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Letters to the Editor

   Written by on October 21, 2020 at 3:50 pm

Warner Suicide Messages

Dear Editor,

I have been watching the “commercials” for the current senator, Mr. Warner, where he is discussing veterans benefits for veterans and their families who have committed suicides.

Anyone did a study on how many of the 17 suicides per day have filed for benefits from the veterans administration and then been denied.  Then have appealed, denied by the veterans administration…appealed, denied, appealed, denied until they have just plain given up on life after being beaten down by the very system that is supposed to be helping them… they then go the suicide route.

This leaves the veterans administration one last service to perform and that of course is burial.

Well Mr. Warner, what say you?

Val J. L. Wilson

Saxe, Virginia 

Sales Tax Increase is Economic Development

Dear Editor,

As citizens across America go to the polls on November 3rd, a large majority will be focusing on who will be the next President of the United States. While this is an important issue, citizens in Charlotte County must also make another important decision: whether or not to approve a 1% increase in the County’s sales tax rate. I believe this decision will affect the future of Charlotte County much more than the presidential race. I urge voters to VOTE YES FOR THE SCHOOLS!

The 1% increase will directly benefit the Charlotte County Public School system and allow school officials to make much needed repairs to our five school buildings. According to County officials, this minor tax increase would result in a $300,000 increase in revenue. In addition, unlike many other taxes that the County implements, the extra revenue generated by the sales tax increase would be strictly used for school repairs. This is mandated by state code, so there is NO way of utilizing the money for other purposes. Finally, the tax rate would revert back to the old rate of 5.3% in 2050. This is almost unheard of!

While I love the thought of helping schools, I have another motive behind supporting this increase. I firmly believe the 1% increase in our sales tax rate is a form of economic development for the County. Many of you have probably heard people say: “the County will get the money one way or another.” This is absolutely true! In order to afford the much-needed repairs, the Board of Supervisors could vote to raise Real Estate or Personal Property taxes again. Why would any business relocate or expand to a County that is constantly increasing their Real Estate or Personal Property rates? They would just choose a locality that had lower taxes, which would hurt Charlotte County and my hometown of Keysville. 

Now is the time to take action! I urge each individual in Charlotte County to consider this when making a decision on November 3rd. The future of Charlotte County and the school system truly rests in the voter’s hands.

George Sandridge

Yes for Our Children

Dear Editor,

I am a proud product of Charlotte County Public Schools. The person that I am today, and every accomplishment I’ve achieved, is built on the solid foundation I received at Bacon District Elementary, Central Middle, and Randolph-Henry High School. As I look at my graduating class of Ph.Ds, nurses, military leaders, entrepreneurs, and IT professionals in Silicon Valley, I see that my story is not an exception. Despite every challenge the County faces, CCPS gets results. While every statistic says we should be failing, we instead produce graduates who consistently climb to the heights of their profession and achieve great success.   

 Today, I have three daughters attending Bacon District Elementary School, and I can tell you CCPS’ legacy of success is alive and well. From the school board to the bus driver, every single person puts the needs of CCPS students first. That is why I’m proud to support the YES for Schools campaign.

 I understand this vote comes at a difficult time. Our whole world has been turned upside down by COVID-19 and it’s hard to know what tomorrow will bring. My husband owns property and operates a business in Charlotte County, so I know the challenges. But what I love about Charlotte County is that no one fights alone, and in the darkest moments this community comes together and stands strong like few others. I’m asking you to vote YES because we need to stand together for our children. 

 A 1% sales tax increase literally translates into pennies more on a purchase. Instead of paying $2.07 you’ll pay $2.09; instead of paying $6.30 for paper towels you’ll pay $6.37. The beauty is that anyone who shops within the County, whether they’re from Chase City or Cincinnati, will be investing in our schools. Halifax County voted yes on this same referendum question last November, and the change took effect this year. If you’re shopping at South Boston’s Walmart or Lowes then you’re already paying 1% more, but the money is going to Halifax schools and not Charlotte County’s. Other localities are putting this same issue to a vote, and those who vote Yes will have a clear advantage over those who vote No.

 I don’t love taxes–no one does. But all taxes are not created equal. For one, the sales tax increase has a pre-determined end date that is mandated by the legislation. Secondly, this increase is not a blind tax being used by politicians for their pet projects. This money is an investment in our future that will pay dividends 100-fold for years to come. 

