We need new ‘experts’

Editor, Smithfield Times
Just read an article where the “experts” said violent video games are not the issue causing gun related violence in America today. I wonder if those same “experts” looked into a correlation between violent video games, violent music lyrics, violent movies and television shows, to include the media and social media? You can’t tell me, with a straight face that exposing our children at an early age (under 10 in probably a lot of cases) doesn’t have an effect on them later in their lives.
We’ve gone to the extreme to not allow our children to keep score during soccer matches and baseball games (can’t have winners and losers), we’ve given out trophies to all participants to spare their feelings and make them believe they are all winners. We’ve done away with Valedictorians and in some cases class rankings because we say our 17-18 year olds can’t handle the stress and emotions of not being Number One.
So, some “expert” wants me to believe all the violence our youth are being exposed to isn’t doing some level of emotional damage? Really? I call poppycock. We seriously need some new “experts.”  
Robert Hunter
Carrollton

A lot more has been paid

Editor, Smithfield Times
Your headline last week “IW has paid $11m to Franklin” does not even come close.
Unless, of course, one reads the “fine print” below wherein you acknowledge “.. and likely…more.” But, unfortunately, most will remember only the headline.

In fact, we IWers have paid at least $33 million to the City of Franklin since 1986 and likely more than that. The “$11m” does not include the 20 years of previous payments, that were often more than $1 million each year, in this reprehensible legal extortion scheme. The reason for these payoffs may have been advisable many years ago when Franklin wanted to annex the Union Camp property unless we paid up. But not any more. Our state legislature has since put a virtual stop to these rapacious annexations by cities over counties. And rightly so!
So let’s stop these payments now. No fair jury would judge us liable for an adverse deal made 33 years ago under threat of an unconscionable land grab that now has no validity. This deal reminds me of the onerous provisions of the 1919 Versailles Treaty that caused WWII. It was wrong 100 years ago between nations, was wrong 33 years ago between neighboring municipalities and is still wrong today!
Maybe now we should sue Franklin to get our $33 million back with interest. It would fully fund a new Hardy District school and maybe even another one in the Carrsville District.
Perhaps the real scandal here is that our county appears to have no record of the multi-millions paid to Franklin between 1986 and 2006. What’s going on here ? Albert Burckard
Carrollton

Thanks to supporters

Editor, Smithfield Times
Once again the town of Smithfield has proved itself to be a small town with a big heart. The Smithfield Kiwanis Club held it’s primary fund raising event last month. It was a golf tournament held to garner funds that will help 21 separate groups that greatly help us meet our mission — to help kids.
Not only did 19 golf team members pay a bit more than usual for a round of golf, businesses across town also donated generously as sponsors of the event. In all, close to 10 thousand dollars was raised.
Those donations will help disadvantaged kids get the books and clothes they need for school, help others get a worthy Thanksgiving dinner, provide needed leadership training to those who qualify, and help extraordinary students meet today’s challenging cost of attending college. These programs directly support the kids of Isle of Wight, allowing them the future they deserve.
The Kiwanis Club wishes to thank all those who participated in this richly rewarding venture. The giving spirit of the men, women, and businesses of Smithfield continues to be an inspiration. Once again, we thank you.
Jerry Healy
Smithfield Kiwanis Club

Critic of administrator

Editor, Smithfield Times
Board of Supervisors Chairman Mike Drewry spoke to the board and audience last week about his tenure on the board, and admitted to a mistake he thought he had made. He regretted voting in favor of hiring County Administrator, Jonathan Lynn. He said Lynn had not developed community relations necessary for the job in the five months he’d been there. He stated he believed his vote was what the majority in his district wanted. He soon realized his vote was the cause of a division among his constituents, and was regretful of his action. He then referred to an incident concerning Chief Animal Control Officer Russell Savedge and apologized to the Savedge family for how they had been treated by Lynn. He offered to resign from the position of Chair, not from the board.
John Seward took exception to Mr. Drewry’s remarks, especially his remarks about Mr. Lynn. He obviously considered them a criticism of the board as well as a criticism of himself and Mr. Lynn. He stated that Mr. Drewry had made remarks in the past accusing the board of not acting in the best interest of Surry. He said emphatically, “You’re wrong there!” No, Mr. Drewry was absolutely right! Then Mr. Seward said, “I’m a lifelong Surry guy. I’ve got nothing but the best interests of Surry at heart. You’re not!”
Added to and in the middle of all the unfavorable behavior of the county administrator the county EMS coordinator is causing serious havoc. So much so he has been labeled the county agitator. He is alleged to have unfairly interfered in the actions of the volunteer fire departments and rescue squad causing much dissension and unrest. It has been reported that he tries to take charge at accident scenes by interfering with the tow truck driver. Other complaints have been made.
Both the EMS coordinator and the county administrator have exhibited a lack of leadership, of fair treatment for all employees, unprofessional and inappropriate actions. In consideration of all this, this board’s responsibility is to terminate the employment of these two people; Mr. Lynn and Mr. Phelps.
Helen Eggleston
Dendron

