Opinions for InsideNova.com

New taxes!

Fri, 16 May 2008 00:00:01 EDT

These are some of the online reader reactions to Gov. Tim Kaine’s plan to raise money for transportation in Virginia.

Improve hospital, don’t give it away

Fri, 16 May 2008 00:00:01 EDT

Recently, editions of the Manassas Journal Messenger and the Washington Post carried a one page ad paid for by the Prince William Hospital and Inova, again promoting the merger of the two institutions.

Arts center should not be a priority

Fri, 16 May 2008 00:00:01 EDT

It is appreciated the article that Mr. Scarton wrote regarding the George Mason University Performing Arts Center. However, how, in good faith, can Prince William County “cough up” $26,400,000 in these acknowledged hard times for citizens?

Drilling for an energy plan

Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:01 EDT

When President Bush took office in 2001, the price of oil was around $30 a barrel. Six years later the price had doubled. Democrats promised voters they had “a common sense plan to help bring down skyrocketing gas prices.” On October 20, 2006, just before the Democrats took over Congress, a barrel of oil was about $57.

Will the real John McCain please stand up

Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Some of us may be old enough to vaguely recall a nearly forgotten movie with the title, “Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?” While that 50 year-old film starring Tony Randall and Jayne Mansfield has nothing to do with politics, it might suggest an increasingly apt phrase for John McCain these days. (Now if only McCain’s real name was Rock.)

Stop keeping up with the Joneses

Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

After reading today’s opinion piece from The (Waynesboro) News Virginian, (Borrowers beware of government’s hand), I just had to chime in.

New solutions for transportation

Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

With the failure of the state’s transportation “solution” featuring the unconstitutional taxing power of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, new methods must be found.

Writer demands proof from Pineda

Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Mr. Pineda continues to rant about a lot of issues and topics most of which are not related to today’s illegal alien situation.

Have the media anointed Barack Obama as the Democratic nominee too quickly?

Wed, 14 May 2008 09:01:00 EDT

This new weekly feature allows you the chance to wax politically. Try it right now.

Healthy priorities

Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Our health care system is not perfect. It relies on insurance to keep it running smoothly, and unfortunately, many people are uninsured or underinsured.

Road plan looks like road kill

Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Gov. Tim Kaine pitched his $1.1 billion transportation plan during a news conference on Monday, asking lawmakers for an assortment of tax increases to pay the bills.

Rezoning agricultural land in the county

Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

It was of great disappointment and deep hurt that the Prince William Board of County Supervisors (7-1) decided to rezone 152 acres of A1, agricultural land to Planned Business District in the Bristow and Brentsville community of agricultural, historical and residential living — especially as their appointed planning commissioners were completely in denial of this rezoning.

Split the entree and you can lose the weight!

Tue, 13 May 2008 00:00:01 EDT

Some people are born to fatness. Others have to get there.
— Les Murray (poet)

Cultural boon

Tue, 13 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

After nine years, work has finally begun on the Hylton Performing Arts Center. We can’t wait until it is done.

Homeland security begins at home

Tue, 13 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

When I read Mr. Bradish’s April 29 letter, I was surprised that he had used another person’s quotation. Namely “What are we going to do about the foreigners trespassing in our country.” I believe that statement came from Geronimo or Sitting Bull; maybe Powatan.

Hooray for Kermit Dance and Sheryl Bass

Tue, 13 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

My husband and I had the honor to help campaign and work the polls for Kermit Dance.

Writer disappointed in supervisors’ decision

Tue, 13 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

I am writing to express my disfavor with the vote cast by the Board of County Supervisors, in favor of closing down the Manassas Senior Day Program.

Dog bite prevention week is on its way

Tue, 13 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

May 18 to 24 is Dog Bite Prevention Week. One way to create a dangerous dog is to chain it to a tree or doghouse and leave it to pace the same patch of dirt for years on end.

A warning about gang clothes

Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:01 EDT

I can remember gangs even in small-town Mississippi where I grew up as a teenager.

