To the Editor: With the new school year starting, parents’ to-do lists are now filled with shopping for school clothes, school supplies, and school food. That’s right – school food! In past years, our nation’s schools were used by the USDA as a dumping ground for surplus meat and dairy commodities. It is neither a surprise nor coincidence that one-third of our children have become overweight or obese. Such dietary mistakes at an early age become lifelong addictions, raising their risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Then came President Obama’s Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, requiring double the…

To the Editor: The police shootings of two black men and the massacre of police in Dallas [and Baton Rouge] recently should make all of us stop to examine our attitudes and interactions with our fellow Americans. I was fortunate enough to be raised in a large military family.  We lived in integrated communities here in the US and in Germany. We were taught at home and school to value a person because of their deeds, not the color of their skin. However, in the late ’80s, when one of my sisters decided to marry a black man here in…

To the Editor: I am writing this letter concerning the speed limit on West Hundred Road in both directions. The speed limit is 35mph not 55 or 60 mph. Why are you speeding every day? I see drivers of cars, pickup, FedEx, postal delivery and dump trucks as well as school buses speeding, also there is a work zone on Jefferson Davis Hwy past Lowe’s posted 35mph. Why are you speeding? I hope the police will start taken action as these speeders are breaking the law. I suppose they are late for work, school, doctor or dentist appointments, shopping, etc.…

To the Editor: In my 70 plus years,I have never seen a political candidate such as Donald Trump. He has his opponents, some in the media and even the RINO’S in the Republican Party. So far he has overcame them All. He has turned his back on Political Correctness, A Disease that is destroying America today) that some of our people and Politicians seem to be infected with. Speaking as a long-time member of the National Rifle Association, as Trump and his son are also members, our 5 Million member organization just Endorsed Trump for President. You can be sure…

To the Editor: On Mother’s Day, May 8, many of us celebrated the powerful bond between mother and child. Tragically, the world-wide symbols of motherhood – dairy cows – never get to see or nurture their babies. Newborn calves are torn from their mothers at birth, so we can seize and drink the milk that mother cows produce for them. The powerless, distraught mothers bellow for days, hoping in vain for their babies’ return. The babies are kept alive elsewhere, to soon become veal cutlets. Dairy cows spend their lives on a concrete floor, chained, with no outdoor access. To…

To the Editor: They came in poodle skirts and fancy gowns and casual duds straight out of Grease. It was the first annual ‘50s Mother/Son dance at C.C. Wells. Moms who had probably worked all day dressed up to the nines for the shindig. And the boys, some sporting suits and ties, some in leather jackets with slicked back hair were so proud of their dates. I arrived a little early and took up a spot at a window looking out to the parking lot. I saw a lot of young men opening doors for Mom and offering an arm…

To the Editor: The letter from Mr. L. J. McCoy, Jr., President of the Chesterfield NAACP, contained a very interesting comment. He asked: “Why would any political party wish to continually reject an individual because he or she made a mistake in the past?” Being only a college graduate, I thought I understood the meaning of the word “mistake.” Referring the matter to Webster in order to reacquaint myself with the definition of the word, I read the following: “a wrong action proceeding from faulty judgment, inadequate knowledge, or inattention. There was no mention of the punishment associated with such…

To the Editor: L.J. McCoy’s letter of last week applauded Gov. McAuliffe’s recent executive order restoring voting rights to convicted felons. I agree. However, the executive order also includes the right to serve on a jury, run for public office, and serve as a notary. I can’t imagine any grieving parent or crime victim wanting to see a convicted rapist or murderer seated as a member of a jury for their case. In fact, worse case, I can see a convicted felon using jury duty as an opportunity to “screw” the system that incarcerated them. Cheryl Fox

To the Editor: At a recent voter registration drive at a local Walmart, we had to distribute a couple of “restoration of rights” forms. Restoring the right to vote should not be a challenging issue, but we encouraged those receiving the forms to fill in their violation dates, have it notarized, and mail it to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, then wait. The basic right to participate in our American political process had been denied to so many young, and old alike – until now. Gov. Terry McAuliffe has given an opportunity to the disenfranchised to become full-time citizens. Why…

To the Editor: At 85 years old I have been a loyal supporter of the Republican Party for many years. As of now, I feel my party has joined the Democrats in supporting anti-small business (maybe not knowingly). They have backed legislation with all kinds of rules and regulations that hold back many young people from starting their own business. Generally today, new businesses are of the “retail” kind. Insurance, rules, regulations are less restrictive. This makes it easier for start-ups, but it is the kind of business that pays employees less money. A few years back, many new small…