Opinions

Editor, The News-Gazette: We’re not at all surprised to learn that the reporter you have mentored, Hope Huger, won first place in the feature series category for weekly newspapers of 6,000-9,000 circulation in the National Newspaper Association’s Better Newspaper contest for her series on the Hosting Ukrainian Families (HUF) effort here.

Oct. 23, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: The Maury River flows entirely in Rockbridge County. It is a source of recreation, tourism and the source of drinking water for the city of Lexington. Part of the Maury is already a designated “Scenic River of Virginia.” To say the least, this river is of important ecological and economic importance to the county. Above the beloved Goshen pass is a large dam (1,300 feet x 43 feet tall) encompassing a lake (when full) of almost 400 acres and with a drainage area of 85 square miles.

Oct. 19, 2023 Editor, News Gazette: Ah ... how nice to open the windows for a good night’s sleep with the cooler weather upon us. Nope ... had to shut them again because of the relentless, annoying barking and baying of dogs from the three nearby kennels.

“I know it when I see it,” the oft-quoted comment from Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart to describe obscene material that he felt should not be available in the public square, is an apt phrase to explain why individual perception is the basis for objections people tend to make when seeking to have certain books pulled from the shelves of school or public libraries.

First it was the questionable removal of the plaques noting Robert E. Lee’s horse Traveler once resided in the stable, now garage, of the former home of Robert E. Lee and now home of the president of Washington and Lee University. Followed by the removing of the plaque about Traveller’s history on his grave with a cheap pet cemetery plaque with only Traveler’s name and birth and death.

Oct. 13, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: I write to strongly encourage our neighbors and friends in Rockbridge County to vote for Missy Whitesell for Rockbridge County treasurer on Nov. 7.

Oct. 16, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: As our state senator, Chris Head has represented the 17th District in the House of Delegates since 2012. He currently serves as vice chairman of the House on Health, Welfare and Institutions. He also serves on the committees on Commerce and Energy, Privileges and Elections.

Oct. 13, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: I have had the privilege of getting to know Michele Clark as a professional and as a member in the community.

Oct. 13, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: I am writing in support of Kathy Burant as a representative for the Natural Bridge District on the Rockbridge County School Board.

Oct. 16, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: Virginia Republicans are running scared on the issue of access to abortion care in the commonwealth.

Oct. 13, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: I would like to encourage the voters of the Buffalo District to support Leslie Ayers by casting your votes for her to have another term as a member of our Board of Supervisors. I have known and worked for Leslie and her husband for many years and I can attest they both are genuinely kind and care about the people in our district.

Oct. 12, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette:

Oct. 16, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: I was shocked that local Democrats chose a recent college graduate to be their state senator candidate. I know very little of Jade Harris, but I do know that she has very little experience in government. In fact, she has limited experience in any career.

CERT might recall to one’s memory a breath mint that was popular from the 1950s to 2018. I f you’re like me, you missed its discontinuance in 2018 “for having partially hyd roge nated cottonseed oil, which is not allowed as an ingredient in food,” according to Wikipedia.

This is a busy time for the offices of our local voting registrars. Early voting for the Nov. 7 elections has been underway since Sept. 22 and will continue through Nov. 4. Much is to be decided in these elections and we encourage local voters to cast ballots – to participate in our representative democracy.

50 Years Ago

Oct. 2, 2023 Editor, The News- Gazette: May it rest in peace. May the Grand Old Party which has shown considerable signs of old age in recent years — the strength needed to be effective in a divided government, be allowed to go the way of all old elephants and find its burial ground.

Oct. 9, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: I write to strongly encourage our neighbors and friends in the Buffalo District to vote for Leslie Ayers’ reelection to the Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors.

Oct. 6, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: The writer Ernest Hemingway was once challenged to write a six-word story. He wrote, “Baby shoes for sale. Never used.” This short story moved me to try to take one subject, my right to vote, and boil it down to six words.