Back door trouble

Editor, Smithfield Times

I have what is known as an “Accountability Partner.” As such we strive to help keep the other on a straight and narrow path. One system we use is invoking the saying “You’re inviting trouble to the back door” when the other person is moving in the wrong direction on a particular issue.

Well, it seems that the Isle of Wight Board of Supervisors has “Invited Trouble to the Back Door” by voting to keep Rex Alphin as the current chairman rather than promoting Mr. Jefferson to that position as has been done for many years.

It’s not that Mr. Alphin is the only person that can keep the board on track for the county. To my knowledge, each supervisor has one vote and each can bring up any subject that is wanted. In other words, the supervisors have stirred up a hornet’s nest and accomplished nothing. In fact, Mr. Alphin has announced he will not be running in the next election, so the county has lost a very well qualified, capable leader, perhaps due to the stink that has been brought forth.

The next time the supervisors need to make a decision, maybe they should all decide if they are voting on something that in the end creates more heartache and disharmony, when leaving things alone might be the best alternative. Perhaps the supervisors should exercise strength and re-negotiate our water deal with Norfolk — the most trouble anyone could ever have invited to the back door.

D. B. Gray
Windsor

SLT in a great community”

Editor, Smithfield Times

Smithfield Little Theatre would like to say “thank you” to this great community it’s a part of. The Smithfield Times has done an excellent job of publicizing the theatre with stories and pictures for all our productions since 1962. Farmers Bank helped us start a Scholarship Fund with a generous check in 2012. Smithfield Foods employees have donated to the Scholarship Fund each year since its inception. The community at large buys Season and individual tickets every year. Quite a number of our patrons and local businesses donate funds to keep us afloat and producing some excellent shows. We list them all in our show program; or not, if they prefer anonymity.

When patrons purchase concession items at our shows, that further enhances the Scholarship Fund. We can put on a great show, but we wouldn’t be viable without public support. It takes money and it takes volunteers; the community has provided us with both for the past 54 years. Thank you. Thank you for being such a supportive, vibrant community. We hope we can continue to please with our shows. We have some great ones coming up over the next few months.

Please remember, the scholarship fund is our “thank you” to our local youth and families, to aid in higher education. The deadline this year is Friday, March 24. Information and details at www.smithfieldlittletheatre.org or the scholarship chair (Elaine Dairo) at 757-365-0387.

Elaine Dairo
Smithfield

A VFW ‘thank you’

Editor, Smithfield Times

This letter is quite overdue. In November, VFW Post 8545 of Smithfield conducted its annual Poppy Drive. It was quite successful, but that success came not just because we were there. Our success, as always, comes from the merchants, the citizens and the help we receive from our community and visitors.

What we received is respect for our country and those who protect it, as well as our God.

Tom Harper
Jr. Vice Commander
VFW Post 8545