25 YEARS OF
Last Word
Congratulations to The Virginia Gazette for giving us 25 Years of The Last Word. Giving people a place to keep informed about what is happening in our community.
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Last Word Squirreled away “In reply to the person who was asking about trapping squirrels in Skipwith Farms: I did trap a few squirrels and take them to a home we own in the country, where they would have access to 900 acres of wooded area. I also feed them. They were destroying my bulbs and flowers. Thank you.” — Oct. 31, 1987
Cat complaint “I’d like to know if James City County has a leash law for dogs, why can’t we do something about the cats? In our neighborhood people let their cats out at night after it gets dark and they run the neighborhood and do their business in other people’s flower beds, digging out the mulch and you name it.” — April 22, 1988
Cat fan “We love you, Frankie. Oh, yes, we do. Quick, before our human comes back, we think you’re purrrfect. We want to know more about you. What color are your eyes? What’s
Animals your favorite food? Are you into sports? Do you like to dance? What kind of girls do you like? Or do you have a girlfriend? Dog forbid that you’re married. Do you have a fan club? Can we start one for you? Are you going to appear in ‘Feline’ soon? Will the paper print a picture of you? Or where can we send for one with your pawograph. Oh, Frankie, you’re the cat’s meow. Purr, purr, purr.” Pat Bender, whose column, “At home,” appears weekly in the Gazette, occasionally writes about her cat, Frank. — April 19, 1989
Birdland “A caller complained about not having any birds in Williamsburg. I bought 250 pounds of birdseed from the Virginia Wildlife people and have been feeding the birds up here in Racefield. I have hundreds of birds in my backyard. So you’re not seeing them in Williamsburg? Well, that’s where they are, up here eating and having a good old time. There are birds around here and plenty of them.” — Feb. 27, 1991
Cat-astrophe “I am taking law and order into my own hands. Dog owners, beware! If you let your dogs run loose to bark and growl at me, they will be shot on sight. I am sick of this uncivilized state of Virginia and the stupid, ignorant people who live here.” — Nov. 23, 1991
3 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
Turtle enthusiasts “Our names are Martha and Margaret, and we would like to start a turtle and tortoise society in Williamsburg. If there are other people who also enjoy turtles and tortoises, we would love to hear from you.” — Jan. 4, 1995
Ode to barking dogs “To hear a dog bark is like hearing a lark. In the summer you hear a neighbor talking. I would rather hear my dog barking. When all is quiet, you hear folks out walking, But I would rather hear my dog barking. When peeking time is harking, Please let my dog keep barking. When a thief is peeking and sneaking, Rover, keep on barking. Play your radio loud, dog keep barking. Beating on your car, dog keep barking. Dogs are made to bark, especially pestered. Please, dog, keep on barking.” — June 19, 1996
Big game show “I found it amusing that the group of people who protested the Big Game Show at Bruton High last weekend had signs saying that people who shoot animals, etc., were murderers. While group members were eating their lunch, they were eating hamburgers, of all things. Does this group protest to make headlines, or does it really believe in the cause?” — Oct. 2, 1999
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4 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
Williamsburg, VA
Last Word Leash law “Does James City have a leash law? If so, does it not apply to the Lake Toano area? We are sick of neighbors who march their dogs along the streets and let them deposit their waste on everyone else’s front lawns. These dog owners let their dogs loose on our grass, and after the animals have relieved themselves, the owners walk on. Please take along a bag and clean up the mess. It is not up to your neighbor. I was always taught to respect other people’s property. These dog owners are sending a great message to their children.” — May 19, 2001
Animals a part of their job, but who are also heroes by their willingness to help in smaller ways.” — June 1, 2002
Michael Vick “To the person who said Michael Vick should not punished because they are just ‘damn dogs’: I am doing a school research paper on how many of the school shooters practiced violence on animals first. The whole animal violence link toward humans is a documented one and very sick. Serial killers such as Jeffrey Dahmer and Ted Bundy also committed crimes on animals before graduating to committing crimes on human. Violence breeds violence.” — Jan. 16, 2008
Pet peeves “I’ve been reading about the ‘Pet peeves’ discussion with some amusement. It seems that when we’ve run out of food, those without pets will be starving sooner than those with pets.”
Animal control
— April 22, 2009
“I would hope that the people who wish to do harm to the vultures or the buzzards realize that there is a state law prohibiting harming any birds of prey of that nature. James City is a bird sanctuary, and all birds are protected in this area.” — June 1, 2002
Meow “A big thank you to Williamsburg Police officers Don Janderup and Dennis Mizelle, who helped extract my cat’s paw from its stuck position on the underside of my couch in the wee hours of Tuesday morning. Calling the police for help with this was obviously not my first choice, but when my neighbor and I were unable to make any headway and advice from emergency veterinarians did not get us closer, we decided to give it a try. While upholstery work and dismantling of sofa springs are probably outside of their expected line of duty, the officers nevertheless took what now seems like an absurdly bad dream seriously, and saved my pet from a broken foot or worse. I’m grateful for these officers who daily put their lives in danger as
First buck “To the soft, weak, sorry people whining about the picture of the young fella with his first buck: Do you eat? God determined our need for food. Do you feel guilt-free when you buy your meat at the supermarket? No dirty work there, someone else does that for you so you can feel smug, warm and fuzzy inside. Have you ever been to a slaughterhouse? The harvesting of game for food is as natural as it gets. As for youngsters learning about firearms, they do not pick up a gun at a friend’s house and accidentally kill a friend.” — Jan. 6, 2010
Unwanted pets “Unfortunately, a lot of people tend to get animals with the belief that nothing is going to go wrong with them and that they won’t have to spend money on them. But then, if the animal turns out not to be healthy and the owner has to spend money, the animal is abused or dumped. If you can’t afford to take care of an animal, don’t get one.” — Jan. 27, 2010 5 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
Last Word Open a park “I having a question regarding the comment entitled ‘Skateboard solution.’ I was wondering if the Recreation Department would sponsor a skateboard park if enough people and organizations made donations or a large number of signatures was gathered from people who petition for a skateboard park. The money from membership fees could help build and maintain a park, as is done in cityrun skate parks in Norfolk and Virginia Beach. Would any of this help? Thank you.” — Aug. 15, 1987
Malicious pranks “I live in Queens Lake and in the last four months we’ve had eggs on the house twice, my mailbox torn down and carried away, the glass in my lamppost broken, and obscene words written all over our house. I have called the police, but they can’t get here fast enough when I catch the kids in the act of destroying our property. Parents, if anyone is missing eight rolls of toilet paper, I have them. The paper has a very unusual wrapper.
Teenagers It’s white with brown stripes with a name on it. If anyone has any ideas of what we can do to catch or prevent these malicious pranks, please call in.” — Sept. 16, 1989
Proud mothers
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“It seems there is a caller out there who feels pregnant teenagers should be quarantined in the manner of diseased livestock. Perhaps the caller also feels these girls should have the letter A embroidered on their clothing in scarlet for easy identification. And what of the unwed father? What should be done with him? It seems incredible this type of thinking persists on the brink of the 21st century. Thank God for civil rights. Do I think unwed pregnant teens should be proud of their condition? For all our sakes, let’s hope they are proud. A proud mother won’t beat, maim or kill a helpless infant to revenge her own wounds at society’s hands. If born to a proud mother, perhaps the fatherless infant of today will not become the ticking time bomb of tomorrow. Unfortunately, there will always be people who just won’t mind their own business. They’re easy to spot. All too often they conceal their meanness behind a facade of religion or morality. Because of these people, I am glad abortion is still available to those in this country who want it. I don’t weep for the fetus that never saw life. It is beyond the pain and blame of this world. I weep for the living child who is unloved and unwanted. We should all work to change this world into a
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place where all children are wanted and no mother need feel ashamed of the child she carries. I doubt there is even one among us whose family tree could withstand a legitimacy test without dropping a branch here or a leaf there.”
Nowhere to go “To the person who called in the Jan. 11 Last Word and gave teenagers with nowhere to go three suggestions, I would like to make three comments. (1) I am a member of the National Honor Society at a private high school. I study extremely hard. Studying takes up nearly all my time. (2) I worked for eight months at a part-time job in Merchants Square. (3) I go to church every Sunday. Unfortunately, all of this does not change the fact I still have little or nothing to do on weekends. We teenagers are powerless in this situation, as we need the support of compassionate adults to achieve anything. People are too hard on ‘Nowhere to go.’ Perhaps he or she was not whining but simply attempting to ask for your help.” — Jan. 21, 1995
Depression chic “I’ve often wondered what fashion statement young people are demonstrating with lowslung, frequently torn and often patched clothing. Now I know — depression chic.” — March 18, 2009
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Last Word
Teenagers good on college resumes. Learn to dance, cook or knit. Learn to appreciate life for the marvelous gift that it is. Read the Bible. That will give you plenty to occupy your mind. We could go on for pages with suggestions, but that would deprive you of the chance to use your own exquisite imagination.” — June 15, 2002
Boring town “To the individual wondering about the lack of fun in town (May 8 Last Word): if you think it is boring living here at age 25, try being a teenager in Williamsburg. There is absolutely nothing for kids aged 16-20 in this town. Where are the investors? We have a wonderful baseball field, but no batting cages at which to practice, a roller skating rink that really isn’t, a closed-down movie theater, which was closer to most teens, and no place to gather to listen or dance to music. Oh, there is the James City County Fair, with nothing but boring stuff for older kids. There’s Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens, but how often can you go there if you’ve lived here all your life? And who has the money that it takes to get in? This town is boring. One has to go as far as Virginia Beach or Newport News to find a place or anything that looks alive. It is surprising that local teens aren’t getting into trouble.” — May 11, 2002
Teenage wasteland “We are two teenage residents of Williamsburg who would like to express our disgust at the recent items bemoaning the lack of teenage entertainment in the area. Why should anyone expect society to provide amusement for them? Do teenagers lack their own imaginations? We are firm believers that only boring people get bored. Instead of whining publicly for a means of mindless entertainment, why not use your brains to create something to keep you amused? Read a book. We would be happy to suggest a few tantalizing page-turners. Volunteer somewhere. Not only does volunteering fill your meaningless day with purposeful activity, but it also looks
Teens and cell phones “A word of warning to parents of teens with cell phones: We added our teenage son to our wireless plan two years ago for him to contact us when sports practices and games were over. At first, he didn’t use it other than to call friends. Lately, we have noticed that he has been texting, almost constantly. I went online to check his account and found that he had gone over his allotted text messages. After further examination, I noticed that for the last month, there was not a span longer than five minutes while he was at school, church or anywhere else that he was not sending and receiving texts. After doing the math, I realized that he had to be texting while driving. Needless to say, we have taken his phone and will have it permanently turned off. My son will be responsible for paying the monthly fee until the contract is up, and he will not have another cell phone until he is 18 and can contract it himself. I would suggest to all parents to keep tabs on their children’s cell phone usage.”
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Skater haters “Any skateboarder or biker in Williamsburg will say that this city has never been skater friendly. After such a well-received event last summer (Tommy K. Day), I’m not surprised that Williamsburg didn’t want to snip the epidemic in the butt before more youths found the joys of riding around with friends and freedom.” — Feb. 3, 2010 7 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
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Health
Last Word
empire out there. I wonder why we need such a large board to provide services that really are being provided just as well in other parts of the community.”
staff just left them there for the next shift. There was drinking on the ward and carrying on. I worked as an aide. I left there and went back to quality care, to geriatrics.”
— Feb. 18, 1987
No competition “I’d like to make a comment about the continuing problem between Bacon Street and the Colonial Services Board. I was here when Bacon Street started and saw it come into existence basically because the state mental health system did not respond quickly enough to the crisis we were having with our young children and the drug problem. It was a grassroots movement, and included local people on the staff. That was a need that the board was just not able to handle, and I’m pleased that Bacon Street has been given a reprieve. I think the community supports the Bacon Street programs, and it was sad to see it turn out the way it did. This raises a larger question about the role of Colonial Services Board. My understanding is that their role is to provide services that would not normally be provided by a governmental body. I don’t think they should be in competition with private services, and I think that has become more and more of a problem. I’m really concerned that the Colonial Services Board has increasingly grown and is becoming a small
— April 6, 1991
Addiction ads
Not amused
“I chanced to hear on the radio that there may be a bill in Congress banning the advertising of cigarettes in magazines and billboards. It’s high time we stopped advertising a product that is clearly killing thousands upon thousands of people every year. I can understand the smokers’ ‘disgruntlement’ about infringement on their rights, but every time one smoker lights up in a building he infringes on my fights for clean air. How long is the government going to keep putting the value of a dollar over the price of its citizens? I’ve been desperately trying the last few years to get my parents to quit smoking, and I can see firsthand what a diabolical grip smoking has. It should be classified an addictive drug.”
“I stopped in the Red Cross office the other day to sign up for a community CPR course and was shocked to find the facility full of smoke. I spent only three minutes paying my fee, but in that time, I got a severe headache and left with my clothes reeking of smoke. Over one of the desks, which had a full ashtray on it, was a supposedly humorous sign, which said, ‘Thank you for not breathing while I smoke.’ I am disappointed that the Red Cross, which purports to be in the business of saving lives and educating the community, does not bother to protect the community from these deadly chemicals. Are they serious about promoting healthy habits and reducing heart disease? If so, put away the ashtrays and put up ‘No smoking’ signs.” Red Cross chapter director Carolyn Latoski, replied: “The incident happened after hours, but the door was not locked. My husband was inside the conference room playing cards and smoking while waiting for me. There were no ashtrays in the area where we were standing. We have not allowed smoking in the building while CPR and first aid classes are being held, but a designated smoking area is planned.”
