Executive Director, Piedmont United Way
Letter to the EditorFrom Frank RivinusPresident, Board of DirectorsPiedmont United WayGood News - Uniting Our CommunityIt seems like whenever we open the newspaper or listen to the news on television and the radio we hear bad news. The economy, a contentious election, people having difficulty scraping by are problems that ... | 0 comments
Campaign veers off track
Campaign veers off track So here it is at last: As we all, deep down, knew they would, the McCain campaign has played the race card. “He’s not like us,” proclaimed Sarah Palin. “He doesn’t share our values.” Cheers and shouts of “Terrorist” and “Kill him!” erupted from the crowd.Quite ... | 0 comments
Politics and small-town values
Politics and small-town values This election cycle, the Republican Party’s sales pitch seems to be as follows: “Vote Republican, because our platform is rooted in honest-to-goodness, 100 percent American small-town values.” Conservative activists point to the selection of Gov. Sarah Palin (R-Alaska), as the vice-presidential nominee as clear evidence of ... | 1 comment
Double crossed
Double crossed Green Road is a neighborhood of nicely tended farms in a rural agricultural area. The countryside has many horse-breeding farms and numerous cattle operations. We have the fox hunt that rides through the fields and by the ponds. It's a thrill to see the bald eagle, the giant ... | 0 comments
Sign of the times
Sign of the times The theft of Obama campaign signs in Fauquier County has saddened me. I don't believe this is how the citizens of Fauquier act. It is disheartening that anyone is petty enough to remove yard signs preventing their fellow voters of the right to express themselves. As ... | 0 comments
Say no to meals tax
Say no to meals tax The proposed meals tax is a bad idea. This new tax will be on the ballot on Election Day, Nov. 4. We the people cannot afford any more taxes. America is in a depression and everyone in tightening their belts. Government must do the same.Maybe ... | 0 comments
Shame on you
Shame on youI realize that this year’s electoral contest is hotly contested, but what has happened today on Wilson Road is a shame. Today, someone has stolen all of the yard signs that support Republicans from the four yards that I can see from my driveway. Of those four yards, ... | 0 comments
Meals tax would hurt Fauquier families
Meals tax would hurt Fauquier families I am writing to urge Fauquier citizens to vote no on the meals tax referendum that the county government is proposing on the Nov. 4 ballot. A meals tax is just another tax on Fauquier County families. Consider the following: • If Fauquier voters ... | 0 comments
Lip service
Lip service A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to show pride in our county has fallen flat. Because of the lack of interest, there will be no special license plates commemorating the 250th anniversary of our county. Only about 50 applications for this special license plate were requested. A minimum of 250 were ... | 0 comments
SCC ruling not best for Virginia
SCC ruling not best for Virginia The recent decision of the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) granting Dominion Virginia Power and TrAILCo a license to build a new 500-kV power line in Northern Virginia reeks of “good ole boy politics.” With one exception, the commissioners, with horse blinders in place, ... | 0 comments
Thank you, Giant Foods
Thank you, Giant Foods Every election, Giant Foods at Oak Springs Plaza in Warrenton permits community organizations to have a table in front of the store to hand out literature, bumper stickers, and yard signs to shoppers who are interested in the upcoming election. By providing a public space for ... | 0 comments
People first
People first Our supervisors pledged to balance the budget without increasing our real estate taxes. That’s a good thing, and I hope they will. But that doesn’t seem to be happening. We are being asked to approve another tax — the so-called meal tax — on Nov. 4. That’s a ... | 0 comments
Three strikes
Three strikesIs it just NIMBY Syndrome?You may ask, “What’s the fuss all about?” Is it just a case of NIMBY (Not in my Back Yard) Syndrome for some of the residents around Green Road? The answer is “no, it’s not.” We wholeheartedly support our emergency response personnel and the county's ... | 0 comments
Cowardly deed
Cowardly deed We awakened this morning to find the our “Obama/Biden 2008” political signs in our yard had been removed, obviously by cowards who did this under the cover of night. We had three signs altogether, two facing Nordix Drive and one which wasn’t taken as it was in our ... | 0 comments
Gilmore offers more
Gilmore offers more Last week, the Times-Democrat gave its endorsement to Mark Warner, Democrat candidate for senator from Virginia. The testimonial was short, mainly about the urban legend of a new governor who shrewdly rescued a sinking Virginia and saved her from financial disaster.Of course, we know that’s fantasy. Gov. ... | 0 comments
Guns, gas and garbage
Guns, gas and garbageCould the combination of deadly methane gas, gunfire and burning propane, coupled with decaying garbage, create a deadly disaster on county-owned land?In the mid '90s, there was a house and section of land purchased by the board of supervisors. This was a very expensive land buyout. The ... | 0 comments
Home near the range
Home near the rangeI have attended both of the planning commission meetings regarding the special exception that is requested for the training facility on Green Road. During this last meeting on Thursday, Sept. 25, we learned that the dry pond at the landfill is proposed to be used to store ... | 0 comments
One of our finest
One of our finestPlease take a long hard look beyond the biased and partisan campaign sound-bites, and think about the merits of one of our finest, Rep. Frank Wolf. He is one of the most highly respected leaders on either side of the aisle. He is recognized for his strong ... | 0 comments
