Letters to the Editor

News Virginian
Published: March 25, 2008

Indoor facility would benefit area

I want to offer an alternative to entertainment for our area athletes. This option is the construction of an indoor track facility for high schools and colleges. This would be a very lucrative investment for our community because of the hundreds of athletes and spectators that would need services by restaurants and hotels. The nearest indoor tracks are at Lexington's Virginia Military Institute, which limits its use, and Harrisonburg's Eastern Mennonite University, which is more of a jogging track. Having a six-lane facility with long- and triple-jump areas, high-jump and pole-vault pits and a shot put ring would bring many teams to the area.

Liberty University in Lynchburg remodeled an unused warehouse and built such a facility. Practically every weekend from late November to early March, teams from across Virginia, Washington, D.C., Maryland and North Carolina go to Lynchburg. The entry fees, concession costs and T-shirt sales make this facility a positive financial investment. We have many teams just in the immediate area that would support a facility like that. Colleges would bring regional and national athletes to compete in a qualified arena. With the number of Virginia High School League and USA Track & Field officials living in this area, quality meets could be run. Even weeknight meets could benefit area schools by not having to drive far on school nights.

Along with an indoor track, the facility can be used for indoor soccer. There are many elementary, middle, private and home school athletes who could organize teams and set up leagues during the winter. This would be used every day of the week.

This facility would offer AAU Basketball and Junior Olympic volleyball during the spring and summer months. The entry fees that these teams pay to play in other cities are phenomenal, along with gasoline, hotel and food costs. There is potential for other activities to be developed throughout the year. Why can't we keep our athletes and funds here in the community-

Chase D. Hughes

Staunton

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Change needed in Fifth Congressional District

Every time you fill up your gas tank, let it remind you of our country's current administration and its failed policies which have so seriously impacted the economy. All of our warring abroad drains the tax dollars that could have been used at home, and also drives up the price of oil. It's definitely time for a regime change in Washington, in Congress as well as the White House. It's not too soon to start thinking about the November elections.

For the Fifth Congressional District, Democratic challenger Tom Perriello faces off against a Republican incumbent who has been a staunch supporter of the Bush regime. Voters of the Fifth District, remember this name: Tom Perriello. Check out his Web site, www.perrielloforcongress.com, which outlines his career as a lawyer in the field of international mediation and details his positions on several issues: oil independence, national security, education, health care and economic fairness. It's time for us to start arming ourselves with knowledge about our options.
If you agree with Perriello's vision for the common good, tell your friends and neighbors about him. We voters can and will elect leaders in November who will truly represent us.

Eleanor M. Amidon

Afton