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--ftappatjannocfe - Established 1877 An Independent Newspaper Published Every Thursday ARTHUR W. ARUNDEL, PUBLISHER Anita L. Sherman, Editor t Peter W. Arundel, President John T. Toler, Executive Vice President Jan Clatterbuck, Office Manager To Subscribe Phone (540) 675-3338 BY MAIL: $21 a year in Rappahannock County $27 a year elsewhere in the United States Back Copies: Recent 2 months, 50 cents Older copies to 1960, $5 (as available) Office: 249 Main Street, Washington, Va. Mailing address: P.O. Box 59 Washington, Va. 22747-0059 Telephone (540) 675-3338 Fax: (540) 675-3088 e-mail: asherman@timespapers.com Hours: 8:30 a m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday Member, Audit Bureau of Circulations www.TimesCommunity.com THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2007
Our View
• Hunting for
the bad guys
Monday evening's public hearing brought out the best and the worst in community advocacy. There were raised voices, lots of grimacing, rolling eyes and people who left in disgust. Mixing children with economics is a dicey proposition at best There isn’t anyone in this county who would deny any child the right to succeed and be happy. Likewise, there isn’t anyone in this county who would deny that rising taxes are challenging household budgets.
There were staunch supporters and naysayers of the proposed school budget, people creeping to the podium buoyed by their convictions but reluctant to test thenskills at public speaking. There were eloquent speeches like those from Bill Dietel who looked at the audience squarely, spoke from the heart and his words flowed wisely and sincerely. As a resident for over 25 years, he has seen the improvements in the school system and urged his fellow residents to not walk down a backward path. There was a lot of angst on the part of many as rising taxes force them to look for a culprit - the school system is an easy target. Being the largest recipient of the county’s coffers, how the money is spent on students was closely scrutinized, criticized and cajoled. The school system isn’t the bad guy. And those who are seeking tax relief aren’t the bad guys either. And the supervisors who have to make this no doubt contentious decision on Monday whether to fund or not fund Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Chappell’s proposed budget are certainly not the bad guys. They’ve got the toughest job of all - trying to make the most effective decision in a no win popularity contest. That’s just it. There are no bad guys in this battle for the pursuit of happiness in Rappahannock County, the right to work and live affordably and the pride in a school system that represents the very best that can be offered. What was very clear from Monday’s gathering is that there are a lot of people in this county who care and a lot of people who are hurting. There is pride laced with pain. There is responsibility partnered with rancor. There are friends and neighbors at odds over dollars. Whatever decision the supervisors make this coming Monday, they will be criticized. That’s part of the territory. That’s the price for county leadership. But the hunt for bad guys isn’t the path that the community needs to take. There are none on this one.
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