Letters to the editor for the week of April 24

staff reports
Published: April 22, 2008

Sole-ful thanks

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Central Virginia extends a heartfelt thank you to everyone involved with our 9th annual Heart & Sole Shoe Market, which was held on April 5 at the Lynchburg Armory. 
This premier fundraiser sold new, name brand shoes, boots, and accessories, which had been donated, at drastically reduced prices. 
Due to the generosity of our caring community, this year was the best year in the nine year history of the event.
Because of generous support of our sponsors, all proceeds from the sale of the shoes went to support CASA’s mission. 
We deeply appreciate the support of Wachovia and Belvac Production Machinery, Inc., who were our title sponsors. 
A special note of thanks to our Gold Sponsors:  Old Dominion Footwear, which donated Aqua Duck and Duck Head Footwear shoes; Consolidated Shoes, which donated Nicole, Madeline, Palladium, Ipanema, Apepazza and Poetic Licence shoes; and Centennial Broadcasting.
Our Silver Sponsors were Genworth Financial, Sonny Merryman, Inc., Brooks Food Group, and Davidson, Doyle, and Hilton. 
Our Bronze Sponsors were Hurt and Proffitt, Inc., Dawson Ford Garbee & Company; and Centra Health.  Additional thanks goes to the following sponsors:  William F. Quillian, III; C. S. Hutter Company; Capps Shoe Company, Kroger, Ntelos, Bank of America, News and Advance, Shay’s Unique Gifts, Elizabeth Arden, The Pepsi Bottling Group, Frito Lay, Tyco Electronics, Glad Manufacturing, Lynch’s Landing, Biscuitville and Schmokies.
The shoe sale would not have been possible without the help of over 150 volunteers.  These dedicated volunteers include employees from Genworth Financial, along with many community volunteers and community groups including, the Rotary Club of Lynchburg, Lynchburg Morning Rotary Club, Lynchburg Fire and EMS, Lynchburg Scout Reach; Amherst Girl Scout Troop 342; and CASA volunteers and board members.
Lynchburg city staff also were helpful in assisting with details of the event.  All were instrumental in making this market the most smooth-running event to date. All shoes left unsold at the end of the day were donated to Gleaning for the World.
The revenue raised by the shoe sale provides approximately 20 percent of the annual budget for CASA of Central Virginia. 
Support of the shoe sale helps CASA volunteers to provide a voice for abused and neglected children involved in judicial proceedings in the 24th Judicial District court system. 
Last year, we served 444 children from Lynchburg and Bedford, Campbell, Amherst and Nelson counties. 

Jane C. Francis
Executive Director

The citizenry

We all know, and feel, the hardships caused by staggering gas, food and energy inflationary prices.
Add to the equation the loss of jobs, and now, what appears to be on the horizon, raised taxes on our properties.
Dr. John Walker, outgoing school superintendent, gave an empassioned speech to the board of supervisors at the tax rate hearing, asking them to consider pay raises for the upper level administration, citing that their pay is not competitive with other markets.
I could not help but to feel that this is part of the root of the problem; focusing on the upper echelon, instead of the people at the other end.
An example; I noted an ad posted for a custodial position with the school system, pay at $9.28 per hour.
How does that person keep his head above water, by comparison to the six figure incomes of the various department heads of Amherst county?
Remember, this is a county with a household median income of $37,000.
With 32 percent of the work force in Amherst county employed in government, it is easy to assess the problem; too much government, riding on the backs of, and sticking their collective hands, deeper into the pockets of the property owners of Amherst county.
As the citizenry must do during hard financial times; tightening their belts, I suggest that the board of supervisors adopt a similar policy, cutting the budget, instead of increasing it.
Want to see a surge in economic growth? Lower the tax rate to effectively lower taxes, and you will see Amherst county flourish, for everyone’s benefit.

Mark Labadie
concernedcitizens
ofamherstcounty.com