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Today's Opinions

  • GDA thanks community for help

     The Galax Downtown Association would like to say a big thank you to all who helped make our Halloween Monster Bash a success.

    The Galax Downtown Association extends its gratitude to all the sponsors, businesses and individuals who donated candy, food, drinks money and time for it would have been a success with all the contributions. Also, we appreciate the efforts of all the volunteers.

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  • Voting went smoothly

     The Carroll County Electoral Board would like to thank the Carroll County Public School System for its exceptional effort on election day.

    The hard work of Superintendent Greg Smith and Dr. Strader Blankenship over the past several months was clearly evident at voting precincts located in our schools.

    The board would like to recognize all school employees and students for making election day a success while school was in session. The high standards the voting public has become accustomed to were maintained. 

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  • Grayson's trash fee called 'asinine'

    This complaint letter is being written with respect to property on Point Lookout Lane in Independence.

    I am positive that there are numerous other property owners within Grayson County with the same complaint.

    Point Lookout Mountain is a residential community located off Peachbottom Road. Homes are primarily used as part-time residences.

    Point Lookout Lane and other roads within the development are private roads and, as such, trash pickup is not provided.

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  • Hospital praised for high level of care

     I read a report in The Gazette of Oct. 22 about the future plans for Twin County Regional Hospital. I want to give “praise” to the hospital.

    I was a surgical patient in 1999. I received excellent care from everyone.

    My late husband (the Rev. Wilson) was a patient in the emergency room/hospital some 25 times in three years.

    Except for one time (involving a hospitalist no longer there), we could not have asked for any better care that he received. 

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  • Fall leaves are great for gardening

     Fall leaves disposal can be a real problem for some folks who do not garden.

    But for those of us who do garden, they are an excellent amendment to the soil, if shredded and tilled into the soil in fall.

    Shredded leaves act like a giant sponge to retain water during dry periods and draw earthworms in large numbers, whose castings add nutrients to the soil.

    Leaves contain trace amounts of various elements, mined from the sub-soil, which are essential to plant growth.

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  • 'Everyday Math' is not for everybody

     I would like to comment about the “Everyday Math” program being used by the Carroll County school system. I am disappointed with results I am seeing. Its technique of introducing a method, then moving on without mastering it and reintroducing it later seems ineffective. The kids who are good at math get it the first time but the other kids are lost.

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  • Free clinic needs help

     The Free Clinic of the Twin Counties needs your help. 

    We are seeing a minimum of 20 new applicants per week who qualify as patients. The applicants are residents of Carroll, Grayson and the City of Galax and have been residents for a minimum of six months. They are totally uninsured and have household incomes of 125 percent, or less, of the federal poverty level.

    That is $13,538 for a family of one, $18,213 for a family of two, $22,888 for a family of three, $27,563 for a family of four.

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  • Voters need to take stand

     Well, Grayson County has done it to you once again. A 44 percent tax increase has taken effect.

    I have 23 acres with a house and saw my taxes increase from $530+ per year to $820, even though my “new” assessment dropped due to the housing issues.

    This is the equivalent of one month’s yearly income for me. My neighbor, who has twice as many acres, will have to sacrifice two month’s yearly income in order to pay this bill.

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