What were they thinking?

Editor, Smithfield Times
Regarding our supervisors’ recent decision to allow a successful white business friend to put his commercial building in a low-income, mostly African-American, residential area and right next to an historic, former segregation era black school building that is now a private home, gentlemen, what were you thinking?  OK, I know and you know that is not what you thought. But that is what you did and, apparently, what some of the public thinks you thought. And even if one ignores what we saw and heard you express at your 17 July public meeting: 1) several supervisors indicated they were personal friends of the applicant and 2) one Supervisor even presented a longer than the time allowed for the public “dog and pony show” supporting his business buddy. Not only were the “optics” of this bad, but the timing was even worse. You should have at least suspected a political minefield when the “minority majority” Hardy District supervisor expressed his concern and, along with the long-serving chairman, voted against this exceptional “spot change” to the Comprehensive plan. Here we are now, the whole county, embarking on the difficult task of updating our Comprehensive Plan to guide our future development and what do our Supervisors do? They publicly proclaim that the plan means nothing to them when it comes to doing a favor for a friend.  What’s the point of even going through this 18-month process of “improving” our Comprehensive Plan when our Supervisors simply do what they want anyway? Albert Burckard
Carrollton

Transportation opportunity

Editor, Smithfield Times
A real opportunity for those without transportation is opening up. The Presbyterian Home’s closing has made four I-Ride type vehicles available to Senior Services of Southeast Virginia. They hope by the end of August or September to have them in operation for public use. The main idea is to connect Ivor Medical, Western Tidewater Free Clinic and Obici Hospital with, in addition, a loop through Isle of Wight starting from Obici, through Chuckatuck, Smithfield and back through Isle of Wight Courthouse to Windsor. There is $20,000 in grant money. One of the vehicles is scheduled to stop at the Free Clinic two days per week. In addition, two vehicles will be parked at Obici and Southampton Hospitals for after-hour assistance for those without transportation. One vehicle will be held in reserve as backup. Though exact schedules of hours and days are not known at this time, we need to be looking for public notices announcing this new program so that its trial period will get off to a great start. If sufficient persons utilize this new transportation, it could become permanent, with huge benefit for citizens without transportation — especially senior citizens. Suggestions will be welcome during the trial. It is easy to overlook public notices, so this letter is your heads up. Announce in your churches the coming into existence of this special transportation trial effort to meet a desperately needed service in Isle of Wight. Thomas Finderson
Carrollton

To Council: We like vendors

Editor, Smithfield Times
I am becoming weary with the constant “hand winging” about the vintage market and the Christmas market. Let me be clear. The markets are good things. Downtown merchants make money with vendors in the street. Putting the vintage market at the fairgrounds means we lose money. My customers love the vintage market events. Speaking of “situational awareness,” the Town Council still does not get it. Randy Pack needs to understand that downtown merchants like the street vendors. They do not “run us off.” Pack’s comments were of the politically correct variety. Now, a party of one who is not a merchant but a salaried employee has forced Amy Musick to withdraw the market application. What a shame! The Smithfield Times like to highlight anything negative about the vintage market. The paper highlighted the fact that we must be sensitive to the quality of life of town “been heres.” As a member of the “come late” community as defined by the mayor, am not aware of any complaints by the “been here” members. The solution to the Arts League director’s concerns is obvious and easily executed. First of all, do not place any vendors in front of 319 Main Street. Secondly, during market setup, place crime scene police tape in front of the 319 Main Street building to ensure that “private property” rights are not violated. End of story. The Arts League director stated that she did not know where to turn with her issue. I would recommend that she walk across the hall to the Tourism Department, which is the other major tenant of 319 Main Street. The root cause of this street market issue is that Ketcham did not respond well to the Arts League director’s complaint on the night of the Christmas market, and now, we must all pay the price. By the way, Main Street has been a construction site for much of 2017, which included the painfully slow repair of the sidewalks (six months). Now, the Town Council is concerned about “running off downtown merchants?” Really? Give me a break. Robert K. Redlin
Smithfield

