Letters to the Editor for Monday, October 19, 2009

LU, elections are hot topics

Jerry Falwell Jr. has a right to his opinions in The News & Advance, Oct. 10, and the Liberty University Champion newspaper, Sept. 29.

However, as a concerned citizen, former pastor and retired educator, I think it is a disgrace for a chancellor of a prestigious school of higher education and theological institution, connected to a renowned Baptist church, to threaten to taint the composition of City Council in the 2010 election. In the coming year, three at-large council seats will become vacant. Electing biased councilmembers to fill those vacancies will significantly alter the council and have potential adverse effects on the economic stability of the city as well as improving community dialogue and relationships.

While Liberty University may be one of the “major contributors to the economic success of the city,” “the widow’s mite” counts, too. Other property owners and businesses contribute as well. Believing landlords do not pass property taxes indirectly to tenants is a misconception. All, both great and small, consumers pay sales taxes for goods and services. Collectively, all of the sources of revenue contribute to the city’s limited, operational budget.

Without the support of the community, LU would not be the success it has become. Yet, it is estimated that nine out of every 10 individuals living in downtown is living below the poverty level, and needs some form of public assistance. Falwell’s argument portrays a perfect example of how the strong overpowering the weak created the economic crises the nation is facing right now. The economic experts and those seeking power thought they knew how to grow a capitalistic society that would not fail, but the recession proved that they were wrong. One misguided missile can do too much harm to take the risk.

Both the businesses on Ward’s Road and the city treasury benefit not only from the Liberty students but also from the middle class, unemployed and underemployed consumers. The council should be applauded for using tax dollars for the Fifth Street project and the D Street bridge to eliminate hazardous infrastructures, attract businesses to the area and improve the aesthetic value of the city. A blighted community with dilapidated houses and unoccupied buildings are eyesores for potential industries that could bring job opportunities to the Lynchburg vicinity.

Falwell says the university has “no desire to run the city.” His words may be true, but drastically altering the composition of the council with representatives that favor one entity will not be helpful. Disagreements with the council’s decisions are understandable, but no reason to stack the council with representatives to impose a preconceived agenda against the rest of the community. Such deliberate actions will certainly impose undue financial hardship on the city’s budget and citizens for the good of an elected few. The council must be trusted to make good decisions applicable to Liberty and the other educational institutions serving thousands of students, who are free to vote in elections as they please, without coercion.
JAMES GAFFORD
Lynchburg

For Valentine
As a former small business owner, I was impressed to see in the Oct. 14 issue of The News & Advance that the National Federation of Independent Business has endorsed Del. Shannon Valentine. This organization represents small businesses throughout the United States. As we know, small businesses are the backbone of Virginia’s economy.

Regardless of party affiliation, the NFIB endorses those candidates who support small business. Its endorsement, based on Del. Valentine’s voting record and answers to a questionnaire, is a sterling recommendation and should be noted by all area small business owners. Though her opponent claims to support small business, Valentine has been acknowledged to be our best advocate.

I encourage all voters to check out Valentine’s Web site at www.shannonva

lentine.net. The list of business organizations that have endorsed her is remarkable. It includes the Virginia Retail Merchants Association, the Virginia Retail Federation and the Virginia Retail Alliance, among many others.

Our 23rd District is extremely fortunate to be represented by Del. Valentine. Don’t miss the opportunity to cast your vote for her; she has been and continues to be great for business!
MARTY WRIGHT
Lynchburg

A ‘slander’
I am writing in response to the misconception that has emerged from Thursday’s education forum.

I am shocked that Scott Garrett chose to use comments by Del. Shannon Valentine to slander her views on raising taxes. This was taken out of context and has been used to distract voters from the issues important to our future.

Our Iota Chapter received a letter from Del. Valentine in which she stated, “In one of these statements I inadvertently left out ‘to balance the budget.’ While I believe my intention was clear, please know under no circumstances would I want my statement to be anything less than completely accurate.”

Our organization accepts Del. Valentine’s comment to be clear and precise. We appreciate her concerted effort to set the record straight.
HILDA STEVENS
President
Iota Chapter DKG

For Valentine
I supported former Del. Preston Bryant for the same reasons that I now support Shannon Valentine: She is an elected representative who serves with integrity, who votes with her conscience as her guide and who is a public servant, not a party servant.

It is a lucky community that elects a delegate who doesn’t just follow the partisan path, but reaches out to colleagues across party lines to serve the best interests of the community and the commonwealth.

Lynchburg is one of those lucky places. Our delegate — Shannon Valentine, like her predecessor — has always worked with legislators in both parties because to do otherwise wouldn’t serve the best interests of this community. If Bob McDonnell is the next governor, she will work with him on issues that benefit Lynchburg, Amherst and the rest of the state, and if Creigh Deeds is elected governor, she will not succumb to partisan pressure from her own party if she believes it is not in the best interest of our community.

Shannon Valentine is a public servant whose top priority has always been the needs and interests of the people she represents. Without a doubt, re-electing her is in our community’s best interest, and I will vote for her in November.
JULIE HEMSTREET
Lynchburg

For Valentine
I had the distinct pleasure of attending the Windsor Hills debate last week. It was very clear to me that we have only one choice for delegate — Shannon Valentine.

It was Del. Valentine who gave specific information on every subject. Her grasp of the issues such as education, the economy, transportation and the details of how she voted to balance a difficult budget without raising taxes was extraordinary.

My wife Lyn and I were especially interested in her understanding of the need for literacy by the third grade. Research tells us that if children are not reading at grade level by the time they enter the third grade, they never catch up. So many of our children are left behind because they lack the most fundamental skill set: reading.

At times I felt uncomfortable for Scott Garrett, who simply does not know basic facts on core issues.

If we want someone we can trust with the critical issues facing us, that person is Del. Shannon Valentine.
WILLIAM G. LONG
Lynchburg