— July 29, 1989
Eastern State “I worked at Eastern State Hospital in 197980. I went to school 7:30-10 a.m. and worked on the wards 10 a.m.-4 p.m. I know the employees are mistreating the patients, because I saw them shovel food down their throats, mishandle them by their wrists, sit them down in their chairs. And if the patients peed in their pants by the end of the shift, the
— Dec. 11, 1991
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8 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
Last Word
Health efforts to keep our community informed and protected from this pandemic. Recent information shows that the Greater Hampton Roads area has the fastest-growing number of cases of HIV/AIDS in the nation. That’s not pretty close to home. That is home. You and your network are to be commended for your commitment to a healthy community.” — Sept. 19, 2001
No more butts “Gov. George Allen is handing out packs of Virginia-made cigarettes to those smoking out-of-state brands. He says it isn’t a health issue, but a matter of promoting business. Isn’t he the same governor who beat legislation requiring safety belts for youngsters riding in the back of pickup trucks? Didn’t he also try to amend a bill to permit the possession of concealed weapons in bars and lounges? I wonder who on his staff will tell him that the tobacco he chews is produced and processed in Kentucky.” — Aug. 12, 1995
Hospital kudos “I went to the Heart Attack Fair at Williamsburg Community Hospital. It was really well done. I’m glad to see the hospital putting quality programs together. Every group was very interesting. One woman doctor gave a good lecture and made me think a lot about my health. With programs such as these, it seems like the hospital is going in the right direction. Perhaps they should have another fair in better weather. A lot of my friends wanted to go, but the snow and ice stopped them.” — Jan. 20, 1996
Health alert “Attention, people who work in offices where there is a copying machine. In most copiers there is print powder that has a tendency to pollute the air. This could be detrimental to your lungs. If anyone has done research on this topic, it should be conveyed to the public.” — Oct. 20, 1999
AIDS education “Is it time for the ostrich to take his head out of the sand? Thank you, Lenore Drewery of the Williamsburg AIDS Network, for your
Health care ethics “Cecil Johnson seemed to suggest in his April 17 column about health care that old folks should just go away gracefully. If Johnson were older, he would know that a storm was created in the press in 1905 when famous physician William Osler commented on Trollope’s novel ‘The Fixed Period,’ which suggested that men who were 60 should retire for a year of contemplation before making a peaceful departure by chloroform. Osler said he was dubious of the scheme, but his remarks inspired such doggerel as ‘Brother, I am 61, so my work on earth is done. Calm should follow after storm, reach me down the chloroform.’” — April 20, 2002
Not so perfect for health “Our lifelong dream came true last September when we took early retirement and moved to Williamsburg. I have a terminal disease which has been successfully treated as chronic for seven years now. Our doctors in Washington encouraged our move, assuring us that ‘there must be excellent health care in Williamsburg with all those retired people there.’ We’ve found out the hard way that health care here is about what you’d find in any rural area – dismal. The head of my medical practice here told me six weeks ago that I had three months to live and sent me home with hospice. Luckily I called my doctors in Washington, who immediately referred me to the Medical College of Virginia. The doctors there were incredulous as they read the medical reports from my practice here, but they’re resigned to seeing dozens of patients a week who’ve experienced this kind of medical misadventure. This wonderful community has a long way to go before it begins to live up to its much advertised ‘per9 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
fect retirement destination.’ We love it here so much, living in an older, non-gated, nongolf course community, but what we’ve been through in the past year with the medical care here almost cost me my life.” — Sept. 29, 2004
Universal donor “Some good could come from eliminating the requirement of helmets for motorcyclists. No helmet? You have just joined the pool of organ donors and medical school training material.” — Feb. 15, 2006
Clean your cups “About two weeks ago, a video was making its rounds on the Internet concerning the lack of proper cleaning for coffee cups and glasses at some of the hotel chains in the United States. It was disgusting, to say the least, to watch the cleaning personnel quickly spray the cups with a cleanser and wipe them off, sometimes with the washcloth from the bathroom. One camera captured the fact that a caustic cleanser was being used for this, while another view showed a cleaning woman scrubbing a goblet with a glove on, then wiping a glass with that same gloved hand and placing the cup back on the sink for the next patron. Fast forward to New Year’s Eve and a party at a local hotel. Thinking ahead, I packed plastic cups to use so I wouldn’t be caught short. When I saw that my room had real glasses and cups, we made it a point to thoroughly inspect them. We discovered dried lipstick on both of the coffee cups that were proudly displaying the clean paper cover on top of them. In defense of the hotel, the glasses in the bathroom appeared to be clean.” — Jan. 5, 2008
Health care reform “One of the things hidden in the stimulus package is the takeover of the American health care system by the government. In the past, if you didn’t like your health insurance you could change to any number of health insurance companies. Now, your only choice will be to change the government or move out of the country.” — May 2, 2009
Colonial Williamsburg
Last Word
tion. Obviously, the real motto of the foundation is that the future may earn from the past.” — July 23, 1988
Union
History or profit? “I find it hard to believe that Colonial Williamsburg wants to build a tunnel and close Francis Street for its historic value. They have already desecrated Francis Street by covering important historic foundations with asphalt and building that 191-car parking lot for buses and cars in front of the capitol. Any casual observer can see that the thrust of Colonial Williamsburg’s new growth is not authentic historic preservation, but profit. These extend on both sides of Francis Street, from the parking lot in front of the capitol to beyond the Powder Horn. They include the Inn and its 18 guest houses on Francis Street and parking for both the King’s Arms that will soon open. Thank you for the Last Word and the opportunity to speak.” — March 2, 1988
Double bogey “I was very disappointed to learn of the Colonial Williamsburg golf course expansion. I have been disheartened lately by the commercialization of what should be the standard-bearing institution of historic preserva-
This is for the person who commented in the Last Word about tipping less for union employees. In my experience as a tipped employee at Colonial Williamsburg, locals tip a lot less than guests from out of town, anyway, so your little 5% would be no better than you usually tip. You’d better get your facts about what is going on here and stop being a victim of Colonial Williamsburg propaganda.” — Jan. 12, 1991
Help wanted “Colonial Williamsburg is asking for volunteer gardeners, painters, visitor aides and receptionists. Why isn’t it asking for volunteer managers or vice presidents?” — Feb. 25, 1995
Williamsburg Inn “I find it incredible that the Williamsburg Inn lost its five-star rating. On Christmas Day, my family and I had the pleasure of having a wonderful meal there, along with impeccable service. We had dined at the Greenbrier and other similar resorts and found the Inn to be at the top of our list. Bravo, Colonial Williamsburg!” — Jan. 20, 1996
Still confused “We are totally confused. Where is Confusion Corner? Before lights were installed at the intersection of York, Page, Lafayette and Francis streets, residents called that Confusion Corner’ The intersection of Richmond Road at Jamestown Road is referred to as College Corner, although some people refer to that intersection as Confusion Corner.” — July 20, 1996
Historic Area future “I’m disgusted with the way Colonial Williamsburg is run. How dare anyone put up a fence around the Capitol and Historic Area to keep out non-paying visitors? That’s an intrusion on 18th century history.” — Jan. 14, 1998
Don’t fence me out “I’ve always believed that building a large fence around my property would increase the chances of more people coming to visit me. Colonial Williamsburg can no longer boast that it is a five-star property. Never mind the expense that will be incurred in changing all its publications and advertisements. I wonder if the CW board stopped its multi-dollar executive pensions and perks, what CW would be like, ‘Wake up, chairman of the board, and take care of the little people. They are the ones who meet the customers, not you.’” — Jan. 21, 1998
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Last Word Drugstore “Colonial Williamsburg ran Rizzoli’s bookstore out of Merchants Square so William & Mary Bookstore could provide the same service. Now it wants to move the successful Williamsburg Drug Co. out for a chain store. The first move was a step sideways. This is a step backward. We have plenty of outlet malls where people can buy clothing, but there is only one downtown drugstore. Tourists flock to that drugstore to buy inexpensive souvenirs, and locals can enjoy great shakes and have prescriptions filled there.” — July 7, 2001
History piles up “If Colonial Williamsburg executives say, ‘We must do all we can to protect the museum-like quality of the Historic Area,’ then why does it allow the carriage horses to litter the streets of the Historic Area with manure? Am I the only resident incensed by this practice?”
Survey says...
— June 5, 2002
Colonial Williamsburg “The brilliant Americans who responded to the Colonial Williamsburg-commissioned survey reported in the Gazette had better start packing their suitcases. If, as the article alleges, ‘Americans say the right to affordable health care and the right to an education are more important to them than freedom of speech or freedom of religion,’ such a society already exists in our own backyard. Cuba guarantees its citizens health care and education, and denies them the basic freedoms that the first American citizens fought for with their lives. I suggest those respondents purchase one-way passes to Cuba. Which document in American history guarantees a right to affordable health care?” — July 3, 2002
years of dedicated service. The sad irony is that among those people were many who no longer are employees because of recent cutbacks. It’s a sad loss to many.” — Feb. 18, 2004
Good neighbor “Hard to believe that anyone would have the nerve to complain about the $10 fee for a Good Neighbor card, but I think the Gazette is foolish to publish such dribble. The person who made the comment is only cheating him or herself. Colonial Williamsburg doesn’t owe locals anything, and I doubt that the $10 covers the cost of issuing the card. Our visiting friends and guests are so impressed at all the perks we enjoy living here. Count your blessings.”
Diaper patrol
— March 13, 2004
“I’d like to suggest that Colonial Williamsburg provide drop bags for its horses as they travel through the Historic Area. This would allow a much more pleasurable walk for tourists and residents alike. Many cities, such as Victoria and Quebec, require drop bags for their horses. Quebec, of course, is older than Colonial Williamsburg.”
Horse scents
— April 26, 2003
Unrecognizable “It was a delight to open a recent Gazette and see the photos of the many Colonial Williamsburg employees being recognized for
“I wish Colonial Williamsburg could find an alternative to bathing the horses in insect repellent. I don’t want to deprive the horses of this measure of comfort. But you don’t need a sensitive nose to know that one scent of repellent hardly dissipates before the next comes along. The passengers and drivers are getting a continuous dose. Maybe the repellent isn’t toxic to everybody, but it is not healthy.” — June 9, 2004
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Last Word More glitz “I’m from Baltimore and I’m visiting Colonial Williamsburg. I’m very disappointed in seeing that the decorations are all just like natural things like apples and stuff. In Baltimore, people decorate with blinking lights and tinsel and to me that’s really Christmas.”
Tourism future there will be a need for the vacant motel rooms. You can house all the lawyers that will be needed to handle the bankruptcies in this town.” — July 30, 1988
“The prices are reasonable; the food is terrific!” - The Virginia Gazette
On the Square “Colonial Williamsburg could improve relations with tourists in two simple ways. First, provide more parking spaces in the Merchants Square area by driving out employees who park there all day. Second, schedule the closing and cleaning of the restrooms at bus stop eight before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m., not at the peak traffic hours, which is now the policy.” — Aug. 10, 1988
— Dec. 17, 1986
Timeshares harmless “Your article that timeshares cut into motel sales is ridiculous. The few timeshare units in Williamsburg could not possibly have cut into motel sales nearly as much as the overbuilding of motels and the high rates that motels charge. You also state that the timeshare pays no local room tax. When the units are rented, the room tax is collected just as it is on motel rooms.” — Aug. 22, 1987
Overpriced town “I read, with interest your article on low occupancy rates for motels. I am visiting from out of town and will never come back to the Williamsburg area. I can take my family to many other places on the East Coast and not pay what it costs in Williamsburg. Everything you do in this town except breathe the air, costs you too much: motels, Busch Gardens, Water Country, Colonial Williamsburg, eating establishments and everything. In the near
“I’m wondering why there is so much controversy over what students have to wear to high school when area restaurants are not more concerned about what patrons come in to dinner at night attired in. It is not very pleasant to be sitting in a wellknown restaurant where you pay a good price for dinner and have a tourist walk in – a fat man in shorts and a tank top, with hair under his arms sticking out, and you have to sit and eat next to that. Please restaurateurs, take note of this.” — June 10, 1989
Travel tips “The State Department issued a travel advisory warning Americans to be careful when traveling in Kenya. I would like to put in my two cents’ worth, warning Americans when travelling in the following countries. two cents is all I had left when I got back to the United States. Germany charged me three times the cost for food, souvenirs, etc., just because I was an American. In Italy, my purse was stolen. I was not strong enough to hold on to it. In Spain, I lost a piece of cheap dimestore jewelry, which was literally torn off my neck, the thief thinking it was gold. From now on, I shall do my traveling in the United States-much safer, believe it or not.” — April 27, 1991 12 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
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of th fe r.
— Oct. 3, 1987
Speaking of attire...
10
“I’m a local resident and enjoy going out to several of the restaurants here in town. I am sick and tired, when I walk out of a restaurant, be it for breakfast or dinner or whenever, of people pouncing on me like hungry vultures trying to sell me a timeshare condominium.”
F % wi o t N h o an ot thi d O y o va s c B th lid ou ill ff er w po i n
Wrong approach
Last Word No sale “I’m from Vienna, and we have been coming to Williamsburg for many years. Nowadays when we walk into the hotels, we are pressured into one of those timeshare tours if we go to the information booths for information. I think Williamsburg has belittled itself by allowing this in the hotels.” — April 15, 1995
Go fore it “Virginia is for lovers, golfers and souvenir hunters. The average temperature in greater Williamsburg for June was a high of 80 and a low of 70 degrees, ideal weather for loving, shopping and golfing. Non-golfing family members can do the shopping while others play golf. The weather report for June 28 listed a heavy snowstorm in the North and high humid temperatures in excess of 100 degrees in the South. Neither area is suitable for golf. Let’s make Williamsburg the golf capital of the world.” — July 6, 1996
Harley riders tour “Those who are enthusiastically welcoming thousands of bikers riding Harley Davidsons must be profoundly deaf, although I’d guess that even the hard-of-hearing find the incessant road of the ridiculous engines intimidating and unnerving. Cars are not allowed to emit such loud noise, and some places don’t allow loud radios inside vehicles. How in the world do motorcyclists get away with their deafening decibels, and why would anyone welcome it? Bikers might be nice people, if you call inconsideration and thoughtlessness nice. But litterbugs and smokers are nice too. So, who is kidding whom? Does the destination host know that some towns in South Dakota welcome 200,000 bikers at their conventions? Like flies, they multiply. Please reconsider.”
