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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2000
Our View
Amendments
Vote “Yes” on both state
constitutional amendments.
While most of the focus has been on the candidates
running for President and U. S.
Senator, we should give serious thought to the state Constitutional Amendments that also appear on the ballot November 7.
The first amendment is a no-brainer, establishing a Lottery Proceeds Fund to distribute the proceeds of the state lottery to localities for educational purposes, rather than leaving the allocations up to the General Assembly. This legislation is way overdue, and we support it.
The second amendment deals with the protection of hunting and fishing rights in the Commonwealth. It should be adopted as well.
We are asked, "Shall the Constitution of Virginia be amended to by adding a provision concerning the right of the people to hunt, fish and harvest game1?"
The answer is YES.
The proposed amendment passed the Virginia General Assembly last March, and it's one issue that Gov. Jim Gilmore and both U. S. Senate candidates support.
Such a proposal might seem superfluous to citizens of rural counties like Rappahannock, where "harvesting Nature s bounty" is considered a right and privilege.
And fox hunting — which could also be impacted by new restrictions — is also part of our heritage, and in no small way encourages the preservation of open »space and adds to our cherished rural lifestyle. • So why is amendment this necessary? Proponents 'point to other states, where groups pushing animal ■; rights and gun control have proposed legislation Restricting hunting, and are concerned that it could happen here.
In Virginia, localities have shown common sense by adopting and enforcing their own public safety ordinances, for example, prohibiting hunting near schools or in densely populated areas. That should be enough.
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