Letters 02/22/12

Thanks to Ms. Guzi

    Now that the forced resignation of County Administrator Kathleen Guzi, by some members of the Bedford County Board of Supervisors has been accomplished, it’s now time to thank Ms. Guzi for her many years of service to our community. 
    Her ability, along with former boards, to be good stewards of our tax dollars has allowed our county to continue to prosper during these tough times.  She worked tirelessly as one of the most cost-effective employe of the county, who knew her way around not only the county, but Richmond, as well.  She was a hands-on administrator who was fair and forthright in the execution of her job.  
    Indeed, the class act that is Kathleen was evidenced by her sitting there, attentively, listening to a nearly 20-minute screed by Supervisor Steve Arrington that covered everything from personal issues to national and international affairs of the day, with a sprinkling of Scripture and philosophy.  Not once prior to my leaving the show, did I ever hear a heartfelt thanks from him, on behalf of his henchmen (and women) to Ms. Guzi. 
    During my quiet absorption of his words, the one thing that I kept thinking is, generally speaking, in a disagreement, the one who is wrong is the one who talks the most.
    Thanks to Mr. Cheek and Mr. Neudorfer for standing up for what is right.

John Messier
Bedford

Guzi:  prepared, qualified.

    Kathleen Guzi is a well prepared qualified professional county administrator.
    Her friendship, I regard as special. During the past many years, I had the privilege of working with her on county business. I found her both a protector of her employer as well as a seeker of things better.
    There were a few times I needed help with personal matters regarding the county. For instance, when my home was struck by lightning, her help averted costly delays and discomfort to my family. I have the highest respect for her abilities and her demeanor. And to think, Bedford County had a surplus?
    It was with great distress and surprise when I found Kathleen had resigned. I lift my hat to her and send the supervisors a swift kick.

Bob Stephens
Destin, Fla.

Whose fault?

    As a transplant from Detroit, and an union member for 25 years, I know a little something about city councils, but not so much about boards of supervisors. However, I’m sure there isn’t a lot of difference in the two, usually one person that directs/convinces the others to vote his/her way. Also, when the city manager, in this case the administrator, is dismissed it usually is a matter of that individual not marching in lock-step or parroting the mantra of this one individual or maybe two individuals.
    Now, in fairness, I have only heard rumors around the admin building and on the street, but what about this notion...doesn’t the administrator answer to and take her directions from the board in all but minor financial and personnel matters? If so, doesn’t it stand to reason then that if the county’s direction isn’t going in the right direction then it’s the board’s fault not the administrator? Maybe they should resign and let a new board set the direction for the county.
    Anyway, that's my two cents worth and before someone writes in in response to my comments and tells me to go back to Detroit...not on your life!
    Then I would just have to put up with bigger problems. Happy trails!

Bill Issac
Vinton

‘Soft shoe’ dance
 
    I read with interest the account of the meeting concerning Ms. Guzi’s tenure with the county.
    I have attended a goodly number of board meetings and have watched with concerned interest the actions of the board and Ms. Guzi. I always found her to be quite articulate and, at lease in the meetings I attended, very exact in her description of whatever the agenda subject was, even as some supervisors mumbled and appeared to have a problem understanding plain English.
    In a feeble attempt to explain why the board made such a decision, two of the board members gave some sort of “soft shoe” dance about the county having to move forward and “we’re ready for a change.” What?
    Then the comment was made that there were “no legal, moral, or ethical reasons” for their decision. What’s left? You guessed it, a personal vendetta on the part of several members of the board. And, Mr. Cheek’s comment, “To me she’s done a great job and I’m sick with the vote tonight.” Hello, why then did you vote then to dismiss her? I’m sorry, to accept her resignation.
    Let’s not forget Mr. Arrington’s comment about a mandate from the people—the only mandate I saw in the last election was Sheriff Hutchenson in Campbell County (82 percent) and Sheriff Brown in Bedford County (75 percent).
    And, why did two members, on the board only one month, vote at all? Oh, they’re probably all-knowing, or taking their marching orders from another member—you decide.
    I must say that I have never heard such psycho-babble as that coming from the board members, those with enough backbone to speak, as quoted in the paper. Such mumbo jumbo I have not had the occasion to hear since I retired from the federal government. I believe the only member to “hit the nail on the head” was Mr. Neudorfer. I think I heard that he was a retired FBI agent...me too, but much, much older.
 
William “Bill” Fizelle
Forest

Demand is increasing

    Making deep cuts to the funding of critically important nonprofit services and still expecting our economy to grow does not make sense at a time when demand is increasing and these services are more necessary than ever.
    Virginia’s nonprofits partner with the state to provide education, job training, workforce development, health care and family services - the keys to creating thriving communities. Not only do we add value to the Commonwealth’s investment in these areas by leveraging private support, we are also the second largest employer among Virginia industries with 350,000 full- and part-time employees and volunteers.
    Bills in the General Assembly that divert revenue from the sales and use tax to the transportation fund will only create more hardship in our communities since the vast majority of sales tax revenues go to support education and health care services. Had this diversion been in place over the last four years, an unimaginable $880 million would have been diverted from core education and health and human services. None of us are strangers to gridlock, but improvements to our transportation infrastructure must be funded in other ways.
    Likewise, citizens who want to see a thriving Commonwealth need to ask their legislators to support bills that restore funding to core services. These cuts affect services to homeless individuals and families with members who have disabilities among many, many others.
    As an employee of a nonprofit that helps Virginia citizens thrive in their homes, schools and communities, I am asking the General Assembly to say no to the sales tax diversion and yes to restoring cuts to programs that promote well-being for individuals -- and our Commonwealth.

Diane Exner
Director of Developmental Services
Lutheran Family Services of Virginia

Poverty - choice or chance?

    I have written several discussions (Premeditated Poverty, Inflicting Poverty, Preventable Poverty) that should prove most poverty is Choice not Chance, yet the present policy of the Federal Government under Democrats is that poverty is Chance (Environmental, Racial, etc.). 
    Many would advocate the government is serving the people if the government tries to help people, but there are two problems with trying to help people: 1) A lot of people want help, but do not want to change/work, and 2) trying to help people is an economic disaster because you can never do enough.   Socialism has destroyed every nation that has tried Socialism.  In a good economy, the costs of Socialism can be masked, but in a bad economy, Socialism can only be paid for only by increasing the debt of the nation.
    I believe it would be better for America to phase out all Socialism.  This means accepting greater risk, but I believe America was founded on the concept of “In God We Trust” and High Risk. 
    Education is the Socialists hope and dream.  Socialists think the solution to all problems is to educate people to prevent risk.  Education and the passing of knowledge is the mark of humans over animals, but one has to admit there are humans that cannot be educated because of ignorance or attitude.
    The attitude problem is where people now believe the government must provide for them and they are willing to vote for Democrats to make sure the government provides for them (they could care less about the economy).
    Socialists never admit failure.  Socialists always say there should have been more money spent to make the Socialism work.  This is self serving since the Socialists manage the Socialistic programs and make big money off the management.
    All of the above is a part of politics because the Republican Party advocates Democracy, Christianity and Capitalism and the Democratic Party advocates Democracy, Atheism/Secularism and Socialism. No Christian should ever vote for any Democrat.

Clifford D. Russell
Forest