Has his own plan

Editor, Smithfield Times
I read with great amusement today in the Smithfield Times on the issues facing Isle of Wight County School with concerns toward Hardy Elementary and Westside Elementary. Back in 2003 then Superintendent Mike McPherson proposed building a new Smithfield Middle School, changing then Smithfield Middle to an 4th grade through 6th grade elementary. This would move 4th and 5th grade out of Carrollton and Hardy. He also planned for the school board office to be moved to Smithfield behind what is now Westside. (known back then as the triple decker wide).
Working in transportation for the school system and doing population projections, I knew as did everybody else in transportation that McPherson’s plan wasn’t what was needed. We floated a proposal to build a combined Elementary and Community Center at Nike Park. The property was county owned, there are athletic fields and playground equipment already in place and the delayed Recreation center (still not built 18 years after Alan Nogiec showed me the plans) could be built.
The new Elementary could split the two Elementary zones allowing for growth, the addition to Smithfield High to accommodate the middle school students would go forth and the former Smithfield Middle would become the new school board office. Of course the plan was rejected without any discussion, because it wasn’t McPherson’s, but had it been done, Isle of Wight schools wouldn’t be facing the overcrowding issue in its elementary schools. What is now Westside would have been the school board office that could have been adjusted to return to classrooms for the renovation of Hardy 10 years ago rather than now. 
Now Isle of Wight has a chance again to fix the problem. Build the combo school and rec center at Nike Park, then move the kids out of Hardy, rebuild it, then close Westside and turn it into the school board office. Moving grades 4th and 5th back to the now three elementary schools, Carrollton, Hardy and Nike Park Elementary. It might be 15 years later, but it’s still a good plan.
And your welcome.
Darin G. Bracy
Surry

He’s running for supervisor

Editor, Smithfield Times
I am running for supervisor of the Newport District. 
Recently, I completed serving a four-year term on the Isle of Wight Planning Commission. During that time, I observed several members of the Board of Supervisors and county staff often elevating their own agenda above the needs and desires of the citizens. While fulfilling my duties on the Planning Commission, I received training outlining the responsibilities and the reasons for the commission’s existence. Many of the guidelines included in the state code were selectively and repeatedly ignored or reinterpreted by staff and supervisors. 
When my term ended, I considered the best way to use my new knowledge and insight to help the citizens of the county. Many of my friends and neighbors suggested I run for Newport District Supervisor. I have never been a politician, but I saw this as an opportunity to bring positive, meaningful change to the county’s leadership.
Currently, work sessions are held with the planning commission and supervisors. These meetings often serve as “sales presentations” for important, high impact projects. There are two major problems with this approach. First – and most importantly – it does not allow for public input into decisions the citizens will ultimately have to finance. Second no member of the Board of Supervisors possesses the technical expertise to knowledgably question these presentations.
If I’m elected, I plan to hold quarterly Town Hall Meetings to ensure that every voice in the county has the opportunity to be heard. I will always work diligently to cut expenses rather than increasing taxes. My e-mail and phone messages will always be answered promptly and as clearly as possible.
My only agenda is to work toward a county that serves the needs of the people instead of the people serving the county. 
I look forward to serving the Newport District and all other residents of Isle of Wight County on the Board of Supervisors. 
Rick Gillerlain
Carrollton

