Supervisor Jaeckle’s comments on immigrants and the poor To the Editor: To me, this is a case of an elected official using a cost-benefit analysis to mask prejudices against immigrants and poor families. Regarding immigrant students, she argues that spending more on ESOL programs hurts English speaking students. Where is the data for this claim? SOL scores in Chesterfield have long performed above national averages. Jaeckle said her goal is to reduce the pupil-to-teacher ratio (PTR), but it seems that she only wants to reduce class sizes for English speaking students. Chesterfield school board chairman Javaid Siddiqi states, there are 2.5…
Browsing: Letter to the Editor
Dear Village News Readers, I would like to give you some background on what prompted the discussion that was reported in such a misleading, out-of-context manner in the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Over the past several years the Board of Supervisors and the School Board worked together to restore some of the budget cuts made during the recession that, talking with teachers, principals, and parents, we felt were negatively impacting the classroom. Increased class size and loss of electives pretty clearly rose to the top. On the electives issue, let’s use orchestra and foreign languages as an example. Prior to the recession,…
To the Editor: In reference to Gena Lashley’s Column “A Process” Dec. 14, 2016: My mom and I read your article. We wanted to let you know you are NOT alone in your thoughts and feelings about Mr. Trump. From the moment he announced his intention to run for president, we began to feel anxiety and dread. To this day, those feelings have not changed. We also fear for the future of our country. It is great that you are not standing by and doing nothing. By the way, you are not the only one with some Trump supporters in…
In defense of public schools To the Editor: I started reading with interest the Village News editorial about school vouchers. After making it all the way to the second paragraph, my interest quickly turned to disbelief. I’m not aware that you’ve actually visited many of the schools you grossly misrepresent, but the picture you paint through the statements you made do not represent the schools I see in your coverage area. Village News: “Currently we know that schools in areas with families of lesser incomes have children with less opportunities and poor grades.” I’ll start with a Title I school…
RE: Spoiled brats are a blessing To the Editor: I am writing in response to the letter to the editor by Diane Goss, “‘Spoiled brats’ are a blessing,” published in the November 16, 2016 issue of your paper. Like Ms. Goss, I, too, have teen family members who are responsible, hard-working, and concerned about the future of our nation. I have no doubt that they will involve themselves positively in their environment. However, I vehemently disagree with Ms. Goss when she said that the anti-Trump supporters are “… more inclusive, more tolerant, more accepting…” than the pro-Trump supporters. Really? Tolerant?…
Trump supporters have called anti-Trump protesters “spoiled brats.” We have elected a braggart, a bigot, and a bully, and he is the real spoiled brat. After a devastating loss, I find comfort in the future generation of voters. My grandchildren, now teenagers, work hard in school. They face challenges and set backs just as every generation of young people has. They also face a future where a high school diploma does not equal a good-paying manufacturing job and college is an invitation to years of student loan debt. They don’t blame immigrants, Muslims, or the media. They know they live…
Thank you for remembering To the Editors: In several of your recently issues, you have run articles regarding our local military members. I just wanted to thank you for printing articles that are well-written and very respectful of these deceased military and their families. Hope to see more of them. (Mrs.) Chris Watson My peaceful emotional response To the Editor: This presidential campaign has become very emotional, as attested to by Gena Lashley’s article last week. I have heard people I know to be good and intelligent spout venom about Mr. Trump because of something they heard on the news.…
Letter to the Editor: My wife and I were visiting your delightful town of Chester when we stopped for a fine meal at Howlett’s Restaurant and Tavern. We happened to pick up a copy of your Village News of Oct 19. We practically fell out of chairs in laughter reading the clever Your Life article on page 5. It is a perfect parody of the Hillary Clinton campaign narrative: when you cannot address the issues in your campaign, just direct the attention to superficial and creative ad hominem attacks on your opponent. The writer did a credible job of following…
To the Editor: Regarding November 8, I reject the recent letter you printed which suggested Trump as the safer choice. Ignoring his recent sexual harassment accusations, Trump has made policy proposals that are nonsensical. He has a long history of portraying climate change as a hoax, and being actively hostile towards renewable energy. He also proposes deep tax cuts for all American taxpayers, including billionaires such as himself. This would deepen our national debt from the current 19 trillion to around 24 trillion within ten years. Hillary Cinton offers moderate, sensible, long term policies in both these areas. We need…
To the Editor: Mae West once said, “When choosing between two evils, I always like to try the one I’ve never tried before.” This is the situation we have with the upcoming election. The bottom line is we know what Hillary Clinton is. We have had to deal with her bad ideas, lack of judgment and possible criminal activity for 20-plus years. Donald Trump has his issues. But he is somewhat an unknown entity, I say give him a chance. We know what we get with Clinton. Vote for The Donald! Jim Daniels Editor’s Note: The opinions of the Editor’s…