 So please, when you cast your vote, vote YES for the future, YES for our children, YES for Schools. 

Hope Harris-Gayles
Bacon District Elementary PTO Secretary

Citizens of Lunenburg Should Just Say No

Dear Editor,

My two cents on the vote pertaining to the Lunenburg Confederate Monument. In reality this vote to quote VP “Cactus Jack” Gardner is not worth a warm bucket of piss. It’s non-binding and the BOS can do what they damn well want to. I’ll be voting “YES.” I really believe we have more important issues facing us than a 100-year-old monument. The BOS should have done their jobs when this matter came before them. It’s funny they don’t mind raising our taxes or allowing for out of state trash to be trucked into our county. Where were those referendums? Also, this very same BOS voted against allowing a Rosenwald School to be moved to Courthouse grounds. A couple of the Board members say that they will vote with how the vote goes in their District, not exactly a profile in courage. Only a true politician could vote against their own convictions.

Lunenburg County has excellent race relations. Only when a few of our citizens came down with Floyd-20, did our monument become a political issue. I’m not aware of rogue officers operating in our county oppressing citizens or denying them their rights. It’s a shame that the cancel culture movement has reared its ugly head in our County. If they get their way and take our monument down, what’s next? One only has to flip on television and see what offends these people. Basically anything White or European is deemed offensive and must be destroyed. It’s time to stand up to these bullies and say not here.

Sincerely yours,

Timothy V. Hatley

Lunenburg County

Proof that

Journalism is Not Dead

Dear Editor,

Finally – Proof that journalism is not dead. I love America and seeing it trashed is killing me. This fake, illegal election we are having will take a ton of lawyers to ever figure out. The article in your paper by Karl Schmidt said it all too! Loved it! (Oct. 8-14th issue)

E.S. Vandergrift

Charlotte Court House, Va.

The Accomplished President

Dear Editor,

President Trump has the confidence and courage of his convictions to promote goals on policy that most other politicians do not. To them, politics was business as usual, but with President Trump, it was business not as usual. Perhaps because he had been a successful lifelong businessman, and not a politician, he could see the issues clearer.

He took on NAFTA (North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement) that Bill Clinton and President Obama had promoted, saying it was a terrible treaty for many industries and particularly textiles industries, in the South. Many plants had to close because of far east imports.

President Trump withdrew from the U.S. disastrous Iran nuclear deal, and he has gotten the other members in the United Nations to pay their fair share to keep it running, which relieves the United States from having to pay so much to keep it afloat.

The President promoted a historic peace agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, and he recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, something that other presidents talked about, but never did.

On the home front, President Trump promised to stop the flow of illegal immigrants on the southern border, resulting in a new border wall, of which three hundred miles has already been built.

President Trump has appointed more than two hundred federal judges, and made two excellent appointments to the U.S. Supreme Court, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh.

He has followed through on his promises to reduce taxes and to begin deregulating the economy, creating a remarkable boom, that relieved unemployment for minorities to the lowest rates ever recorded. He also accomplished many other things.

President Trump has been in office around forty-seven months, and he has accomplished more for America in that period of time than Joe Biden has done in the time he has been in government, which is around forty-seven years.

Sincerely,

Edward W. Early

Charlotte Court House, Va.

Good is Good for

Fifth District

Dear  Editor,

President Trump has endorsed Bob Good for Congress! What a powerful endorsement! Bob agrees with the President’s economic plans to lessen the government’s hold on citizen’s money. Bob cheered for President Trump’s tax cuts that have put money back into our pockets, and have helped corporations strengthen and hire more workers. Have you noticed the lower cost of gas at the pumps? That’s because President Trump has made us energy independent!

Additionally, Bob Good also supports Trump’s reforming of immigration laws so American workers come first. Both want “Made in America” to be proudly seen more and more, and that’s thanks to President Trump bringing companies back to America. President Trump and Bob Good are proud of America and support American workers!

President Trump’s economic plans have been incredibly successful, and Bob Good supports these to bring economic success to Virginia.  

I’m on an extended visit to the 5th district, but come from Oregon, a state led by a Democrat governor and Congress. Our state’s economy is in shambles and our largest city is being destroyed by riots. You are so blessed to be able to vote for a man like Bob Good who believes in America and prays for our country!

Missy Murphy

Bend, OR / Ruckersville, VA

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