Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor / News Virginian
Published: May 18, 2007

I am a member of the Wayne Theatre Board of Directors. I joined because I believe this will be an asset to Waynesboro, and as a businessperson myself I know the city will reap the rewards of a revitalized theatre.

Thank you to those council members, volunteers and citizens who have given their time, effort and support in favor of the Wayne Theatre; you have all stayed strong and true to the issue - even though there has been some tough opposition to this project. Perhaps people just don't understand the true benefits of the project and don't realize the gem we'll have for our future generations.

I have found charm in Waynesboro. Like many comparable-sized towns, I look forward to Waynesboro having a place to go to get dressed up - and perhaps provide an outlet for my children (one day) to learn and enjoy the same things I found abroad as a child.

Waynesboro is a town that can be revitalized, a town that people are happy to call home and a place people are happy to spend their time and their money. With more and more people moving into the area, from Charlottesville and other neighboring cities, we'll see the need and the desire of these individuals increasing.

They will want and need places to go, activities to enjoy, and entertainment that won't require a drive to Harrisonburg or Charlottesville; these venues will need to be close to home.

The Wayne Theatre will provide this…children's shows to performing arts groups or variety shows, there is going to be something for everyone.

It may be difficult to see the final outcome now, but I'm sure the results will be phenomenal.
Thank you again for all of your time and continued efforts.

Sincerely,
Amy J. Argenbright

A wise old Icelander told me this years ago. He led the most schizophrenic political party I've ever known. It combined far-left city youth with very conservative farmers. It governed Iceland for several years.

I was reminded of this when I read that Congressman Bob Goodlatte had told local Republicans that "the Democrats didn't win the November 6 election. We Republicans lost it."

For a number of years it was the national Democratic party which "lost" the center, with too many making demands that made moderates uncomfortable. Fortunately, the Democrats have gotten over that.

But now it's the Republican party which seems intent on making itself "pure" - and irrelevant. Embracing Karl Rowe's "genius," the national Republicans killed off their moderate wing years ago.

Now we see our local Republican true believers attacking their own Senator of 11 years, Emmett Hanger. Hanger, they say, "isn't a Republican."

He supported responsible fiscal policy in Richmond. And therefore he should be fired. He isn't "anti tax" enough.

Most of the rest of us admire Hanger's fiscal responsibility.
And that he thinks for himself. On several other issues he's too right wing for many of us moderates...but that's just proof that our local Republicans are determined to marginalize themselves; to make theirs a party not of responsible, independent thinkers, but of "true believers."

When political parties begin amputating one wing or another, they crash. It'll be interesting to see what choice folks make in the June 12 primary election. To fly- Or to just squawk loudly to each other in the political wilderness.

Bob Dickerman
Buffalo Gap