Columns

By Clay Chastain

Bedford

    Bedford is in the enviable position of being a wonderful place to live, but perhaps in need of a bit of rejuvenate tweaking to keep it so.
    Most of us love the lifestyle that Bedford offers, or else we would not choose to live here. But who of us would object if Bedford enjoyed more job opportunities, a more vibrant, bustling downtown, fewer vacant buildings, more things to do for its young people, and an overall stronger economy?

  
    Last week marked the anniversary of the first and only use of atomic bombs in warfare.
    Last year I met Jim Belcher, a fellow from Waynesboro, who came to Bedford with the Waynesboro Players when they performed “Tuesday Mourning,” a play about the Bedford Boys. Jim provided actual World War II vintage uniforms, with the correct insignia to the actors, as well as teaching the actors how to wear them and proper military bearing, which added to their authenticity.

January 1, 2013 – just five short months from now Americans can expect a higher tax bill. Individuals, families, and small businesses alike, are bracing for these tax increases and asking “how can we afford to send even more of our hard earned money to the federal government?” Nearly 13 million Americans are currently looking for work and so crushing tax increases are the last thing we need.

It turned out that President Obama’s July 13 appearance in Roanoke took on a life of its own when the Romney campaign leaped all over one segment of the speech.
    The president was discussing the role that any community plays when a business is successful. He was basically paraphrasing the remarks of Massachusetts Democratic Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren.