Citizens Need New Leadership

The Farmville Municipal Golf Course received approval from Town Council for expenditures of $82,000.00 for pool renovation, $60,000.00 for golf cart paving and an unbelievable $700,000.00 for a new Banquet Room.

They spent a total of $842,000.00 during the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.  This huge expense and a purchase price of $1,200,000.00 for this 9-hole golf course begs to ask how anyone thought this was sustainable. The obvious answer it will require substantial tax increases.

Town officials are raising and inventing new taxes from every conceivable source. Examples would be increases in restaurant meal tax and water/ sewer bills and hook up charges and the new tobacco tax and residential parking charge.

Randal Phillips
Farmville

Dear Editor:

We see that President Obama is having difficulty putting together a coalition that will support his plan(s) for intervening in Syria.  Why is this? Could it be that the President often says what he doesn’t mean and doesn’t mean what he says, thus sending an “unclear signal” to U. S. allies, congress, potential allies, and the world?

For example, on August 20, 2012, the President stated in a news conference: “We have been very clear to the Assad regime … that a red line for us is (when) we start seeing a whole bunch of chemical weapons moving around or being utilized.  That would change my calculus… my equation.” (Emphasis mine.)

On September 4, 2013,  the President announced that he didn’t draw a red line on the matter of chemical weapons movement and use in Syria. How could “a great communicator,” President Obama, have such a misunderstanding of his own declaration which he made in 2012?

Who would want to be an ally with a President who illogically parses words, phrases, and sentences to suit his fancy at the moment?  The President’s “red line” statement reminds one of President Clinton’s weaseling on the meaning of “is,” when he was accused of dallying with one of his young aids.  Clinton said: “It depends what you mean by ‘is’.”

It is time for our government leaders to follow the Biblical advice, given by the Apostle Paul to his evangelistic assistant, Timothy, when Timothy and leaders chosen by him and the churches, would be selecting deacons: deacons are not to be “double-tongued.” (Let us paraphrase this admonition to read: “Political leaders should be model citizens and should not be double-tongued.”) 1 Timothy 3:8.

Following this sound counsel by the Apostle Paul would assist President Obama in putting together a coalition to support his policy(s) relating to Syria and other similar situations.  Not taking responsibility for one’s statements is a sign of an amateur unprepared for the role of national and world leadership.  However, taking responsibility for one’s statements and actions is a sign of honesty, personal moral maturity, good judgment, and wisdom, all qualities of noble leaders.

There is no substitute for honesty.  Pretense won’t do!

~Fillmer Hevener, Ed.D., 
Pastor, Guthrie Memorial Chapel

Editor:

This email is just a short letter to introduce myself and to provide a recommendation for Bob Timmons who is seeking election to the Board of Supervisors for the Buffalo District, Prince Edward County, VA.

My name is Tom Wright, Owner of Narmour Wright, PA (a Professional Architectural Firm) located in Charlotte, NC. I have been a registered/professional Architect for 30 years in the Charlotte, NC area.

Bob Timmons and I have worked together continuously for the past twelve years. I first met Bob when he worked as a consultant for one of my clients to help him mediate multiple construction issues that needed his skills to negotiate the optimum resolution to a complex situation, with multiple parties, with varying interests. Bob was able to facilitate the process that helped to avoid the need for expensive and time consuming input from lawyers, typically delaying the resolution.

Shortly after that situation was resolved, Bob was hired by another client/developer of ours to assist
her as the development manager for a complex multifamily student housing project from the very earliest feasibility study through to the final construction and lease up. Again he demonstrated his great skills bringing architects, engineers, contractors and associated regulatory officials together for a successful conclusion. Bob consulted with this developer on several other large projects prior to her unexpected death. After her death, Bob worked diligently to assist all parties (including her partners and family) to close out all outstanding issues.

The examples above demonstrated to me that Bob Timmons is an excellent facilitator who listens first to all parties and then helps them work together for their mutual benefit to accomplish a common goal. He is able to do so because of his forthright integrity that engenders trust in all parties. Bob is a good man who cares about doing what is best and right for all concerned. When Bob announced his move to Virginia to enjoy the rural life of Darlington Heights, I and all who have known and worked with Bob in the Carolinas were saddened but happy for him. We will always remember Bob as a man of the highest character.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or clarifications you may have. Thank you.

Yours truly,

Narmour Wright, PA
Thomas H. Wright, III, NCARB, AIA