Guest Columns
Latest Guest Columns
OPINION – Windsor police incident should be investigated
On Wednesday, during the reconvened session, Governor Ralph Northam’s proposed changes to a marijuana legalization bill were accepted by the General Assembly. This allows limited ... Read more
5 days ago by Matt Fariss.
OPINION — Marijuana legalization is very bad policy
The 2021 General Assembly reconvened session that occurred last week was almost exactly what I expected it to be – a confirmation of the 2021 ... Read more
6 days ago by Tommy Wright.
OPINION — Marijuana legislation makes very little sense
The reconvened session was held last week with few surprises. Most Republican proposed legislation had already been killed. For this reason, we mostly considered technical ... Read more
6 days ago by Frank Ruff.
COLUMN — SVCC students impact many aspects of daily life
Have you recently had a medical appointment? Conducted business online? Needed your electricity restored after storm damage? If so, you may have benefited from the ... Read more
1 week ago by Quentin Johnson.
COLUMN — We are what environmental justice looks like
The 500-member-strong Agee-Miller-Mayo-Dungy Family Association are descended members of the historically Black Pine Grove community. We are the owners and custodians of the historic Pine ... Read more
2 weeks ago by Guest Columnist.
The cause of environmental justice has been hijacked
By Jerry Cifor President of Green Ridge Recycling and Disposal For decades, low-income communities and communities of color have been targeted locations for so-called “undesirable” ... Read more
3 weeks ago by Guest Columnist.
COLUMN — Fiber remains the best option for broadband
I can remember how everyone’s hopes were raised in Charlotte County when Microsoft teamed with MBC and promised to bring free wireless to all school ... Read more
3 weeks ago by Guest Columnist.
COLUMN — Many more homes to come from Habitat for Humanity
On December 20, 1990, a dedicated group of local volunteers celebrated the official creation of the Farmville Area Habitat for Humanity. Now in our 30th ... Read more
4 weeks ago by Guest Columnist.
COLUMN — New rules put law enforcement officers in danger
The 2021 General Assembly session concluded its work on March 1, and as promised last week, I wanted to continue to tell you about some ... Read more
1 month ago by Tommy Wright.
Don’t procrastinate, take the first tiny step
A Thanks to SEC popular adage advises, “Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” Mangled comic versions go something like this: “Never ... Read more
1 month ago by Quentin Johnson.
COLUMN — Needs of the homeless continue through the pandemic
The STEPS family, with the gracious support of community partners and sponsors, traditionally holds a February “Soup and Sandwich” fundraiser in Farmville to help support ... Read more
1 month ago by Guest Columnist.
Bill will put kids back in schools
The 2021 General Assembly session concluded its work on March 1, and I wanted to update you on how the final week, and overall session, ... Read more
1 month ago by Tommy Wright.
COLUMN — Black history and America’s future
Black History Month, sometimes called African American History Month, occurs every year in February. Officially recognized by then-President Gerald Ford in 1976, the commemoration grew ... Read more
2 months ago by Quentin Johnson.
Thank you to the front-line workers restoring power
First and foremost, this week I want to once again talk about the devastating storm that hit my district last week. As soon as the ... Read more
2 months ago by Tommy Wright.
COLUMN — Budget amendment to help staff PRJ fails
We have completed another week of the 2021 General Assembly session, and I wanted to take a moment to update you on last week’s proceedings. ... Read more
2 months ago by Tommy Wright.
Virginia wasn’t ready for vaccine distribution
Three issues have been causing turmoil for a year: unemployment, schools and vaccines. Gov. Ralph Northam closed down the state with power not seen since ... Read more
2 months ago by Frank Ruff.
COLUMN — Democrat priorities have changed over the years
When I was growing up, I knew my father was a Democrat. In the ’50s and ’60s, if one wanted a voice in Virginia’s government, ... Read more
2 months ago by Frank Ruff.
COLUMN — Vaccines should not be about who you know
The 2021 General Assembly session has reached its halfway point, known as crossover. This is the point where the House and Senate complete work on ... Read more
2 months ago by Tommy Wright.
Virginia’s vaccine allocation increased by 23%
On Feb. 5 the General Assembly reached crossover, the traditional midpoint of the legislative session. At crossover, the House and Senate must complete work on ... Read more
2 months ago by Matt Fariss.
COLUMN — Virginia was not prepared for vaccinations
Our second full week of the 2021 General Assembly session has come to an end, and I wanted to take a moment to update you ... Read more
2 months ago by Matt Fariss.
Our children need to go back to school
Our second full week of the 2021 General Assembly session has come to an end, and I wanted to take a moment to update you ... Read more
2 months ago by Tommy Wright.
Dr. Nash answers vaccination questions
By H. Robert Nash Piedmont Health District Director The safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines are a great achievement and cause for hope. But doses are ... Read more
3 months ago by Guest Columnist.
Virginia’s vaccine plan needs remedies
The first full week of the General Assembly has come to an end, and I wanted to take just a moment to update you on ... Read more
3 months ago by Guest Columnist.
COLUMN — Let Farmville be the light
Editor’s Note: The following are the closing comments made by Farmville Town Council member Brian Vincent from the Farmville Town Council meeting held Jan. 13. ... Read more
3 months ago by Guest Columnist.
Mentors provide a valuable service
January is National Mentoring Month, an observation led by MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, with support ... Read more
3 months ago by Quentin Johnson.
COLUMN — Mandatory minimum sentencing could be repealed
The 2021 General Assembly session began Jan. 13. The Senate will meet in person while the House remains virtual. I have added links below for ... Read more
3 months ago by Matt Fariss.
COLUMN — Our divisions have resulted in a constitutional crisis
The orderly transfer of presidential authority failed to materialize this year. The political divisions in this country have devolved into a constitutional crisis. The head ... Read more