Opinions

Nov. 10, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: I served as the local Republican Party’s official observer (“poll watcher”) at the Lexington precinct for the eight-hour morning shift this past Election Day. In this time of often-credible evidence of electoral malfeasance, I am pleased to report that I neither witnessed nor had reason to suspect the least lapse in ethical conduct on the part of any election officers on duty that day.

Nov. 6, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: No one would buy a house insulated with asbestos, drink contaminated water or drive an unsafe car. They would strike until those dangers were eliminated.

Nov. 1, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: I’m sitting in the law school parking lot as my friends wait for the all-clear. Group messages are pinging around with rumor shreds and a healthy mix of gallows humor to keep spirits up as they sit with heads held low in their unlit classrooms.

Nov. 1, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: Jesus’ return is rapidly approaching as the Bible prophesizes. Evidence is the USA’s decline as a super power in prestige, military and economic strength, and morals, life, liberty, freedom of speech and sanctity of life. Most important, is the lost belief in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit; the Three In One! Second, is growth as children of God who created everyone and those to come before Jesus arrives and brings people He has saved to Heaven! The rest who are alive and remain will die and the Devil will have no one to tempt for a 1,000 years.

Oct. 16, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: “Losers” and “Suckers,” those are what Americans who fought and died for this country are — in the words of Donald Trump. Early reports of his contempt for those who served have now been thoroughly verified, including by Trump’s former chief of staff, retired Marine Gen. John Kelly.

We’re heading down the home stretch in this year’s fall elections. Early in-person voting that began Sept. 22 concludes this Saturday, Nov. 4. The actual Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 7. Next week this time – Wednesday, Nov. 8 – we should know the results of the elections.

In the early 1990s, my college friend, Julie Hanssen, enlisted in the U.S. A r m y . While she was in basic training, she asked me to tape her favorite show, “Friends.” This was years before DVRs and streaming services. All we had then were VCRs and VHS tapes. I agreed, even though I wasn’t a fan of the show. Just judging by the title, it seemed so generic.

Editor, The News-Gazette: Twenty years ago this November, the voters of Rockbridge County elected me as their commissioner of the revenue. I consider it an honor and I thank the citizens for the support they have shown me over the years. I will retire effective the end of my term on Dec. 31 and will miss seeing and working with you all.

Editor, The News-Gazette: I’ve had the privilege of knowing Michele Clark for more than 25 years. I first got to know her personally as I taught her children. Later on I was fortunate to have crossed paths in her professional life while she was employed with BB&T. Oddly enough, the banking relationship (due to an unfortunate incident) carried over into her position of victim witness director for the city of Buena Vista.

Editor, The News-Gazette: I disagree with Susan Wood’s (Oct. 18) criticism of a candidate’s qualifications based on age and work experience.

Editor, The News-Gazette: My support for Leslie Ayers for county supervisor in the Buffalo District is due to the good job she’s done representing her constituents during her current term on the board. She has shown that she listens to all points of view. Along the way, she has done her homework and does not simply follow a shallow agenda. Please vote and consider supporting Leslie Ayers.CLAY DEVENING Lexington -Editor, The News-Gazette: I have been a resident in Rockbridge County since 1948. I have always felt that women should have a voice on the Board of Supervisors. This is why I was so delighted when Leslie Ayers was elected to be the supervisor for the Buffalo District.

Editor, The News-Gazette: Susan Wood wrote that she was “shocked” that local Democrats selected Jade Harris as their candidate, questioning her age, financial management skills, and experience in government. You can’t have the latter until you’re elected but Miss Harris majored in political science in college.

If decisions about whether to allow solar arrays on farms were dictated by what is most popular, there would likely be none in Rockbridge County.

We’re ramping up to one of the most intense periods during the year here at the paper – producing and delivering our pre-Thanksgiving issue, which includes the holiday guide section.

Editor, The News Gazette: I would like to encourage all voters of the Buffalo District to support Mack Smith in the upcoming election for Board of Supervisors.

Editor, The News-Gazette: Lenna Ojure will be a compassionate, well-informed school board member for the Buffalo District if elected to serve on the Rockbridge County School Board.

Editor, The News-Gazette: Kathy Burant and I met over 30 years ago as teachers in the first Rockbridge/Virginia Tech Masters of Education cohort. Later, we were both involved parents of Rockbridge County High athletes. From the start, I admired Kathy’s enthusiasm and dedication.

Editor, The News Gazette: This letter is to endorse Michele Clark for treasurer of Rockbridge County. I have known Michele for many years and have served with her on church and community projects.