Letters to the Editor for Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Readers weigh in on races as Election Day nears

For Valentine
On Nov. 3, we in the 23rd District have a critical choice to make, one that will say as much about us as a community as it does about the candidates themselves. The voters of Lynchburg and Madison Heights are being asked, in short, if Shannon Valentine deserves to be sent back to Richmond on our behalf. For me, her record and her competence speak for themselves.

Like many in our community and across Virginia, I am a political moderate with an independent streak. In the past, I have supported Republicans as well as Democrats. I see in her a woman of great personal faith whose legislative approach is based on learned deliberation with broad input, rather than ideology. She has repeatedly sought and often obtained bipartisan support for her initiatives.

Her campaign is championed by the business community, the physician and health care community, the education community and those in public safety. To go to one of her events or to attend one of the debates, is to see supporters from all walks of life and all parts of our district coming together because they recognize effective, principled leadership.

I do not want to wake up on Nov. 4 to find that my community couldn’t re-elect a legislative star with broad appeal and a proven record. I want to wake up and find that the citizens of our community turned out like never before and re-elected Shannon Valentine.
DAN CAREY
Lynchburg

For Garrett
Scott Garrett has a strong track record of direct involvement in the community as a surgeon, on City Council and serving on the board of directors for a local business. He is one of the rare individuals with direct, hands on knowledge of how both health services and local business function. Given the economic challenges this region will be facing in the next few years and the fact that the numerous small businesses and health systems are major employers in this area, having someone who understands what drives employment growth in these sectors is critical.

I have been dismayed at the attacks on Garrett’s character during the past few weeks of the campaign. When I first moved to Lynchburg, an individual I met told me a story about him drastically reducing his bill for surgery based on that family’s insurance coverage and financial situation. He did not complain about the system or make excuses or wait for government reform; he took direct action.

I have known him and his family for more than five years now, and I can tell you that this is completely in character for him. Whether plowing the snow from his neighbor’s driveways or serving on council, he does not wait for someone else to step up and solve the problem. He takes direct action to improve the quality of life in his community.

We are fortunate to have a candidate with his strength of character and breadth of experience.
WILLIAM FATH
Lynchburg

For Valentine
Four years ago, House Speaker William Howell orchestrated the expulsion of then-Del. Preston Bryant from the Republican House Caucus because Bryant dared to go against Howell’s heavy-handed, ideological, top-down style of leadership. What Howell failed to recognize was that the moderates who tend to vote for the person and not the party, would leave with Preston.

Suddenly a House seat that would have been Republican for as long as Bryant chose to hold it, was now up for grabs. Shannon Valentine stepped into the political void. I will not add to all of the positive things that have been said about her, but just say that I am honored to have her as my delegate.

As for the Republicans, it is still business as usual; their down and dirty style of campaign literature is both distasteful and embarrassing. Even if they ever learn that bad partisan politics does not equate to good government, I will continue to vote for the person and not the party. And that person is Shannon Valentine.
STEWART HOBBS
Lynchburg

For Deeds
Are we about to elect another governor for Virginia on a gimmick? We elected two that way, and now a third who is running has one. First, Jim “No Car Tax” Gilmore, then George “Three Strikes And You’re Out” Allen and now Bob “Thesis” McDonnell. If McDonnell is elected we will be the laughing stock of the county.

Democrats Mark Warner and Tim Kaine kept the state on the right track, and Creigh Deeds a candidate for governor in this election will keep the state moving forward. Don’t you agree the sensible choice for governor of Virginia is Deeds?
JULIAN HESSON
Gladstone