Letters to the Editor for Saturday, October 31, 2009

Finish line nears in elections

For Garrett
It seems to me that Scott Garrett has been taking a lot of heat lately for running a “negative” campaign. Sometimes the truth is negative, but it’s the truth and voters should want to hear it.

It’s not negative to say that your opponent has voted to raise taxes or to benefit illegal immigrants at the expense of law-abiding citizens when they have, or that your opponent is not pro-life when they are not. That’s called the truth.

Certainly Del. Shannon Valentine won’t like it because it makes her look bad — as well it should. She wants desperately to be all things to all people, but her record says differently, and you can’t have it both ways. I for one am tired of politicians lying about what their record is simply to get votes. The truth matters.

The bottom line is that no matter what she says, Valentine has supported tax increases in her votes, said in a survey that she supported more taxes, supported giving criminal immigrants education benefits at the expense of our fellow American citizens, has voted to use taxpayer dollars for abortions and voted against defining life as beginning at conception.

The truth might not be pretty, but it is the truth, and voters everywhere should want to know the truth about their candidates. Love it or hate it, the real Shannon Valentine is being exposed. If you like what you see, vote for her. If not, vote for Scott Garrett.

But do not, under any circumstances, criticize someone as “going negative” when they are simply exposing the truth about the candidate. Rather, you should thank them. So thank you, Dr. Garrett, for bringing the truth to light so that voters will know exactly who and what they are voting for on Nov. 3.
MIKE TROXEL
Lynchburg

For Valentine
As the election for Lynchburg’s delegate approaches, the race between Del. Shannon Valentine and Councilman Scott Garrett seems, in our estimation, to boil down to basic leadership capacity, skills and conduct. The essence of effective leadership is built upon an individual’s character. In turn, we must ask ourselves as informed and invested citizens, how do we react to each candidate’s character, not simply as politicians but as people?

Local elections should be the model for the larger statewide and national elections. Both candidates live in the same community. One would then assume that each would conduct herself or himself in a way that demonstrated compassion and gentility toward all citizens, even one’s own opposition. After all, both will live many more years in the same area, likely frequenting the same stores, parks, and events. One would think so.

Sadly, we have experienced Garrett’s campaign as ill-informed and simplistically focused, but, more importantly, as quite mean. Judging by the behavior of Garrett’s campaign, as evidenced principally by his literature and also by his public debates, we are fundamentally concerned that this behavior will be taken to Richmond and, in turn, will reflect poorly on our community. We expected a higher level of conduct from Garrett and his campaign.

Alternatively, Valentine continues to be graceful and dignified, as she has throughout her first term as our delegate. Valentine is a model legislator for Lynchburg. She cares deeply about and is genuinely committed to our entire community.

Please think carefully prior to placing your vote for local delegate Tuesday. Think about how each candidate presents herself or himself, both in public and in her/his campaign literature, and understand that she or he will take this behavior and the resulting image of Lynchburg to Richmond and throughout the Commonwealth.

We are undeniably confident Del. Valentine will survive the ugly storm of this election process and will continue to conduct herself professionally and ethically as Lynchburg’s delegate. We are honored she represents our community.
SALLY and FRANK SELDEN
Lynchburg

For Valentine
I am a Liberty University student who supports Shannon Valentine for re-election. I have taken this position for several reasons, three of which I shall state here.

First of all, Shannon Valentine is a blue-dog Democrat if there ever were one. She has regularly broken party lines and has fought to lower taxes and control wasteful spending. She has been endorsed by the pro-life group, Democrats for Life, and has taken a moderate to center-right position on other issues.

Secondly, Valentine’s opponent, although he is a very nice gentleman, has generally run a “smear” campaign. This causes me to call into question the way he would conduct himself in Richmond and in later election cycles. By what I see, I believe Valentine has run a fair and honest campaign.

Thirdly, when attending the Oct. 19 debate, I was informed of the candidates’ positions on the proposed uranium mine. Being a native of Halifax County, which is downwind and downstream of the proposed mine, I take this issue very seriously. When a question was brought up about the proposed mine, Valentine said that there should be an independent study to determine the health risks associated with the mine. Valentine’s opponent, however, did not think there should be an independent study to determine possible health risks. I believe we need to play it safe and have the study, no matter what the economic cost, before proceeding with the mining.