Unspoken portions of the county’s tax

Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:01 EDT

Although Prince William County has finally approved the base rate percentage of the upcoming real estate tax, most taxpayers are not aware or conscious about the four other segments of fees (another form of taxes) that are attached to the annual real estate tax.

Borrowers beware of government’s hand

Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Beware government’s helping hand, poised to plunge into the mortgage crisis and sweep to the floor a wounded market rising, feebly but resolutely, to recover.

Hillary and the golden handshake

Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

What will it take to get Hillary Clinton to quit?

A job well done at Okra’s in Old Town

Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Hats off to the owner and staff of Okra’s for a wonderful jazz(blues)fest recently. There was great music, food, crafts and activities for the kids.

Traffic is out of control on Woodbridge street

Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

My mother in law lives on East Longview Drive in Woodbridge and I am over there almost every day and it is absolutely ridiculous at the traffic they way they run up and down that street.

A fond farewell to O’Meara’s

Sun, 11 May 2008 13:47:00 EDT

The doors of O’Meara’s in Manassas closed with little fanfare or attention. But we would like to take a moment to say goodbye.

Freedom of speech in Prince William County

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:01 EDT

In reference to a May 7 Potomac News article written by William Westhoff titled “Frank Principi is the hero of PWC,” in which Mr. Westhoff referred to “many obnoxious citizens.”

Teachers taken for granted

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

This week, the Prince William County School Board approved the budget for next school year. The budget, as per previous agreements, was heavily influenced by the actions of the Board of County Supervisors. The Board of County Supervisors got what they wanted — a lower tax rate.

There is not enough room for all to come

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

In Wednesday’s edition, the Potomac News had three letters about illegal immigration.

A refusal to go any further

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

When I was in high school, I thought Albert Camus was the coolest thing since hot buttered toast.

Thank you everybody for your support

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

I would like to thank all of those who supported me on May 6 in my campaign for Dumfries Town Council.

Barack Obama is the real thing

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The more the media attacks Barack Obama while giving a pass to Hillary “NAFTA” Clinton and John “100 Years” McCain, the more convinced I become that Obama is the real thing.

Jacobsen is his own perfect example

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Gary Jacobsen’s column “You, too, can be a columnist” in the May 6 addition of the Potomac News is right on target.

A bloodless change of power

Sat, 10 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Our Democratic system of government really is a glorious thing when you think about it.

A bloodless change of power

Sat, 10 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Our Democratic system of government really is a glorious thing when you think about it.

Primaries overshadow squirrel

Sat, 10 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

I want my news back.
The seemingly endless Democratic presidential nomination drags on and on, grinding its way from one state to the next with countless annoying robocalls and bucketloads of empty speechifying, even though experts tell us the only way Hillary Clinton can win is to clone her own superduper delegates in a secret lab or produce incriminating photos of Barack Obama kissing the Rev. Jeremiah Wright full on the mouth while simultaneously setting fire to an American flag.

More information on Stephen Hawking

Sat, 10 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Stephen Hawking is a world renowned theoretical physicist whose work on black holes in the universe and his discovery of “Hawking Radiation” whose ideas or observations have extended beyond theoretical physics. I first saw this on the Larry King show where he was interviewed.

A delightful night at the new symphony

Sat, 10 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

On Sunday, I attended the first concert of the newly formed Dominion Symphony Orchestra and the concert was wonderful.

To those against illegal immigration

Sat, 10 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Those against illegal immigration, starting today, boycott all Mexican products, including our food, beer, tequila and our labor.

Hogan letter to editor requires a response

Sat, 10 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

I do not normally feel the need to join in the discussion here, but Michael Hogan’s letter on May 7 gave me a brilliant idea.

Animal cruelty

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:02 EDT

These are some of the online reader reactions to a May 5 story about a Prince William County police investigation into Assisi’s Animal Rescue Foundation in Manassas Park. As a result of the investigation, the rescue foundation recently turned over more than 100 dogs and cats to the county.