We need new ‘experts’

Editor, Smithfield Times
Just read an article where the “experts” said violent video games are not the issue causing gun related violence in America today. I wonder if those same “experts” looked into a correlation between violent video games, violent music lyrics, violent movies and television shows, to include the media and social media? You can’t tell me, with a straight face that exposing our children at an early age (under 10 in probably a lot of cases) doesn’t have an effect on them later in their lives.
We’ve gone to the extreme to not allow our children to keep score during soccer matches and baseball games (can’t have winners and losers), we’ve given out trophies to all participants to spare their feelings and make them believe they are all winners. We’ve done away with Valedictorians and in some cases class rankings because we say our 17-18 year olds can’t handle the stress and emotions of not being Number One.
So, some “expert” wants me to believe all the violence our youth are being exposed to isn’t doing some level of emotional damage? Really? I call poppycock. We seriously need some new “experts.”  
Robert Hunter
Carrollton

A lot more has been paid

Editor, Smithfield Times
Your headline last week “IW has paid $11m to Franklin” does not even come close.
Unless, of course, one reads the “fine print” below wherein you acknowledge “.. and likely…more.” But, unfortunately, most will remember only the headline.
In fact, we IWers have paid at least $33 million to the City of Franklin since 1986 and likely more than that. The “$11m” does not include the 20 years of previous payments, that were often more than $1 million each year, in this reprehensible legal extortion scheme. The reason for these payoffs may have been advisable many years ago when Franklin wanted to annex the Union Camp property unless we paid up. But not any more. Our state legislature has since put a virtual stop to these rapacious annexations by cities over counties. And rightly so!
So let’s stop these payments now. No fair jury would judge us liable for an adverse deal made 33 years ago under threat of an unconscionable land grab that now has no validity. This deal reminds me of the onerous provisions of the 1919 Versailles Treaty that caused WWII. It was wrong 100 years ago between nations, was wrong 33 years ago between neighboring municipalities and is still wrong today!
Maybe now we should sue Franklin to get our $33 million back with interest. It would fully fund a new Hardy District school and maybe even another one in the Carrsville District.
Perhaps the real scandal here is that our county appears to have no record of the multi-millions paid to Franklin between 1986 and 2006. What’s going on here ? Albert Burckard
Carrollton

Thanks to supporters

Editor, Smithfield Times
Once again the town of Smithfield has proved itself to be a small town with a big heart. The Smithfield Kiwanis Club held it’s primary fund raising event last month. It was a golf tournament held to garner funds that will help 21 separate groups that greatly help us meet our mission — to help kids.
Not only did 19 golf team members pay a bit more than usual for a round of golf, businesses across town also donated generously as sponsors of the event. In all, close to 10 thousand dollars was raised.
Those donations will help disadvantaged kids get the books and clothes they need for school, help others get a worthy Thanksgiving dinner, provide needed leadership training to those who qualify, and help extraordinary students meet today’s challenging cost of attending college. These programs directly support the kids of Isle of Wight, allowing them the future they deserve.
The Kiwanis Club wishes to thank all those who participated in this richly rewarding venture. The giving spirit of the men, women, and businesses of Smithfield continues to be an inspiration. Once again, we thank you.
Jerry Healy
Smithfield Kiwanis Club

Critic of administrator

Editor, Smithfield Times
Board of Supervisors Chairman Mike Drewry spoke to the board and audience last week about his tenure on the board, and admitted to a mistake he thought he had made. He regretted voting in favor of hiring County Administrator, Jonathan Lynn. He said Lynn had not developed community relations necessary for the job in the five months he’d been there. He stated he believed his vote was what the majority in his district wanted. He soon realized his vote was the cause of a division among his constituents, and was regretful of his action. He then referred to an incident concerning Chief Animal Control Officer Russell Savedge and apologized to the Savedge family for how they had been treated by Lynn. He offered to resign from the position of Chair, not from the board.
John Seward took exception to Mr. Drewry’s remarks, especially his remarks about Mr. Lynn. He obviously considered them a criticism of the board as well as a criticism of himself and Mr. Lynn. He stated that Mr. Drewry had made remarks in the past accusing the board of not acting in the best interest of Surry. He said emphatically, “You’re wrong there!” No, Mr. Drewry was absolutely right! Then Mr. Seward said, “I’m a lifelong Surry guy. I’ve got nothing but the best interests of Surry at heart. You’re not!”
Added to and in the middle of all the unfavorable behavior of the county administrator the county EMS coordinator is causing serious havoc. So much so he has been labeled the county agitator. He is alleged to have unfairly interfered in the actions of the volunteer fire departments and rescue squad causing much dissension and unrest. It has been reported that he tries to take charge at accident scenes by interfering with the tow truck driver. Other complaints have been made.
Both the EMS coordinator and the county administrator have exhibited a lack of leadership, of fair treatment for all employees, unprofessional and inappropriate actions. In consideration of all this, this board’s responsibility is to terminate the employment of these two people; Mr. Lynn and Mr. Phelps.
Helen Eggleston
Dendron

