Columns

GUEST EDITORIAL

Hard times call for tough and difficult decisions. Unfortunately, Grayson County officials seem unwilling or unable to act in a prudent and sensible manner.
Despite citizens turning out at every public hearing and meeting to express concern over governmental choices, tax increases and property assessments, the public outcries have repeatedly fallen on deaf ears.
A citizens’ meeting in November was attended by more than 300 people, as the grassroots opposition continues to swell against decisions and practices.

For too long, the residents of Givens Street and the surrounding neighborhoods in Galax have been forced to live in a water-logged past that ended for most of the city in the 1940s, when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers rerouted and reinforced Chestnut Creek to prevent frequent floods that often washed away the low-lying areas.
In recent years — most notably in 2007 and most recently last summer — residents of these neighborhoods were surrounded by backed-up flood waters caused by inadequate and dilapidated stormwater drainage systems.

A trio of new job announcements were welcome news in the two weeks before Christmas — a positive end to a year of economic stagnation. A new solar panel product line at Guardian Industries in Galax will create 40 jobs; Bucyrus in Hillsville will add 32 workers and a new company, Independence Homes, will employ 42 people after it opens in Grayson County.

As it has for nearly three decades, the Galax Y's Men Club is once again undertaking a project that helps hundreds of local families have a brighter Christmas.
Through the 28th Annual Community Christmas Chest fundraiser, the Y's Men are working hard to solicit funds from the community to pay for food boxes delivered to needy families at Christmas.
It's truly a case of neighbors helping neighbors, as the majority of funds come from individuals. Businesses, churches, schools and civic organizations also chip in to help the Christmas Chest reach its goal.