Letters to the Editor for Sunday, February 28, 2010

Writer: Time to raises taxes in Bedford
Bedford County faces a major budget reduction in providing public services including the public school system. While cost cutting is inevitable the reductions will hit public schools the hardest. It has been proposed that two of the county’s public schools be closed.

Economic times are tough locally, statewide and nationally. The commonwealth of Virginia faces billions of dollars in lost tax revenue, and our elected leaders that we the people sent to Richmond are now dealing with that matter. Over the past decade, there was poor planning and inadequate money set aside for this rainy day time.

While I do not have a child of school age, it is nevertheless appropriate that the two public schools remain open. It is only proper to care and provide for our children the best we can. Having lived in Bedford County for 35 years, my only child attended the public school system from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Over the years, the school system has had its fair share of problems. It would be good if personal financial management skills were a part of the curriculum as well as school guidance personnel should limit the focus of the need for all children to go on to college.

That said, in 2004 the Bedford County Board of Supervisors reduced the real estate tax rate by 1 cent per $100 of assessed value. At that time it was the right thing to do, I was an outspoken retired private resident advocating for the reduction. In fact at that time, the rate should have been cut by 2 cents.

Since the beginning of 2004, the overall real estate tax rate has dropped from 66 cents to 50 cents per $100 of value. The Board of Supervisors has, as a group, performed remarkably over the past six years in stewardship and oversight of county resources.

However, it is time to take action to protect the future. Therefore, county supervisors should increase the real estate tax rate by 1 cent or better yet 2 cents. While that increase won’t fill the budget shortfall, it could be enough to help keep those two schools open. My own taxes would increase by $40 per year if that happened. Forty dollars is about the cost of Sunday buffet for two people at the Peaks of Otter Lodge overlooking the lake below ol’ Sharp Top.

Serving the people of Bedford County, now it’s time for the Board of Supervisors to address the unfortunate and unpleasant but timely need to increase the real estate tax.

That’s my two cents worth.
PHIL THEISEN
Forest

Uncivil behavior
I saw a news story on a local television station featuring Liberty University Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. stating, “All we want is to be left alone.”

After the circus he recently orchestrated at the Lynchburg City Council meeting, which culminated in Larry Provost, the Liberty University director of commuter affairs, standing and booing a sitting member of City Council while he attempted to speak, I will certainly have no problem leaving LU alone.

LU’s Provost should be ashamed of himself. It is not a good example he set for the young students of LU.
JAMES TAYLOR
Lynchburg