Letters to the Editor for Monday, March 8, 2010

Consider alternatives to K-12 cuts
Due to the unchecked greed of capitalism and the failures of conservative policies, our country is now at the brink of disintegration on all fronts regarding the public well-being and the institution of the family.

Society is supposed to take seriously its obligation to improve the country for its future. What more serious obligation could we have than to our children and grandchildren — to provide food, shelter, health care, and education? Yet, in terms of government services, it would seem that the area most greatly affected by this ever worsening crisis is K-12 public education.

Other areas more appropriate for cuts include central administration; interscholastic athletics unless their total costs are covered by private funding; field trips, which could be funded by parent fees with waivers for low-income students; and professional development for teachers and other professionals, which could receive reduced funding. Also, the possibility of charging for bus service should be explored, but again with waived fees for low-income students..

I propose that we raise taxes at both the state and local levels, while continuing to insure that school districts provide appropriate accountability to taxpayers.

No doubt people will howl at this possibility. However, how much do they howl when prices increase in the private sector? When it comes to the government providing services like any other business, we are supposed to live in a fantasy world where costs never increase.

It’s time for us as well as school district superintendents and school board members to step up to the plate and acknowledge the fact that our youth’s future is worth paying higher taxes for public education. Otherwise, our country indeed has no future.

CHRISTOPHER MILLSON-MARTULA
Altavista

Thanks from swimmers
The Lynchburg YMCA Swim Team hosted the Blue Ridge Region Championship on the weekend of February 26-28 at the Jamerson Family YMCA. More than 640 swimmers from around the state attended.

In addition to raising more than $20,000 for the YMCA, this event brought swimmers and their families to the Lynchburg area for three nights. I would like to thank the YMCA staff and membership for their hard work and support during the meet, as well as the parents of the LY Swim Team.

The following businesses also contributed by providing donations to feed coaches and officials: Burger King, Biscuitville, Famous Anthony’s, Pok-E Joe’s, Neighbor’s Place Restaurant, The Day Break Restaurant at the Day’s Inn, The Drowsy Poet, La Carretta, El Cabrito, Bojangles, Food Lion, Upper Crust Pizza, Sam’s Club, The Summit, and Frito-Lay.

LISA LISTON
YMCA of Central Virginia