Tourism Busch Gardens pass
Duck soup
“Busch Gardens’ new Summer Sizzler Pass is not a good deal for locals. We want to be able to go to the park before and after the summer when most of the tourists have left town. Just when the weather gets nice and the crowds get light, the pass is no longer valid. It sounds like the people at Busch Gardens did their homework and realized that anyone who buys this pass would also buy a pass for next year, which includes time to visit after summer. Shame on Busch Gardens. How about doing something that really benefits locals? At the Busch Gardens in Florida, a season pass for locals is good for two years.” Spokesman Deborah DeMarco responded: “Our local residents are very important to us. In order to meet the needs of locals, we expanded our 2001 season pass program from two to four pass options.”
“Is it any wonder that ordinary families cannot afford to visit Williamsburg? If we need more money, why not build a fence around the city and charge admission to enter? Better yet, to maintain the city’s exclusivity, we could build a dome over the whole city and charge everyone a fee to breathe the air. Please don’t charge families to feed the ducks at Waller Mill.” — March 3, 2004
Heads up “I do not understand why anyone would want to spend money to see those concrete monstrosities in the form of presidents’ heads that sit next to Route 199. The site looks like a mutant mushroom field run amok.”
— March 28, 2001
Atheist “Thank you to the New Jersey atheist for giving my family and me a hearty morning laugh about people offended by a ship’s mast. I advise people to find out a bit about their new home before wanting to make changes. A visit to Jamestown Settlement will reveal that the playground ship at Kidsburg is designed to resemble the three ships that brought the Virginia Co. settlers in 1607. If the person is still offended, there are other parks in Williamsburg and probably in New Jersey, too.” — Aug. 14, 2002
Colonial Hooters “Since Hooters wants to come to Williamsburg and Colonial Williamsburg is suffering from poor attendance, why not kill two birds with one stone and have Hooters lease one of the taverns? Hooters could turn the restaurant into an 18th century bawdy house, with the Hooters girls in colonial costume flirting with the customers. That way, Hooters would have its restaurant in town, and maybe with the new attraction Colonial Williamsburg’s attendance would pick up.” — Aug. 20, 2003
— June 24, 1998 13 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
— Feb. 18, 2004
Partial closure “When ticket sales at Busch Gardens sag, the company builds a new roller coaster. Now that ticket sales at Colonial Williamsburg have gone south, the administration is building its own roller coaster and calling it Revolutionary City. Make no mistake, the Revolutionary City is not, as Colonial Williamsburg officials claim, a chance to advance educational programs more effectively. It is solely a scheme to sell more tickets by closing down part of Duke of Gloucester Street to the public. The Revolutionary City is not a roller coaster, and many front-line Colonial Williamsburg workers do not believe it will result in more tickets sold. I went to a Colonial Williamsburg Christmas party attended by about 75 lower-ranked employees. Virtually no one I talked to believed that the Revolutionary City was going to work. Colonial Williamsburg officials take note: It’s not too late to scuttle this flawed plan.” — Jan. 7, 2006
Crawling distance “Although I’ve been a Williamsburg resident for only four years, I have seen much change for both good and bad. The construction of the outlet shopping center, in front of the Williamsburg Memorial Park, really captures top prize. It is comforting to know that if I choose to be buried in the Williamsburg area I don’t have to worry about being bored. If things are slow I can pick myself up and go shopping or check into a hotel with free HBO, all within crawling distance of my final resting place. Maybe the developers will leave space to a designer casket-maker or discount memorial stonecutter! They’re here.” — Aug. 26, 1987
Let’s get acquainted “With summer nearly over, I would like to see all the people in the neighborhoods take time to step out and walk down the street and shake hands and become acquainted with the people in their neighborhood. Today, people live so fast. All they think about is getting from point A to point B, and B back to A. In other words, home to job, job back to home. And they never know who their neighbors are. Would you believe, people live in a neighborhood for years and years and don’t even know who lives next door to them? Let’s take a little time here and go out and knock on doors and shake hands and introduce ourselves. Let’s let people know who we are. Let’s take it up, it would be fine. Let’s really be good Williamsburg neighbors.” — Sept. 7, 1988
Future parking “This may be our last chance to offer an effective input to the comprehensive plans for James City County and York County. Do we want to support or discourage future
long-term, on-street parking in any new subdivision? Look at Hubbard Lane. Some communities have bans on habitual overnight street parking, and you have to ensure there is adequate off-street parking built into any new subdivision. What is the county’s future policy concerning on-street parking and new residential and new subdivision requirements going to be?” — June 5, 1991
Any bites? “Regarding the April 6 Gazette Police Blotter, ‘Larceny of false teeth at Williamsburg Community Hospital’: Have police made dental impressions of the hospital staff and visitors to determine who may use these dentures? Has there been a stakeout of area pawn shops to see if anyone has tried to hock false teeth? What’s the resale value of dentures listed at $768?” — April 13, 1996
Community Hospital “The person who called about the new building at Williamsburg Community Hospital hit the nail on the head. Despite the comments from the hospital communications manager, the hospital is no longer a community hospital. It is now a Sentara affiliate. The board of directors does not act in the best interest of Sentara. This is business. Community interests are secondary to business objectives. There are areas of hospital services cut drastically where money might be better spent to improve service to the community.” — May 2, 1998
Police “I am proud of local law enforcement after seeing what occurred one recent morning. While waiting in line at Starbucks at Cedar Valley shopping center, I saw a James City police cruiser pull up to a man hanging out by the side of the road. The officer handed him a Chick-fil-A breakfast and drove off. It made me feel great to see such compassion.” — Aug. 26, 2009
14 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
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Last Word
Community
Last Word
Community The surgeons decided to wash their hands of the whole idea.The radiologists could see right through it. And the cardiologists didn’t have the heart to say no.” — March 9, 2002
Local hospitality
“I had the pleasure of attending a recent performance of the Williamsburg Players’ ‘The Mousetrap.’ During intermission, a grown man got up from his chair, walked onto the stage, and moved a set piece, an armchair. Apparently he thought this the appropriate thing to do in order to improve his line of sight. The actors came on stage in the dark, and when the lights came on again, the actor who was supposed to be in the newly moved chair struggled to find it behind him and suffered a couple of awkward moments. The man and those in his small section giggled with glee. Real harm could have been done. Actors rehearse for weeks on a set that never changes, to gain the instincts that will help them maneuver in situations, such as darkness, with safety and speed. When a set piece is moved, it can be awkward at best, and dangerous at worst.”
“As I was walking on the loop road at Jamestown Island recently, I noted an activity that seemed to fly in the face of Williamsburg as a community with a large tourist population passing through each year. A young woman pulled over at the first bridge and was apparently bird watching. As I passed by, I noticed a video camera and binoculars. Upon a return trip, I saw the same woman. This time she had left her car in the middle of the road and was trying to get birds on tape. After going about 50 yards I was met by another car with out-of-state plates. The driver pulled up behind the woman’s car and waited, then tooted his horn. The woman walked back down the road, and instead of apologizing and quickly moving, she had words for the visitor. As a second car drove up, she got in her car and pulled over for the cars to pass. I imagine that the visitors got a good impression of local hospitality. I was shocked by this woman’s indifference to blocking the road. Rudeness will not make people want to return to our area.”
— May 19, 1999
— April 24, 2002
Inconsiderate move
Hospital relocation “When a panel of doctors was asked to vote on relocating Williamsburg Community Hospital, this is what happened: The allergists voted to scratch it. The dermatologists preferred no rash moves.The gastroenterologists had a gut feeling about it. The neurologists thought the administration had a lot of nerve. The obstetricians stated they were laboring under a misconception. The ophthalmologists considered the idea shortsighted. The pathologists yelled, ‘Over my dead body.’The pediatricians said, ‘Grow up.’ The proctologists said, ‘We are in arrears.’ The psychiatrists thought it was madness.
Lost amusement park “During the 1960s there was a small amusement park along the Colonial Parkway between College Creek and Jamestown. Where can I obtain information on the name of the amusement park, years of operation and the operator/owner of the park? I’m a history buff and need some direction as to where to start research.” The park operated 1950s-1970s and was run by the family that owns the Gospel Spreading Farm. Stop by the Gazette to read an article that ran March 5, 2005. — June 3, 2009
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15 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
Last Word
The sexes and I believe this will prevent problems such as teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted disease in the young. It’s a crucial part of development and I really think it needs to be taught in schools at a very young age.” — July 1, 1989
Man’s work From the top “What has happened to the heads of our nurses? Do the caps they earn not fit anymore or have they stopped making nurses’ caps? Our nurses have become too liberated below the knee. Have the nurses’ uniforms become micro-mini now? What had happened to the dress code of the nurse? Furthermore, what is happening to the person who is responsible for seeing that this is done, starting from the top?” — Aug. 13, 1988
Sex ed needed “To the caller who wanted to know why there should be sex education in schools: I have this to say. As a former elementary school and teenage student, sex is very much on the minds of school students. So much so, that sometimes they can’t concentrate on other subjects, such as basic arithmetic and skills. This is a natural part of life. Students need to be educated on it so they don’t have to go around and experiment to find things out for themselves. It should be talked about in an open, accurate manner. It’s very important,
“My husband and I stopped for gas at a station on Richmond Road, and saw tour buses waiting for service. There was a female washing the bus. She seemed to be having a hard time, as she was very short and lightweight. After going inside to pay for our purchases, we saw male employees standing around. They should have been attending to those buses. It was a disgrace. Is it mandatory for females to wash buses now? If my daughter had to wash buses, I’d tell her to leave the job. There are certain things that females should do and certain things that males should do. Employers should stop being so chauvinistic.”
Premarin “Premarin, an estrogen replacement drug, is made from pregnant mares’ urine. Thousands of horses are kept pregnant and confined in a cramped stall to collect their urine. The foals are considered byproducts and given to slaughterhouses. Ask your doctor about alternative FDA-approved, effective, plant-derived treatments that are available. Call 757 6227382 for more information.” — Sept. 4, 1996
Southerners
“I see in the Gazette that the theme in an upcoming local beauty contest is ‘Pretty Women,’ borrowed no doubt from last year’s hit film, ‘Pretty Woman.’ It’s amusing that the beauty contest promoters have inadvertently highlighted the fact that their contest and Julia Roberts’s profession in the film reveals their anachronistic attitude toward women.”
“I respectfully disagree with Southern Lady and her assessment of Southern men vs. Northern men’s manners. Geography has no bearing on manners or any of the learned behaviors. I have lived in the South as well as in the East, West and Midwest, and my experience has been that color, size, gender or geographic location has little bearing on people’s behavior. Manners, like respect, are a learned behavior. Both are taught at an early stage by the parents or guardians in the home. Youngsters learn by example. Maturity allows one to appreciate the past, and the practices of a caring family. One must feel sadness for those who have not and will never experience the graces of folks who were concerned and cared for another’s well-being and feelings. Today’s children may never know or experience the graces of the past but probably won’t care, for they know not.”
— Feb. 16, 1991
— April 8, 1998
— Oct. 28, 1989
Psychological slip?
16 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
Last Word Wise women “You do know what would have happened if it had been three wise women instead of men, don’t you? They would have asked for directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole and taken practical gifts.”
The sexes Infidelity “The pain of betrayal and infidelity is devastating to a family and the children. It has a lifetime effect that leaves a deep and painful scar. It is terrible to watch the innocent partner suffer this needless pain. The selfishness on the part of the betrayer is sickening. Equally as bad are the women who knowingly inflict pain by sleeping with married men. People who commit adultery never stop to think how they hurt others in the process. Why does our society condone these behaviors? To the men and women in this community who have affairs: You will eventually pay a heavy price for your greed and selfishness.” — Sept. 4, 2002
— July 10, 1999
What is normal?
Let her be free “To the man who said he would prohibit his wife from shopping at Kmart: I hope you unlock the manacles on her legs and arms and release her from the pole to which she is handcuffed in the basement so that she can prepare your meals and wash your socks. What century are you living in? Unless your wife’s legs are broken, she should go to Kmart every day for a month and spend tons of money just to show you that she is over 21 and living in a free country. I am sure that men like you exist in foreign lands and that is where you should go.” — Sept. 12, 2001
“Whether you agree with that lifestyle or not, it is here to stay. However, there is a word that society has forgotten – normal. What is normal? I have heard gay people say that they knew at an early age that they were different. By saying that, homosexuals have admitted they are not normal. Everyone should have respect for others, but acceptance is something different. I understand when it is said that as long as two people love each other, they should have the right to marry. I love my cat, but should I be able to marry him and receive benefits?” — July 10, 2004
17 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
Hate toward homosexuals “It bothers me that there has been so much hate spewed in the Last Word about homosexuals. I am a lesbian, but there is no place for us to go to meet others. It seems as if everyone in this community who is gay or lesbian is scared. We are people just like everyone else.” — July 7, 2004
Free wife “To the husband looking to get rid of his wife and children free: You should be ashamed. I’m sure that you’re a peach to live with. Have you ever questioned yourself as to how your household ended up the way you said it is? If your wife was so smart, she’d pay someone to take you. I love men who think that they are perfect and deserving of someone younger, skinnier, and of course, childless. If you were my husband, you would have been gone long ago.” — March 29, 2008
Greatest asset “Some younger and older women may be moxie about a variety of things, but none has learned that a woman’s greatest asset is a man’s imagination.” — Aug. 22, 2009
Servant Leadership and Community Involvement #1 Specialty Distribution Center in America!