Quality over quantity

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:01 EDT

Tomorrow marks the end of Drinking Water Week around the country. Every year, the Prince William County Service Authority calls attention to the occasion to remind our customers and the community to consider the tremendous value and necessity of one of life’s most precious resources.

Inaugural concert a great success

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

There is a new and extremely rare jewel in the crown of Prince William County in the form of the new Dominion Symphony Orchestra of Prince William, which gave its inaugural concert to a capacity crowd Sunday, May 4 at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Woodbridge.

Show up for hearing on transportation

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The Commonwealth of Virginia will hold a public hearing on the downsized six-year transportation plan. The recent Virginia Supreme Court decision eliminates funding sources for the Northern Virginia Transit Authority.

Branching out, but losing roots

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

I still remember the look on my wife’s face when I took her to her first NASCAR race five years ago. The race was in Dover, Del., which is a tame venue when compared to tracks in Talladega, Ala., or Bristol, Tenn.

Exceeding expectations

Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:01 EDT

A few weeks ago, I wrote a rather scathing column about the one dollar advertised County property tax rate. While I mentioned it was the maximum rate, not the final rate, I expressed doubt that any lower rate would be considered: “the final rate could theoretically be lower. However, I wouldn’t expect it.”

The public pandering game

Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

You can learn a lot about the mettle of a presidential candidate by how well she (or he) panders to the masses. Pandering, of course, is a way of life in politics and everybody does it. The trick, I suppose, from a cynical point of view, is not to let on that you are pandering, even when it’s clear beyond any shadow of a doubt that you are.

Freedom of press and journalistic integrity

Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

I disagree with Mr. Jerome C. Burchard’s opinion piece published in the April 26 edition of this paper.

Governor revives metro rail to Dulles

Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Common sense prevails at the U.S. Department of Transportation. The feds have now approved the subway extension to Dulles Airport. This decision should have been a “slam dunk” since Northern Virginia has the second worst traffic congestion in the nation.

A bold new winner

Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Jeff Frederick wants to be a GOP winner.

Healthy living

Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Our couch potato ways have caught up to us in the United States as obesity rates soar.

What should the United States do to be better liked around the world?

Wed, 07 May 2008 10:02:00 EDT

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Puppy protection

Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Children are the most vulnerable among us and, as such, must be protected at all costs. But there is another kind of living creature that has infiltrated human society and must be cared for. Those are our pets.

Get the facts straight about immigration

Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

In light of Mr. Stewart’s recent actions to solicit support from the public for his “rule of law” resolution, I would like to encourage the board to be vigilant about getting the facts concerning immigrants in Prince William County.

The wimps prevail in Prince William County

Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

I am so sorry Prince William became such wimps. It was great to know someone was actually trying to help true Americans, not the illegals who are sucking the life out of this once great country.

Who is it that really supports our troops?

Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Last Thanksgiving Day, this newspaper published a column from one of our regular writers titled “Give thanks to the troops.” The gist of the column was that “giving thanks to our troops” meant anyone who opposed sending our troops to Iraq, for the privilege of getting killed or wounded, was accused of being a traitor.

Frank Principi is the hero of PWC

Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

There is a new, heroic person in our community — Supervisor Frank Principi of Woodbridge.

City Democrats make strides

Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The opinion piece you printed on, May 5 in which you criticized the Manassas Democratic Party for not fielding candidates in the Manassas City Council election seemed to contradict itself. You say we need choice and then you denigrate a group working to provide it.

You, too, can be a columnist

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:01 EDT

“Let us dare to read, think, speak and write”
— John Adams (1765)

Get some ice cream

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

At one point, the city of Manassas was considering banning peddlers from its streets.

Disgusted with Old Bridge Road issue

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

I read with disgust the article concerning the sidewalk on Old Bridge road.

Thanks from Fire and Rescue employees

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

On behalf of the employees of the City of Manassas Fire and Rescue services, and the members of the IAFF Local 4466, we want to thank all who spoke out in our favor during recent public hearings.

