Opinions

Aug. 28, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: About the Aug. 23 letter “Stand Up for Our Kids,” I am sad at the complete misunderstanding of our public schools.

New income opportunities from land was the topic of a recent public seminar sponsored by Rockbridge Farm Bureau Federation and Virginia Cooperative Extension. The specific opportunities addressed in the seminar were nutrient banking, wetlands offsets, and carbon credits. The speaker, Casey Jensen of EcoCap-Virginia, is a service provider that assists landowners in marketing their natural resource assets in these markets. Here are the six key points from the seminar.

An unimaginably horrific tragedy occurred Aug. 4 in the Arnolds Valley area when three siblings – the only children of a Charlottesville couple – drowned in the James River.

Is Lexington the wrong place to build affordable housing? Is there a better plan?

50 Years Ago

Aug. 14, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: We need to stand up for our kids!

Aug. 16, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: Announced this month, the EPA refuses to remedy the environmental hazard posed by Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, claiming these animal factories’ waste disposal practices need “more study.”

Aug. 16, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: At the height of a deeply hot summer came August, capped by the heat dome that curtained the South. It drew both Rockbridge residents and people from afar to the waters of the Maury River to frolic in its cool and shade by its shores. Their cars lined the road through Goshen Pass, and the calls of children rang up and down the mountains.

Aug. 20, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: The Capitol Council of the BSA in Bethesda, Md., has been draining Lake Merriweather daily since July 28. The Maury River is polluted with the green, murky sediment flowing from this man-made lake. The recreational enjoyment of the river is impaired; the Maury Service Authority must treat the water differently, which increases cost for private citizens and businesses, and the small life forms of the river are smothered to the determent of the health of the river.

The familiar yellow school buses are making their rounds on Rockbridge area roads this week. Children lugging backpacks are being seen in abundance waiting at bus stops and traipsing along local roads. Motorists are advised to be extra cautious when they encounter the children and yellow buses.

50 Years Ago

Aug. 7, 2023 Editor, The News Gazette: Why is it not surprising that the venerable Lexington institution W&L under the “leadership” of President Dudley would take their disdain for Robert E. Lee and his contributions to W&L from the sublime to the ridiculous.

Aug. 11, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: Arlington National Cemetery is soliciting comments about its plan to remove the Confederate Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery.

Aug. 10, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: A group of everyday Americans, fulfilling their civic duty by serving on a grand jury, reviewed mountains of evidence and determined there was enough proof of wrongdoing to bring four criminal charges against Donald Trump, including conspiracy to defraud our country and impede on our right to vote.

Aug. 14, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: It is exciting to welcome students and their families back to Lexington City Schools for the 2023-24 academic year!

Aug. 9, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: In his Aug. 8 newsletter, Rep. Cline claimed that Fitch, an American credit rating agency, downgraded the United States credit rating “due to rising government deficits, significant increases to our federal debt, and higher interest rates.”

Pop Goes The World

Buena Vista City Council meetings are for conducting the city’s business – not for touting one’s candidacy for political office. That’s a message that was delivered loudly and clearly by Buena Vista Mayor Bill Fitzgerald at last week’s City Council meeting.

The Rockbridge Community Table has closed for two weeks so the board can strategically plan for the upcoming fall and winter seasons at TCT.

Aug. 7, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: Needed ice floes are disappearing.