Denise Tynes a town asset

Editor, Smithfield Times
I have been a property and business owner in the Town of Smithfield for 18 years.
I have had many dealings, with Council Member Denise Tynes. I have always found her to be professional and approachable. Ms. Tynes has always returned calls in my inquires promptly and has a listening ear.
I admire her integrity, as she considers both sides of an issue, weighing out differences.   This ability, to me, is an important quality in public service.
Council Member Tynes is valuable member of Town Council. I appreciate her honesty and transparency. I pray she continues to serve on Town Council and beyond. She is one of our greatest assets in Smithfield.
Robbie Younger
Smithfield

Roundabout a disaster

Editor, Smithfield Times
Back in the 1960’s – 1970’s, there were three roundabouts on Mercury Blvd in Hampton and Newport News. They were disasters then and there was great relief when they were replaced. Now, we have the Town of Smithfield and the county supervisors pushing to “snatch defeat from the jaws of victory” one more time by creating a roundabout on the busiest stretch of Benn’s Church Boulevard. Their first major disasters were the bike trail and the weird left turn lane at Benn’s Church. But when boys and girls play adult games what in the H* does the public expect?
Two years ago when the Windsor supervisor was running for a seat on the board, I thought he put forth a well-seasoned approach to sound thinking. With decisions like the ones above, I must confess to a loss of judgment in voting the way I did. Well, there are only two two more years before correcting that mistake. However, the Supervisors as a whole can stop this “roundabout” and eliminate one more disaster by acting now instead of later after huge sums of money have been expended.
Thanks for my time in your paper.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.
Ray Baxter
Windsor

Holidays with Families

Editor, Smithfield Times
Members of the military have sworn a duty to their Country, which may include missions that prevent Holiday celebrations with their families. They have come to expect that. Such is the case this year as military units must help defend our southern border. 
Since the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, Congress has been unable to ensure border security or resolve the immigration predicament. Congress, the body entrusted to design the laws of our land, is clearly dysfunctional in this matter. In particular, our elected gentlemen in Congress have shown little progress in their combined 41 years, so others must provide border security while they dither. I hope our three gentlemen can celebrate the joys of the Holidays with their families, but history suggests limited hopes for a responsible Congress in coming New Year.
My strongest confidence and well wishes will always be with the men and women of our Armed Forces and their families, wherever their assignments during the Holidays.
Charles Spann
Smithfield