Letters to the Editor

News Virginian
Published: April 26, 2007

Local columnists offer great insight to Va. Tech massacre

Sandy Gallagher

I look forward to reading pieces by Patricia Hunt from Mary Baldwin College and Erika Jeanne from Waynesboro. They both have delightful senses of humor and delicious insight. This past week they gave their thoughts on the events at Virginia Tech and I was moved by both ... Erika with her wonderful and not-so-new idea of getting involved with her children by simply giving them a hug, asking a few questions about their day, and then having dinner with them. Wow! Wouldn't it be great if all families could do this-

And then Chaplain Hunt's piece beginning with dungeons, loneliness, lost souls, and destruction … and ending with prayer, hugs and "loving the hell" out of weird little kids.
I finished each column with tears in my eyes and loved the messages in both.
Please thank these fine women for their service to all of us … to make us think and care.

VP should be impeached

Peggy Ramsey

Dick Cheney does indeed need to be impeached. He has lied blatantly to the American people about weapons of mass destruction and he will do anything, ethical or not, constitutional or unconstitutional, to meet an agenda that the majority of Americans disagree with.


Better things can be done with funds slated for Wayne Theatre

Barbara J. Bortle

Here we go again. A continuing saga of the inability of City Council to make a decision on the fiasco called the "should we, shouldn't we" remake the Wayne Theatre. It brings back memories of the "Keystone Kops," a cartoon depicting characters running around hitting each other over the head. Is City Council trying to wear the public down in an effort to push this project through-
To quote Mayor Tom Reynolds: "Wrapping my mind around that, I thought, 'We can make that work.' " Referring of course to the "ostensible" surplus funds which he's suggesting be given in cash for the renovations. What surplus funds- If the city has surplus funds, why not put it to better use, i.e. keeping our tax rate at a reasonable level, or relieving residents in the flood prone areas of the worry of losing their property. The Wayne Theatre is at this point a luxury we can ill afford. For those most in favor, continue your efforts in fundraising until you reach your desired purpose. I resent having a decision made for me as to where my tax dollars are being spent.
I am disappointed in Frank Lucente that he now has in effect thrown up his hands and says do what you're going to do. City Council had demonstrated to me that they don't have the interest of the majority of Waynesboro citizens at the forefront of their minds. If they did, this would not be as contentious as it is. I shall remember that during the next election.

A prayer for the victims

June Hale

To the students and families of Virginia Tech, a prayer from my heart to yours. May God grace you with his mercy in your time of need. Understanding may never come, but healing will. Stay strong and uplift each other.
May your spirit be empowered and blessed.