Letters
Letters to the Editor: June 25, 2008
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Jun 25, 2008 - 10:33:45 AM

Fausz is Rather Smug and Self-Important

To the Editor:

My, my, my, Mr. Fausz. One would be hard-pressed to discover a more smug, self-important, and self-congratulatory article as the one I just read penned by you.

So let me get this straight. Only liberals (read: socialists) care about raw sewage in a neighborhood? And ONLY liberals see both sides of an argument? I read on in your article that criticized capitalists, slum lords, and big oil “profiteers.” Maybe I’m missing something, but I missed the both sides of the argument part.

I’m a libertarian. That means I dislike and distrust the Republicans (in particular McCain Republicans) and detest Democrats, which are the modern incarnation of the Fabian socialists. I believe in INDIVIDUAL freedom and limited government. Does that mean I don’t care about raw sewage in a neighborhood? To you, I guess it must. Let me ask you, Mr. Fausz, what did you do about the situation? Why, you “felt bad,” of course. And feelings, of course, trump reason and action every time, don’t they? You really must not know many conservatives or libertarians. Otherwise you wouldn’t make such ridiculous assertions.
 In the future, it might behoove you to be a little more humble in your self-assessment.
 
Sam Bartlett

Time to Protect Chester

To the Editor:

Every week in the Village News weekly police summary, we read about the constant break-ins, assaults, robberies, and abuse of innocent victims.

It’s time we protect the “jewel” we know as Chester.  Economic ills may have caused some of the less fortunate to go about obtaining their basic needs in illegal ways. In addition, there are always the evildoers who will stop at nothing to break the law.

We need to take steps to secure our community property as well as our own property.
The police cannot prevent every crime; we have to assist the police. Citizens need be more observant and report unusual circumstances IMMEDIATELY.

Now is the time to make Chester a safer, more secure place to live, work, and play. If this requires more participation in Neighborhood Watch, then let’s get started.

Andy Lepore

Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less

To the Editor:

If the American oil monopoly is permitted to sell available American oil reserves on the world market, there will be little if any reduction in fuel cost to the American consumer. If, on the other hand, American oil reserves were used to satisfy only America’s energy requirements, affordable oil could be guaranteed to run this country well into the next century.

The oil monopoly in America seeks the profits of world demand created by the ongoing collapse of Western industry. Lowering energy costs and thereby profits from American sales is not in their interest.

Lee Pipes

A Clarification on Police Salaries

To the Editor:

Thanks to the Village News for continued interest in the problems with the Chesterfield County Police Department, and the issue of pay/retention.

I believe I was misquoted in the June 11 article by Nick DeRatto, titled “Board Works to Raise Police Salaries.”  The information that I understood re:  retention report from the CCPD was that the Board of Supervisors did not have the report prior to the vote on the budget.  The statement “four out of five” refers to the number of new members on the board, not who or who did not see the report.   Any reasonable person realizes the Board of Supervisors, with four new members, are trying to solve long-standing problems which are new to them, not resulting from their actions.  A difficult situation for sure.

At this time, from what I am being told, the Board of Supervisors is making every effort to work with Col. Dupuis, Chief of Police, to initiate a process to remedy the pay/retention issue. Hats off to the Board of Supervisors for their positive steps.
 
Carolyn Horton

Strong National Security Team for 2008

To the Editor:

Strong national security is a high priority in the tri-cities area, home to one of our nation’s key military bases for the War on Terror.  Fort Lee is the logistics heart of the Army and trains the Quartermaster warriors on the front lines for freedom around the world.  Soon this mission will expand with soldiers being trained for the Transportation and Ordinance logistics areas. 
Our communities are also home to scores of veterans and civilians who have devoted much of their lives to defending the nation, both at home and aboard.  We also have firms here that support Fort Lee and our forces around the world.  National security issues are better understood and are more important election considerations here than in most communities around the nation because we have been, are, or will be in the fight.

We are fortunate, this presidential year, to be able to vote for a team of candidates with solid national security experience.  Senator John McCain is a veteran with more than 20 years of service in the Navy, and he has been tested during his many years as a prisoner of war.  His background has made him a leader on national security for more than a decade on the Senate Armed Services Committee.  His advocacy for the successful surge strategy has moved the war in Iraq in the right direction to ensure the sacrifices of our young servicemen and women are not in vain. 

Congressman Randy Forbes has served the tri-cities area well and been a defender of Fort Lee.  From his first election to complete the term of our great Congressman Norman Sisisky, he has served on the House Armed Services Committee with distinction.  He has been to the war zones several times to see what is happening on the ground. He knows the war issues, the challenges China poses, the Iranian threat, etc. and he knows what Fort Lee needs and he can deliver.

We are fortunate to have a team of candidates that is best equipped by experience and service to provide the leadership that will best ensure our national security.  I believe this qualified team can meet the high national security expectations of the voters in the tri-cities area.

Bill Flanagan


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