While Valentine’s opponent is a very friendly man whom I respect deeply, I believe Valentine has the experience and the bipartisanship we need to get the job done in Richmond.
DEREK LENZEN
Lynchburg

For Valentine
Our district has been fortunate to have Shannon Valentine representing us in the General Assembly, and I hope that all citizens who agree with me will make certain to cast their votes in her favor Nov. 3.

She has been one of the most articulate, fair minded and capable representatives I have ever known, and she cares deeply about the well being of her constituents. A very intelligent and well trained legislator, she has sponsored and supported bills that have the best interest of our community in mind, and we have benefited greatly from her expertise. She is a person of great integrity.

She goes out of her way to keep in contact with citizens of the 23rd District, always ready to listen to their concerns and to explain her point of view to them. She is a role model of decorum and grace, and she is highly respected by her fellow legislators in Richmond, Democrats and Republicans alike. She is able to listen to and to represent people of diverse political persuasions, and she does it in a way that brings consensus. I am writing this letter of support for Shannon because my husband Tom and I are so proud to have such a capable person representing our district. She is one of Lynchburg’s finest products, a “proven winner!”
JOCELYN P. CONNORS
Lynchburg

For Valentine
I recently received two campaign brochures authorized by Scott Garrett and paid for by the Republican Party of Virginia. One is headlined “While We Worry About the Bad Economy, Shannon Valentine Wants to Raise Our Taxes” and the other “Shannon Valentine has a secret … .”

The brochures supposedly expose “The Valentine Tax Hike Plan.” They feature photos of people looking worried, anxious, secretive and deceitful. None are identified as concerned Central Virginians; presumably they are actors posing for the camera. The so-called secret tax plan the brochures claim to “expose” consists of responses Valentine made to questions posed by Virginia FREE, a pro-business organization, which was attempting to start a dialogue about Virginia’s serious transportation problems.

According to Clayton Roberts, the chief executive of Virginia Free, the questionnaire explicitly did not ask candidates whether they would support tax increases for transportation. Assertions to the contrary, he says, are deliberately misleading. He says that Garrett was sent the same questionnaire and failed to respond.

It is sad that Dr. Garrett is distorting and misrepresenting Delegate Valentine’s responses to the Virginia FREE questionnaire and ignoring her votes on bills that reduced taxes for real Virginians — even sadder in the face of his failure to answer the same hard questions posed by the questionnaire. The two brochures blatantly distort the facts and wrongfully impugn the character and credibility of an unusually open and honest public servant. Garrett’s attempt to manufacture a “tax issue” in the face of clear evidence to the contrary is reminiscent of the dirty tricks and character smears we have seen on the national level all too often. I had expected better at the local level.

My vote will go to the candidate with the integrity to openly and honestly address the real issues facing Virginians: Del. Shannon Valentine. I urge others to do the same.
JAMES J. SAKOLOSKY
Lynchburg

For Valentine
I am voting for Shannon Valentine on Nov. 3 for a simple reason: trust.

As a physician, I trust her to advocate for the health of my patients and all Virginians. Her record supports this.

As a citizen I trust that she will work hard, reach across the aisle when necessary, and keep the needs of the people of Lynchburg and Virginia first in everything she does in Richmond. I know this because this is what she is done. I am grateful for the service she has given so far and her willingness to continue to work for the good of our community.

I trust her with my vote.
PAT PLETKE
Lynchburg

For Valentine
If you’ve been downtown to the market recently, you may have noticed the fluorescent signs hanging on the building of Del. Shannon Valentine’s campaign office. 

The signs simply say, “Our Delegate: Principled; Bi-Partisan; Effective; A leader we can trust.”

While these words may be straightforward and simple, they are the essence of what Shannon Valentine stands for. They could be written into her DNA.

So much of politics is spinning and slanting a candidate’s words and their records. What voters need to know is that Valentine’s integrity, honesty and great common sense are as important as her impressive record. She is uncompromising on the truth, preferring not to slant her opponent’s words to better her own position.

She has served us well for the past four years.  She will continue to work tirelessly and with the highest ethical standards for all of us. 
MARGARET NYHOF
Lynchburg

For Valentine
At the League of Women Voters debate, Del. Shannon Valentine stated that tolls would be an appropriate way to pay for major road improvements as long as they were fair and a free alternative was available.

