There he goes again…
Dear Sir:
It was only four weeks ago that I suggested that the C-R give Sam Mordan a “time out” on his relentless weekly attacks on the character of successful businessman and council member Eric Nash. You agreed with the idea so much that you mentioned it and my name in the Around Town column and compared it to a similar ban laid down a few years ago.
But — after the busiest and most stressful week in recent Council history — you ran another “hit piece” letter from Mordan attacking Council President Nash.
To address Mordan’s most recent comment, the reason why Mr. Nash was in charge of investigating actions of some involved in Town government is because it is his job as Council President to do so. End of story.
But I do agree with Mordan that the Town is long overdue in hiring someone to handle Human Resources. Haven’t you guys heard of Bambee.com? Part time HR officer packages start at $99 a month!
I think it is far more of a story how fast the friendship between the former Mayor and Town Manager disintegrated over the ex-Mayor’s apparently unacceptable comments and the following attempts by the Town Manager to smooth things over with those who were offended.
In the world where I live, that is something that a friend would do to help another friend, who doesn’t know how to behave. Maybe not the smartest thing to do but…being LOYAL is big in Trump country — right?
I am pretty sure that the Greens and Vannoorbeecks each will be sending-out one less Christmas card this year — and I wouldn’t be surprised if ex-postman Mordan doesn’t see that as a conspiracy to break the Post Office. That would make for far more entertaining letters than him being allowed to violate that supposed ban you aren’t enforcing.
Chris Ellington
Los Angeles, CA; Former
and future resident
of Blackstone
EDITOR’S NOTE: Our “ban” on Mr. Mordan applied only to letters criticizing Mr. Nash’s role as a both a businessman and member of Council — a complaint that he has aired frequently. Mr. Mordan’s letter last week (“Who’s running this show?”) addressed a new topic, asking why the Council President was part of the investigation instead of higher authorities. Thanks for writing!
Does rule of law still matter?
Dear Sir:
I am left of center, though no party-line Democrat by any means. Still, I had some meager hopes for this Trump administration. I don’t like American imperialism, and I don’t like the penny — maybe he’d work on those, right?
Here we are in his second administration. Non-citizen legal immigrants have lost freedom of speech and the right to due process. The Trump administration is defying an order from the Supreme Court to return a legal immigrant from an El Salvadorian gulag. And even more disturbingly, a Wisconsin judge was arrested and charged after trying to protect the sanctity of her courtroom by reasonably refusing ICE to execute an administrative, NOT judicial warrant, in her space, on her time, while doing her part to extend a person his right to due process.
No distinction is made in the 1st Amendment to whether free speech applies to citizens or to all people, and case law has upheld that it applies to all people, against any level or branch of government.
The 5th Amendment to the Constitution states that “No person shall…be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.”
The 14th Amendment further elaborates “…nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.” “Person,” not “citizen.” The government has limited powers for good reasons (see the Declaration of Independence, and Federalist Paper No. 51).
If you believe in the Constitution, in limited government, the foundations of America, but you still support Trump and his sycophants, you need to take a look in the mirror. You are engaging in doublethink if you don’t see that they are in conflict. This doesn’t mean you need to go out and vote Democrat—but call-out your party, call out your countrymen, and support candidates against this un- American regime. Virginia has a general election this year, and Congressional midterms are next year.
I think I still have the right to free speech, though who knows, maybe this letter will get me scooped-up off the street. Visa-holder Rümeysa Öztürk was—for writing an editorial criticizing her university’s support of Israel as it commits war crimes. Not for participating in a protest, not even for questioning Zionism like some further left do. How long before denial of rights extends to citizens? This has to stop.
James A. Cox
Blackstone
Priorities…
Dear Sir:
Why would the Town of Blackstone bother to get a grant for fireworks when there’s $480,000 still unaccounted for on Elm Street?
What the heck is Town Council doing to the Town?
One more thing: So you can be a convicted felon and still seek the mayoral appointment? That’s exactly what’s wrong with the Town.
Sam Mordan
Jetersville
Blackstone taxpayer
Drivers need to pay better attention
Dear Sir:
Thank you for reporting on traffic and accidents in Nottoway County. Indeed, the failure to be responsible behind the wheel is a constant occurrence, and not just in Nottoway; but most times, the miscreant is not revealed to the community and the fellow-drivers who have to look out for them on the road.
Many weeks in the Courier- Record, readers are reminded that driving is a privilege, and improper driving has consequences. And we are reminded that driving involves a deadly weapon.
Our roads are curvy, narrow, loaded with blind hills. We have unwanted traffic of vehicles such as garbage trucks bringing Richmond’s (or New Jersey’s?) trash to our landfill (I live in Lunenburg), filled-up log trucks lurching along as they drive around blind curves in the middle of the road, farming and other slow-moving machinery that support our agricultural economy and growth in businesses and, of course, the hotshots who want to see how fast their car can go.
