER
232 Walter Lane
Fort Valley
Oct. 15, 2009
Editor
Northern Virginia Daily
Sir:
I am writing in support of Creigh Deeds for governor because of his experience, vision and dedication to the well-being of the citizens of Virginia.
His extensive experience in the Virginia House of Delegates and state Senate uniquely qualifies him to work across the aisle to get things done in the state legislature.
The scope of his vision extends across a broad range of issues affecting all of us in Virginia including such things as:
* Providing immediate economic solutions for small business owners, homeowners and workers.
* Creating jobs through a statewide transportation plan that includes expanding traditional freight and passenger rail and bringing high-speed rail to Virginia.
* Reducing carbon emissions and creating green jobs, and taking steps to restore the Chesapeake Bay.
* Fighting for better and safer health care, and protecting homeowners from dishonest lenders.
* Implementing a broad range of actions to improve the education system in Virginia.
* Implementing a number of steps to improve the efficiency of Virginia's state government.
The foregoing demonstrates that Creigh Deeds has developed a serious and comprehensive agenda for improving the well-being of the citizens of Virginia. I believe that he would continue to govern in the finest tradition of Govs. Warner and Kaine.
RONALD N. LANDIS
158 Redtail Court
Basye
Oct. 1, 2009
Editor
Northern Virginia Daily
Sir:
Virginia governor's race is at hand and we are being reminded and exposed to the philosophies of the two parties in their respective ads .
For instance, Republican typically claim they want "to get government out of our lives." Actually, they only want to remove certain aspects of government from our lives such as those things that disagree with their particular political doctrine -- for example, abortion, gun control.
Another Republican mantra: Campaigning for governor, George Allen proposed "saving money" by "downsizing government." After being elected, he initiated expensive, early retirements buyouts to state employees. Many "retired." In the case of VDOT, the road-building expertise of many years simply walked across the street and peddled their services, at substantial salary increases, to the highway contractor. Since the state now lacked that know-how, it had to pay through the nose for those services.
Republican hopeful Bob McDonald has announced he want to sell ABC stores to private investors, thereby "downsizing state government" and turning a one-time profit. Is this really in the best interest of Virginia citizens? Not likely.
Yes, there will be a one-time "profit" when trade assets are sold to new buyers. On the other hand, excluding sales taxes, the state will lose any ongoing profit. Once sole proprietors take over, citizens will lose control over how inventory is maintained, advertised and marketed. Moreover, unless the state allows more than one local store, the owners, without competition, will be able to charge whatever buyers are willing to pay. Prices are unlikely to fall.
Generally, states that control alcoholic beverages this way eventually end up easing regulations and experience an increase in consumption. Is this what Virginia really wants?
Be careful and fully explore the pros and cons of an issue before accepting what a politician proposes. On the surface, it may sound good, but is it really what's best. Moreover, what is the candidate really appealing to: our emotions or our reason? Whichever, our overall welfare will depend on our choices. Be wise and not, as often happens, gullible.
Thomas Harrison
914 Fairground Road
Front Royal
Sept. 29, 2009
Editor
Northern Virginia Daily
Sir:
A role in local elections has its difficulties. It's easy to go after prominent candidates you know only through the media. It's tougher if you know personally the guy you oppose.
So it is with Todd Gilbert. While he's aware I'm a political adversary, he greets me politely. But the issues are so pressing and Todd's record as a delegate is so dismal that I gladly support his opponent.
When Todd puts on his political cap, he's not so nice. In his first statement about his opponent he wrongly called John Lesinski a liar. He refers to him as "this guy." This guy, John Lesinski, spent 20-odd years serving his country in the U.S. Marines, retiring as a colonel. He's an esteemed business executive and a devoted family man.
Is he immune from criticism? No. Has he earned a measure of civility and respect? I think so. He's not, after all, a criminal defendant.
Lesinski has addressed serious issues. He moved to activate a state emergency agency to combat local unemployment. It's an agency created by Gov. Mark Warner -- not, as Todd erroneously claimed, by him and his colleagues.
In another bold move, Lesinski proposed a one-year income tax holiday for businesses creating at least 100 permanent new jobs, using vacant industrial and manufacturing space. This compares with Todd's vote to reject millions in national funds to give a hand up to the jobless, money now being used in other states.
John Lesinski has also devised a workable plan for a rail system that would cost a fraction of expanding I-81 without inflicting immense environmental damage.
A career of leadership has equipped Lesinski to put together commonsense proposals to deal with real problems that affect us all. If you would like constructive representation in Richmond that would enhance the House of Delegates, he's your candidate.
If a record distinguished by bills to allow college students to carry weapons on campus is acceptable and if a "no" vote on every positive proposal is enough, then Todd's your man.
Bob Lowerre
403 Spring Hollow Road
Woodstock
Oct. 12, 2009
Editor
Northern Virginia Daily
Sir:
I would like to take this opportunity to let citizens know why I am running for District 4 supervisor. After all, I committed 10 years of my life to District 4 School Board. And now after four years come back?
I am concerned about the direction this current Board of Supervisors is taking and how it is doing the business of government. From my side they are giving lip service to "rural living," "agricultural community" and securing safe haven for retired folks on fixed incomes who are living here with extended families.
More important, I am concerned of their capricious tone to the public and their disrespectful treatment of Sheriff Carter in public by humiliating him and criticizing him. In my opinion he is doing a good job protecting our community.
