and spoke well, in favor of the budget.

and spoke well, in favor of the budget. The meeting overall showed support for the School Board and a recognition of the effort the members put into trying to fulfill state mandates and provide for a reasonable education for our children while working within the constraints placed upon them and us by the unfair composite index, keeping the taxpayers in mind at all times.

Second — With last week being Volunteer Recognition Week. I thought it was a serious omission to neglect to even mention the local Fire and Rescue Companies who have protected the lives and property of the County’s residents for more than 50 years. Not only is it ever more difficult to find the time to be a volunteer, but the State-imposed requirements to fulfill the job increase annually. Should the County be forced to go to a paid fire and rescue service, there will be a serious jump in taxes.

Most volunteers serve in whatever capacity because of a belief in the importance of the job and the sense of self-satisfaction, but a pat on the back never hurts a little public acknowledgment goes a long way!

SHERRY HAMILL-HUFF

Washington

Editor’s Note: The Rappahannock News did give credit to all the fire and rescue companies for putting their lives on the line to help those in need in last week’s editorial.

Tech Students

Gain Insight

To the Editor:

Fifteen electronic engineering students from G.W. Carver Piedmont Tech worked for RMS on a contract for Lucent last week. They were divided into two teams to perform an electronic inventory of Lucent offices in Rockville and Columbia, Md. Their knowledge of computer and network system allowed them to complete the two day task in half the time, they were then sent to Baltimore and completed that job as well.

Jack Yambor of RMS commented that they need 135 more employees for this project and would love to have more employees just like the electronic students. Mary Collins from RMS had extended this opportunity after