Opinions

My copy of Prince H a r r y ’s memoir “Spare” arrived this past weekend. I have yet to crack the spine of the book, but I have read excerpts that bring to light an insider’s look at the lives of the not so merry wives of Windsor and their harried husbands.

Jan. 23, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: When we lived in Northern Virginia, my wife and I joked that neighbors might call Child Protective Services on us for letting our girls play in the front yard without us. That’s a sad sort of gallows humor for simply fostering independence in our kids.

Jan. 19, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: America is now a tale of tails wagging the dog.

Jan. 19, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: Sing this to the tune, “Mary Did You Know …” Ben Cline: did you know $600 billion in taxes has gone uncollected?

Jan. 22, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: After enjoying the full coverage of the community’s Martin Luther King Parade in last week’s paper, it was surprising to turn the page and see a massive spread devoted to a step back in history. Apparently, The News-Gazette never received the news that our commonwealth abolished Lee-Jackson Day in 2020.

Jan. 22, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: Since I was not able to attend the MLK march on the 16th, I really enjoyed your photographic coverage of the event. The pictures really told the story: a huge turnout of local folks celebrating the progress toward justice we’ve made so far and committed to the ongoing work of righting age-old and persistent wrongs. It is great to see a full page of good news! Thanks to all those who organized these events. ANNE HANSEN Rockbridge Baths

Jan. 23, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: When Ben Cline was our Virginia state delegate, I met with him several times requesting his support of antigerrymandering legislation in Richmond. Although he acknowledged the tacit unfairness of politicians selecting their own voters, and claimed he would work to find a compromise, he never followed through. Instead, he fell in line with his political party and opposed any efforts to establish fair redistricting rules. Despite their stonewalling, a groundbreaking anti-gerrymandering law was passed by our state legislature, which now serves as a template for other states.

Jan. 23, 2023 Editor, The News Gazette: I am writing in response to a letter to the editor in the Jan. 18 edition from Cynthia Atkins regarding a polling precinct being located in a religious facility. On behalf of the Rockbridge Electoral Board, I would like to address several concerns Ms. Atkins expressed in her letter.

I think about the pull between short-term and long-term rewards fairly often, and I’ve written about the ill effects of the quest for short-term gain over long-term sustainability in our newspaper industry. I see this phenomenon playing out more often, it seems, and over a variety of issues.

The General Assembly convened last week for the 2023 session – the only session in which newly elected Del. Ellen Campbell of the 24th District and veteran state Sen. Creigh Deeds of the 25th District are representing all of Rockbridge County, Buena Vista and Lexington. Later this year, all 140 members of the General Assembly will be up for election in redrawn districts.

Move Polling Places From Churches

Rockbridge Conservation’s next webinar will be tonight, Wednesday, Jan 18, at 7 and will focus on invasive plants species in the Rockbridge area, including Kudzu, Chinese privet, Japanese knotweed, burning bush and tree of heaven.

The Rose Harris Clothing Closet in the First Baptist Church of Lexington will be open on Saturday, Jan. 21, from 9 a.m. until noon.

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Pat Mayerchak was a man of many talents. He was an accomplished scholar, musician, storyteller, world traveler, political pundit, community activist, erstwhile elected official and automobile enthusiast, despite being legally blind and unable to obtain a driver’s license. Mayerchak, who died Dec. 28 at age 79, touched the lives of many while making a huge impact on this community.

Editor, The News-Gazette: Jade Harris is running for state delegate for House District 24 in a special election Jan. 10.