Author: Letters to the Editor

Opinion

Prince William schools should get back to the business of educating, not indoctrinating

By Letters to the Editor

An article was published entitled, ‘You’re literally setting her up for failure’: Parents accuse Prince William Co. schools of neglecting special education responsibilities.‘  In the article, parents are accusing PWC schools of giving good grades in order to pass children through the system rather than educate them.

How many negative reports on Prince William County Public Schools do we have to read to realize it is past time to replace the current school board with more educated-centric leaders and vote out the ‘woke’ crowd who are willing to go along to get along despite the damage it is doing to our children.

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Opinion

Jeannie LaCroix campaign signs vandalized in Woodbridge

By Letters to the Editor

I certainly hope it’s a coincidence that at the same time Woodbridge Supervisor Margaret Franklin’s signs appeared in Woodbridge, nearly 10 of her opponent Jeannie LaCroix’s signs were vandalized, ripped down, stolen and even run over by a truck.

In stark contrast to Supervisor Franklin’s signs, most illegally placed in VDOT right of ways, Ms. LaCroix’s dozens of signs in Woodbridge District are all placed on private property with the permission of the landowners.

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Originals

Opinion: Lame duck supervisors showed they will push more damaging land use decisions

By Letters to the Editor
[Photo: Markus Winkler/Unsplash]

These words encapsulate exactly why the board chamber was FULL of residents for the July 11 vote on Resolution 23-365. Over 1,000 residents – from across the county – wrote to the board in support of that resolution – 908 petitioned via click-to-send email, and more than 100 others sent personal email messages. More than 100 also spoke at the meeting in favor of the resolution.

Mary Ann Ghadban, instigator of the Digital Gateway data center corridor application and Pageland Lane homeowner, wrote and published those statements in multiple local newspapers on the day of the board’s vote. Her group is exactly one that should NOT be given preferential treatment by the Prince William Board of County Supervisors with their votes.

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Opinion

Opinion: Is Prince William County Becoming “Pottersville?”

By Letters to the Editor
[Photo: Markus Winkler/Unsplash]

“Companies seek Prince William as a development destination rather than economic development officials luring them in, Winn said. The economic development office simply helps companies become established once they’ve received the green light from elected officials.”

Winn also “said the that election’s results bear no impact on how her office plans to conduct business moving forward.” That aligns with Chair Ann Wheeler’s apparent intent to ignore the electorate and continue her overly solicitous attitude toward the data center industry unfettered. Her fealty to the lords commerce transcends any obligation to those she was elected to represent.

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Opinion

Wheeler: ‘I try to keep our board meetings as civil as possible despite personal attacks’

By Letters to the Editor
[Photo: Markus Winkler/Unsplash]

The July 17, 2023, letter to the editor seems to assert that because I do not agree with policies that some constituents put forward, I am being uncivil. Civility has to do with the way we communicate and treat each other as people, not our policies. 

For those who have watched the Board of County Supervisors meetings, it will be recognized that I have almost always acted civilly to staff and public speakers.  I say almost because there was one instance when a public speaker put up a picture of me that included my daughter, and that crossed a line for me, which I hope is relatable to every parent out there.

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Opinion

Opinion: Wheeler has never been ‘civil’ toward citizens

By Letters to the Editor
[Photo: Markus Winkler/Unsplash]

“The term ‘civility’ refers to using polite language in formal conversations and is closely related to courtesy and consideration. Unfortunately, it seems that civility has been lacking lately, not just in Prince William County, but throughout our nation,” Wheeler wrote.

Since Barack Obama decided to ‘fundamentally change’ the U.S., we have fallen into the abyss regarding civility on any topic. We are no longer able to discuss politics, race, schools, library books, bathrooms, the definition of the sexes, or God forbid, use correct pronouns as demanded by proper English. 

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Opinion

Opinion: Wider roads fail and the public knows this

By Letters to the Editor
Photo: Virginia Department of Transportation

With the region’s elected officials gathering at their annual retreat this Friday and Saturday, the Coalition for Smarter Growth continued to urge reform of the region’s transportation priorities.

A national poll of 2001 voters (90% of whom are drivers) released last week by Transportation for America revealed that two-thirds of Americans know highway expansions don’t cure traffic. Sixty-seven percent of American voters polled agreed that widening highways attract more people to drive, which creates more traffic in the long run, defeating the stated purpose for countless road expansion projects across the country.

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Opinion

Opinion: Wheeler and supervisors continue to subvert the public will

By Letters to the Editor
[Photo: Markus Winkler/Unsplash]

Its rough translation is that having too much pride or confidence will cause one to make mistakes that lead to failure.  Excessive pride or confidence is commonly known as arrogance.

That saying should be engraved on the political tombstone of Ann Wheeler.

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Opinion

Opinion: Passenger jet service will bring tourism and trade to Manassas

By Letters to the Editor
[Photo: Markus Winkler/Unsplash]

Thousands of small airports across the country would be expressing gratitude for any air service planning to come to their facility. Air transportation is a major employer, providing vital economic benefits and boasting high occupancy rates. Air transportation is a major contributor to the economy, bringing in outside businesses and consumers.

The economic impact and social benefits of bringing commercial air flights are too innumerable to list, but what can be summarized is that bringing tourism and trade to any new area will foster the growth of that area significantly.

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Opinion

Opinion: Supervisor Andrea Bailey wants data centers near Dumfries

By Letters to the Editor
[Photo: Markus Winkler/Unsplash]

My name is Verndell Robinson. I am an award-winning realtor of seven years who is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Maritime Law. I am running for Potomac District Supervisor because we deserve transparency and accountability from our elected officials.

For instance, most other major counties in our region maintain a lame-duck session policy. A lame duck session is the period between Election Day in November and December 31. Instituting a lame-duck session policy to prevent political games and contentious votes is routine during election years. In particular, focusing on avoiding contentious land use matters during the lame duck session. Instituting this policy gives the public confidence and ensures that Board members and elected officials do not engage in any political games or “pay to play” backroom deals.

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