Immediately, Scott Garrett declared that to be a tax she was planning to impose. He went on to say that he would fund new projects on bridges and roads with tolls that were simply “user fees.”

How can we trust a man who doesn’t deal with the issues but simply plays with the meanings of words? That’s the sort of thing Valentine does not do. She represents us honestly and effectively. I am so proud to have her represent our community. She has earned our vote Nov. 3.
TINA BARNES
Lynchburg

For Valentine
At the outset, I would like to make two points:

First, I am neither a Republican nor Democrat, having voted as many times for one party as the other since I cast my first ballot in 1972.

Second, I find the use of negative advertising, whether in print or on television, to be destructive rather than constructive in determining my impression of that candidate

After attending the recent League of Women Voters candidate forum, I came away feeling even more strongly that Del. Shannon Valentine is the best person to represent us in Richmond.

She relied on her years of service in the House of Delegates as well as her thoughtful consideration of the issues to present clear, concise answers to the questions while her opponent, Scott Garrett, seemed ill-prepared for many of the questions. Garrett seemed to be reading from some prepared Republican script rather than being genuinely knowledgeable about the serious issues that face our state.

While I do not like paying taxes any more than the next person, I do not find the “cut taxes” mantra to be the cure all for our economy — we only have to look at the federal deficit over the past eight years to show that this formula has its flaws as well.

What truly disturbed me, however, was Garrett’s dogged determination to portray her as a “tax and spend liberal,” though she has repeatedly refuted these false claims with a variety of sources of credible evidence. If this is the best that Garrett can do to draw distinctions between the two of them, then I believe it proves that Valentine is the better choice to represent the 23rd District.
JIM POATS
Lynchburg

For Valentine
Parents and families of children with autism spectrum disorders need to know how diligently Del. Shannon Valentine has worked to advance the state of care for these children in the state of Virginia.

Valentine was a patron of a legislative study directed at evolving a better delivery system for identifying, managing and treating children with autism. She has been very supportive of our work at the Rimland Center, for which we are very grateful.

The latest study from the CDC reports that 1 in 91 children in America (1 in 57 boys) has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. We applaud her action in the face of this crisis.
Dr. ELIZABETH MUMPER
Founder, Rimland Center
Lynchburg

For Cline
Because of health problems, my husband and I have sold our home in Madison Heights and are moving to an apartment in Lynchburg. There is so much about Amherst County I will miss, among them the people, living in the county where I’ve spent most of my life and being so close to the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains.

Also, I will miss being blessed to have Ben Cline as our delegate in Richmond.

This young man has accomplished so much in a very short time. To name just a few, he’s opposed escessive electricity rate increases, supported offshore exploration for oil and natural gas and helped write laws to ensure that revenues from hunting licenses go to protect Virginia’s wildlife. The list just goes on and on.

I know first-hand how tireless he is working to keep Central Virginia Training Center alive and well for the kids of all ages who live there. If my grandson had been born alive, he would have been a Down’s syndrome baby, so this subject is very close to my heart.

Thank you, Del. Cline, for everything you’ve done and will continue to do. Voters who eligible, get out and vote for him on Election Day. You will be doing yourself a favor.
JEANNIE RILEY
Madison Heights

False charges
There have been too many unsupported charges in the 23rd District campaign. Instead, this letter is limited to some clear and verifiable facts.

At the Oct 19. League of Women Voters forum, Scott Garrett said that Del. Shannon Valentine supports increasing the gas tax and the sales tax, and that she supports a new tax on automobile repairs. He gave as his source the responses by Valentine to a questionnaire sponsored by the Virginia FREE and published on her Web site.

In fact, the Virginia FREE questionnaire does not ask whether candidates support increasing the amount of existing gas or sales taxes. Instead, question No. 7 asks: “What revenue sources do you think are most appropriate to dedicate to transportation funding and to service transportation bonds?” Clearly, this question deals not with the amount of any tax, but rather with how current and possibly future tax revenue should be used.

As for a new tax on auto repairs, the questionnaire contradicts Garrett’s statement. Question No. 40 asks: “The Commonwealth does not generally levy a sales tax on services. Examples include … repair services … Would you support extending the existing sales and use tax to currently exempt services?” Valentine’s answer: “No.”

