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In the open for all the city to see
The Danville Public Schools can’t do much about declining enrollment, but the system can use its remaining buildings as efficiently as possible. We can’t say that’s true today.
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City hall gets this one right
Those problems aren’t going to magically disappear if Danville’s police officers are well paid. But we can certainly imagine what would happen if the city continues to be a training ground for rookie police officers who are on their way to their next, more lucrative job.
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When every single day is Earth Day
The beautification committee is onto something. A few grants here, and a day of cleaning there and the county will be better off for it. Beautification is not the biggest issue facing Pittsylvania County, but it matters for most people — and their property values.
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When the politics gets too bitter
We don’t think that most Republicans, in Greene County or elsewhere, really believe that this election is worth throwing away the country, its history and everything it stands for if their candidates don’t win in November. But some of those people are out there, and they are more dangerous than the "wrong" candidates winning the next election.
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Pittsylvania is one lean operation
Sometimes the county needs a lawyer, or a delay in tax bills means the county has to dip into its investments to pay for county operations — or even to pay a bill for a special project. But the bottom line is simple: Pittsylvania County’s government remains one of the leanest in Virginia.
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Who will 'save' city's taxpayers?
Danville’s leaders are simply trying to muddle along instead of adjusting to the realities of population loss, stagnant property values and fewer students in the classroom. This year’s budget process has been exposed as nothing more than an attempt to shield the government from the economic realities that Danvillians have to deal with every day.
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Danville's history is at grave risk
Not all arsons happen in old or historically significant buildings, but Hylton Hall was a big loss not only because of its rich history, but because of its potential. Today, that potential sits in ruins.
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Schoolyard bullies not acceptable
Today’s middle school students will, in less than 10 years, be tomorrow’s workers — and be thrust into a world where companies can be sued for employee-on-employee harassment. We owe today’s students the lesson that what they think is OK behavior isn’t — and won’t be tolerated.
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When the voters OK tax hikes
We know plenty of people are still hurting from the recession, but the county voters — undoubtedly, some of those same people — approved those school bond referendums. Even as the amount of the bonds grew, the voters’ response was to pass them with ever-increasing margins. Now those bills have come due, and the county’s leaders had no choice.
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And again, the voters have spoken
One question, in the wake of the North Carolina vote Tuesday and 30 similar votes across the nation: Do we really want a court to invalidate what voters in over half the states have already said they don’t want?
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What are Danvillians to think?
The people’s confidence — and patience — has been tested during this budget season. What’s Danville City Council going to do to restore the trust of the people they claim to serve? Clearly, Danville City Council hasn’t spent enough time on this budget. Who knows what other savings they’ll find if they just look hard enough — and keep the taxpayers in mind?
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Plan B: Bury your head in the sand
For all the school system’s management layers and the years of experience of the school board members, nobody had figured out how to cope with declining enrollment. Now they want a loan from the taxpayers so they can figure out what they should have been doing all along. Danville City Council simply went along for the ride. They certainly didn’t show leadership on this issue — and it’s the taxpayers who will suffer.
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One more budget for Mr. Luther
For another two months, Luther will be in a position to do something about those complaints — and his own concerns about city government spending. Luther’s vote on the city budget may well determine the future of electric and natural gas rates in Danville, whether there will be a new city cigarette tax and if the Westover Branch Library will remain open — among other issues.
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Lights out on tax on cigarettes?
Tax increases may be a forgone conclusion, but their bite is numbed when people know their political leaders were willing to take a tough look at spending before they raised an entirely new tax.
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Today's a day to make good choices
On this day of choices, what better choice than to vote in the local election and then vote, with your dining dollars, to help God’s Storehouse feed the hungry in our community?
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When is a promise not a promise?
Every line in every government budget has a constituency, and Danville’s budget is no different. But the city government has, to date, made a poor case to close the Westover Branch Library. The first question to answer is whether it’s allowed under the original annexation agreement. The second is whether Danville City Council will take the time— and make the effort— to do all the budget cuts this year to ensure that a lot more than just $60,000 is cut from the proposed budget.
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Five big choices for Danville
Our endorsements for Danville City Council -- Larry Campbell, Buddy Rawley, Sherman Saunders, Fred Shanks and Lee Vogler.
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Who gets to decide the future?
City Council elections should be moved to November to separate the political choice the voters need to make from the budgetary decisions every citizen will have to live with over the next year — and for years to come.
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The mall cracks down on tradition?
With the national economy rebounding, this is the right time for businesses to plan for growth in the recovery. That includes Piedmont Mall, which after 28 years in Danville faces its toughest changes — and potentially best days.
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Chatham hunts for a solution
Danvillians should watch what’s happening to the Chatham school building because it’s a preview of what could happen to the W. Townes Lea building and the second school that may soon be closed here.
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Losing our history, one by one by ...
Hylton Hall may once again rise from the smoldering hulk it is today, but if it doesn’t, it will join a long list of some of the most iconic structures in Danville’s history. Losing Dan River jobs was tough enough; losing buildings like Hylton Hall is like reliving that nightmare all over again.
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Never forget this officer's high sacrifice
American celebrity worship won’t end anytime soon. We’ll certainly never see the same interest in the lives of a slain police officer or sheriff’s deputy that we see for the latest travails of movies stars in crisis. But we can remember what those law enforcement officers do for us, and how much they’re willing to give up to keep us safe. They may not make movies about them, but then again, maybe they should.
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Learning the lessons from March
It’s imperative that the city government get what they need before the next storm hits to do everything possible to prevent a repeat of last month’s boil water advisory. The city government appears to have learned a number of lessons from last month’s boil water advisory. But all the new pumps and procedures and plans won’t matter much if this ever happens again.
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'Silent Bob' and future of mining
Clearly, if the General Assembly were to vote to lift the mining moratorium next January, then uranium could become an issue in the 2013 state elections. While McDonnell won’t be a candidate in ’13, he certainly doesn’t want the Republicans who will be on the ballot to have to deal with that potential political hot potato. Perhaps saying nothing winds up being the best thing … for the governor.
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Despite years of tinkering, VRS may yet need more work
State employees and teachers worry the new hybrid retirement plan will not provide enough retirement benefits and savings.
Deal of the Day
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