Sept. 12, 2022 Editor, The News-Gazette: Early voting starts Sept. 23! Your votes this year will count as never before, and will help shape our public life towards one of two very different futures: one based on collaboration and earned trust, or one fueled by fear, loathing and disingenuous dramatizing.
Sept. 1, 2022 Editor, The News-Gazette: I write to encourage readers to vote for three excellent candidates for Lexington City Council: Nicholas Betts; David Sigler; and Chuck Smith.
Is there anything wrong with opening a coffee and donut shop on the periphery of downtown Lexington? Neighbors who live in historic homes in the vicinity of the proposed shop think so. They were able to convince a majority of members of the city’s Planning Commission to recommend against granting a conditional use permit to the applicant who wants to establish such a business at 314 S. Main St.
Maj. Michael LaRocca, assistant professor of psychology at Virginia Military Institute, will discuss transformational leaders who have inspired and driven change on the public radio program “With Good Reason” Sept. 10-16. LaRocca references his own experiences from his time as an executive officer in the Army.
Sept. 1, 2022 Editor, The News-Gazette: I write in support of an elected school board. Both my daughters received an excellent education from the Lexington City Schools. So my support for elections is not a criticism of either the current school board or the school system.
Aug. 31, 2022 Editor, The News-Gazette: Volumes of research, surveys, and PhD dissertations exist to help us understand the issue of appointed vs. elected school boards. Now this topic is to be on the ballot, let’s pay attention to research, not dramatic headlines. Currently our school board is appointed by our city council whom we elect to make decisions regarding our community. Individuals wishing to serve complete a “job” application that provides their experience, qualifications, and desire to serve. They are not required to expend money to run a campaign, and thankfully are not bound by any political party. It would be unfortunate to lose a good candidate because they can’t afford to run a campaign. Our appointed school board is not determined by who has or raises the most money, and no money from outside interest groups infiltrates the makeup of our local school board.
Aug. 31, 2022 Editor, The News-Gazette: When I saw the words “Civility” and “Unity” on Colette Barry-Rec’s Rockbridge Community Festival booth, I was confused.
I never liked going back to school when I was growing up. School meant an end to readi ng the books I wanted to read, daydreaming about the stories I would someday write and staying up past my bedtime. But one thing that made a new school year bearable was that in early September, the Lions Club Carnival would make its return on top of the hill across from the Farmers Co-op.