YOUR TURN
Column — What will 2021 look like?
For months now, everywhere I have gone, people have been saying, “I can’t wait until 2020 is over.” With all that has occurred in the ...
Frank Ruff, Author at Farmville
YOUR TURN
A new way to formulate the state budget
Every year, the most important thing that the governor of Virginia does is produce a budget or a revised budget. Yet, way too frequently, a ...
by Frank Ruff, Wednesday, December 30, 2020 6:00 am
Guest Columns
Should we really legalize marijuana?
Over the years that I have been in the General Assembly, there has always been an effort by some to change the laws on the ...
by Frank Ruff, Monday, December 7, 2020 4:06 pm
YOUR TURN
Is climate change really an existential threat?
Remember John Stossel? For those who don’t remember him or never heard of him, Stossel made it big a generation or two ago when he ...
by Frank Ruff, Wednesday, December 2, 2020 6:00 am
YOUR TURN
Some taxes unfairly affect rural Virginia
We all want to be treated fairly. Sometimes we do not like government policies at the federal, state, or local levels, but if it affects ...
by Frank Ruff, Tuesday, November 24, 2020 2:00 pm
YOUR TURN
Can we thrive as a mediocracy?
Once upon a time, not that long ago, one received things from earning them. You merited a raise. You merited a promotion. That system was ...
by Frank Ruff, Wednesday, November 11, 2020 6:00 am
YOUR TURN
Looking forward to a brighter future
Thankfully, it is human nature to have faith in a brighter future. If not, 2020 would drive us crazy. Most of the year, COVID-19 has ...
by Frank Ruff, Wednesday, November 4, 2020 6:00 am
YOUR TURN
COLUMN — Treat the voters with honesty and respect
In slang, the phrase, “Come on, man,” is used to convey the speaker’s frustration or annoyance with someone else. The term has been used repeatedly ...
by Frank Ruff, Saturday, October 31, 2020 6:00 am
YOUR TURN
COLUMN — Prayers to all those affected by COVID-19
Our prayers go out to our president, governor, their wives, and to all who have been infected with COVID-19. We wish them fast recoveries. Likewise, ...
by Frank Ruff, Friday, October 9, 2020 6:00 am
YOUR TURN
Legislature protects renters, hurts landlords
Compassion is a good thing when you are using your resources in assisting others in a time of their need. It is far different when ...
by Frank Ruff, Wednesday, September 30, 2020 6:00 am
Opinion
Legislature protects renters, hurts landlords
Compassion is a good thing when you are using your resources in assisting others in a time of their need. It is far different when ...
by Frank Ruff, Monday, September 28, 2020 3:57 pm
YOUR TURN
Law enforcement changes happening quickly
All over America, there are efforts to change law enforcement. In some cities, there has been an open effort to defund the police. In other ...
by Frank Ruff, Wednesday, September 23, 2020 6:00 am
YOUR TURN
COLUMN — Support redistricting amendment
Last week, I wrote about the several laws that were changed during the 2020 regular and the on-going special session. My focus was on how ...
by Frank Ruff, Saturday, September 19, 2020 6:00 am
YOUR TURN
Is your vote safer today than it was last year?
Free and fair voting is the basic premise of any democracy. Remember the stories that came out of Iraq after the fall of the Saddam ...
by Frank Ruff, Wednesday, September 9, 2020 6:00 am
Columns
COLUMN — Is your vote safer today than it was last election?
Free and fair voting is the basic premise of any democracy. Remember the stories that came out of Iraq after the fall of the Shah? ...
by Frank Ruff, Friday, September 4, 2020 7:20 pm
YOUR TURN
Redistricting amendment is fair
For three quarters of the last century, Virginia was effectively a one-party state. That political party could enact anything they wanted. Because they controlled the ...
by Frank Ruff, Wednesday, September 2, 2020 6:00 am
YOUR TURN
COLUMN — Hard work, determination can take us far
The last two months we have seen many demonstrations regarding equality for all. It is right and fair to have orderly conversations and demonstrations about ...
by Frank Ruff, Friday, August 21, 2020 6:00 am
YOUR TURN
COLUMN — New rules would allow lockboxes for absentee ballots
Sadly, in the dark of the night, this governor’s administration is trying to undermine our democracy as we know it. Last week, the Department of ...
by Frank Ruff, Friday, August 14, 2020 6:00 am
Guest Columns
Column – Lockboxes would undermine election
Sadly, in the dark of the night, this governor’s administration is trying to undermine our democracy as we know it. Last week, the Department of ...
by Frank Ruff, Monday, August 10, 2020 2:50 pm
Columns
Column – Death rates from virus are very low
by wearing a mask W e have been inundated with data about the coronavirus since March. The news media has covered the issue relentlessly for ...
by Frank Ruff, Monday, August 3, 2020 11:38 am
Columns
Column – Trying to stay positive
All of us have been challenged by the events in the news this year. It was heartbreaking enough when our lives were flipped on end ...
by Frank Ruff, Monday, July 27, 2020 10:28 pm
YOUR TURN
Trying to understand school reopening plans
Let me begin with this statement — we all should be cautious during this period of COVID-19. We should all wear masks when we are ...
by Frank Ruff, Monday, July 20, 2020 12:43 pm
YOUR TURN
Governor’s school plan presents many challenges
Business is not the only thing that has changed this year because of the COVID-19 issues. In mid-March, Gov. Ralph Northam made the decision to ...
by Frank Ruff, Wednesday, July 15, 2020 6:00 am
Columns
COLUMN – School plan presents many challenges
Business is not the only thing that has changed this year because of the COVID-19 issues. In mid-March, Gov. Ralph Northam made the decision to ...
by Frank Ruff, Monday, July 13, 2020 11:04 am
YOUR TURN
Thin blue line will get thinner
The term “thin blue line” is used to refer to those law enforcement officers who are assigned the task of keeping society from descending into ...
by Frank Ruff, Wednesday, June 17, 2020 6:00 am
YOUR TURN
Senator questions Northam’s decisions
We all grew up being told more, bigger, and better is good. Such phrases as “keeping up with the Joneses” was the mantra of the ...
by Frank Ruff, Wednesday, June 3, 2020 6:00 am
YOUR TURN
We have much to mourn
This is a time for mourning. We began the week as we have traditionally done with Memorial Day, mourning for those that we have lost ...