Letters to the Editor for Saturday, October 10, 2009

Retail Alliance: Set the record straight
Recent articles in The News & Advance have detailed the Retail Alliance’s efforts to organize a chapter in the Lynchburg community. Each item has included derogatory statements voiced by representatives of the local Retail Merchants Association. A Sept. 29 letter to the editor presents two unfortunate and misguided notions: Lynchburg can accommodate just one retail business group, and the existing one is sufficient.

I would like to set the record straight on both counts. Retail Alliance only comes to communities where the organization is both needed and wanted. In the case of Lynchburg, local merchants became aware of the tremendous success we have achieved working for businesses in the Smith Mountain Lake area and suggested that the same experience would be welcome in Lynchburg.

They indicated that while some generic business products were available from local groups, the Retail Merchants Association was concentrating on scholarships.

We are disappointed that the Retail Merchants Association declined to partner with our organization to bring retail-specific products and programs to Lynchburg merchants.

It does not, however, diminish our resolve to provide small independent Lynchburg retailers with the opportunity to join an organization that can provide them a comprehensive set of resources to help them compete with large retail chains.

Retail Alliance offers local educational seminars and networking, HR consulting, a resource library, co-op advertising and a portfolio of discounted critical retail business services not currently available in the Lynchburg area.

Through our network of community-based councils we are able to help retailers address local issues, and create local campaigns to drive sales.

It is unfortunate that our effort to help local merchants is viewed as competition. On the contrary, by working together to strengthen retailers, the community will benefit.

That said, our invitation to partner with the Lynchburg organizations remains open. We have no interest in further battling our detractors or challenging false claims. Can Lynchburg support two such organizations? That’s for retailers who examine all options to decide.
SUSAN MILHOAN
President and CEO
Retail Alliance
Newport News

For Valentine
I am writing as a Liberty University student to express my support for Shannon Valentines re-election to the Virginia House of Delegates.

Valentine has a distinguished record of legislative accomplishment, including a solid record on issues that are important to my own faith.

In addition, Valentine is a dedicated leader. I have had the opportunity to meet with her personally on several occasions, and I believe that she is a committed, faithful, and intelligent individual who cares deeply about the people of Lynchburg, as well as students at Liberty.

Some of my fellow Liberty students will be tempted to take the easy route to voting; looking for candidates who have the correct letter at the end of their name. I hope my peers look beyond that designation. It’s time to do the research and choose the person who will best represent the interests of you as a student as well as the town that you are calling home.

I believe that person is Del. Shannon Valentine.
JAN DERVISH
Lynchburg