Broadcast bias showing

Editor, Smithfield Times There used to be an adage that said reporters report the news, they don’t create it. I don’t think that is the case anymore. I should not even be able to guess which party a reporter supports. It’s not just the news that appears biased, but the media in general. There is something plain wrong when the press presents analysis of a news story as fact, as headline news. It is not fact. It is better suited for the opinion pages, talk shows or some other commentary format. And when a reporter publishes a story that is one-sided without fact checking, it isn’t just fake news, it is libelous. This is especially true when it defames someone’s character. And to insinuate that a legal U.S. citizen is somehow less of a U.S. citizen based on their origin of birth is shameful. There has been a lot of talk lately of how Russia meddled in our recent elections. I agree that if this proves to be the case, we should be very disturbed. But to think this is the first time someone who is not a legal U.S. citizen has influenced our elections is wrong. We have only to turn on our TV to hear entertainers from across the globe tell us how we should vote. Many of them don’t stop there. It is not unheard of for them to host parties to support their favorite candidate. Where is the anger at their meddling? You would think the media would be concerned about their ratings. I find that doubtful. Alienating potential views through political rhetoric can’t possibly boost their numbers. Here’s a thought. Maybe if the media would start reporting and entertaining in an unbiased manner, viewership would increase. Now, that would be a story worth writing about. Jajala Schweiger
Smithfield

A time to remember

Editor, Smithfield Times
On the 72nd anniversary of the Historic bombing of Hiroshima, Aug, 6, 1945, it’s once again time to honor the Enola Gay B-29 crew members with a Prayer. One of the crew was a resident of Smithfield Virginia at the time of his passing, the plane Commander, USAAC Captain Robert Lewis. Bob Lewis in the early morning of Aug. 6, 1945 was assigned as the Co-Pilot on that mission, and Colonel Paul Tibets, the Wing Commander choose to pilot the plane. “Eternal rest grant them O’lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. Amen.” Earle B. Southard Jr.
Smithfield

Correct information

Editor, Smithfield Times
Misinformation about Finley’s General Store, which I own, was published in your paper last week, and I would like to provide the correct information. Some of these items are from our wonderful farmers market vendors, which are purchased and resold, just like all stores do. Some of the handcrafted items are sold on commission. We don’t have vendors “set up permanent displays in exchange for a fee,” as you reported. Cheryl Finley Ketcham
Smithfield

Markets are wonderful

Editor, Smithfield Times
Darden’s Country Store has been a vendor at the Smithfield Farmer’s Market for 12 years. We have also participated in the more recent Vintage and Christmas markets. Under Cheryl Ketchum’s management, our Farmers and Specialty Markets have expanded and grown into one of the most popular and successful markets in the Tidewater Area. We have the accolades to prove it! Thanks to Cheryl, our markets have won numerous Gold Awards in the “Best of Coastal Virginia” and selected as one of the “Top 101 Farmers Markets in America”. Cheryl Ketchum is a hardworking, hands on, dedicated manager. She successfully uses social media to promote and advertise our markets. Our vendors and a large majority of our customers come from outside the county. She must be doing something right as she has a waiting list for vendors and customer numbers continue to increase to over 7,000 people for special events. I hope that one vendor, who obviously didn’t follow the rules, will not spoil it for the rest of us, but especially for the downtown merchants. If asked, I believe most downtown stores, especially restaurants will tell you that “Business is Booming” during the downtown special events. I have faith that this negative attack on Mrs. Ketchum and the Tourism Department will not affect their enthusiasm and creativity. Any locality should be so lucky to have Mrs. Ketchum and our hard working, experienced and professional Tourism staff. We should all thank them for doing a fantastic job promoting Smithfield and Isle of Wight County. Dee Dee Darden
Smithfield