Community conversations

Editor, Smithfield Times
In 2018 I partnered with the Carrollton Public Library to host a three-part series called Community Conversations. The goal of Community Conversations is to raise awareness of issues impacting residents of Isle of Wight County and host an open forum for education and community discussion. In 2018 we focused on mental health and incarceration, locating credible news sources and Medicaid expansion.
Each of these sessions was informative, engaging and hosted speakers from organizations across the region. I’m pleased that we will be continuing Community Conversations in 2019. The first discussion forum of 2019 will take place on Feb. 25 at 6:30 p.m. and focus on quality of life in Isle of Wight County. This will be an interactive session facilitated by Lisa Meunier, designed to hear from residents of Isle of Wight County about the day-to-day impacts on quality of life in the county.
If you can’t attend this session, then please plan to attend another session. We’ll be hosting a mixture of discussion sessions and book/journal club sessions throughout the year. To learn more about the sessions and topics or for the 2019 calendar, please contact Carrollton Public Library. All sessions are at the Carrollton Public Library and are open to the public. We hope to see you there! 
Melissa Eggen
Carrollton

Ending abortion

Editor, Smithfield Times
The national and local news agencies recently reported the deaths of two immigrant children brought into the United States of America illegally by their parents. These tragic deaths within our borders were an indirect result of an illegal act by their parents. However, on the same days that these immigrant children died, many more unborn babies died in the United States of America by a legal abortion. The death of any child is a tragedy and should be prevented.

The Supreme Court’s decision 46 years ago to legalize abortion has resulted in the death of 61 million unborn babies. In Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court declared it could not resolve the question of when life begins. However, the Supreme Court did admit that if personhood for the unborn is established, the Roe v. Wade decision could be overturned, and consequently, the right to life of these unborn children is then guaranteed by the 14th Amendment. Science is clear that the human life begins at conception when a human being is formed.
If we as American citizens can demand protection for illegal children who die after entering the United States of America illegally, we should rally to protect our own unborn children by writing, emailing or texting our representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives urging them to pass the bill “A Life at Conception Act,” declaring that unborn children are people legally entitled to constitutional protection. This small act by each of us will rescue millions of unborn children from dying by abortion-on-demand.
Ann Boyd
Smithfield

Farm Fresh reunion

Editor, Smithfield Times
A business is more than just commerce, providing goods and services for a price. A business is a citizen of the community it serves also, greatly impacting and enriching everyone it reaches.
Since 1957, Farm Fresh served Hampton Roads in hundreds of ways — welcoming home the troops overseas, floral deliveries, stopping hunger, helping our schools and helping CHKD are just a few.
While six Farm Fresh stores remain, the employees are still here too! We promise to continue giving back to the community a we always have. On March 25 at 6:30 p.m., Farm Fresh employees will have a reunion at Ynot Pizza Landstown on Princess Anne Road. All who ever worked at Farm Fresh, retired and current are invited! Please join us to reconnect with the family! RSVP: Farmfresh757 @gmail.com.
Dave Lyons
Chesapeake