Vice President Malcolm Gillliam (left) presents Associate of the Year Steven Jones and General Manager Brien Craft the top award.
18 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
• Stored fixtures for 300 stores undergoing remodeling. • Repacked trucks higher and tighter for shipment. • Saved $7.3 million on those two initiatives alone. • Raised $65,000 to build home with Habitat for Humanity. • Associates worked 250 hours for the Salvation Army. • LaTina Hassell won Darnell Newby volunteer award.
Last Word Star-struck “I’m a student at Berkeley Elementary School who did extra work to earn two tickets to see Lawrence Taylor at Lafayette High School. After his speech I asked him for his signature and was told by him that he didn’t have any time for that. I know it is very difficult at times to please all his fans, but he should have taken some time out for the people of his hometown. Thank you.” — March 25, 1987
Not on board with babies “I’m calling about people who have ‘Baby on Board’ signs on their cars. It’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen. Most of the people who have those signs drive like they have never even taken a driver’s ed course, let alone passed the driving test. Just because a baby is inside a car doesn’t mean I’m going to drive any more safely or more recklessly. It’s neither here nor there. It’s my understanding that there was going to be a ban put on them. That should be enforced.” — May 17, 1989
Cheers & jeers Pat on the back “We would like to offer a pat on the back to a group of hard-working people, the Board of Zoning Appeals in James City County. Having been on both sides of issues involving the zoning board, we may not always agree with their findings, but we certainly do respect them. One doesn’t often hear of them, but they are always there looking out for all of us. Thank you.” — Sept. 3, 1988
Friendly bailout “While checking out at the grocery store recently. I lacked $3.25 of having money to pay the bill. Before I could make a decision about handling the problem, a man next in line quickly supplied the deficit, and, furthermore, refused to give me his address so I could reimburse him by check. Many, many thanks for your generosity, my friend. I owe you a lasting debt.” — Oct. 7, 1989
A few years ago, we went to New Jersey visiting and went to a movie. They showed about six commercials before the movie came on. They should put a stop to this. I for one will not buy that orange juice or that car, whatever it was.” — Nov. 4, 1989
Cold plate “I am so glad somebody else is complaining about restaurants being so cold for customers. They sit still. It’s the waitresses who run around and get hot. We don’t want them to be miserable, but it’s the customer who pays the bill, and the food gets cold on the plate.” — June 1, 1991
Proud of students “I want to thank the William and Mary students who found my purse at Merchants Square and returned it to me on Wednesday night with all contents and cash. Your parents should be proud.” — Sept. 12, 1992
Irked by commercials “Went to the theater and I was annoyed to see that they’re showing commercials. I paid money to see a movie. One was an orange juice commercial and the other about a car. I resent this. It’s bad enough to watch four or five commercials on TV. Management or whoever is making money on it, but I don’t know why I have to pay money to see them.
Misdirections “Has anyone else noticed VDOT’s cruel humor on Capitol Landing Road? Near the DMV office, where novice drivers take their driving test, signs warn that cars should merge left. But the lane arrows point to the right to a lane that doesn’t exist.” — Aug. 1, 2001
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19 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
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Last Word Merry Christmas “I would like to let people know that in today’s society there are still people who care. I am a single parent who lives in the Woods of Williamsburg apartments. I work full-time and don’t receive help from the government. I was recently very ill and could not work for three weeks. During this time, I didn’t receive any sick pay, which can really hurt a family who lives paycheck to paycheck. Needless to say, I had trouble trying to pay my rent. When I went to the office and spoke with Kim and Linda, they were very kind and supportive and did everything they could to help me. I just want people to know that there are people who really do care.” — Dec. 23, 1998
Terrorism on the 18th hole “How insensitive was the Michelob Golf Championship to have fireworks for players and guests when the country was so jittery because of the terrorist attacks and because we live eight miles from Surry? Didn’t organizers know that we are at war? Surry has even suspended its alarms because it did
Cheers & jeers not want to upset people with the test patterns. We don’t need this aggravation.”
Strange wisdom
— Oct. 27, 2001
“Thank you, Curtis Strange, for your simplistic wisdom in your quote, ‘If I wasn’t doing this, I would be doing something else, and I don’t have time to do anything else.”
Rescue, hospital praised “My wife accidentally fell down a flight of stairs in our home. Thankfully, as a retired special education teacher accustomed to emergencies, I was able to maintain my composure and dial 911. The James City emergency medical personnel and ambulance were at our home within a few minutes. My wife was rushed to Williamsburg Community Hospital, where it was determined that she had suffered a fractured hand and wrist and a fractured and crushed toe, as well as contusions, bruises and abrasions. We would like to thank the James City emergency medical personnel and the ambulance, as well as the hospital emergency personnel.”
— April 3, 2002
SUVs a waste “Sport utility vehicle owners: it’s great that you help people during blizzards and hurricanes. What’s bothersome about SUVs is the other 364 days of the year that people drive them around unnecessarily. Going to the grocery store is not an Expedition. You don’t need to be a Navigator to find the post office, and the community center is not located in the treacherous Yukon. The reason we don’t pick on Winnebago owners is simple: they don’t drive their huge vehicles all over town and get in our way.”
— Jan 19, 2002
— May 28, 2003
Inspiring friend “About 18 years ago, I met a fine man at work who inspired me and others to turn a boring job into a pleasurable hobby. We shared many good times at work, home and on the drag strip. His ability as a craftsman will never be matched but will always be sought. We recently laid his body to rest after a long struggle. Whenever I drive my old car, I will remember that it was Lani who persuaded me to make it really run. May God rest his soul.”
Pat Robertson and God “Regarding the Rev. Pat Robertson and his conversations with God, almost 20 years ago when a hurricane was heading our way Robertson said he had talked God into changing the direction of the hurricane. We didn’t get a full hurricane, but other states got clobbered. Thank you to Robertson and God. I must ask why Robertson didn’t have God change the direction of Hurricane Isabel.” — Jan. 17, 2004
— March 27, 2002
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Cheers & jeers
Last Word God bless the band “I’ve become discouraged with the world we live in. If you told people of yesterday about Amber Alerts, they would have difficulty understanding what you are talking about. In days gone by, a business might have closed its doors, but not for reasons of fraud, scandal or questionable ethics. Terrorism rules the roost, throwing national and world politics in chaos. Then there is the ongoing plight of minority groups in a battle to find their identities. Although it was only for a fleeting moment last Wednesday night, my heart fluttered and I had a peace of mind that has eluded me for a long time. It was when the Air Force American Heritage Band closed out its first August concert on Merchants Square with ‘God Bless America.’ Thousands of people rose in unison to sing and share the moment in a wonderful scene.” — Aug. 13, 2003
Hinckley visits “I’m appalled that John Hinckley would even get consideration for unsupervised vis-
its anywhere. He shot President Reagan and James Brady, and under no circumstances deserves to move around freely. He got away with the shootings, which could have cost two men their lives. Why would anyone believe he isn’t interested in harming anyone else now? I am amazed that his parents would feel comfortable having him visit. I don’t want to be out and about in Williamsburg knowing that such a man is roaming freely.” — Sept. 10, 2003
Animal farm “I recently had occasion to ask my neighbor to keep her farm animals out of my yard. Her response was, she was sorry, she didn’t know they were out. She asked if I came from up North. Actually, I moved to my present location from James City County, and before that, from Roanoke County. I am now left to ponder what relevance where I used to live has on wanting her livestock off my property.” — Jan. 30, 2008
No Satisfaction “I see that Virginia is still without an official state song. In honor of the General Assembly, how about ‘I Can’t Get No Satisfaction’?” — April 10, 2004
Paved with good intention “Thank you to VDOT for finally resurfacing the main road into Seasons Trace. Hopefully now the private roads will be taken care of by the appropriate homeowners. This will make ‘The Trace’ a better place in which to live.” — May 26, 2004
Love it or leave it “To the person who objects to the frequent use of musket and cannon fire: Go live somewhere else.”
See the daffodils “While rushing along Route 5 in my usual routine of running errands, I passed a little wagon left on the side of the road. There, in plain sight, were beautiful daffodils with a sign. To my sweet surprise the sign read, ‘Free.’ I couldn’t believe it. I stopped and took a few of the precious gifts. This was one of the sweetest acts of kindness I have ever experienced. I wondered who left the flowers for anyone to take. Maybe it’s the waitress at the local restaurant who always forgets what I ordered, the elderly man at the market who could use some help with his groceries or the woman in front of the counter. Maybe I’d better slow down and look for this person, and be kind to everyone I meet in this wonderful town.”
— May 29, 2004
— March 17, 2004
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21 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
Last Word Queens Lake fan “I’m calling about the James Blair-Queens Lake baseball game that was covered in the sports section of your newspaper. I was very upset to read that James Blair got the headlines when Queens Lake actually won the game and it went as far as to say that Queens Lake’s points were unearned. The boys had good enough eyes not to swing on a ball. They might not have hit any home runs, but they sure put forth a lot of effort to win the game.” By definition, unearned runs in a baseball game result from a breakdown on defense. The term makes no statement criticizing the effort of the team that scored, but simply signifies that the pitcher is not responsible.
Sports A different sport “A caller to the Last Word asked why cheerleaders aren’t in the football program. For one thing, the cheerleaders fought so hard to have cheerleading made into a sport, so why should they be in another sport’s program book? How would it look if field hockey was in track’s program book? Those are two completely different sports. The cheerleaders don’t have much respect for the football team. While we were losing 32-0 to Bethel, the cheerleaders started dancing to Bethel’s band.” — Sept. 17, 1988
W&M sports “It was interesting to read an article in USA Today concerning sex equity and elimination of women’s basketball at William & Mary. Only one sentence mentioned the elimination of the most equal sport: men’s and women’s swimming. These teams practice together, travel together, and are coached by the same coaches. That’s equality in athletics, and it has been eliminated. Apparently the college believes in separate but equal, but not equality.” — Feb. 20, 1991
— April 27, 1988
Doing swimmingly
Night lights “Now that the Chicago Cubs’ Wrigley Field has lights, would it be possible for William and Mary to get lights? It sure would be nice to have a night game and not sit in the hot afternoon sun. Parking would be the same at night as during the day, plus more people would get to go. The college would benefit and the people would benefit, and if the old town fathers don’t like it, let’s vote them out and get some new young people in office.” — Sept. 17, 1988
Winner “As the parent of a youngster in Williamsburg rec basketball, I commend Tom Dover as an official. Watching him work with the children is entertaining and educational. He’s a valuable asset to our community. In commenting on how performance is affected by attitude, Tom Landry once said, ‘When people are not happy doing what they do, they don’t do as well as when they are happy.’ I’d say Dover is rightfully a happy man.” — March 11, 1995
“Having spent the weekend with the ‘swimmer parents’ at the ODU meet, I have renewed respect for them. They are committed to their kids. They don’t complain about the early hours, hot environment, bad food, huge amount of laundry, or about the hours driving to and from meets. They applaud, console and counsel their children, always encouraging and loving them despite their performances. They teach them about responsibility, accountability, and competition solely through unrelenting commitment to the weekend meets. Williamsburg swimmer parents deserve a round of applause. Thank goodness, my husband is back in town. I’m exhausted.” — March 6, 1996
Soccer fields “If it wasn’t for the Williamsburg Soccer Club and the travel team program, I’d have to drive my son to Richmond or Virginia Beach to play competitive soccer. The club should be commended for all that it has done on its own with the limited fields available in the 22 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
area. How can anyone expect it to offer more programs without additional fields?” — Dec. 19, 1998
Parents are bad sports “After watching several youth basketball games, I was appalled at the behavior of many of the parents. What good is accomplished by screaming obscenities at game officials and scorekeepers? Have we as parents lost sight of what’s important at this level of play? You are embarrassing your kids and yourself as well. Let the referees take time out to explain to kids the different calls made during a game. It’s a good thing the kids are not learning the game from their parents. I’m offended by the parents’ behavior.” — Feb. 23, 2000
Baseball at Kiwanis “The City of Williamsburg should be ashamed of the way it is treating the Williamsburg Youth League. The league has been ordered to vacate the fields at Kiwanis Park on April 1, with only two months’ notice to make other arrangements. This, after 40 years of the league caring for the park. The fields at the new District Sports Complex have no lights and are inadequate for the league. The public should be outraged.” — March 10, 2001
Who’s coaching kids? “After reading the front-page article. ‘Who’s coaching our kids?’ in the May 18 Gazette, I think the leagues need to also run a characterpsychological check on coaches in addition to criminal background checks. You should see how these coaches act on the field, yelling and screaming. It’s nuts. With this type of behavior, coaches are teaching kids that you can’t make mistakes. And if you drop the ball, you aren’t any good. What about telling the kid something positive like, ‘It’s okay, but next time try a little harder’? I think someone not involved with the leagues should attend a game and see what goes on. This behavior can have a negative effect on kids. Fortunately, my son has a wonderful coach this year, but we have been on the other side in the past.” — May 22, 2002
23 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
Last Word
York County flirting with the customers. That way, Hooters would have its restaurant in town, and maybe with the new attraction Colonial Williamsburg attendance would rise.”
Celebrating Life’s Extraordinary People And Your Occasions For Over 32 Years.
