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Opinions

Engage with diverse voices in Lexington, VA – The News-Gazette's Opinion page offers insightful perspectives on local and regional issues.

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Opposes Airport ‘Boondoggle’
Opposes Airport ‘Boondoggle’
Feb. 9, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: I have to agree with the letter from Kathleen and Gordon Ball, questioning the need for a taxpayer-funded airport in Rockbridge. I realize that many current citizens of Rockbridge weren’t here 30 years ago when this proposal was last brought up. The issue was hotly debated and most citizens came to the conclusion that although the airport would be almost entirely paid for and maintained with their tax dollars, there would be little to no benefits for those citizens not owning an airplane. The proposal was voted down by Rockbridge citizens 75 percent to 25 percent. 02/13/2024 11:00 PM
Green Shoots
Green Shoots
Last week, a friend contacted me a nd told me that his h ome t ow n community newspaper in Iowa had announced that they were closing. His message said, “I felt like my old friend just died. Very hard to take. I thought to myself ‘now there is nobody who will record the goings-on in this town anymore.’” This is being repeated in towns and cities all across America. 02/13/2024 11:00 PM
Out Of The Past
Out Of The Past
02/13/2024 11:00 PM
Ukraine Aid Is Good For America
Ukraine Aid Is Good For America
Last week, we watched the spectacle of one political party abruptly reversing their position on the combined Border-Israel-Ukraine bill, after saying for months that that was what they wanted. 02/13/2024 11:00 PM
Revisit Original Dog Park Proposal
Revisit Original Dog Park Proposal
Feb. 5, 2024 Editor, The News-Gazette: It’s good news to hear that the city is interested in creating adog park! And (as most of us have heard before) “if you’re going to do something, do it right.” The first and most influential step in creating a dog park is choosing its location. 02/06/2024 11:00 PM
‘What About Long-term Costs’ Of Airport?’
‘What About Long-term Costs’ Of Airport?’
Jan. 29, 2024 Editor, The News-Gazette: I write opposing development of an airport in Rockbridge County. I grant that the cost would be perhaps 2% to the county. However, where does the other 98% originate? Taxpayers ‒ you and me also! These dollars could be better used for educational, drug rehab and prevention, and other humanitarian activities. 02/06/2024 11:00 PM
Bill Would Change Primary System
Bill Would Change Primary System
Feb. 2, 2024 Editor, The News-Gazette: Heads up unaffiliated voters! Legislation (VA HB56) has been proposed in the Virginia House of Delegates that will disenfranchise unaffiliated voters. 02/06/2024 11:00 PM
County ‘On The Cusp Of Ruin’
County ‘On The Cusp Of Ruin’
Feb. 4, 2024 Editor, The News-Gazette: I read most of the article in the N-G about the supervisors meeting in which the proposed airport was discussed. But I had lost the first part of the story, so I don’t know who is proposing the idea or why. Based on what I read, the only supervisor who asked the right question was Bob Day: “Why build an airport for private planes?” 02/06/2024 11:00 PM
‘Spend Money On Something Else’
‘Spend Money On Something Else’
Feb. 2, 2024 Editor, The News-Gazette: As a (former) career pilot, it’s difficult to compose all of the reasons not to have another airport incorporated into the global air traffic control system. Pilots want taxpayers to build more airports, while the FAA secretly wants less airports. 02/06/2024 11:00 PM
Alumni For Free Speech
Alumni For Free Speech
The Generals Redoubt, an organization of Washington and Lee University graduates, has been at the forefront of creating a national Alumni’s Free Speech Alliance to help unite a growing number of alumni associations across t he c ountry. T he Generals Redoubt along with the Jefferson Council at the University of Virginia, Princetonians at Princeton University, Free Speech Alliance at Cornell University, and a Davidson College alumni organization started the national organization. 02/06/2024 11:00 PM
Ever Heard Of A Stroke Mimic?
Ever Heard Of A Stroke Mimic?
February, as it has been since 1964, is American Heart Month, a time when the American Heart Association and other organizations put the spotlight on heart disease, still the No. 1 killer of Americans. 02/06/2024 11:00 PM
Out Of The Past
Out Of The Past
02/06/2024 11:00 PM
Reader Perplexed By GOP’s Immigration Positions
Reader Perplexed By GOP’s Immigration Positions
Jan. 29, 2024 Editor, The News-Gazette, The Biden administration’s policies which invest in creating high paying jobs for the middle class has brought us back from the brink of “certain” recession. Salaries now outpace inflation (which has dropped below prepandemic, Trump era levels) and consumers are spending, making the U.S. economy one of the strongest in the world. 01/30/2024 11:00 PM
Fishing Adversely Affected By Release Of Sediment
Fishing Adversely Affected By Release Of Sediment
Jan. 29, 2024 Editor, The News-Gazette: With the week-long cold snap ending, I knew I had to head to a stream, wet a line, and enjoy some “nature time.” 01/30/2024 11:00 PM
‘Consider Impact’ Of Airport On County
‘Consider Impact’ Of Airport On County
Jan. 29 Editor, The News-Gazette: Does the county need an airport? The city of Lexington is surrounded by the following Virginia regional airports: Lynchburg, 34.3 miles away; Roanoke/Blacksburg, 43.1 miles away; Shenandoah Valley, 44.6 miles away; and Charlottesville/ Albemarle, 59.3 miles away. (per ClosestAirportTo.com.] One argument for an airport is that it would bring more business to Rockbridge County. What kind of business would come? Manufacturing and new businesses require facilities and workers. This means (1) less open/farm land to accommodate the factories/stores, (2) housing and public services (power/sewage/ garbage) for new resident employees, and (3) roads for increased traffic. (And probably a loss of deer and other wildlife in the area.) In addition, the airport will require continual maintenance and FAA required standards. 01/30/2024 11:00 PM
Out Of The Past
Out Of The Past
50 Years Ago 01/30/2024 11:00 PM
Project Horizon: Put Victims First
Project Horizon: Put Victims First
Editor’s note: The following editorial is adapted from a letter from Judy Casteele, executive director of Project Horizon. 01/30/2024 11:00 PM
“Russia Is … A Clear And Present Danger’
“Russia Is … A Clear And Present Danger’
Swedish Defense Chief Visits VMI 01/30/2024 11:00 PM
Read The Maury River Emergency Action Plan
Read The Maury River Emergency Action Plan
Jan. 19, 2024 Editor, The News-Gazette: This letter is to inform property owners who live along the whole length of the Maury River, that the latest Emergency Action Plan and Inundation Study (2020), can be found on the Rockbridge Regional Library website. Go to rrlib.net, then click on Lake Merriweather Files. 01/23/2024 11:00 PM
Thoughts On U.S. Immigration Policies
Thoughts On U.S. Immigration Policies
Jan. 18, 2024 Editor, The News-Gazette: I want to alleviate some of Glenn Rose’s “WOKE: WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE-of-EVERYTHING.” 01/23/2024 11:00 PM
January 6th More Than A ‘Rowdy Crowd’
January 6th More Than A ‘Rowdy Crowd’
Jan. 17, 2024 Editor, The News-Gazette: President Trump pressured Vice President Pence to disregard his constitutional duty to certify the Electoral College results on January 6th, 2020. Trump also schemed to create false electors in states where the Electoral College named his opponent the winner. In my opinion, those actions constitute a form of insurrection as Trump tried to stop the peaceful transfer of power and reverse election results. 01/23/2024 11:00 PM

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