My Choice
America has a choice to make between two candidates of stark difference. One is an intellect, capable, thoughtful and reasoned as our next President will need to be in order to steer this great nation through the reefs which the current administration has nearly run us up on. He is ... | 0 comments
Your endorsement
Last week you endorsed John McCain for President. I do not take issue with your criteria for endorsement, but had you applied it objectively to the facts at hand, you would have endorsed Barack Obama. It is true that John McCain has shown courage and principle over his career, but ... | 1 comment
Don't get fooled again
Don't get fooled again“McCain Plans Gloves-off Fight” read the headline in Saturday’s Washington Post. “With a month left before election, GOP camp aims to shift focus from economy to Obama's character.” In other words, realizing that they are unable to win the campaign head-on, where it should be fought — ... | 0 comments
Hill hero
Hill hero One of the most endearing qualities of Rep. Frank Wolf is the selfless giving of his time to his 10th District constituents. He truly believes in serving his country and his people — in fact, so much so, that I sometimes wonder if he has any time to ... | 0 comments
The positive candidate
The positive candidate I would imagine many are as tired of this election as I am; it seems like we have been listening to campaign speeches, watching debates, and hearing competing accounts of various policies and platforms for an eternity. However, as Nov. 4 looms closer, it becomes ever clearer ... | 1 comment
Restoring financial sanity
Restoring financial sanityIt's hard to read a newspaper, turn on radio or TV, and hear anything but bad news. Markets around the world are tanking and taking the expectations of people everywhere with them. What's the answer?Neither politicians nor the news media have any solutions, and yet this problem has ... | 0 comments
Wolf is local hero, international force
Wolf is local hero, international force Way back in 1976, Frank Wolf and I both ran for Congress for the first time, Wolf here in Virginia, while I went back to Indiana in an effort to recapture my old boss' seat, lost in the 1974 Vietnam/Watergate electoral disaster for the ... | 0 comments
Smear tactics
Smear tacticsThe Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries recently completed its "Hunting with Hounds" Study. Several people have been busy using the media as a bully pulpit, misrepresenting the purpose and issues, as well as making inaccurate statements regarding property rights and hunting. They want to frighten you into ... | 0 comments
Having only one choice is indicative of a dictatorship
Having only one choice is indicative of a dictatorship Dear Neighbor, I use that term loosely, not in the sense of a next-door neighbor one shares tomatoes with, but in the sense of one who lives in the same area or county. Last night you took a “Veterans for Obama” ... | 0 comments
Last, best hope
Last, best hope The 2008 presidential election brings great excitement to the Northern Virginia region. Both the GOP and the Democratic Party are justifiably excited about their respective tickets. The key for most voters will be who can stay "on message" and remain positive. The well-balanced McCain-Palin ticket offers a ... | 0 comments
Shocking disrespect for officers, residents
Shocking disrespect for officers, residents (Addressed to the planning commission and others)I am writing you today to voice my strong displeasure with the current proposal to build fire and police training facilities in an area of the county presently zoned for agricultural use.Not only is the proposed location ridiculous for ... | 0 comments
Enough is enough
Enough is enough As we get closer to Election Day and find ourselves confronting an economy on the verge of failure at worst and uncertain at best, I must ask: When are John McCain and Sarah Palin going to talk to us, about issues we care about, and when are ... | 0 comments
James E. Rich
McCain/Palin is clear choiceI am writing about the upcoming November election. There are three central reasons I ask you to join me in supporting the Republican ticket including McCain/Palin and Rep. Frank Wolf.First, the matter of integrity and honesty is paramount. John McCain and Frank Wolf are some of the ... | 0 comments
Steal a Sign, Not My Vote
Just last week, I was attending to my errands for the day, and as I turned onto a local street corner, I saw a woman who looked to be having car trouble. Car doors and trunk open and she looked rather startled. As I paused to ask if she needed ... | 0 comments
Team spirit
Team spiritWith the death of John Williams, Warrenton and Fauquier County lost a dedicated public servant, community volunteer and friend. From the youngsters in Head Start to elderly veterans and everyone in-between, John left an indelible legacy of service and support, always with a smile. He had an endearing characteristic ... | 0 comments
Better patriotism
Better patriotism The retired guy at the seat next to me in the diner last week said it best: “The people who brought me up taught me that you deserve to get precisely what you have the honor and courage to take responsibility for.” Believe it or not, he was ... | 1 comment
Return Wolf to the Hill
Return Wolf to the HillI first met Frank Wolf over 25 years ago, when he was a new House member and I was the young foreign policy assistant to a fellow novice Congressman. Frank and John Porter, my Congressman, were from the same cloth: smart, honest, hard-working guys from prestigious ... | 0 comments
Hey, team
Hey, team At Warrenton Town Council meetings, on the street and in e-mails, John Williams would always address his colleagues in town government with “hey team." And we would always answer back "hey team." John’s cheerful greeting always reminded us that we were a team working together for the community. ... | 0 comments