— Aug. 20, 2003
Windfall, shortfall York boundaries “Can someone please tell me the boundaries of Bruton District in York County? I see Bruton District on the front page of the newspaper, and I read about it in the Last Word. Information about Colonial Williamsburg even includes specials for the residents of Bruton District. Your map showed a portion of what I know as Waller Mill Precinct.” County attorney William Hackworth responded: “We don’t have a precinct named Bruton. However, in the past the area northwest of the Yorktown Naval Weapons Station to the boundary of York County was popularly known as Bruton District, but it’s not something we define in the county code.” — May 15, 1993
“So, York County enjoys the revenue from the ‘windfall room and meal tax’ but doesn’t see any need to pour a fair amount back to the primary impetus for the windfall-Colonial Williamsburg. Colonial Williamsburg has appealing ads in many publications and because of the superb quality of its programs, buildings, grounds and industrious employees, it has a terrific reputation worldwide. The Gazette reported that Williamsburg was tops in Washingtonian magazine in a favorite weekend getaway survey. Do people rate York County tops? Hardly, but York and James City end up with a huge chunk of business because visitors don’t know about the city boundaries. York and James City ought to be asking how they can help CW bring in more business, not ignoring the source of the golden eggs.” — March 3, 2004
Leaf burning “Boo, hiss, to the York Board of Supervisors of considering a ban on leaf burning. This is ridiculous. What are York citizens supposed to do? They’re only allowed to put out so many bags of leaves. If you don’t let us burn, you’d better come pick up all of our leaves and yard debris at no extra charge. The government is trying to control us again.” — Nov. 15, 1995
History, Hooters style “Since Hooters wants to come to Williamsburg and Colonial Williamsburg is suffering from poor attendance, why not kill two birds with one stone and have Hooters lease one of the taverns? Hooters could turn the restaurant into an 18th century bawdy house, with the Hooters girls in colonial costume
Who doesn’t want Hooters? “What a ludicrous comment by the contractor in the March 3 Last Word that he is surprised that some residents object to Hooters. That contractor is either dimwitted, joking, or proving he and others will stoop to any level for a dollar.” — March 6, 2004
Colonial living “House for sale in Queens Lake at newly assessed value. Comes with colonial amenities, such as no water, phone, etc., because of sewer being installed and no streetlights or sidewalks. Rustic mud road to add charm until resurfacing is done. Multiple trucks furnish colonial dirt and dust, which blows daily 7 a.m.-5 p.m. The generator is a musthave because of frequent power outages. Sundays are quiet since no work is done except for the washer if water is available. Will also consider trading car for a horse, because of road conditions.” — Feb. 24, 2010 24 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
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25 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
Last Word
Race ment settles next week, but there is no reason to think the projections have changed. Matthew Whaley’s balance is the same as the entire system, approximately one-third black and two-thirds white.” — Sept. 13, 1989
All about schools
Proud to sing it “The Gazette article by Kurt Jensen on Jan. 17 is pretty strong language for a young man. I am not embarrassed to sing our official state song as written. And I am not one of those Virginians referred to that find ‘Carry Me Back to Old Virginia’ a piece of racist tripe. I am not alone in this conviction, and I believe that the black songwriter of 1875 would agree with my comments. You cannot rewrite or edit American history and change our inheritance such as this folk song. I hope that Mr. Jensen and others live long enough to appreciate all of our rich American heritage without trying to change it.” — Jan. 21, 1987
Hiring bias claimed “There is a store in the (name deleted) which discriminates against male and black applicants by refusing to hire them. All applications are taken and coded as to sex and race. Unless they are white females, the applications are never considered for review. This is not speculation but factual. This is being reported to other appropriate authorities.” — Sept. 16, 1987
School quotas “I was walking past Matthew Whaley School today. My children were enrolled there the last three years. This year they’re out at Clara Baker. Today when the children were going out of Matthew Whaley I noticed they were all white. I’m really shocked. Is there any way we could see what the racial balance is. I’m really concerned. Thank you very much.” When redistricting was completed last fall, the racial balance projected was 28 percent black, 69.5 percent white, and 2.5 percent other. A school spokesman said they will check the racial balances as soon as enroll-
“Lafayette’s homecoming parade was generally very enjoyable. The students were well behaved and they and their teachers appeared to be having a good time. However, there was one group of students in a pickup truck that I considered offensive. The students were black and they had what I felt was a racial slur imprinted on the back of their shirts. If those had been white students with a similar statement on their shirts, I’m sure the school administration would not have allowed them in the parade. Comments from the tourists and visitors around me were not complimentary. Surely our high school can do better. Apparently the “racial slur” the caller refers to were the words, “It’s a black thing. You wouldn’t understand.” It was imprinted on shirts worn by students in one of the parade units.” — Nov. 1, 1989
Not a slur “I’m responding to the caller who observed the black students’ unit at the parade. I was one of the students who marched in the parade. The words ‘It’s a black thing, you wouldn’t understand,’ weren’t a racial slur. It’s just that black students are not going to forget where they came from, and neither should you. The fact is, you wouldn’t understand. We weren’t trying to start any kind of racial problem, so don’t you try it.” — Nov. 8, 1989
More than enough “I did not enjoy the storytelling at Carter’s Grove. Rehashing hatred and deep wounds of slavery time do not serve a good purpose for us blacks today. We want to get on with our lives and leave the stench of slavery buried. Colonial Williamsburg, why keep it going?” — June 24, 1995 26 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
Last Word
Race Xenophobic “I am sick and tired of the media building up foreigners coming over. The people in the United States are having a hard enough time struggling. Now they are bringing the Russians over here.” — Jan. 4, 1992
Calling all dads
Black History Month “Why don’t we hear more about Black History Month and some of the good things that blacks have done, such as inventing potato chips and peanut butter? It seems as if we focus on slavery, instead of the contributions of blacks. I think it’s important to learn more about other aspects of their lives. They were more than slaves. They were intelligent.”
“In reference to the feature on June 14, ‘That’s My Dad,’ I thought it was very nice, but I wonder why there weren’t some African-American fathers shown. One would think that there aren’t any African-Americans living in the vicinity.” The Gazette requested pictures of fathers and children. All entries were published. — June 21, 1995
— Feb. 17, 1996
Derogatory headline “I’m calling about the essay by David Mullaney headlined ‘Gringos who share learn to care.’ Gringo is a derogatory term for white people. No one would put up with ‘Spics who share learn to care.’ But it’s all right to call white Americans Gringos and honkies and round eyes and whatever you want to call them to insult them. Racism is wrong all over. No matter if it’s against a minority or majority, it’s wrong.” The literal translation of ‘gringo’ and the context to which it was used in the headline, is ‘stranger.’ — March 24, 1990
Racism “Several years ago, I heard this on the radio. ‘There’s a crippling disease that no amount of medical research can cure, no amount of fundraising by television can prevent. This disease, most often transmitted from parent to child, can be fatal if unchecked in its early stages. The disease is racism. Its earliest symptom is the belief that one racial group is superior to others. In advanced stages, racism can cause violence, death, and destruction. A cure, however, exists. It’s a non-surgical change of heart. It takes time, effort and understanding, compassion, forgiveness and respect. Let us agree that in our homes, in our hearts and in our lives, we will all promote and encourage racial harmony, unity and understanding.” — Feb. 10, 1996
Teed off “As a black high school senior attending Lafayette High School, I’d like to express how angry I am that one of the students was wearing a T-shirt with the slogan, ‘It’s a black thing, you wouldn’t understand,’ and was brought in the hall and asked to put a piece of paper over the word ‘black.’ This is ridiculous and totally unnecessary. We do have a dress code, but I don’t think this was doing anything to harm it. If it was another kind of slogan with an alligator or something on it, it wouldn’t be treated this way.” — March 21, 1990
Racial profiling “I recently saw ’60 Minutes,’ and I was appalled to hear the story regarding Dillard’s department store security guards and their record for harassing, maiming and shooting store patrons. These guards have shot suspected shoplifters-not just any shoplifters, but people of color, be they African American, Latino or Indian. This is called racial profiling, and it is a frightening problem in this country. We can’t afford to turn our heads when it becomes this rampant and blatant. Dillard’s, which has paid millions across the 27 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
country to get lawsuits dropped, was given the opportunity to address the story on camera, but refused. Besides the racial profiling aspect, Dillard’s is subscribing to the good ol’ boy network and supporting its bandito-style security guards. This is an outrage. I will not step through the doors of Dillard’s until there is a change in store policy. By the way, I am white. I can’t afford to look away when innocent people are being targeted by a corporate giant. If I can make a small difference, then I must try to help.” — April 11, 2001
Last on slave escape “Reference the Feb. 16 letter to the editor by Jay Harrison: A slave escape is part of black and white history. It’s not a pleasant part, but it is still a part. I thought the slave escape demonstrated great courage by both blacks and whites in the face of oppression, and I think it should be included along with the celebration of black and white history. I saw the performance at the awards ceremony, and it probably would have been better if the ‘N’ word had not been used. But kids probably have heard that word used more times in 30 seconds of a rap song than in the few times it was used accurately in a historical setting. It’s a shame that Harrison doesn’t recognize the difference between history and art and gratuitous vulgarity.” — Feb. 27, 2002
Last on Chocolate City “The mayor of New Orleans did not want to make his city a Chocolate City. It was one before Katrina hit. He was simply meaning to return it to what it used to be. If you looked around Williamsburg, in the restaurants, stores and schools, you’d see the small number of African Americans who make this town their home. Graduating high school minorities with a high D average, being denied equal access to business opportunities, having our communities taken away by so-called growth, attacking our leaders who we designate as such, constantly cutting in front of us in checkout lines, constant surveillance in stores and the subtle comments that AfricanAmericans are not willing to do the work that other minorities take on –– now that’s a description of a Vanilla City.” — Jan. 28, 2006
Last Word Grass roots survey “I’ve been conducting my own survey asking local residents what they think of our area’s recent growth, development, and, especially, the attractiveness and the careful placement of each building, restaurant, stoplight and numerous shopping malls. I’ve asked 200 people from York, James City, New Kent and Williamsburg. The answers have been unanimous. 100 percent detest it and wish the city and county fathers would open their hearts and minds instead of their pocketbooks.” — March 16, 1988
Town disappearing “I’ve lived and worked in this area over 30 years and have seen the following properties disappear: A filling station at the corner of York and Francis streets; homes on Franklin Street, the only building not owned by Colonial Williamsburg is the Mt. Ararat Baptist Church; homes on Scotland Street; the Methodist Church at College Corner; the black Baptist Church at the corner of Nassau and Francis streets. How many of the city dwellers know that quite a few homes in
MAMA STEVE’S
HOUSE OF PANCAKES g tin bruar r! e l Ce ond yea 42
Growth Highland Park are owned by Colonial Williamsburg? For years they have tried to close Francis Street, and now they want the Bruton Heights property which was given to the black community so that the Palace could be reconstructed. James City County and citizens in the area, wake up. When the contract for annexation runs out, the county will lose much of its developed, taxable property. Williamsburg even wants to change the Zip code.” — Dec. 16, 1989
Welcome, Walmart “My family and I have been residents of Williamsburg for eight years and, at last, a store is coming we can afford to patronize without leaving the city. Why was there no fuss about the building of the Berkeley Commons shops or the Kingsgate Greene shops? Without us locals, there would be no ‘Colonial Town.’ With all the empty stores in this town, why not build one that will not be empty, will provide more jobs and more tax dollars? Let’s stop arguing like a bunch of kindergartners and get on with the building.” — July 11, 1992
Walmart “Obviously Williamsburg doesn’t want a Walmart. We’re far too upper-crust for that. We only want classy businesses in this town, such as a nice fragrant brewery. Well, Walmart can play copycat. First, build an adjacent theme park to draw tourists. We’ll call it Wally World and we’ll have Chevy
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Protect our trees “When I took my head out of the sand and looked at the environment in James City, I realized citizens should drive by Williamsburg Crossing shopping center on Route 5 and see what has been done in preparation for building an apartment complex there. Is this the kind of development necessary for the growth of this county? Is the developer going to leave any greenspace?” — Oct. 18, 1995
New Town “I was born at Williamsburg Community Hospital and I’ve lived here all my life. I have seen this area grow from a small town, centered around the colonial area, to a fairly large community with different divisions. I am not thrilled about the whole New Town plan. I know that it could do good things for the area. However, I’m displeased about how much land it will take over. I’m also unhappy about the Route 199 bypass construction, even though I know there’s nothing to be done about it now. We should be protecting this precious environment, instead of destroying it..” — Jan. 7, 1998
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28 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
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Last Word Asphalt plant “I’m appalled that James City Planning Commission would consider approval of an asphalt plant in Norge. It’s right off Route 60, in traffic, across from a church, next to a subdivision, close to a library, between two schools, down from a bank, a shopping center and many other businesses. I feel compelled to address the main issue here, which is not about nasty odors or undesirable noise, but rather safety. I have seen what a dump truck can do to a vehicle and the bodies inside. If dump trucks frequent this populated area in the magnitude that is projected, some serious accidents are certain to occur.’ — Jan. 21, 1998
Stop blaming newcomers “During the past several months some people have blamed area growth on newcomers. It would be more honest to tie it to the landowners who profit from the never-ending development. Aided by attorneys and real estate agents, the owners are responsible for destroying of a once-beautiful part of Virginia.”
Growth New Town
High Street
“Do we really need New Town in our community? This overdevelopment is getting out of hand. Can’t we just stop the insanity and give back to nature? If we keep taking and not giving anything back, then we are going to be the losers in the long run. I moved here 10 years ago to get away from the hustle and bustle of the annoying city, and that’s exactly what’s going to happen here in Williamsburg. We’re not going to be anything but another big city in America, not the nice, charming, quiet city that we once were.”
