Letters to the editor

The News Virginian / News Virginian
Published: May 7, 2007

Solutions found in history

One of the features in The News Virginian has been "The Days of Yore" column, which allows us to see how people in the past built Waynesboro. Borrowing from our past, can we find a better solution to the Wayne Theatre dilemma besides using tax dollars, which many citizens see as use of taxes for a local "pork barrel" project- Let's take a look at our history.

In 1950, the Fishburne family sold Fishburne Military School to the city of Waynesboro. Immediately, alumni, faculty and friends set up The Fishburne-Hudgins Educational Foundation, which sold debentures to those who wanted to save the school. It worked; money was raised, saving the school. The point is that those who cared gave their money, or invested it freely. If the Wayne Theatre Alliance would take this page from history, I suggest that two things will happen: The project will be funded and outraged citizens will back off as tax dollars are withdrawn. In effect, everyone wins; the "linchpin" to restore the downtown will be securely in place, if the project works.

What the "opinion storm" centers around is the use of tax dollars for a "want" rather than the essential "needs" of the city. Can we try the debenture approach, thus getting everyone on board to fix our city- One would hope so.

Dr. Ed Hollowell
Waynesboro

Wayne Theatre proposal

I recently visited the Wayne Theatre Web site. I saw a banner reading, "An investment in the Wayne is an investment in our future." I always thought our children were our future.
However, Council member Mrs. Smith straightened me out on that one when she stated her disappointment in not being able to do more for teachers' salaries at the March 26 meeting, though we can give $300,000 to the Wayne this year and provide up to $1 million over the next 10. I can only imagine how educators must feel.

I have an idea that will show just how many residents support the theater. Let's take the surplus and divide it between the taxpaying residents - people can donate those checks to the theater if they want. Those who choose not to can use the money to help pay the increase in property taxes.

Some residents are saying tax dollars should be spent on the Wayne since they are spent on law enforcement, the fire department, welfare department, social services and other city funded agencies they do not use. Give me a break. These are needs, not wants. If you have never needed one of the agencies, I am happy for you. However, if you have ever needed one, I am sure you were glad it was there.

One last thing: Am I the only person who feels there is a slight conflict of interest with Mrs. Smith voting on this issue- Mr. Hausrath, chairman of the Wayne Theatre Alliance, was her campaign manager during the election. I am sure everyone has heard the saying, "if you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours." Sometimes voters have to speak up and put a stop to all the scratching.

Bobby Hippert
Waynesboro