Many drivers do not apply caution to a situation where slowing down a little is just plain common sense. Some appear to think they are on the Grand Prix race track, or taking the blind hills and curves at top or overthe top speeds. “Straightening the curves,” as the song says.
Earlier this month, an accident occurred when a SUV driver collided with a Crewe Fire Dept. fire engine, which was clearly on a call (sirens, lights) and a volunteer in the Crewe Fire Dept.
A perfect example of my pet peeve: drivers whose attitude seems to be, “I am more important than you, so get out of my way.” Bad enough when there are only two regular automobiles want to get into the same place, and the game of “Chicken” begins, but getting in the way of a fire truck?
I believe there is some legal instruction that when an emergency vehicle of any kind appears, drivers are to pull aside–even to the shoulder of the road. These vehicles are in haste to help someone! They need wide berth because of the speed that is necessary to fulfill their duty, their service to us!
Yes, I don’t enjoy being slowed down when I am driving. But ask yourself: “What if someone’s house is on fire, perhaps with someone trapped inside?” or “What if my Dad were in that ambulance receiving life support as the techs rush him to a hospital?” or maybe, just selfishly, tell yourself, “I need to get out of the way because if that vehicle were involved an accident, I would be really stuck in some traffic!”
In the articles you publish, the offender is held up as such to the public. I don’t have a problem with you doing that, although I try to behave so that would not happen to me.
Equally important, in those articles, we ordinary folks can be reminded that we also might be inconsiderate while driving, or act self-important, and haven’t incorporated some concept of human community in their motivations, who have made driving mistakes (or have wanted to do, so as to get somewhere faster, etc.). We need to be shown so that we might learn and remember.
Pat Israel
Kenbridge
Some thoughts on solar
Dear Sir:
I am an older fellow, my age is 76. I am hearing all kind of things about “how bad the solar farms are, or will be…”
Here is something that I would like to offer my thoughts on — something that no one else has said about all of this…
I went to Blackstone to eat lunch, and as I went, I took the back way to get there. As I drove toward Blackstone, I saw two very large, 100-to-200 acre farms that had beautiful green grass on them a few weeks ago, but now all the green grass has turned light brown.
I realized that the beautiful green grass cover crop had been sprayed with grass killer/ insecticide to kill the cover crop without having to plow it under.
Then after the cover crop grass has turned brown, a genetically-modified seed such as wheat, barley, rye, oats, etc. will be planted on top of all of that poisoned cover crop, which will be used and sold for cows to eat that will eventually become our food. It used to be that a farmer would take his tractor and plow-up the cover crop and then plant seed in the ground to produce the wheat, oats, barley, etc. — but the farmer no longer does it that way — now they spray poison on the fields.
And all of that poison is killing bees, turkey eggs, and even eagle eggs, along with red and blue bird eggs — plus all sorts of beneful insects. I looked across both of those fields, and no birds or anything else was stirring, or could even be heard, because the poison is killing them off.
What do you suppose that poison is doing to our water supplies and water tables?
I would rather have a solar farm next door to me than a farmer spraying chemicals. I have yet to see a solar farm kill birds and insects, which we all need.
If all of us run the solar people out of town, and if we can’t produce enough electricity to use for all of us, we will see “rolling blackouts.” Other counties already do this, for lack of electricity. Then freezers will not keep frozen foods, nor refrigerators will keep things very well, either.
Claude McKinney
Green Bay, VA
John Reid for Lt. Governor!
Dear Sir:
John Reid is the official 2025 Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor. Already he is being attacked.
They want you to believe John Reid is too bold, too outspoken, too radical. But that’s exactly why he’s the conservative leader Virginia needs right now.
John Reid won’t be just another Republican on the ballot—he’ll bring clarity to the challenges that Virginians across our state face with his wellheeled, direct communication style. He’ll handle every leftist talking point with clear and decisive counterpoints — the same style that has made John a household name in Richmond political commentary during his many years at WRVA.
Most folks don’t know this, but John’s professional experience spans from serving under President Reagan to advising in the U.S. Senate and, impressively, in countries that have been some of our toughest adversaries. He knows how to shape policy, shift public opinion, and lead with conviction.
While Democrats push identity politics, Reid will bring substance. While others dodge questions, he can be counted on to deliver real answers. His agenda is unapologetically conservative — and widely supported:
•School choice and parental rights;
•Protecting girls in sports and locker rooms;
•Cutting taxes and ensuring economic freedom and opportunity;
•Backing our law enforcement and fighting fentanyl;
•Advancing prosperity, freedom, and security for all Virginians;
With a likely split in the Senate, Reid won’t just hold a seat — he’ll hold the balance of power. That’s why the Left is already attacking him. They know he’ll be an effective and relentless force in Virginia politics.
John Reid isn’t a risk. He’s how we win. In my opinion, Virginia’s future will be brighter with him on the ticket. I urge all Virginians to get behind John, work hard, and get him into office in November.
Bill Outlaw
Crewe
We prefer that letters be emailed to us at: news@courier-record.com
Loading Comments