“Here we go on the same ride again. Carmike Theater closed, Roses department store is closing, and we know the hospital will move, leave emptiness along Monticello Avenue. Yet our fearless leaders roll headstrong into the High Street project with their pockets full of taxpayer dollars to pave their way. I wish our city leaders would give concrete answers as to why this project, right now. It doesn’t ring of fiscal responsibility. Can’t we put off the project until Williamsburg is ready for it?”
Presidents Park
— Jan. 12, 2000
“My wife sat at the breakfast table moaning softly, clutching the Gazette in her hand, her gaze fixed, her lips slack. I ripped the page from her trembling hand and saw immediately what had stricken her. My God, can we absorb another horror? A Presidents Park! A colossus of Williamsburg –– George Washington – perhaps he could be positioned to straddle Interstate 64. Is there no end to the cheapening of Williamsburg and the rest of the Historic Triangle? We are surely not in danger of over gentrification as long as these Barnum-like entrepreneurs are able to push such things off on us. My wife and I are thinking seriously of moving on if this abomination is approved by York supervisors. In the meantime, citizens, to the barricades!” — March 18, 2000
— Sept. 28, 2002
Growing pains “Williamsburg is growing so fast that a place was robbed before I knew it had opened.” — Jan. 24, 2004
Yankee Candle “To the person who thinks Yankee Candle is a monstrosity: Wait till Ripley’s Believe It or Not! moves onto Richmond Road.” — Jan. 4, 2006
Tree museum “I would like it if Colonial Williamsburg could add a tree museum so we could see what oak and hickory trees look like. With all the building and logging going on, no trees will be left. On Riverview Road near Riverview Plantation Drive, the owners have clear-cut a 100-year-old forest. It was a beautiful forest, and now it looks like the moon.” — Jan. 21, 2006
March 21, 1998
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Last Word
Growing old ■ Washtub wringers.
If you recall five or fewer, you’re still young, 6-10 you are getting older, and 11-15 don’t tell your age. If you remembered 16-25, you’re older than dirt.” — Aug. 28, 1999
Uphill, both ways Senior discounts “I’m 19 years old, and I don’t think there’s a thing wrong with senior discounts. These people have been around since before you were born, and they have worked hard enough to get a discount. Wait until you get there.” — Jan. 14, 1995
Happy to trade “I would offer a trade to the person who wants to ban senior citizen discounts. I’ll give my ‘nice’ car and senior citizen discount for your youth and health.” — Jan. 18, 1995
Do you remember? “How many of these do you remember? ■ Blackjack chewing gum. ■ Wax Coke bottles with colored sugar water ■ Candy Cigarettes. ■ Soda pop machines that dispensed bottles. ■ Coffee shops with table-side jukeboxes. ■ Home milk delivery in glass bottles. ■ Party lines. ■ Newsreels before the movie. ■ P.F. Flyers. ■ Butch wax. ■ Telephone numbers with a word prefix. ■ Pea shooters. ■ Howdy Doody. ■ 45 rpm records. ■ S&H Green Stamps. ■ Hi-fi’s. ■ Metal ice trays with levers. ■ Mimeograph paper. ■ Blue flashbulbs. ■ Beanie and Cecil. ■ Rollerskate keys. ■ Cork popguns. ■ Drive-ins. ■ Studebakers.
“Have you ever noticed that when you’re of a certain age, everything seems uphill? Stairs are steeper, groceries are heavier and everything is farther away. Yesterday I walked to the corner, and I was dumfounded to discover how long our street had become. And, people are less considerate now, especially the young ones. They speak in whispers. If you ask them to speak up, they keep repeating themselves. What do they think I am, a lip reader? They are much younger than I was at the same age. On the other hand, people my own age are so much older than I am. I ran into an old friend the other day and she has aged so much that she didn’t even recognize me. Everyone drives so fast today. You’re risking life and limb if you happen to pull onto the freeway in front of them. Clothing manufacturers are less civilized these days. Why else would they suddenly start labeling a size 10 or 12 dress as 18 or 20? Manufacturers of bathroom scales are pulling the same prank, but in reverse. Do they think I actually believe the number I see on that dial? I’d like to call up someone in authority and report what’s going on, but the telephone company is in on it, printing phone books in such small type that no one could ever find a number.” — March 27, 2002
Midlife “Midlife is when the growth of hair on your legs slows down. This gives us plenty of time to care for our newly acquired mustache. In midlife, women no longer have upper arms. We have wingspans. We are no longer women in sleeveless shirts, but flying squirrels in drag. Midlife is when you can stand naked in front of a mirror and see your rear without turning around. Midlife is when you go for a mammogram and realize this is the only time someone will ask you to appear topless. Midlife brings wisdom to know that life throws us curves and we’re sitting on our biggest ones. Midlife is when you look at your know-it-all, beeper-wearing teenager and think, ‘For this I have stretch marks?’ In mid-life, your memory starts to go. In fact the only thing you can retain is water. Midlife means your Body By Jake now includes Legs By Rand McNally, more red and blue lines than an accurately scaled map of Wisconsin. Midlife means you become more reflective, and start pondering the big questions such as what is life? Why am I here? How much Healthy Choice ice cream can I eat before it’s no longer a healthy choice? But mid-life also brings with it an appreciation for what is important. Maybe our bodies simply have to expand to hold all the wisdom and love we’ve acquired.” — March 17, 2004
Flurry of discontent “I encourage everyone to write their congressmen and the General Assembly to protest our recent eight-inch snowstorm. There are a lot of senior citizens in Williamsburg, and we can’t tolerate this.” — Feb. 6, 2010
Too slow for safety “With Williamsburg being a retirement community, this area has more elderly drivers than others. I recently observed an elderly man driving 40 mph in the passing lane on Route 199 near College Creek. The elderly need to realize that engineers set the speed limits on roads and highways. An accident could have easily occurred from a motorist doing the speed limit trying to avoid that elderly driver. We need to be tougher on elderly drivers having licenses.” — March 31, 2010
30 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
Last Word Highway to heaven “At 45 miles per hour sing, ‘Highways are Happy Ways.’ At 55 miles sing, ‘I’m But a Stranger Here, Heaven is My Home.’ At 65 miles sing, ‘Nearer My God to Thee.’ At 75 miles sing ‘When the Roll is Called Up Yonder, I’ll Be There.’ At 85 miles, ‘Lord, I’m Coming Home.’” — March 17, 1990
Move over “What happened to the rule that traffic is suspended to yield to fire, ambulance and police vehicles with flashing lights and running sirens? Last Monday, on Page Street, I saw a school bus that did not pull over when a police car tried to go down the street with its lights flashing. On Friday night about 5:15 at Ironbound Road and Strawberry Plains Road, I saw a car make a left from Strawberry Plains onto Ironbound directly in front of a police car with lights on and siren sounding. It’s a miracle there wasn’t an accident.” — Feb. 16, 1991
Back off “On Wednesday afternoon, I followed a vehicle traveling from Route 5 to Ironbound Road on Strawberry Plains. One car tailgated the car ahead of him until it turned into the Mt. Pleasant Professional Center. The car then sped up and tailgated another car until it turned into an apartment complex. Then the car caught up with a third vehicle and tailgated that one until both stopped at the light at Monticello and Ironbound. And on two occasions, the vehicle’s left wheels crossed the centerline by a foot or more, then veered back so that the right wheels were outside the white line and almost on the shoulder. Had the driver of this shiny, new vehicle been in a hurry or on an emergency, he could have turned on his lights:, it was a police cruiser.” — April 10, 1991
Driving along be done as soon as possible.”
Unsafe at any speed “On Saturday afternoon, as my wife drove along Ironbound Road near Jamestown Road, she was accosted by a man in a car who played bumper tag with her for a few minutes and then swung around at great speed to get in front of her, stopped his car, blocking the road on both sides. He then turned and knelt in the seat, proceeded to go into a rage making obscene gestures, screaming and yelling. She could not escape. He only left when another car came up behind her and couldn’t get through his roadblock. Watch out, Williamsburg, this guy is dangerous.” — Nov. 20, 1991
Taking the middle road “Is the Colonial Parkway still a three-lane road with the center lane for passing from each direction, or has it been converted to a two-lane road? Twenty-five years ago when I first arrived here, everyone treated it as a three-lane road, but nowadays a lot of tourists straddle the middle. It’s impossible to pass safely in the passing zones because there aren’t any ‘no passing’ markers on hills, and you never know when you are going to meet someone coming from the other direction. We need some signs at each entrance to clarify what lane discipline we should follow.” Good point. In a rare exception, the Park Service just put yellow lane stripes between the Visitor Center and the tunnel to define the lanes better. — July 29, 1995
Dangerous for school buses “I’m a James City resident who lives on Ware Creek and Mount Laurel roads in Croaker. I have spoken to the Board of Supervisors four times to get something done about this dangerous road. There are approximately six school buses that travel this twisting, narrow road, and it is dangerous for the schoolchildren. I can’t get a response from the supervisors, the Highway Department or anybody else. Whom can I talk to? I have been trying for 12 years to get something done about the road. Will it take a school bus load of kids to be killed or seriously hurt before anybody will pay attention? There have already been many accidents on this road. A petition was circulated and 500 signatures were collected. Something needs to 31 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
— May 2, 1998
Synchronicity “I want the Highway Department to know that I actually drove through Lightfoot through the traffic light gauntlet of four lights within a third of a mile and made all of them on a green light. My heart was racing and I couldn’t believe my good fortune. I wonder if the Highway Department ever heard of the word synchronization? It works wonderfully.” — May 6, 1998
Crashes “I wonder why there are so many auto accidents at the intersections listed in the June 6 article of the Gazette. Could it be the lawlessness of drivers in failing to obey speed limits, change of lane laws or the following too closely laws? What amazes me is there was no mention of the Richmond Road restaurant row area. Try driving the speed limit there, and you will quickly see road rage. There are many traffic violations within this area. Why aren’t traffic laws enforced, even when violations are committed in full view of law enforcement authority? Could it be that courts are too lenient on offenders? No law is broken if you don’t get caught.” — June 13, 1998
Roundabouts “In regard to the Gazette article discussing Powhatan Supervisor Ron Nervitt’s proposal to use roundabouts or traffic circles to handle the county’s traffic woes, experience in New Jersey demonstrates that traffic circles become counterproductive when volume reaches a critical level. Then everything backs up. Also, traffic circles do not have good safety records, because they become mixers of all kinds of vehicular traffic that is entering and leaving under varying conditions in unpredictable patterns. All three traffic circles on Route 23 North from Interstate 80 were eliminated a dozen years ago because they could not handle the interstate influx, as would be the case here with Interstate 64. This proposal should be looked at carefully before being accepted as a way to resolve future growth problems.” — Sept. 19, 1998
Last Word Quarterpath Road “I hope whoever doesn’t want Quarterpath Road paved because Kingsmill residents might use it doesn’t find out that Kingsmill residents and others also use South Henry Street, Route 60 and Jamestown Road. If the city finds this out, do you suppose it will dig up those roads? God forbid that Kingsmill residents get into Williamsburg and spend money there.” — Oct. 30, 1999
Speed limit “I keep trying to understand the VDOT speed limits, to no avail. Why is it that when traveling eastbound on Monticello Avenue, the speed limit is 35 mph past Monticello Marketplace, but when going westbound the speed limit is 45 mph? Now VDOT has added another doozy. At the Green Spring Plantation site on Centerville Road heading south, there is a sign that reads ‘End 45 mph Zone.’ What does that mean? Can I then drive 55 mph for the quarter-mile to the stop sign at Route 5?” — Feb. 16, 2002
Driving along Renaming 199 “Reference the letter and Gazette article on naming Route 199. ‘Three Rivers’ has been taken. It’s in Pennsylvania someplace. This has all the appeal of naming the road for some neighborhood activist whom no one has ever heard of. What is the name of the I-295 bridge on the James? We can do better with ‘Williamsburg Outer Beltway.’ Norfolk has one for no apparent reason. How about ‘Sam Walton Memorial Highway,’ since all roads lead to Walmart, right? or ‘Busch Bypass,’ which leads those southbound visitors to Busch Gardens, bypassing Colonial Williamsburg and Merchants Square. How about ‘Wrong Way Highway’? The VDOT sign on eastbound I-64 reads ‘Route 199 East,’ except it isn’t. It is due west. Do you suppose that confuses folks in the afternoon as they drive into the setting sun, going east? Or, Old Swamp Road? There’s bound to be an old swamp out there somewhere. Anyway, it’s better than the Joe Whozitts Road.” — March 13, 2004
Postscript: Route 199 was renamed Humelsine Parkway in honor of the former president of Colonial Williamsburg who advocated for the road.
