Letter to the Editor: Political maneuvering evident in charter issue

Editor:

Although elections are over, local GOP politicians won't accept they lost and get over it. Trouble is, they want all their constituents to suffer from their tantrums. Del. Todd Gilbert's recent statements regarding Front Royal's charter bill were misrepresentations and political maneuvering to deny the will of the people of Front Royal in order that the GOP be protected.

Gilbert's statements implying that he didn't know the nature of the bill's intent and how it came about is evidence of the worst kind of political betrayal an elected official can demonstrate: failure to carry out the wishes of your constituents.
The people of Front Royal, Democrat and Republican, voted to change its elections to November in even years in a non-partisan fashion. Del. Michael Webert, who was given the bill to deliver to the General Assembly, decided, without the knowledge or consent of Front Royal Town Council, to delete, distort and materially change the original language to suit his Republican colleagues' interests.

When this wrong was discovered, none of our so-called Republican representatives would right the wrong. Delegates Beverly Sherwood, Gilbert and Webert were all missing in action. Calls to Jill Vogel were unreturned, even though her articles always tell you to call. Sen. Mark Obenshain and Vogel could have fought to amend the bill as originally stated, but instead chose to help kill it. All Republicans. Why no Democratic involvement?

Gilbert's shameless misrepresentation and fabrication that this bill was intended to suit a few town councilman and politicians was an insult to people like me who spent many hours to get all the people of Front Royal to vote on the matter. His statements imply he alone should decide whether the town's or its people's choices should be granted.

What happened here is, or should be, considered criminal in its intent and an investigation of how the public's will could be changed and discounted should be demanded by those who voted for the original changes. Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me twice....well it won't happen.

Jerry Scholder, Front Royal