Sept. 10, 2026 Editor, The News-Gazette: I attended the Labor Day parade and rally at Buena Vista. It was a polite affair except for two individuals.
First, a Cline supporter challenged Macy supporters, demanding to know where we were from. When I told her, “Rockbridge County,” she replied, “But you weren’t raised around here!” Evidently, folks raised elsewhere are illegitimate voices. Well, I’m originally from Texas, but I built a home here, I spend my money here, I pay taxes here, and I vote here.
Unsurprisingly, Ben Cline was likewise rude. During a puffy spin on his own lackluster record, Cline dismissed the overwhelmingly larger Macy crowd as Democrats “wherever you came from.” He is convinced that Macy supporters came from far-flung places like Harrisonburg and Roanoke.
To Cline I say the majority of folks present were the same local faces I see at protests, at rallies, and at the BV event year after year. Moreover, people from Roanoke and Harrisonburg are your constituents! They have every right to attend the BV event, especially since your appearances are rarer than the Yeti. Constituents have every right to weigh what pathetically little you have actually done to help this district, and we will vote for Beth Macy.
WALTER BOUZARD Rockbridge County
