Letters to the Editor

To the Citizens of Prince Edward County

Dear Editor,

As a recently retired employee at Prince Edward County Sheriff’s Office, I can tell you there has been no time a greater change was needed other than now.  I was employed at the sheriff’s office for 12 1/2 years retiring this past July.  Over the years of my employment I saw many things that killed the morale in the department, including the horrendous and humiliating way the employees are spoken to. There needs to be a change and overall there’s a lack of ethics!  I believe our county has suffered greatly due to this lack of morale.  We need a sheriff that is open minded and open to change.  A sheriff that will work with his deputies side by side that is available to his citizens, that will ensure his deputies are provided with the most current law enforcement training to better serve the citizens and a sheriff that believes in doing the right and ethical things regardless of politics. 

Tony Epps is a former law-enforcement investigator that has dedicated his heart and time to the Sheriff’s Office for many years.  Law enforcement continues to hold a special place in his heart.  Epps has worked, lived and raised his sons in Prince Edward County for many years. His love for the county is evident in his willingness to save and be involved in numerous groups throughout the county!  Tony has many visions for improvement including a K9 program to better serve the citizens, improving our schools’ Safety Action Plans which are non- existent at this time and stricter law enforcement. 

As citizens, we should want a better place we can call home.  On November 5th we need to come together and be the change we want to see.  Our county wants and needs a sheriff that will work hard to provide a safer, more secured community. 

Concerned Citizen of Prince Edward County, 

Charlene Lewis 

Law Enforcement Officer Endorses Epps

Dear Editor,

With an upcoming election for Sheriff of Prince Edward County on November 5, our citizens have a very important decision to make. Luckily, to help make my decision and as a local law enforcement officer myself, I have had the opportunity over the years to work with both candidates. Most people who know me know that very seldom do I publicly endorse a candidate for office. As a matter of fact, I’ve never publicly endorsed any candidate, until now. Without a doubt, it is a very important, but an easy and very clear choice for me and my family.

In 1985, I met Tony Epps and we instantly became friends. Not long after, in 1987, he became a deputy with the Prince Edward County Sheriff’s Office. In all of the time that I have known Tony, and to this day, he has always been the same person and exactly what his campaign slogan promises…..fair, honest, and respectful. I can speak highly for his integrity, character, and ethical conduct. All are very important for the position of Sheriff and Tony has all of these important traits. I believe it also shows and is proven by the number of strong supporters he has acquired in his quest to become our next sheriff because they also know of his character. It can be said that integrity is “the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles, or moral uprightness. It is the inner sense of being complete that comes from attributes like honesty and consistency of character. When one has integrity, their actions are in sync with the values, beliefs, and principles they claim to hold.” This is clearly what we need as our Sheriff.

I have known Tony to always have a great passion toward serving the people of our county and formerly, as the lead investigator and Sergeant with the Sheriff’s Office, he proved it in the continued education of his position and diligently worked to solve his cases. He took pride in his work and would see his cases all the way through, seeking conviction for the citizens who had been wronged. Today, I see that same genuine drive, passion, and concern for our community. He is a life-long resident, raised his family here, and has seen our community change dramatically. I feel Tony is in a unique position to see the deep issues that face the Sheriff’s Office on several levels. I know he has a plan to coordinate resources that are already in place, but are just not communicating and collaborating with each other to more effectively address the challenges in our county. I have seen and heard his plans and everything he is saying resonates as achievable and realistic. 

With his enthusiasm, passion and plan, Tony is ready for this and will not sit idly by and accept the way things are. He will bring that passion and the much-needed energy for the change that is needed. His expertise, professionalism and most importantly, his tireless work ethic, are beyond reproach and invaluable to the future success of the department. Having served 27 years in law enforcement in this area, I can speak to the significance and importance of a Sheriff’s Office that functions effectively to maintain public safety in our county and our school systems, and also act with integrity. We will do that with Tony Epps.

Having said all of this, the most important aspect is voter turnout. None of this can be accomplished, if we don’t go to the polls. Voter turnout has always been a problem in this county and many times over, has robbed the citizens and our county of great potential. In this particular case, if one doesn’t vote for Tony or doesn’t vote at all, your vote goes to his opponent. Let that sink in. In the very short time that it takes to vote, it makes a huge impact on our county over the next four years. That is a lot of time, when you think about it, that much good could have been accomplished. Plan now to get to the polls and to talk to family and friends about the importance of voting in this election. 

We should not continue to settle for the status quo because it is my professional opinion that Prince Edward County Sheriff’s Office has had a dire need for change for many years. Experience should only count when it’s a good experience, or else, it should not be repeated. Our county needs a Sheriff who is fair, honest, and shows respect to his deputies and citizens. We need a Sheriff who is committed and dedicated to getting the job done right for the sake of his citizens. Proven integrity counts and it’s time for a breath of fresh air!

Please join my family and me in supporting and voting for Tony Epps on November 5. The citizens of Prince Edward County would be wise to elect L.A. “Tony” Epps as our new sheriff.

Greg Giuriceo

Prospect, VA

Dear Editor,

The headline news of a local newspaper has a picture of the mayor with a story describing the hiring process for a new town manager.

Town Council has hired a consultant firm from Bridgewater to perform this task. Why?

Dr. Davis was hired to be assistant town manager with the full intention of appointing him town manager. He has an impressive resume and no one in this town can match his credentials. It is a waste of taxpayer money to look elsewhere. What possible input could anyone have in this community that would make a difference? 