In defense of SUVs “I am tired of people blaming sport utility vehicle drivers for the wrongs of the world. My husband and I drive SUVs as do other family members. In the last year all three of our families have been involved in traffic
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accidents where other drivers have hit us. Fortunately, we all walked away relatively unharmed. In my husband’s case our insurance company and his doctors told him that had he been in another type of vehicle, he could have been killed.” — June 2, 2004
Rochambeau curve “Why are people complaining about a small patch of Rochambeau Drive? Are their lives so full that this is what they are left with? That stretch is a hazard if you go off the road and into a swamp. Other hazards are people on a sidewalk, telephone poles, stores and parked cars. But with modern technology, we have found a way to avoid such distractions. It’s called keeping your car on the road. That may sound foreign but here it’s common.” — Jan. 3, 2007
Don’t blink “Please choose the phrase that most accurately completes this sentence: “When I am driving my vehicle and about to make a turn, I should: (1) Do nothing. I own the road. (2) Ask the person I’m talking to on the cell phone what I should do. (3) Do nothing. I’m driving exactly at the speed limit in the highspeed lane on the interstate, and I have no intention of making any turns. (4) Use the turn signal to alert other drivers as to my intentions. (5) Do nothing. Not using my turn signal is a form of freedom of speech.” — Jan. 5, 2008
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Last Word
Eyesores City County have any requirements or at least guidelines for retaining trees on building sites? How many shopping malls can operate profitably in this area? Will Williamsburg come to be known as the Colonial stop and shop instead of the historic colonial capital, the national treasure?” — Oct. 11, 1989
Mobile homes
Roadside garbage “Please have someone do something about cleaning up the debris and garbage on that road between James York Plaza and Hubbard Lane and also say something to that woman who parks that bus and has torn up all the turf along Hubbard Lane at that corner. It’s just a mess. I don’t know why the York County people don’t get behind this. Thank you.” — April 1, 1987
Garlands of garbage “The garbage strewn along Airport Road and Mooretown Road is a revolting disgrace. Clumps of garbage are even festooned in the bushes. Too bad the people who threw it there can’t be made to pick it up. But something should be done about it. People think it’s the city dump. Thanks for the Last Word.” — March 5, 1988
Chop and shop “Development of the land at Richmond and Olde Towne roads for yet another shopping mall prompts these questions. Doesn’t James
“In response to the snob who doesn’t like trailer people: I am glad you can afford to live in a single-family home, but there are people who cannot afford to buy. May I suggest that we lower prices on homes so the ‘trailer people,’ as you affectionately call them, can afford to buy a home? Do you think trailer people are there by choice? Is there someone out there who can build homes for the average- or the less-than-averageincome family? I feel sorry for you. You look at the world through material eyes. But wait, trailer people do have washers and dryers. I have seen people in single-family homes with laundry hanging out the window, trash bags piled up outside, and children’s toys lying all over the yard. Perhaps you could bulldoze those neighborhoods while you are at it. I also have seen a couple of churches that you might like to demolish. You should be mighty thankful that on Judgment Day you will not be judged by people like me, because you would never make it to heaven. Thank God for the trailer people. They are people just like you-who have needs, wants, desires of
the heart and who would like to better themselves in this world, but cannot because of your kind.” — June 22, 1991
Route 5 plunder “I agree with Susan Bruno’s column about the devastation on Route 5. That’s a pitiful site for a development that’s supposed to be a scenic byway. This should be one of Virginia’s treasures.” — Nov. 8, 1995
Cheers & Jeers “The erosion control vines that were planted near the Farm Fresh on Merrimac Trail are taking over. They are getting up in the trees. Somebody should do something. They are out of control.” — July 13, 1996
New courthouse “So, they really are going to build that monstrosity of a courthouse. Couldn’t the three smokestacks and half of the heavy columns that obscure the front door be taken off? Then you might be able to enter the front door without squeezing through and keep the side door cover from falling down. What are those things under the narrow windows? Please save some money and a small amount of the building’s dignity by changing these eyesores.” — March 14, 1998
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Last Word Ugly courthouse “If one squints his or her eyes at the new Williamsburg-James City legal edifice, it does, at this stage of development, take on the appearance of a high-class Yoder Dairy barn, which in itself has more beauty. There is no tree or shrub that can possibly reduce the impression one gets of the sheer mass of this building that literally sits on the curb of a busy intersection. One has a feeling of wanting to push it back farther into the remaining wooded area of what’s left after the emasculation of aged trees in the name of progress.?” — May 5, 1999
Eyesores Pond scum “I recently played in a golf outing on the River Course at Kingsmill. Considering the amount of green algae and scum that covers the entire pond on the 15th hole, it is difficult to understand how this Busch-owned facility can claim that it is a four-star resort. I’m sure the pros will agree when they play there in October.” Terri Haack, executive vice president of Kingsmill Resort, responded: “At Kingsmill, as at other Anheuser-Busch facilities, we are committed to environmental excellence. Every choice we make regarding the earth, air and water around us is made with the objective of preserving it for all generations to come. The referenced sedimentation pond collects sediment, fertilizer and other products of development runoff, processes it naturally and discharges the cleaner water into a wetland area that flows into the James River. The only way to completely control the naturally occurring algae is with chemicals, which we chose not to do for the sake of the environment.”
Visual shipwreck
— Oct. 2, 1999
“The mini-golf eyesore under construction on Bypass Road is tacky, in poor taste and an example of the incompetency of the York Board of Supervisors. No board that really cared about its community would have ever approved such an example of ugliness and cheapness.We as taxpayers need to remove every supervisor at the first opportunity.” — Aug. 25, 1999
Trashy roadsides “I have lived in the Williamsburg area for more than a year. I have lived in a few different places, and I am amazed at the amount of litter that is tolerated on roadsides here. This is the most trash-ridden area I have ever encountered. Does the trash fly out of garbage trucks or the beds of personal trucks,
or are there that many inconsiderable people here? James City certainly has the potential of being a beautiful area if we could come together with solutions to this sad condition.” — Feb. 10, 2001
Signs of blight “I am frustrated with the terrible signs along Richmond Road that seem to contribute to a honky-tonk atmosphere. But the galling scene is the unoccupied gas station that serves as a parking lot for trucks and trailers. Get rid of the gas station and have a colonial conformity. Let’s dress up our town.” — Jan. 12, 2002
Level-headed “The fastest way to beautify Williamsburg would be for the city to purchase the Tioga Motor Lodge and level it.” — June 2, 2007
Too big for their britches “I can’t believe the number of women who do not realize that they are too large for their clothing. I have seen women who appear to be in their 50s wearing tight dresses that make them look like a sausage. And what about the ones who wear low-rise jeans? ‘Stuff’ just hangs out. I’ve heard it called the cupcake look. Please take a long look at yourselves in a full-length mirror, then make the right judgment.” — Nov. 21, 2009
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Ban smoking “I’m calling to praise our School Board for its courage in adopting a policy that will ban smoking for students and staff in our schools. I only wish that other government officials and restaurant owners would do likewise and ban smoking in all public places. Your right to smoke ends at my nose.”
Different priority
— June 29, 1988
“My comments refer to the closing of Bruton Heights Elementary. What the School Board and city have decided is appropriate. Our top priority must be to meet the educational needs of this community’s children, not to save a building. I realize that Bruton Heights is a symbol of pride for the blacks of this community, but maybe attention should be focused on the history of Bruton Heights, rather than the building itself.” — Jan. 14, 1987
Bermuda shorts banned “The York County School Board declared Bermuda shorts inappropriate for school wear. I would suggest to the School Board that a student who wishes to make a negative statement through inappropriate attire can find any number of inappropriate garments to wear to school, but banning Bermuda shorts in warm weather will not serve any useful purpose. It will simply cost parents money for clothing to be worn to school and that is an unnecessary waste of the parents’ money.” — March 12, 1988
Shorts too long “I am a Lafayette High School student and I would like to tell the public about the general discrimination going on at school. The school policy is that girls are allowed to wear skirts as long as they are no higher than three inches above the knee. Guys have to wear something that covers the kneecap, which for most men is pants because there are very few places in Williamsburg that sell pedal pushers or long shorts. As the weather gets warmer now it’s very uncomfortable for guys to have to wear long pants and it’s difficult to find long shorts.” — May 3, 1989
Offensive show “James Blair parents not only have to be concerned about what their children see on TV, now we have to worry about what they see in school. I’m referring to the rock performance at James Blair, Sept. 25. The erotic gyrations of the female dancer as well as the unrestrained and encouraged participation of the
audience leads one to wonder what value was added to our children’s education by such an event? It certainly seems appropriate to ask the question, what were the objectives of the PTA in funding such an event?” PTA cultural events chairman Michelle Peters said, “The PTA also was surprised and disappointed in the addition of the dancer to Plunky Branch’s concert. We plan to tell the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which organizes concerts for schools, that the dancer’s performance was inappropriate, not appreciated and a poor role model for young girls. Plunky and his group performed at Matthew Whaley School and at the Williamsburg Regional Library last year, without a dancer, and were well received. Plunky and the lead male singer visited music classes at Blair and provided positive experiences for the children.” — Sept. 30, 1989
Costly jiggle “I would like to thank the James Blair PTA for the wonderful concert it paid $1,800 for. Especially pleasing was the scantily clad young woman who shook everything she had for about 90 minutes. I’m quite certain that the music and the shaking helped the students, especially the little boys, master many of the school’s objectives. Long live the administrators and PTA of WilliamsburgJames City County Public Schools.” — Oct. 7, 1989
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speaker said we are not Americans. He said we are either African, European, Asian or Hispanic people living in America. This upset me. We are all Americans. The programs for Black History Month are respectable and should positively make people aware of the wonderful contributions blacks have made to America. But if people take stands like this, it has gone too far.”
No R ratings
— Feb. 15, 1992
“The decision of Lafayette High School administrators to show the movie ‘Ghost’ to freshmen and seniors recently is the most asinine thing I ever heard of. I would like to know how many parents gave permission for underage children to watch the R-rated movie ‘Ghost.’ I understand that when the sex scene was shown, the administrators turned the lights on in the auditorium and asked the freshmen to cover their eyes. I am thoroughly disgusted and would like an explanation.” Wendy Geiger, assistant principal, responded: “The two movies shown, ‘Ghost’ and ‘The Hunt for Red October,’ were suggested by students and faculty. ‘Ghost’ is rated PG-13. We are very careful not to show R-rated movies. For example, when we showed ‘Glory’ during Black History Month, we found an educational version that eliminated the worst of the violence that made it R-rated.” — April 10, 1991
Teacher views “I am a teacher in WJC Schools. We attended a program for Black Culture Week, and the
Dressing down “We were concerned that a neighbor’s son could not participate at the Bruton High graduation because he didn’t have wool blend dress pants. He went wearing dark Dockers pants, which were his Sunday clothes. He worked hard in school for four years, and he and his parents were not able to celebrate his graduation. He didn’t go wearing a T-shirt or cut-off shorts; he was in respectable clothes. How can the School Board prevent a good student who is dressed presentably from attending graduation, even though he did not have the exact clothes specified?” — July 15, 1995
Lafayette graduation “I had the pleasure of watching my son and his fellow seniors graduate from Lafayette High last Sunday afternoon. It was a joyous occasion. The horn blasts, whistle-blowing, paper airplanes sailing through the air and beach balls were kept to a minimum and real-
ly did not disrupt the proceedings. Such actions are disruptive only when they bring a happy occasion to a complete halt, which they did not. There were, however, two aspects of the event that were disturbing. First, the lack of attendance of a large portion of the Lafayette faculty was a disgrace. Second, when I looked at my son’s diploma, I discovered that our school superintendent had signed his name as Dr. James Kent. If the superintendent wants the world to know that he holds a doctorate in education, he should follow his signature with the letters, EdD.” — June 22, 1996
Uniforms at Lafayette “To people who think Lafayette students should wear uniforms: Bite me.” — March 23, 1996
Teachers sound off “I am a teacher, and sometimes I question the salaries of some teachers, These people are not held accountable for their lack of teaching skills. It takes more than a degree in education to be a teacher. I’m sick of seeing select teachers play the ‘got to look busy game’ and roam the halls of the schools while a lot of great teachers are a few doors down. These teachers give my profession a bad name. Hats off to the teachers who go to school to teach, and care!” — Feb. 21, 1998
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Last Word Questionable raise “To the retired military person who question the proposed 4% raise for WJC teachers: During your tour of duty, you received a percentage raise almost every year. While receiving your retirement pay, you also receive a percentage raise annually. In reference to your comment about teachers moving from James City to seek employment elsewhere, why do you think they left? Maybe it’s because of questions about raises.” — March 4, 1998
Mentors “How pleased I was to read the article on mentoring and the students at James Blair. With all the reported student violence and nonsensical acts throughout the country, it seems this may be a cost-effective approach to help children in a school setting. My sincere thanks go to those caring adults who make Williamsburg a better community for children.” — June 6, 1998
Redistricting ‘I wanted to throw a brick at my TV while watching the recent WJC School Board meeting. After all the talk about keeping the two high schools relatively equal, I can’t believe that the board is considering rules that would allow some schools to have more than twice as many poor kids as other schools. What happened to equality? When each school is required to report its test scores, it’s easy to see that some schools will be labeled ‘good’ and some ‘bad.’ I’m retired and my kids are grown, but what family in their right mind is going to buy a house in a neighborhood where their children would attend a ‘bad’ school?” — June 10, 1998
Schools School of rock “Was it my child’s Lafayette High graduation I attended Sunday at William & Mary Hall, or a rock concert? It was hard to tell, considering the behavior of many of the students and much of the audience. What will I remember most? The letter from the valedictorian or the disrespect the students showed teachers who were trying to stop the floating beach balls? The students honored in memoriams, or the air horns blasting? The songs played by the band and sung by choral groups, or the flying rolls of toilet paper, some of which landed on stage, others that barely missed both an infant and an elderly woman seated on the floor in a wheelchair?” — June 20, 1998
Teacher workdays “If the WJC Schools administration is concerned with excellence in education, it would make certain that there is plenty of unscheduled time during teacher workdays. Teachers need this time to set up their classrooms and coordinate their curriculum and lesson plans with their colleagues. Instead, they are swamped with back-toback meetings, many of which discuss information that could be easily covered in a memorandum. Although this is a problem to some extent, each year seems to be worse than the one before. I am an associate of a school system staff member, and I have never seen the staff so exasperated on their Labor Day holiday doing the work they were prevented from doing during their workdays. The students will ultimately be the ones to suffer from the reduced enthusiasm that this practice causes.”