Marie Miller
Panned in review Since when did the complaints of one disgruntled parent with an ax to grind become fodder for front page "news"? Where in the article, "Coming soon to a classroom near you," is the fair and balanced reporting that should form the basis of ethical coverage? With careless ... | 0 comments
Ringing endorsement
Ringing endorsementI am writing in response to Alice Felts’ article, “Not all activity funds are ’active’” dated Oct. 8. It refers to C. Hunter Ritchie Elementary’s principal Lee Bell, and his spending habits, or lack thereof. Why is Andy Hawkins just now addressing this issue? Isn’t it his job to ... | 0 comments
Freedom of speech attacked
Freedom of speech attackedOne of our greatest rights as citizens of the United States of America, within customary legal guidelines, is our freedom of speech or expression. This includes the basic right to express our political views in this important presidential election, days away, through campaign signs on our property.As ... | 0 comments
Property rights trump recreation
Property rights trump recreation My letter of Sept. 12, perhaps coincidentally, produced an editorial in support of hunting with hounds, an editorial largely relying on the danger of dehydration/starvation to unretrieved hounds, the public-health risk of an unrestrained and, therefore, exponentially exploding game population, and tradition.Included but unspoken in this ... | 0 comments
The answer to economic crisis: change in regulation
The answer to economic crisis: change in regulationWarrenton is a long way from Wall Street, but not so far that we haven’t been affected by the economic chaos of these past few weeks. The sky is falling, the banks are collapsing and many are terrified we are racing headlong towards ... | 0 comments
Send Wolf back to Washington
Send Wolf back to Washington The general election is just around the corner, and we are truly blessed to have historic candidates on the ballot for president and vice president of the United States. With all the excitement over the candidates for national office, I want to take a moment ... | 0 comments
What's the rush?
What's the rush?I am a resident of Fauquier County who has lived off Green Road near the county landfill for more than nine years. I have been speaking out against the proposed training facilities at the Green Road location since the August planning commission meeting. My first impression of the ... | 0 comments
What about public health?
What about public health? As a resident whose property is in close proximity to the proposed safety training Facility and outdoor firing range, I would appreciate Fauquier County officials consideration of my concerns regarding this proposed facility.I have been diagnosed with COPD, pulmonary hypertension, asthma, heart problems, etc. My husband ... | 0 comments
Wolf has served constituents well
Wolf has served constituents wellJudy Feder is campaigning for political change. Her leader, Sen. Obama, spent 17 months in primary contests with limited discussion of the nature of his change candidacy. During the last three decades, Feder’s focus has been on health policy. In the 1990’s, she supported the national ... | 0 comments
Towering greed
Towering greedI know that I am but one small voice which doesn't seem to matter in this world of greed and money and power. I write anyway, because it matters to me if my daily lifestyle is affected by corporate greed. I have no opposition to Dominion Virginia Power installing ... | 0 comments
Scratching the surface
Scratching the surface As a nearby resident, I read your Oct. 1 article on the proposed Green Road firing range, burn building, and training center with interest. Although there were 19 speakers against the project and two in favor of it at the Sept. 25 planning commission meeting, your only ... | 0 comments
Position clarification
Position clarification Your article on Supervisor Holder Trumbo’s density credit proposal characterized my position as being unable to support it because the timing was wrong. That is incorrect. What I have said is that the supervisors need more time to study the issue, and that it should be evaluated in ... | 0 comments
Wolf is right for Fauquier
Wolf is right for Fauquier Former Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill famously used to tell all new members of the House of Representatives to never forget that, “All politics is local.” Today, I am writing to salute our own Congressman, Frank Wolf, for his years of attention to and ... | 0 comments
Tax is relatively painless source of new revenue
Tax is relatively painless source of new revenue This letter is intended to provide the citizens of Fauquier County with objective information about the upcoming food and beverage tax referendum which will be held during the Nov. 4 general election.As we are all aware, the current local, state and national ... | 1 comment
Out with the old...
Out with the old... Two weeks ago, the two presidential candidates shared a stage for their first debate. If the differences between these two men hadn’t been obvious before, they sure are now. These debates are important. They present our best opportunity to really know the candidates. There is no ... | 0 comments
Alarmist editorial
Alarmist editorial In last week’s opinion piece “Fast, Loose” the Times-Democrat editorial staff wrote of a “frightening assault on the Constitution.”That “assault” was Treasury Secretary Paulson’s initial “bailout” proposal that read in part, “Decisions by the Secretary pursuant to this act are non-reviewable and committed to agency discretion….”Quoting anti-Bush blogger ... | 0 comments
Simple answer
Simple answer The Times-Democrat's page one headline dated Sept. 24, was "Fauquier faces $4 million revenue gap, hard choices."The answer is easily apparent: Reduce or eliminate a portion of the out-of-control welfare land-use and welfare Purchase of Development rights programs.W. Clarke GilroyWarrenton | 0 comments