Editorial: Be Part of Children’s Connection
Call for student artwork and writing; deadline Dec. 6.
During the last week of each year, The Connection devotes its entire issue to the creativity of local students and children.
Letter: In Rust, I Trust
On Tuesday, Nov. 5, I plan to vote for the one person whose demonstrated experience and leadership makes him the only real choice to represent us in the Virginia House of Delegates. That person is Delegate Tom Rust.
Now What?
Results of the election are not known to me as I write this column, but polling suggests that there will be a shift towards the middle of the political spectrum in the Old Dominion this year.
Lake Anne—Light at the End of the Tunnel?
Besides being a charming place to live, Lake Anne Village is Reston’s historic heart, the place where it all began in 1964.
Letter: Strongly Opposed to Cutting Food Aid
Last week, Elizabeth Berry wrote a letter expressing concern over a bill passed by the House of Representatives that would cut food aid for nearly 3.8 million people, and asked that I oppose this legislation. I strongly oppose it. The cuts recommended by the House would eliminate free school meals for 280,000 children and aggravate an already difficult situation for many families in Virginia struggling to put food on the table. We must protect nutrition assistance programs because it’s our responsibility to ensure the neediest among us have access to food when times are hardest.
Letter: Cuccinelli: Real Solutions to Real Problems
Two of my main concerns with the welfare of Virginia citizens are well addressed in Cuccinelli's plans for the future: education and mental health care. Education is a hot topic with many people especially in educationally rich Fairfax County. We've made many strides in education for the future, but more can still be done. Cuccinelli aptly outlines areas where we're weak, statewide. Planning for future needs and student welfare in a digital age is also crucial.
Editorial: Vote Nov. 5 or Before
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5.
For voters in Virginia, it is hard to overstate how important it is to go out and vote next week. All Virginia voters will see statewide races for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general, plus one delegate race. In addition, there are a few local races in Alexandria and Arlington, a bond question in Fairfax County and a referendum question about the housing authority in Arlington.
Column: Excuse Me, Pardon Me, Excuse Me…
If it wasn’t a coincidence, it was the next thing to being one. What it was, was the hiccups; occurring after chemotherapy infusion number one and again after chemotherapy number two. The first episode lasted only a few days and annoyed my wife, Dina, way more than it annoyed me. The first hiccuping episode was fairly constant; however it was not exhausting – and I wasn’t having any trouble sleeping because of them. Nor was I making any disturbing sounds or having any difficulty breathing – when caught in mid-hiccup, and/or eating because of the herky-jerky movements/spasms of my diaphragm. In general, it was a fairly benign effect. In the big picture, it didn’t seem particularly important that it was the hiccups I was having, so I never called my oncologist. It was the hiccups after all. It might as well have been a skinned knee. Jeez. And sure enough, within a couple of days, I was “hiccuped out.”
Letter: Government Shutdown Politics
Lost in the talk of the leverage that 40 or so Tea Party Republicans have in the House of Representatives is the fact that their success depends on their being part of a larger majority (at least 218) of Republicans in the 435-member House. So, the ultimate political influence question is not whether those 40 Tea Party members come from safe seats that guarantee their re-election. The real point is that those 40 can only be an effective force if at least another 178 more-moderate Republicans (218 minus 40) are re-elected in 2014.
Letter: Vote Yes on Referendum
As a former Fairfax County teacher, I know that many families move to our area in part for the excellent reputation of our school system. It attracts families and businesses alike because an excellent school system is an investment in the economy and the community. I encourage all county residents to vote “Yes” on the School Bond Referendum on Tuesday, Nov. 5 to continue Fairfax County’s trend of excellence in education.
Letter: Frightened by Runaway Government
Kudos to the staff member in Congressman Gerry Connolly’s office who gussied up Democratic National Committee talking points in the congressman’s recently published editorial [“The Damage Is Already Done, Connection, Oct. 24-30, 2013].
Letter: Blame on Both Sides
In Mr. Connolly's editorial [“The Damage Is Already Done,” Connection, Oct. 24-30, 2013] he comes off as victim in this game called politics, when really all that comes from the Congress is lies, deceit and corruption, from both sides. I remind you that all of Congress’ (not just the Republicans) approval ratings have reached depths never before seen in our nation’s history.
Letter: Vote ‘Yes’ on the School Bond
I am writing to help inspire your readers to vote “yes” on the 2013-2014 Fairfax County School bond referendum on Nov. 5th. If you vote yes you are supporting prudent reinvestment of money back into our world class school system that helps attract new businesses to Fairfax County, one of the best places to live and work in the U.S. Delaying capital improvements will result in a lower quality education to a growing student population. Our children deserve to have excellent facilities, resources and a highly educated and talented staff so they can be successful through college and in their working years.
Letter: Taking Exception
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts.” That sage advice from four-term Democrat Sen. Moynihan trumps the quote from Santayana with which Rep. Gerry Connolly opened his tendentious Oct. 24 piece in the Connection. “The Damage Is Already Done,” your headline for Connolly’s bile-filled essay better describes his tenure on our county’s Board of Supervisors and in Congress.
Letter: School Bond Referendum—a Critical Yes
I am writing to encourage all Fairfax County residents to vote “yes” on the school bond referendum appearing on the Nov. 5 ballot. These critical bonds are the primary funding source for the construction and renovation of our schools as well as an essential investment in the heart of our community.