Town Council appoints the town manager and our mayor has no authority to vote or prevent this process. So, appoint Dr. Davis and conduct a search for the next assistant town manager. 

We can only hope that Dr. Davis has not been contaminated by the bucolic leaders of our town. 

Good luck in your position as town manager, Dr. Davis. 

Randal Phillips 
Farmville

Fellow Commissioner Endorses Hamlett

Dear Editor,

I value a statement made by a dear friend and colleague that says, “Public service is not something you have to do, it’s something you get to do.”  What an honor to serve our citizens in the communities where we live and raise our families, and Liz Hamlett cherishes the opportunity to get to be a public servant for the citizens of Lunenburg County.  I have been a commissioner for almost 16 years and have known Liz as the chief deputy and as your commissioner.  She emulates Lunenburg’s motto of being warm, friendly, and offering an environment of working together.  She is the consummate professional that is always willing to help. She is consistent in her application of the many, and ever changing, polices we must administer, and she is uniform in her assessments and her methodologies of those assessments.  

Many times, we vote for change, and many times change is needed.  Now is not that time!  You have a proven public servant in Liz Hamlett!  She puts her education, experience, and her commitment to work every day for the citizens of Lunenburg County.  I urge you to get out and vote on Tuesday, November 5 and ask that you vote for Liz Hamlett for Commissioner of the Revenue. She is your BEST choice.

Thank you for your time,

Lori K. Stevens

Dinwiddie County Commissioner of the Revenue

Hamlett Recommended for Re-Election

Dear Editor,

On November 5, Lunenburg voters will have the opportunity to choose the person who will be the County’s Commissioner of the Revenue for the next four years.  This is a position that requires experience, exactness, and efficiency — an incredibly challenging job in determining County taxes for individuals and businesses based upon pre-set formulas established by the Board of Supervisors and the State.  Due to our current Commissioner’s outstanding qualifications, I strongly support the re-election of Elizabeth “Liz” Hamlett for this post.

Liz Hamlett has ten-plus years of experience working in the Commissioner’s office, where she began her training under the previous Commissioner, the Honorable Pat Adams.  As Chief Deputy Commissioner, she became Commissioner upon Mrs. Adams’ retirement.  Since that time, Liz has twice been elected in her own right as Commissioner: first, in a special election in 2014, and again in 2015. 

During her six years as Lunenburg’s Commissioner of the Revenue in her own right, Liz has pursued study in order to receive the certification as “Master Commissioner” from the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia.  This designation requires extensive knowledge of the Code of Virginia, Title 58.1, Taxation and other information pertinent to the position of Commissioner.

During her tenure, Liz’s leadership has earned for Lunenburg’s Commissioner’s office the recent distinction of becoming one of the first and the very few counties in the Commonwealth to be fully certified, a major accomplishment for our county.  In addition, she was one of only four Commissioners in the state to receive the President’s Award from the outgoing president of Commissioners of the Revenue of Virginia organization.

Liz’s hard work and dedication to her local post have been recognized by her peers in other jurisdictions who have elected her as vice-chair of the Central District Commissioners of the Revenue and secretary of the statewide organization of Commissioners of the Revenue of Virginia.

Liz’s door is always open to those who need help in answering questions about their property and its assessment for taxation.  Her office has placed on the Internet maps of property holdings in the county for the convenience of the public.

Locally, Liz is active in her church, where she is choir director, and in the community where she has served as president of the Lunenburg County Rotary Club.  She has two elementary-age children whose participation in Scouting she actively supports.

In the best interest of Lunenburg County, I strongly urge you to re-elect Elizabeth “Liz “ Hamlett to the post of Commissioner of the Revenue.  Her experience in the office and her commitment to excellence make her the best qualified candidate for the position.

Respectfully submitted,

Anne C. Hamlett

Hamlett Chosen by Fellow Commissioner

Dear Editor:

There is a saying many of us grew up hearing that goes, “Many are called, but few are chosen.” Over time, we come to understand that those few words speak powerfully of an individual’s character and their commitment to completing the tasks they’ve undertaken. It is a saying that is particularly applicable to public service. In a few days, all over Virginia, citizens will go to their local polling places to decide who will represent them in state and local governments. Sometimes the decision on who to vote for can be tough. Sometimes it’s an easy decision. In Lunenburg County, Liz Hamlett is the easy and right choice for reelection as your Commissioner of the Revenue.

For more than twenty-years it has been my privilege to serve as the commissioner of the revenue in Hanover County. During that time, I have worked and served with numerous commissioners throughout the Commonwealth and I can honestly say that Liz stands out in the crowd. It takes a special person to be a good tax assessor. The job can be tough and we seldom make everyone happy with our tax assessments. As public servants though, we have an obligation to be lawful in our actions, consistent in our assessments, uniform in our methods and fair to each of the citizens we serve.  Liz Hamlett displays each of these characteristics on a daily basis. That is the person she is. She is committed to doing her best and to ensuring that the citizens of Lunenburg County are treated fairly and with respect. 

Now is not the time to make a change in the office leadership. Now is the time to recognize Liz’s hard work, her years of experience and her commitment to her community. I urge you to get out and vote on Tuesday November 5^th and ask that you vote for Liz Hamlett for Commissioner of the Revenue. It’s the right choice.

Scott Harris

Hanover County

Commissioner of the Revenue