An amazing community

Editor, Smithfield Times
What an amazing community we live in! Isle of Wight Volunteer Rescue Squad Auxiliary completed our very successful Annual Bucket Fund Drive last month. Thank you to the Cock-Eyed Rooster and Farm Fresh for their kind hospitality in allowing us use of their store front. Thank you to our generous community supporters! A heartfelt thank you to each member of Isle of Wight Volunteer Rescue Squad that serve the residents of the Town of Smithfield and the County of Isle of Wight.

Cathy Berry
Smithfield

Difficult to explain

Editor, Smithfield Times
During the recent campaign, I was asked my opinion of the current controversy involving Confederate monuments. I had to confess that, having grown up in the North but living in the South for more than 50 years, I had found the statues odd and mildly amusing but, after reading a recent speech by New Orleans mayor Mitch Landrieu, I decided that they should not be displayed on public land. This is an excerpt that convinced me:   “(A) friend asked me to consider these four monuments from the perspective of an African American mother or father trying to explain to their fifth grade daughter who Robert E. Lee is and why he stands atop of our beautiful city. Can you do it? Can you look into that young girl’s eyes and convince her that Robert E. Lee is there to encourage her? Do you think she will feel inspired and hopeful by that story? Do these monuments help her see a future with limitless potential? Have you ever thought that if her potential is limited, yours and mine are too? We all know the answer to these very simple questions. When you look into this child’s eyes is the moment when the searing truth comes into focus for us. This is the moment when we know what is right and what we must do. We can’t walk away from this truth.”

I see that Richmond’s new mayor has decided to keep the monuments, but find some other way to address their problematical implications. I hope he does.

John Wandling
Carrollton

Gun owners for Trump

Editor, Smithfield Times
We as a nation are dangerously divided, our populace almost equally split. In my 80-plus years on earth I have never known our political parties to put forth such flawed unacceptable candidates for president and vice president as were presented this past election.

This nation is faced with so many problems over the next decade. As a former Marine and retired law enforcement officer who served to protect our Constitution and Bill of Rights, I had to hold my nose and vote for the one candidate who did not threaten the bill of Rights.

Donald J. Trump was my only choice. Yes, he lies, bullies and speaks when he should be listening, but he is not so accomplished a liar as those serving in Congress for years. He is not a politician and I fully expected him to have a long, steep learning curve and have to grow into the job. I knew he would struggle to divorce himself from his many business interests, but I could never support Hillary, nor will I ever vote Democratic again.

Hillary cut her own throat with her sound bites about the Supreme Court getting it wrong on the Second Amendment. Then, discussing about 10 anti-gun measures she intended to introduce after her election. She failed to consider the 25 million licensed hunters in the United States, an armed group five times bigger than the army of China. In addition, non-hunting gun owners own five times the guns owned by hunters. There is at least one gun for every man, woman and child in the U.S.

Of the 50 states, 38 are rated gun friendly, two marginal and 10 gun-intolerant. Trump won 33 of the gun-tolerant states. Hillary won 17 gun-friendly states, several by very close margins. In my opinion, gun owners were instrumental in Trump’s Electoral College victory.

Pete Greene
Zuni

Airport finances

Editor, Smithfield Times
I am absolutely disgusted and angry over the information coming to light about the Newport News airport.

I served the airport as a police officer for five years. In April 2012, I was told by Ken Spirito that my job was eliminated because of necessary budget cuts of $3 million that needed to be made. Other officers were also let go, including all of the police/fire dispatchers, and many other employees who gave years of selfless service to the airport and this community. Be aware that if you need police at the airport, you’ll likely be calling a cell phone in an emergency!

Now, to find out that Spirito was spending hundreds of thousands on fancy trips, pins, beer, food and cars, as well as personal car repairs? I see where my job, my career and my hard work went to. I hope airport executives really enjoyed their $500 meal at Kings Arms Tavern, plus the $400 bar bill they racked up.

How is the Commission unaware of a $50,000 marketing vehicle? It was hardly a secret. Are they in the dark about our jobs too, like they are “unaware” of the $116,000 TV/video wall in the terminal? I want justice for this crookedness. Several at that airport truly deserve some jail time. Dave Lyons
Chesapeake