But don’t take my word for it. Don’t take anyone’s word for it. Please go to http://www.ShannonValentine.net, click on “Setting the Record Straigh,” then “Taxes and Budget” and read the entire questionnaire carefully. Then decide for yourself.
JEFF ROSNER
Lynchburg

For Valentine
The heated race for delegate pits incumbent Del. Shannon Valentine against Scott Garrett. I work in the human services field running a day support for intellectually, and in many cases, physically, disabled adults. A few years ago when Del. Valentine had just begun her political service, she was, I believe, the only delegate in all of Virginia who took the challenge to spend a day in a wheelchair to experience what many people face as routine. She had tears in her eyes at the end of the day when she stood up and left the wheelchair because she understood that others could not leave its bonds so easily.

I have had the pleasure of having met Valentine on several occasions. She has always impressed with a sincere sense of concern and empathy for the situations and problems being voiced by area constituents. Moreover, I know for a fact that she has followed through on numerous such requests by area residents. Her track record in Richmond is rich with efficient, thoughtful and thorough achievements. She has diligently worked not only for us but also for the good of all Virginians. She is an intelligent, hardworking person, in whom we can be proud and whom we can trust to competently represent our best interests.

Garrett, by contract, has shown himself to be quite an expert at distorting facts and disseminating information to mislead and misrepresent truth. Integrity is like an island with sides steep and slick. Once you get off, it is hard to get back on. His actions clearly show that he has long since left that island behind. Can we afford such a man in Richmond?

On Nov. 3, we need to vote for someone who has repeatedly demonstrated integrity, intelligence, efficiency, and competence — we need to vote for Valentine.
KENNETH M. JUNGERSEN
Lynchburg

For Valentine
A few years ago, a developer tried to build an apartment complex in a very inappropriate area adjacent to our subdivision.

Scott Garrett, who was and still is on City Council, took the side of those who thought our fight was hopeless and essentially did nothing to help us. Through the combined efforts of our homeowners association, our lawyer and Del. Shannon Valentine, we won our fight and this development was not built.

Del. Valentine came to our homeowners meetings and kept us informed on what she was doing to help. She was very approachable, easy to talk to and really listened to what we said.

Garrett was also one of the three councilmen who voted to appoint School Board members with only five of seven council members present, and did so without the two absent members’ knowledge. When questioned later, he said he relied on his colleagues’ advice.

Del. Valentine makes her own decisions and relies on herself. She has shown she is working hard for what is best for the people and community.

I will be voting to re-elect her Nov. 3. I hope you will, too.
BETTY SMITH
Lynchburg

For Valentine
There are so many good reasons why I support Del. Shannon Valentine that it is hard to narrow it down to just a few.

She led the bipartisan effort that established intercity rail service from Lynchburg and Richmond to Washington, D.C., a huge help for future economic development. She was patron of a bill that grants statewide authority to local governments to create arts and cultural districts by offering tax incentives and regulatory flexibility to new and expanding businesses.

In debates, she has proven herself a bright and knowledgeable candidate with a keen insight into her constituents’ needs. She has consistently and openly shared her plans and ideas for our area. In short, she has told us why she is so good at her job and why she should be re-elected.

Her opponent has chosen to tell us little about himself but instead has spent his time attempting to smear Valentine. A plan that has backfired as it actually tells us exactly what kind of man Scott Garrett is. We know that he has no shining record to tell us about otherwise he would.

For me, I will take the side of truth and vote for Del. Valentine.
MARION WILHELM
Lynchburg

For Valentine
Have you followed Del. Shannon Valentine’s campaign? As we have observed her, we have witnessed a person who is well prepared, focused on the issues and dedicated to serving her constituents effectively and efficiently. During the past four years in the General Assembly, she has demonstrated humility, a bi-partisan approach to solving problems, knowledge of the challenges facing our state and a respectful relationship with persons with whom she has worked.

The bottom line is simple. She is an outstanding member of the General Assembly. There is no one who will do more for her area. She is intelligent, articulate, trustworthy, highly respected and appreciated. A person of the highest integrity, she lives by basic American values and principles that our state and nation need in our elected officials.

The manner in which she worked with Lynchburg Habitat for Humanity and housing for the poor speaks loudly of her quiet, dedicated and committed leadership to help make the Lynchburg area a better place in which to work, go to school/college, worship and live. Her commitment to humanity was demonstrated as she addressed the issues of genocide in Darfur.

