Letters to the Editor

News Virginian
Published: September 23, 2007

Reynolds, Dowdy, Smith mismanage city

What have Mayor Tom Reynolds and Vice Mayor Nancy Dowdy and Councilwoman Lorie Smith done for the citizens of Waynesboro-

* Increased our homeowner taxes an average of 23 percent.

* Stuck taxpayers with a 70-cents-per-$100 real estate tax. Fifty-eight cents would have neutralized the unheard-of increase in property assessments.

* Raised our sewage fee by 87 percent over the next five years.

* Implemented a new "special stormwater utility fee," another tax.

* Planned additional hikes in permit and license fees.

* Pushing more indebtedness on us amounting to $24 million.

* Handed selected public employees as much as a 40-percent increase in salary, while the real service providers can't even count on a 2-percent increase.

* Acted as pawns to City Manager Doug Walker, who dictates city budget by telling them what projects to fund. Reynolds, Dowdy and Smith have approved all but three-fifths of 1 percent of Walker's proposals. Council is supposed to be in charge of the budget, not Walker.

* Slapped taxpayers in the face by "giving" the Wayne Theatre Alliance $300,000 of our tax money and further tried to obligate us with another $700,000 "gift."

The problem with these three is mismanagement characterized by incompetence and catering to special interest groups. The WTA is a good example.

These three have angered our largest industrial employer, Invista, over their ill-advised "impervious surface stormwater" runoff tax. Even the Chamber of Commerce has come out against this "funding scheme."

The only reason the public is getting a partial say on what projects need to be funded is because of the "supermajority" requirement resulting in the impending referendum.  If council really wanted to represent the people, members would put all 17 projects on the referendum.  The $700,000 for WTA should be included.  After all, we are paying for these things, not council.

Stewart Hall

Waynesboro

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Dawbarn Awards recognize local difference makers

Several years ago, I heard a report about what highly successful people have in common. Fortune Magazine had interviewed not only the top CEOs in America, but also the best of the best in other fields - literature, fine and performing arts, science and technology. When asked what or who most influenced them to "aim higher," a large majority of those interviewed cited a classroom teacher, usually a teacher they had during their early K-12 school years. Several named a parent, but also named were a variety of other adults in their communities who saw in them a spark and went the extra mile to light their fires.

We have such people in our schools and community who tirelessly serve as advocates for our children and who give real meaning to the "No Child Left Behind" rhetoric. They deserve our profound gratitude and they deserve to be recognized with more than an occasional pat on the back. Thanks to the generosity of a man named Buz Dawbarn, we have the opportunity to do just that. The Dawbarn Awards, administered through a fund he invested in our local Community Foundation, were established to promote higher achievement among our youth and excellence in our public schools by rewarding those individuals who demonstrate exceptional dedication, leadership and ability to motivate others.

Each year, 10 people are selected to receive this recognition, which includes a significant monetary award (almost $8,000 each this year). Nominations for these awards can be made by anyone in the community who knows of the extraordinary efforts of someone who is making a difference in the lives of our students. Think about that teacher, school volunteer, coach, bus driver, classroom aide or anyone who has been a life-saver and "life maker" for the young people in our region.

Honor them with a nomination. The deadline for nominations for the 2007 awards is Oct. 1.  Call the Community Foundation office at 213-2150 or visit their Web site at: www.communityfoundationcbr.org for more information.

Buz Dawbarn, a highly successful businessman and community activist, created a significant legacy by providing us a way to say "thank you" to those unsung heroes and community champions in our midst.

Pam Huggins

Staunton