Hanover school board needs accountability In Hanover County, decisions on hiring school administrators and employees, and hundreds of thousands of your tax dollars, are routinely based on political connections. It’s damaging our school system and its reputation. Our school board members should be elected by the people, not appointed as political favors by board of supervisor members. Having an elected school board — accountable to the citizens that fund the enormous amount of money they appropriate — would go a long way in preventing the type of cronyism and self-dealing that is becoming more common in recent Hanover County Public Schools administrations. I hear people ask, “Why change to elected members if we have a good school system?” I believe this question is asked of those who had children in Hanover schools in the distant past. Many of us that currently have children in HCPS — especially those that attended HCPS as students — see problems. According to HCPS’ own budget, student enrollment is already dropping in our schools, while Chesterfield and Henrico schools are projecting student growth. New families are finding those counties’ schools preferable to Hanover schools. And we all know unhappy teachers in Hanover are fleeing to surrounding school systems in greater numbers. Public officials who are appointed only have to do what’s best for one person — the person that appoints them. If the school board as an
Taking issue with engineers of 360 changes I really hope I never meet the moron(s) that designed the complete Charlie-Foxtrot that is the new Bell Creek Road/ U.S.360 intersection. I won’t be held responsible for my actions if I do. Admittedly, the original intersection had some problems, but by far the biggest wasn’t in the intersection itself, it was thoughtless, selfish drivers — people getting into the outside (far left) left turn lane on the north side of Bell Creek, and then when the light changed, racing the inside left turn lane traffic or trying to merge through that traffic to reach the on-ramp for northbound Interstate 295. Some minor changes to the original intersection, along with proper signage and an adequate enforcement effort to back up that signage, would have corrected those problems, for far less money, time and frustration. Instead, the new design has
isolated several businesses — I know that IHOP has had to lay off staff due to the significant drop in business and I wouldn’t be surprised if they close, along with the Shell station and the cluster of businesses in front of WalMart — and created a nightmare of traffic confusion and a huge potential for wrecks at the new intersection. Meanwhile, other needed fixes have been postponed or skipped for lack of funds, or just being unaware of the need. The intersection at Cold Harbor and Catlin is in desperate need of a stoplight, as are some others in the area, but instead we get this Bell Creek fiasco. It’s ridiculous. Steve Sneed Mechanicsville
people. When Preet Bharara (United States attorney in Donald Trump’s district in Manhattan) was on the Trump crime trail ... Trump fired him. When Sally Yates (former assistant attorney general) tried to warn the White House that traitor Mike Flynn was conducting himself in an illegal and traitorous way with the Soviet Union (on behalf of Trump) ... she was fired. Then, after James Comey was approached (several times) by Trump in several illegal scenarios to get him (Comey) to stop investigating Trump and
officer) or a reality show liar? Your “fairy tale” on Russia — whispering in your ear at the election polls this past November, let me ask you; are you a Geo-political analyst who is privy to what Russia is up to? Are you aware of all the mountains of evidence Robert Müller is plowing through on everything he has on Trump as I write this rebuttal? Do you know what Russia is up to? Vladimir Putin is a former KGB colonel. His sole purpose in life is to restore the old Soviet Union ... and you’re encouraging him. Question: Is see LETTERS, pg. 18
Introducing Gardenbrook Homes Starting in the Upper $200’s
Rebutting letter and political stance To Raymond Germeroth: When I read your July 5 letter to the editor whining about Toni Radler .... my (usual) first knee-jerk response was to prepare a rebuttal. I immediately remembered that I have been preparing these rebuttals (against your hate) .... for seven years! To no avail ... a waste of time. This wouldn’t have lasted so long if not for a lack of common decency on your part. That old proverbial horse folks lead to that water ... is exactly like you folks ... ya can’t make them drink. My wife insisted that in order to inform the public (with truth and not hate-inspired filth) that it is my duty as a concerned citizen and my duty as a veteran to call you out, so here I am again (scheeesh). You have whined about Barack Obama to the nth degree. Obama is out of office now and has been for six months. Yet you still can’t get over it. I imagine race-hate certainly runs deep in “some”
everything he is involved in ... he (Comey) also was fired. You see, not only does this establish a pattern, but Jim Comey is a well-respected member of the FBI. He’s spent decades (working for Democrats and Republicans alike) dedicated to enforcing the law (and he is a Republican) ... and your Trump has been a swindler, a rapist, a liar, a money launderer, a smuggler, a flimflam artist, a philanderer, a fraud, a racist, a cheat, a racketeer and a reality show host. Why would anyone believe — a longtime and highly dedicated LEO (law enforcement
Model ly i Open Da
LD SO The Brookfield
The Palmetto
The Edenbrook
42 49 Beautiful Lots in the Heart of Mechanicsville Balducci Realty and Builders’ newest neighborhood, conveniently located close to schools, shopping, doctors, etc. Just ½ mile past Lee Davis H.S. off Compass Point Lane. These custom built homes will be starting in the upper $200,000s, featuring several brand new traditional and Craftsman ranch and two-story floor plans. Gardenbrook features several open spaces including a playground, sidewalks, walking trails and pond. The homes in this cozy community will be exclusively offered by Balducci Realty and Builders.
RICK BALDUCCI REALTY & BUILDERS
INC
Continued from pg. 8
elected body, members would have to do what’s best for the citizens — and students — of Hanover County. The school board has become a rubber stamp for administrators and politicians. Not a check on their power. This happens in fascist governments, not democratic ones. HCPS has evolved to serve the interest of administrators, not students, parents and teachers. This is why my family went to Hanover Citizens for an Elected School Board’s Facebook page to sign the petition to support a referendum being added to the ballot in 2017 that will put school board member appointments where they belong: in the hands of the people. Randall White Sr. Mechanicsville
557418-01
LETTERS
363-4380 OR 730-0033
www.BalducciRealty.com The Mechanicsville Local
July 12, 2017
17