Her record in the General Assembly and in the Lynchburg area is outstanding. She is an exemplary lady, wife, mother and legislator who will continue to meet the challenges of our state and the Lynchburg area. She is a special lady called to serve humanity at a very critical time in our history. Citizens of the Lynchburg area are fortunate to have a person of her qualities on the ballot. Vote for the best. Vote for Shannon Valentine on Nov. 3.
LLOYD AND SHIRLEY WALTON
Appomattox

For Valentine
I am writing in support of re-electing Shannon Valentine to office. I am a physician in active practice in Lynchburg for the past 25 years.

My wife and I attended the Windsor Hills debate between Del. Valentine and challenger Scott Garrett. We had a very different take on it from the Garrett supporter who was at the debate and, in a recent letter to the editor, accused Valentine of speaking in generalities.

In fact, it was candidate Garrett who spoke in generalities and gave no specifics as to how he would try to accomplish any of his goals. When asked if he had any legislation he planned to propose if elected he answered, no and then sat back down.

In a recent News & Advance article, he couldn’t even name one tax he would actually cut if elected. In contrast, when Del. Valentine was asked what legislation she would put forward in the General Assembly if elected, she discussed plans and ideas like the bipartisan redistricting commission and continuing to support the partnership between local businesses and colleges to provide a four-year engineering degree in Central Virginia. Additionally, she spoke in impressive detail about what she had actually accomplished in the Assembly, such as her work in bringing the new rail service to Lynchburg, co-sponsoring 13 different tax breaks for Virginia families and voting for $5.6 billion in budget cuts.

Unfortunately, candidate Garrett spent a lot of his allotted time trying to portray Del. Valentine as a tax-and-spend liberal. His only evidence of this was the Virginia FREE candidate questionnaire in which he misrepresented her answers. He had no evidence from her votes, actions or efforts during her current term to validate his position. On the other hand, she responded with a statement from Clayton Roberts, executive director of Virginia FREE, stating that the questionnaire does not ask candidates about tax increases and to say otherwise is deliberately misleading.

I encourage all the citizens of our community to study the record of Del. Valentines accomplishments. Go to her Web site at http://www.shannonvalentine.net, and read her positions on issues.

Shannon Valentine has done an excellent job during her current term representing our citizen and business interests and should be re-elected to return to Richmond as our delegate.
DEAN CLOWER
Lynchburg

For Valentine
I am impressed by Del. Shannon Valentine’s commitment to clean energy for Virginia, as well as job creation in the Lynchburg area. She has proposed legislation such as the “Clean Energy Manufacturing Incentive Grant Fund” (HB2235) and co-patroned a bill that would provide incentives to small businesses that invest in cleaner energy sources, such as wind and solar (HB2155).

Valentine is one of the most effective legislators in Virginia, as she is more than willing to work in a non-partisan way; in fact, it was her predecessor, Republican Del. Preston Bryant, who suggested that she run for office in the 23rd District. To me, her passion and commitment on so many important issues, as well as her nonpartisan efforts, showcase her credibility and character to maintain her office.
BRIAN RICE
Lynchburg

For Valentine
Working families are concerned about the upcoming election for the House of Delegates race in the 23rd District.

Having known both candidates for many years, I find it hard to believe the way that Scott Garrett is attacking the character of Shannon Valentine.

While I was recovering from open-heart surgery, I was visited often by Scott Garrett, along with many others whom I had come into contact with over the years.

But with Scott Garrett, we had something in common, and that is that Dr. Mike Valentine played a major part in both of our operations for heart problems.

I became not only a patient of Dr. Valentine’s, but also a friend.

Through Dr. Valentine, I met many other local doctors, including my heart surgeon. Because of these doctors, I believe that I was given a second chance in life, and I will be forever be grateful.

I thought that Scott felt the same way, until I saw the way he attacked and tried to discredit Shannon Valentine, the wife of our doctor and a friend.

I felt this was shameful and deceitful, that Scott Garrett was a better man than that. I always thought that he was above that kind of politics.

Please, don’t allow politics and hateful advisers to carry you down the low road.

I could never turn my back on the people who helped save my life, and I thought Scott Garrett felt the same way. Because of this, though, I will ask all of my friends and coworkers to vote for Del. Shannon Valentine on Nov. 3.
WALTER FORE
Lynchburg