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Letters To The Editor

Tuesday, May 06, 2008 - 12:09 AM

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Little-Known Facts About Address Change

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

Henrico residents in 11 ZIP Codes are receiving a survey from the postal service asking about a proposed change to their mailing address from "Richmond, VA" to "Henrico, VA." Surveys must be returned by May 10.

Residents should be aware of some less publicized facts regarding the proposed change:

Responding "yes" includes changing "Highland Springs, VA" to "Henrico, VA." Highland Springs will be relegated to a "secondary" address. Highland Springs has been a "primary" address since its founding in 1890 and has maintained its own ZIP code, 23075, since ZIP codes were established in 1963.

The many flyers, brochures, and other advertisements distributed by the county show a list of seven items under the heading "Just what could $5 million do?" Note that $5 million will do only one of the items listed. Some citizens have incorrectly interpreted the materials to mean that all seven items could be done.

The problem of incorrect reporting of tax revenue is a statewide problem that could be resolved for all localities by the Department of Taxation and/or the General Assembly.

Some citizens believe that making the change may reduce their home and/or automobile insurance premiums. It most likely will not. Insurance companies base their premiums on the location of their policy-holders, not their mailing address.

Please consider all of the facts and respond to the survey as best benefits not only Henrico, but also the City of Richmond and our entire state.

Charles Hague. Richmond.

Chesterfield Must Not Neglect Police Force

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

As a 30-year resident of Chesterfield, I have seen firsthand the many effects of runaway growth.

Houses are being built faster than roads, children are educated in trailers, and our water quality is in peril -- yet Chesterfield remains a wonderful place to live. The one thing that will bring our county down the fastest is the loss of an effective police force.

Chesterfield has been a glorious place to live with all the top-quality resources and services we enjoy. The police department ranks at the top of the list. As this county bulges at the seams, crime is spreading to areas that hardly knew it 10 years ago -- and with a huge geographic area to cover, the police force is the most important piece of a puzzle that is getting ever harder to fit together.

Our supervisors have contributed to the irresponsible growth here and are making matters worse by cutting law enforcement off at the knees. The funds lost due to the recent reduction in the property tax rate would have been a good investment toward fixing this problem.

We need to realize that as the county gets more crowded, "big-city" problems will follow and we are left with an inexperienced and understaffed police department. The citizens of Chesterfield had better demand full funding for this area if we want to keep this a great and safe place to live.

Coleen English. Midlothian.

Some Whites Recoil From Obama's Success

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

Regardless of what anyone says, race is a factor in the Democratic primaries. What the Rev. Jeremiah Wright said is just an excuse to turn against Barack Obama. And what Obama said about Pennsylvania is another excuse. Many white Americans just cannot conceive of a black American being the Democratic nominee.

Let's face reality -- race relations have come a long way, but we still have a long way to go here in America. When the primaries started, many whites and blacks never thought Obama had a chance. Now that it appears he has a chance of winning, many white Americans are seeing "white only" for the presidency.

Regardless of how astute a black person might be, many whites believe, and probably always will believe, they are superior to blacks, and they cannot fathom a black man becoming commander-in-chief.

Dorothy M. West. Richmond.

Doctor's Orders: Let's End This Race

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

There is no question that both Democratic presidential candidates are capable people. The only way to derive an end result in this race is for the superdelegates who are still undecided to make their intentions known. To wait any longer is an artificial way to prolong a race that is already coming to a close, based on the polling numbers and mathematics.

Yes, the remaining contests must take place, and everybody must have a chance to voice a position. Since it is already purported that the super delegates are going to decide this thing anyway, why not start as of today? Let's finish what has been a gruelling and prolonged debate.

If a candidate has the lead in states won, delegates, and popular votes, then that candidate should be the nominee. Any other treatment of this matter would not exemplify a fair process.

We don't need 100 more years of war, and we especially don't need a candidate who has concerns about preserving a long-standing legacy. Let's really chart a new course. It just might be what the doctor ordered.

P.W. Aitcheson. Locust Grove

Candidate Is in Danger Of Harming Himself

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

Concern for his well-being seems to be mounting for Sen. Barack Obama, of the mellifluous voice, as he faces the danger of being sucked up in the vacuum of his meaningless verbiage.

H.W. Bartholomay. Richmond.