Has his own plan

Editor, Smithfield Times
I read with great amusement today in the Smithfield Times on the issues facing Isle of Wight County School with concerns toward Hardy Elementary and Westside Elementary. Back in 2003 then Superintendent Mike McPherson proposed building a new Smithfield Middle School, changing then Smithfield Middle to an 4th grade through 6th grade elementary. This would move 4th and 5th grade out of Carrollton and Hardy. He also planned for the school board office to be moved to Smithfield behind what is now Westside. (known back then as the triple decker wide).
Working in transportation for the school system and doing population projections, I knew as did everybody else in transportation that McPherson’s plan wasn’t what was needed. We floated a proposal to build a combined Elementary and Community Center at Nike Park. The property was county owned, there are athletic fields and playground equipment already in place and the delayed Recreation center (still not built 18 years after Alan Nogiec showed me the plans) could be built.
The new Elementary could split the two Elementary zones allowing for growth, the addition to Smithfield High to accommodate the middle school students would go forth and the former Smithfield Middle would become the new school board office. Of course the plan was rejected without any discussion, because it wasn’t McPherson’s, but had it been done, Isle of Wight schools wouldn’t be facing the overcrowding issue in its elementary schools. What is now Westside would have been the school board office that could have been adjusted to return to classrooms for the renovation of Hardy 10 years ago rather than now. 
Now Isle of Wight has a chance again to fix the problem. Build the combo school and rec center at Nike Park, then move the kids out of Hardy, rebuild it, then close Westside and turn it into the school board office. Moving grades 4th and 5th back to the now three elementary schools, Carrollton, Hardy and Nike Park Elementary. It might be 15 years later, but it’s still a good plan.
And your welcome.
Darin G. Bracy
Surry

He’s running for supervisor

Editor, Smithfield Times
I am running for supervisor of the Newport District. 
Recently, I completed serving a four-year term on the Isle of Wight Planning Commission. During that time, I observed several members of the Board of Supervisors and county staff often elevating their own agenda above the needs and desires of the citizens. While fulfilling my duties on the Planning Commission, I received training outlining the responsibilities and the reasons for the commission’s existence. Many of the guidelines included in the state code were selectively and repeatedly ignored or reinterpreted by staff and supervisors. 
When my term ended, I considered the best way to use my new knowledge and insight to help the citizens of the county. Many of my friends and neighbors suggested I run for Newport District Supervisor. I have never been a politician, but I saw this as an opportunity to bring positive, meaningful change to the county’s leadership.
Currently, work sessions are held with the planning commission and supervisors. These meetings often serve as “sales presentations” for important, high impact projects. There are two major problems with this approach. First – and most importantly – it does not allow for public input into decisions the citizens will ultimately have to finance. Second no member of the Board of Supervisors possesses the technical expertise to knowledgably question these presentations.
If I’m elected, I plan to hold quarterly Town Hall Meetings to ensure that every voice in the county has the opportunity to be heard. I will always work diligently to cut expenses rather than increasing taxes. My e-mail and phone messages will always be answered promptly and as clearly as possible.
My only agenda is to work toward a county that serves the needs of the people instead of the people serving the county. 
I look forward to serving the Newport District and all other residents of Isle of Wight County on the Board of Supervisors. 
Rick Gillerlain
Carrollton