An outsider can never really relate

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

I grew up white and Puerto Rican in an all black neighborhood. Based on that experience, let me give some advice to Mr. Clinton: when you are not of a particular race or community, don’t ever get too comfortable with your position within that community.

Democratic numbers game and voter rhetoric

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Supposedly, Pennsylvania had approximately 4 million Democrat eligible voters, yet approximately 2,301,000, or about 58 percent voted.

Comparing people to Nazis is reprehensible

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

A letter written by George Kraus, entitled “Orwellian update from Prince William County” appeared on this page on April 27. Mr. Kraus referred to Board of Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart as Obergruppenführer, and said he was using the Prince William County police force “...as his own personal brown-shirt militia.”

Double standard for D.C. madam

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

I feel sorrow for the D.C. Madam.
I know prostitution is wrong.

No choice? No chance to participate

Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Tomorrow is the spring election in the City of Manassas, and we must admit, there is not an awful lot to it.

Cue the pander bear

Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

A year ago last March, the Republican National Committee sent someone in a “pander bear” suit to crash a Hillary Clinton fundraiser at a Washington hotel.

Writer would trade Principi for Barg

Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

I’m glad that Steve Halleman thinks that Frank Principi is such a Godsend to this county. Since Mr. Halleman thinks so much of Principi he should try and contact him by any means of his choosing and let us know how that works out for him. He also needs to read and pay attention to Steve Bradish’s comments. I agree with him wholeheartedly.

Worry about what’s important

Sun, 04 May 2008 00:00:01 EDT

Instead of this paper’s concern over waivers for those who have committed felonies, maybe the paper should ask where do all the brave men and women in our armed forces come from.

Enough of your silly newspaper editorials

Sun, 04 May 2008 00:00:01 EDT

Good gosh, give it a rest. Your editorials are getting sillier by the day. I rarely write these letters, but the latest in a long line of vitriolic editorials (“Stand up before it’s too late,” April 7) by the Potomac News prompted me to pick up my pen.

Delegate war

Sun, 04 May 2008 00:00:01 EDT

Marshall and Gilmore discuss delegates.

A free cable market at last

Sun, 04 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Manassas is no longer the city of cable monopolies.
Comcast cable company has had a near complete hold on the city’s cable needs for a while now, but finally some competition is coming its way.

When taxes are worth it

Sun, 04 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Well, it’s finally done. The Prince William Board of County Supervisors have finally decided on a tax rate and, thus, a budget. It’s been a long process and, in the end, I fear that we are in for a tumultuous year.

No more safety net for failed countries

Sun, 04 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The Board of County Supervisors is at a historic crossroads. It can fund and continue to enforce the “rule of law” resolution, or it can let it go by the wayside and watch this county and the rest of the region degenerate into a third-world slum.

Happy ending at the bowling alley

Sun, 04 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Recently at the Manassas Bowling Alley on Mathis Avenue during the Friday A.M. Senior bowling league, Richard Ray became a hero by performing the Heimlich Maneuver on a bowler who was choking on a piece of donut.

Opinion belongs on the opinion page

Sun, 04 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Jerome C. Burchard takes this paper to task for its opinion of Prince William County’s illegal immigrant resolution; “Paper betrays its journalistic integrity,” April 26.

Paper hits right opinion on lower standards

Sun, 04 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The Potomac News editorial of April 23 decrying the lowering of our military standards as a result of the war in Iraq was right on target.

Why is program being nixed by board?

Sun, 04 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Isn’t it interesting that the Board of County Supervisors are willing to close a Prince William County Public School program at the Group Home for Boys and the Group Home for Girls (which is taught by highly-qualified Virginia certified PWCS teachers) and move to a program at a “faith” based private school without any public knowledge. Both of these programs have served PWC for over 20 years.

Thanks to the Flower Gallery of Manassas

Sun, 04 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

I want to thank the Flower Gallery shop in Manassas for supporting the efforts of the group, Honor Flights. Honor Flights fundraise and arrange to fly our WWII veterans around the country to Washington, D.C., for the day to see their war memorial.