The debt is rapidly increasing in a time when experts are saying don't accumulate debt. As a county we pay $5.6 million in debt service and this figure will double the next four years at the current rate of decision-making. This means property taxes will go up and this will create an enormous burden on families and retired folks.
The board has also passed zoning ordinances to facilitate growth on Route 11 by discouraging small shop owners and encouraging shopping malls. The board is ready to approve cluster development throughout Shenandoah. We are poised for major development and tax increases will force landowners on fixed incomes to sell to developers.
These actions of the last four years will change the character, values and landscape of Shenandoah County forever. I am neither liberal nor conservative and my view is pragmatic and preservationist. I like the way it is and want to keep it that way.
We have lost our representation. Their plans and decisions are made in private conferences, away from public view. Then comes time for vote and public comment. The public is limited to how much time to express viewpoints and to supervisors who have already made up their minds.
Too much debt and lack of transparent governance makes time for a change, Nov. 3.
James A. Fitzsimmons
P.O. Box 125
Woodstock
Oct. 19, 2009
Editor
Northern Virginia Daily
Sir:
When I first met Creigh Deeds in 2005, he had been intensely preparing for a campaign tour during his run for attorney general and emerged from an office to greet us warmly. Creigh was especially interested in our story of political activism inspired by our son's first Iraq tour. It was our first encounter and yet he left us with a strong sense of familiarity.
Campaigns are tough, but I'm confident of the character and dedication Creigh Deeds brings to the office of governor for Virginians in every corner of this state. When the campaign is over, governing is for the next four years when the governor will have to work along with 140 legislators and state agencies to help Virginia serve its people.
It takes goodwill and focus like Creigh Deeds used as Mark Warner's Senate right hand to bring legislators together in the 2004 compromise to boost public safety and education programs. As The Washington Post stated in its recent endorsement of Creigh Deeds, he supports "sane fiscal and budgetary choices that have made the state one of the best governed and business friendly" and "played a constructive role in economic development."
By contrast the Post points out that his opponent, Bob McDonnell, offers a "blizzard of bogus, unworkable, fantastic proposals" that would "mainly cannibalize essential services like education, health and public safety."
Virginia needs to recover and I trust leaders who support an approach to governing that has a record of success, not just another all gain, no pain scheme like Jim Gilmore's car tax fiasco and the 2007 abuser fees.
Creigh Deeds gets my vote for governor, along with Jody Wagner for lieutenant governor and Steve Shannon for attorney general.
Noreen Hampton
500 Miller St.
Winchester
Oct. 20, 2009
Editor
Northern Virginia Daily
Sir:
Please vote for Ken Cuccinelli for Virginia's next attorney general. If you, like me, are struggling to care for a mentally ill loved one, you can have no better friend in the office of attorney general than Ken Cuccinelli.
When Ken Cuccinelli was elected to the Virginia Senate, I went to him with my tale of troubles in my struggle to get help for my mentally ill family member. I knew Ken from his work as a family practice lawyer, providing legal services for the mentally ill and their families.
I am not in Ken's district and cannot vote for him. He listened anyway and was willing to work on legislation that would help me and tens of thousands of other Virginia families with mentally ill loved ones.
Sen. Cuccinelli has been a leader in the General Assembly in the effort to reform Virginia's outdated and ineffective mental health laws. During his years in the General Assembly, he successfully sponsored numerous bills aimed at improving the mental health code. As attorney general, he will be in a even stronger position to continue his work as a champion for reform.
Linfield Smith
7830 Glenister Drive
Springfield
Oct. 18, 2009
Editor
Northern Virginia Daily
Sir:
Currently, I'm having a problem believing some of the numbers I'm hearing during this Virginia election year.
One candidate for governor suggests that one way to improve Northern Virginia's roads is to sell Virginia's 328 ABC stores, which would raise $500 million for that purpose. He does not mention that it would be a one-time-only infusion of money or that the revenue currently generated by those stores would be lost forever. It also does not address the thousands of state workers who would lose their jobs.
Think for a moment. What buyer, with a half a billion dollars lying around, would be interested in purchasing 328 liquor stores? What would he get for his money? Best I can guess is several hundred feet of empty shelves.
He wouldn't be buying real estate, as most, if not all, of the stores are located in rented buildings or storefronts. He wouldn't be buying inventory. Even if that were possible, he couldn't sell it. After all, remember, Virginia ABC stores have a monopoly. Privately owned businesses cannot sell "hard liquor" to the public. It is unlawful.
What's that? He'll change the law. How? The last I heard, it was still one man, one vote in Virginia. Besides, the governor has no vote on legislative matters. He may propose but he does not vote. It takes a majority of the House and Senate to pass any law. The governor does have the power of veto, but even that can be overridden.
Common sense seems to indicate that this plan has no merit.
John Taylor
204 Jamestown Road
Front Royal
Oct. 19, 2009
Election letters
Oct. 28 at 4 p.m. is the deadline to ensure publication of letters about the Nov. 3 election.
Letters that arrive later will be published if space permits. No election-related letters, however, will be printed on election day.
Letters must not exceed 350 words and must be signed and include the writer's complete address and telephone number. The phone number, which is for verification, will not be published. Only one letter per writer is published within a 30-day period.
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