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Is the honeymoon over in Hanover? The initial reaction when this writer learned about the Hanover County Board of Supervisors’ decision to seek changes in the Freedom of Information Act included several words that start with the letter “i,” including irate, irritated, insulted and — impeach. Granted, the last one was “in the moment” when it’s like “I didn’t hear that right.” Unfortunately, what I read by a Times-Dispatch reporter last Wednesday evening was posted for all the world to see. A kicked in the gut feeling occurred. What where they thinking? And why is it necessary to meet without the public — the people they were elected to serve — not being made aware of any gathering of this body, whether it’s two, three, four or all seven members? The reality of this desire to meet without your knowledge should make you, the citizens of Hanover County, angry. And you should expect better government from those you put your trust in to serve. Did the word transparency vanish from the dictionaries of our supervisors? Maybe these “private” meetings will make it more convenient for them, but when was making it easy for them our concern? If they don’t have the time to serve at our will and pleasure, then that’s an issue for us when election time rolls around again — and it will. When I arrived here five years ago, I was pleasantly surprised at how harmoniously government operated. That certainly wasn’t what I had been accustomed to along my career path. How refreshing it has been to see those elected and appointed function in a manner ever mindful of the people. Has that characterization become a memory? Well, we’ll see as this FOIA issue either moves or stalls. As shocking as this action was, so too was the fact that it was a unanimous vote. We hope those elected to represent us in the Virginia General Assembly will not give this any support. If so, they too can be replaced when we go to the polls. You, the people, are urged to speak out against this — and, like us, should be angry that you are being excluded in your own future. Melody Kinser
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The Mechanicsville Local
July 31, 2013
No patriotic churches or clergy listed in area I keep wondering over and over again — where are all the patriotic churches and patriotic clergy? I recently ran across an online list of patriotic churches and patriotic clergy that is broken down by state and even though not astounded at what I found, I was surprised to find that there were very few on the list for the state of Virginia and none listed for Richmond and the surrounding areas. Yes, you saw that right, “none.” If you are a patriotic freedom lover, you can check out the list here: http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/Resources/ BlackRegiment.aspx#st-VA. And if you are “looking for a patriotic church,” you can add your name here: http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/contact. aspx. Wilma Royer Mechanicsville
Questioning letter about political vigilance To the writer of the letter apologizing to all our children for not being politically vigilant: great parody! Except you forgot black helicopters and the Roswell alien landing cover-up. If it wasn’t a parody, I have a question: So, educational standards, global sustainability and science are bad things? Judy Thomas Mechanicsville
Why do county students need remedial work?
are building concepts. You add additional information to the knowledge you learned. Remember the ages of these children in kindergarten are from 4 years to 5 years. They have to be 5 before Oct. 1. Months, as most know in any age group, make a difference developmentally. Algebra, etc., are being introduced in middle school now. A lot of the students that may not pass the college level placement test may have finished their math by ninth or 10th grade. Now in elementary school children can only be retained if their parents agree to it and a child cannot fail but once in elementary then they are moved on. Again, a state mandate. Classes are averaging 24 in kindergarten and upwards to 28/29 in the other elementary levels. Children with disabilities are streamlined into these classrooms. They are pulled for additional review of the material into a smaller group setting. A statement made in the article is “no student can master the material and still fail the test as claimed by school personnel.” A child with severe disabilities is given the same test referenced and may not developmentally be able to master the material to master the test. There are students that just don’t care and answer nothing. This does happen. Also, the teachers know what generally could be on the test . . . not specific information. The tests referenced are critical thinking. There are parents that do not allow their children to use critical thinking. Critical thinking is something that is learned and the first introduction is at home with parent(s). There are parents that feel they should leave it up to the schools to teach everything, including behavior and social skills. What is needed is more parent involvement. There are parents that do not look at the papers their children bring home. If a child fails a test, they have not mastered the material. Do parents go back over the paper to make sure see LETTERS, pg. 8
I would like to respond to “Why do county students need two years of remedial work?” The community college is a two-year institution. When students do not pass the math/English placement tests to take courses in either of these subjects for both a community college or a four-year university for their program plan, they have to take remedial courses that will address the specific area that they are deficient in. Four-year institutions do not offer remedial courses. The State Department of Education decides what skills are taught at what grade level. Some of these mandates are not even developmental appropriate for the age. Therefore, when it is introduced, some children developmentally are not able to handle it. Math and English both
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