Olympic sport or not, don’t honor BMX racing

Sun, 04 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

BMX (not a mainstream sport) is an Olympic sport. So is bouncing on a trampoline (who can figure the IOC reasoning for anything they do?).

Congratulations to successful students

Sun, 04 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Six students who attend Battlefield High School in Haymarket, just returned from the 44th Annual Skills USA Virginia State Convention and Competitions held in Hampton, where five students placed high in different trade, technical and leadership fields. Daman Gill and Karim Sadek competed as a team in the Web Site Design contest and placed fourth overall in the state.

Writer has pride for her district supervisor

Sun, 04 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

I am proud of my Supervisor, Frank Principi, for taking a stand.

It’s all about the fatback

Sat, 03 May 2008 00:00:01 EDT

The key to a long life? Eat plenty of fatback.

Higher interest to get economy on track

Sat, 03 May 2008 00:00:01 EDT

Although we are in a recession, few political leaders will admit it. Interest rates have been falling but not for the benefit of citizens.

Writer happy about the resolution nullification

Sat, 03 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Happily, the Prince William Supervisors have nullified their recent mandate that county police check the immigration status of anyone suspected of being unlawfully in the country.

Doing whatever it takes to get elected

Sat, 03 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

If I ever run for office again — which I doubt I will because I don’t want my house searched again for some fictitious 17 year old girl I’m holding hostage against her will — I now know how to do it right.

Personal desires versus the best for all

Sat, 03 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Although it may be too late for publication prior to the county supervisors’ meeting, I thought it best to offer thoughts on the state of today’s citizenry.

Musical enticement for the fine arts

Sat, 03 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Kudos to the Stonewall Jackson High School orchestra and Barnes & Noble.

Primaries are done, hopefully Hillary won

Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:01 EDT

As you are reading this letter the results of the Pennsylvania primary are already history.

A failure to communicate

Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:01 EDT

CONCANNON FIRE

Slight variation

Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

These are some of the online reader reactions to an article about the Prince William Board of County Supervisors approving the county’s new tax rate and making some changes to its anti-illegal immigration policy.

Commending police on a job well done

Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

In his letter to the paper’s editor on April 22 entitled “On the anti-illegal immigration resolution,” Mr. Gregg White stated that one day a couple of weeks ago he saw a PWC police cruiser at the Marumsco Plaza.

Jacobsen defeats his own argument

Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

In a column posted April 22, Mr. Gary Jacobsen writes about a legal concept wherein a person or company can be held liable for damages void of an overt causal act.

Many thanks from the ACTS food pantry

Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Members of the ACTS Food Pantry and many families through out the eastern part of Prince William County extend thanks to faculty and students at the PWC schools that collected food on April 25.

Thanks from the Prince William Symphony

Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:01 EDT

The Prince William Symphony Orchestra (PWSO) wrapped up its mainstage season last weekend with standing ovations to our Opera Gems concert.

Thank you for listening to your constituents

Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:01 EDT

Thanks to the Board of County Supervisors for defeating the resolution proposed by Mr. Principi to change and possibly weaken our “rule of law” resolution.

Partial vindication

Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

After more than two years of legal wrangling over a failed housing overcrowding ordinance, Manassas has received some vindication. We hope full vindication will follow soon.

Like a movie that never ends

Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

While the Democrats continue to peck away at one another like a gaggle of angry geese, giving John McCain an unexpectedly wide range of travel options for unfamiliar GOP territory like New Orleans and Selma, one major factor of the campaign-that-never-ends may be rather overlooked.

A bill that supports our troops

Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

I didn’t have much in common with my fellow veterans when I joined the American Legion 12 years ago. American Legion Post 117 was still dominated by the old guard-the “Dubya Dubya Two” gang as younger vets liked to call them.

Be a pundit: How has the Rev. Jeremiah Wright affected your view of Sen. Barack Obama?

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 08:05:00 EDT

This new weekly feature allows you the chance to wax politically. Try it right now.