Letters to the editor / News Virginian
Published: July 12, 2007

We need priorities and a vision

Placing more police on the streets, increasing firemen, building a second fire station to bring response times for all of Waynesboro within all recommended standards, addressing stormwater problems, buying a new fire engine (pumper), building a playground at North Park, putting in sidewalks and crosswalks, replacing tennis courts at Ridgeview Park, lighting baseball fields, managing growth, renovating the Library, addressing employee turnover and improving customer service from your city.

These are just a few of the things that one of the lowest tax rates for a city in the Commonwealth of Virginia is getting for the citizens of Waynesboro.

A safe environment, fiscal responsibility and accountability, continued diversified economic development and a quality of life to be enjoyed by all are our priorities.

Visions are not easy, decisions are difficult and opposition is always present. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Where there is no vision, people perish." 

Congratulations Waynesboro on supporting a vision!

Nancy M. Dowdy
Vice Mayor
Waynesboro

Please give to The Serenity Garden

I read with great interest your recent article about a cancer-awareness garden, named The Serenity Garden, to be located in Ridgeview Park overlooking the South River ("Cancer fighters," July 6).

I think this is an excellent idea and want to encourage the entire community to back this project with their financial support.

Supporters can make their checks payable to The Serenity Garden Foundation, Inc. and mail to P.O. Box 1184, Waynesboro, VA 22980.

This group of volunteers needs and deserves our strong support.

Ann Chisnell 
Waynesboro

Vote for CIP

I strongly encourage City Council's affirmative vote July 23 on the issuance of public improvement bonds in a maximum principal amount not to exceed $26.5 million.

I think the debate on the capital improvement plan has been completed for now, and our city needs to proceed on funding the priority items identified in this plan. I firmly believe that the failure of past councils to address capital needs has cost the city and its residents millions of dollars.

The costs of construction and materials increased far faster then inflation rates while our city's needs were not met. Our parks, sewers, water lines and ultimately our citizens were shortchanged.

The 4/5 (or supermajority) vote now required by council to issue these bonds is a statutory requirement for this type of borrowing by the city. A vote in favor means that council accepts these bonds as the proper path vs. borrowing the money in some other fashion (bank loans, etc.).

If some members of council instead use this 4/5 voting requirement to force the majority of council to change or delete items from the already approved plan, I believe those council members are abusing their power and holding our whole city hostage in order to get their own way on the CIP.

We already have a plan, and the July 23 vote is just to approve the method of funding recommended by the financial advisors. 

The CIP is a fluid document that will be reviewed and adopted annually during the budget process by council. If at any time, the sitting council finds it necessary to alter the CIP, it certainly can be done. Any project can be stopped by council. I urge my fellow citizens to let City Council know you support the approved CIP as a way to both maintain and improve Waynesboro and that you want them to proceed.

Harry L. Colman
Waynesboro