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Today's Opinions

  • Virtual school took advantage of Carroll

    When Virginia’s first statewide virtual school opened in 2009, it looked to be a good deal for the private operator and its host, Carroll County, but a bad deal for state taxpayers.
    Now the Carroll County School Board has concluded it’s getting a raw deal, too, and voted to end its contract with the for-profit K12 Inc.

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  • Concerns about class move

    I am writing to express concerns about moving sixth and seventh grades from St. Paul School to Carroll County Middle School in Hillsville.
    Each parent has an opportunity to select the school for their children, and as their former school board representative, I strongly urge everyone to leave their children at St. Paul for 2013‑2014.
    St. Paul is one of the best schools in Carroll County, with modern facilities and a great faculty and staff.
    If you desire that your children play sports, transportation can be provided for after-school activities.

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  • Removing obstacles to higher education

    A higher education for residents of Galax, Carroll County and Grayson County used to entail a lot of mileage and time away from work and family, not to mention unthinkable amounts of gas money.
    Today, that’s no longer the case.
    After Crossroads Institute opened in 2005, locals were able to take distance learning classes through Wytheville Community College, which offers an assortment of two-year degrees and the opportunity to transfer to even higher institutions of learning.

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  • Elderly a 'forgotten society'

    I have become my 91-year old father’s advocate.
    By experiencing emergency room visits, doctors’ appointments, hospital stays, and rehab stays, I have gained a new perspective on our elderly population.
    I truly believe they are becoming a “forgotten society.”
    My father’s last rehab stay was at Trinity Mission in Hillsville after he was released from Roanoke Memorial Hospital. He had been suffering from aspiration pneumonia and had a pacemaker implanted.

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  • Survey points out healthcare needs

    Judging by the results of Twin County Regional Hospital’s recent community survey, steps are being made in the right direction with the facility since the merger with Duke LifePoint.
    Late last year, approximately 308 people were randomly selected to weigh in on what they loved and hated about the healthcare options available in this region.
    TCRH set the bar in several categories, scoring high in categories such as general practice, convenience, positive staff attitudes and outpatient care.

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  • Thrift shop defends changes

    I am responding to the letter “Thrift Shop Changes Unwelcome.”
    I don’t normally respond to these kinds of comments and just let time settle them. However, I feel accountable to the community and to the people who donate to us. I need to give some factual information and hope that will put this to rest.
    Willing Partners of Galax and Independence still has pictures, wooden shelves, lamps, home decor items, craft items, pillows, blankets and sheets — all displayed for sale.

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  • Working against poverty

    With our current economic crisis, I have noticed that many churches in our area do some type of assistance program for people who live in the City of Galax.
    I work at First United Methodist Church of Galax and we have a new ministry “Kid Junction,” which offers assistance for parents.
    We help parents who are struggling financially in our city by providing items for their babies and children up to first and second grade. We provide a variety of clothing, hygiene care items and school supplies.

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  • Frustration grows on flooded street

    Most people who live in the Twin Counties will agree: the weather has been tough on us for the past few months.
    Starting at the end of December, we were hit with rain, snow and ice. Some loved the opportunity to snuggle up at home and take a “snow day,” while others hated it because they still had to drive ― and sometimes slide ― to and from work in the slushy muck.
    But even those who fit into the latter were the lucky ones, compared to the residents of Givens Street in Galax.

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