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Easy on the homework “I am a parent of three children. I’d like to ask that this year teachers and principals respect family time over the holidays and not send children home with tons of homework and projects to complete. I think that over the holidays children need to be able to spend time with their families.” — Nov. 14, 1998 40 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
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Last Word
Schools alcohol, and we must be sure they never encounter suggestive lyrics, situations, or concepts. On the other hand, we adults are fully capable of understanding the consequences of our dancing decision. Is there a place we can go to learn this new dance form? Also, is there a way to order copies of the offensive bikini photo on the cover of the Feb. 24 Gazette?” — Feb. 28, 2001
Child care at school “To the person who responded about the subject of child care in a high school setting: It is not the job of the school system to teach our children morals. That is the job of parents. The existence of a child care facility in the high school has nothing to do with child abuse. There are other wonderful existing child care and preschool programs. One example is the Montessori school, which is near Lafayette. I am sure any of these programs would have welcomed high school students if they had even been asked. There was no need to give away public school space to a private company, even if it is a nonprofit.” — Sept. 19, 1998
Summer reading “Lafayette High 10th-grade teachers: You have gone too far. We received your reading assignments in the mail, and as a parent, I resent it. As of yet, Lafayette is not a yearround school. The kids are still entitled to their summer vacations. School work is important to our family, but so is family time, and I do not appreciate your sending my child a reading assignment to do over the summer. My child has other things to do. She volunteers, has responsibilities at home and has friends she spends time with. I do not want her to miss any of these things because she is in her room doing two assignments for a teacher she has yet to meet.” — July 25, 2001
Forbidden dances “Adults are right to be morally offended by the recent dance craze, ‘Back That Thang Up.’ It is certainly too controversial to be performed in high schools. Young people will simply feel pressured and confused, much as they do when forced to confront drugs and
WJC drug testing “Parents should be cautioned about the WJC superintendent wanting to do random drug tests on students. It’s not clear what age the testing will be done on, but more importantly children will be given random drug tests
before participating in a sport. Are the coaches also going to be subject to random drug testing? We should not ask something of our students that we are not willing to do to those who are teaching them as well. It would be hypocritical to test students and not coaches as well as extracurricular activity leaders.” — Feb. 11, 2006
Cell phones “Why are cell phones allowed in school, let alone text messaging? All schools should ban use of cell phones on school property during school hours. There are phones in the office as well as in many classrooms. Has anyone thought that text messaging can be used in cheating? I agree some kids need cell phones during after-school activities, but that’s the only time the should be turned on. If a teacher feels a child’s backpack should be searched, then I back up that teacher. Luckily, this time it was just a food fight. Next time it could be a bomb threat. This is the time to take drastic measures.” — April 5, 2008
Hard-knock life “As a WJC student in the seventh grade, we must be in class by 8:05 a.m., else we are marked tardy. Then we sit in a cold, lifeless room all day and can’t even chew gum. The worst thing is, we are expected to wake up early and sometimes have to stay up late doing homework. This needs to change.” — Feb. 28, 2009
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Good old days “I find it fascinating, as a James City County resident, to read of our next year’s real estate tax increase while at the same time reading the Virginia Company’s instructions to George Yeardley when he was to become governor of Virginia in 1618. They say in part, that the ‘intent is to ease all the inhabitants of Virginia forever of all taxes and public burdens.’ I wonder what happened.” — March 28, 1987
Deep freeze “James City County taxpayers are fed up with county supervisors who are spending our money like drunken sailors, and with the unreasonable assessors they hired who are taking assessments much above market value. There was a very large increase in average taxes last year, and an unneeded Farmers Market this year. They built an unneeded and unused Recreation Center last year. They’re adding to and remodeling the County Office Complex though it is only 10 years old. We can’t afford all the bureaucrats they’re adding at a much faster rate than the county is growing, nor the office space these people require. The solution is simple: (1) Cut the tax rate rather than raise it. (2) Freeze all building or new rentals of space. (3) Freeze all hiring for a year or more until forces shrink to a level that we can afford.” — March 30, 1988
Home sweet home “Oh give me a home, Where the affluent roam, ‘Cause I love all those taxes they pay. For my Rec Center pool, And my teachers in schools, Where they take all my worries away.”
Name the parks “The parks operated by the James City Parks & Rec Department are referred to as Upper County Park and Mid County Park. Hopefully, we will soon have one in the east end, which is referred to in the Comprehensive Plan as Lower County Park. It seems a shame to refer to these beautiful recreation areas by such sterile generic names as Upper, Mid- and hopefully soon-to-be Lower county parks. You can surely come up with better names than these, perhaps a name associated with a geographic location, such as Stonehouse Park or Hammond Branch Park for Upper County Park. Please make your views known to county officials.”
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The Williamsburg Brass Shop®
— April 27, 1991
Consultant fees “With some of the money that Williamsburg and James City has spent on consultants, they should hire one more consultant to find them new jobs. It is ridiculous the way our tax money has been spent on consultants. If permanent officials can’t figure out how to do things themselves, we need to elect people who can.” — Feb. 25, 1995
Ambulance charge “James City will soon charge people for emergency ambulance service, $75 for basic life support and $150 for advanced life support. I think the police should follow the fire department’s lead. Why not charge people $75 for reporting a misdemeanor and twice as much for a felony?” — June 8, 1996
Police crash “Regarding the article about the two James City police officers who were involved in an accident and State Police withheld the names of the officers at Chief Robert Key’s request, what authority does Key have? I was involved in a wreck, and my name was listed in the newspaper.” Both officers were named in a report in last Saturday’s Gazette. — Aug. 4, 1999
— July 5, 1989 42 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
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Last Word Skillet sign “As one is driving east on Route 60 from Anderson’s Corner, one sees all kinds of billboards advertising food and lodging. These signs are huge compared to the black skillet sign, yet there is no complaint. As one passes the Norge Texaco, there is a large billboard advertising an ice cream store. I’ve lived here long enough to know which store has been around the longest. As for grandfathered laws, let’s face facts. Maria’s was here long before the ice cream store. If the ice cream store can have a billboard, why can’t the skillet have a smaller sign?” — March 21, 1998
Never on Monday “I have lived in James City for more than 10 years, and every other year I hear about water shortages and portable classrooms for school students. I’m tired of it. What is it going to take to get James City to stop the housing development in the county and start fixing recurring problems? I will continue to water my yard and wash my cars whenever I like.” — June 12, 2002
James City What a mess “James City was once a nice, quiet farming community. Because of the misguidance of county leaders, we are now a noisy, fastpaced community. Watch the traffic. Everyone is in a hurry with nowhere to go. Read the Gazette. We always come across the miscreants of James City with nothing else to do but scope out the next-door neighbor’s yard. To those with nothing better to do than complain: Go back where you came from or clean up the mess yourself.” — Feb. 4, 2004
A better James City “Six ideas to make James City a better place to live: (1) Lower speed limits. (2) Install more bike paths and lanes. (3) Restrict retail business growth. (4) Expand parks and recreation. (5) Pay schoolteachers more. (6) Raise our taxes to pay for it all.” — Aug. 3, 2003
James City “Just because someone lives in Kingsmill does not entitle him or her to better service or faster response time to emergencies. Do those residents pay more for pretentious rich folk electricity? What difference does it make where one lives?” — Sept. 22, 2004
Sales tax “I’m calling about James City County’s car decal policy. I sold a car six months ago and
did not notify the county about the sale, and the tax has not yet been paid on the car. I have been told by the county that I am still responsible for the taxes on that car and cannot get a decal for my own car until those taxes are paid.” — Sept. 29, 2004
To merge or not “I wonder why we have a city government and a county government. Why haven’t the two talked serious merger? There seem to be great expenses in the two areas that have predominantly the same wants and needs. There should be one governmental agency and consolidation would save us all money. Come on, get people together with some savings for government and a better government.” — March 16, 1996
Retail development “By the looks of it, New Town will cater to the rich, the Marquis will be for everyone, and High Street will be too late. The others will be somewhere in between but be more boring. Asking government planners to involve themselves more than they already are is asking them to control the free market, which has already been proven unwise. This is the reason York has grabbed and will continue grabbing the vast majority of the retail sales out of Williamsburg and James City, which have been a day late and a dollar short.”
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Last Word Sick leave bank “I wish my employer would institute a ‘sick leave bank’ for our staff. Many other businesses and organizations offer this, and it is quite a morale booster. It allows staff members with lots of sick leave to contribute days to others who need them.” — Feb. 1, 1995
Rocking chair blues “I’m 46 and I work at one of the restaurants on Richmond Road. I want to know why people 22-32 years old think that I’m old and shouldn’t be working. Why do they feel I should be sitting at home in a rocking chair?” — July 17, 1996
Too little scratch “I understand the position that James City County’s Carol Luckam refers to in putting the chicken sandwich coupons in with paychecks. I can see that was just a simple misunderstanding by the employee, but there’s still an issue that hasn’t been addressed. Certainly it’s a matter of business management trying to stay competitive with hiring good employees
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Working in today’s market. However, as the county continues to make adjustments to the market, it is raising the salaries of newer employees just to keep them from venturing to higherpaying departments. Veteran employees who have dedicated their careers to the county are penalized. Each time the county makes a market adjustment, veteran employees receive no compensation raise. In fact, it results in a compression issue as newer employees constantly receive raises over time. A newer employee with only a few years in the department is soon making as much as an employee with 15-20 years in the department.”
James City trash pickup “To the person who feels that minimum wage should start at $15.50 an hour: I’m a small business owner. If you work, give me your time and really put in a day’s work, you’ll get your $15. If you want to loll around, smoke cigarettes and talk on the cell phone, you can stick right down there at the bottom.” — Jan. 10, 2007
Living Wage
— July 24, 2002
Tough being boss “As soon as my boss leaves the room or building, the group I work with sticks in the knife and twists it. What they don’t realize is that our boss is not stupid. People need to look long and hard at themselves before attacking others. Of course they don’t have the guts to talk directly to the boss. How many times do you see this?” — Sept. 21, 2002
Year in review “The courthouse is sad and somber? Fitting, since most of the people who live and work in greater Williamsburg are sad and somber. Servants are paid so little that they can’t afford housing here. Sad and somber? Not according to the aristocracy.”
“So, I’m supposed to honk for a living wage? Interesting concept, but what makes one deserving? Is it that these William & Mary employees have the support of some resumebuilding, well-fed, $40,000-car-driving, hypocritical, pseudo-liberal students? Or, is it because they have the audacity to jeopardize the safety of motorists and pedestrians by imploring passersby to use a warning device as a means of protest? The claim by livingwage supporters that they are not seeking charity is absurd. A free market determines what a particular occupation is worth. How else can a fair wage be determined? Those who believe they are underpaid can simply offer their services to the highest bidder. Furthermore, living-wage supporters neglect to tell us how this program should be funded. Shall we reduce the salaries of other college employees? Shall we raise taxes? Raise tuition? Have a bake sale?” — May 5, 2001
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Politics have the admissibility of coerced confessions and the severe limitation of death sentence appeals. What’s next? Freedom of press or speech, or the right to associate with whom you choose?”
The Last Word in Birdfeeding Since 1990
— April 27, 1991
Hill vs. Thomas “I saw Sen. Ted Kennedy on television extolling the virtues of a universal medical system, saying that the U.S. and South Africa were the only western industrial countries without it. What he failed to say was that this socialized system has already, or very shortly will, bankrupt every country that has tried it. As a Canadian, I have watched this thinking destroy my country in just 20 years. Beware of the free lunch. There is no such thing.” — April 19, 1989
Wrongs and rights “I take exception to your idea that patriotism flourishes here since most people interviewed support the incarceration of flag desecraters. Such uses of the political process tramples on, more importantly, what the flag stands for. The issue is not whether the flag-burner is right or wrong, but do we impose legal sanctions? It might not be right to desecrate the name of Allah, but should the author of ‘Satanic Verses’ be punished? Those who would do so in that society differ only in degree from their counterparts in ours.” — June 28, 1989
Insidious trend “I am worried. In the past decade or so, there have been many legislative changes that, taken separately, appear to be a relatively innocuous pattern of erosion of civil rights and liberties. It seems to have started early in the so-called ‘war on drugs’ when police were given the power to sell drugs and then arrest those who made purchases. That used to be called entrapment. Then I read that illegal searches and seizures, if made in good faith, would be admissible in court. With the beating of Rodney King in Los Angeles, I no longer believe in good faith of the police. In quick succession, we
“The Clarence Thomas hearings are a disgrace, but the larger disgrace is Ted Kennedy sitting there in judgment after every thing he has done. He is the last one who should be sitting in judgment on a fellow human being.” — Oct. 16, 1991
Tell-all tales “A previous caller may not care whom a politician has slept with, but many of us do. We have every right to pass judgment on such behavior. A politician who would deceive his or her own spouse, the one to whom he or she promised before God to honor and serve, certainly cannot be trusted to honor and serve the general public. I am tired of not finding a single politician anymore who hasn’t dishonored his or her spouse and children. In the end they find it easy to dishonor you, too.” — Feb. 5, 1992
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Promiscuous presidents “Before we get into the lives of the presidential candidates and start minding their private business, let’s look at some past presidents who committed sexual indiscretions. The list includes, but may not be limited to: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Grover Cleveland, Warren Harding, Franklin Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, John Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson and then, of course, there was Ronald Reagan, who was divorced. Most of the presidents mentioned did a good job at running the country. Some did an excellent job. I am thankful that no narrow-minded person was there holding their lives under some moral magnifying glass hoping to exclude them from office. History is full of saints and sinners, but none was ever exclusively one or the other. Hitler, they say, was kind to his dog.” — Feb. 8, 1992 45 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
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Last Word Presidential primaries “I urge anyone who does not want George W. Bush to be the Republican nominee for president in the general election this November to vote in the Virginia State Republican primary on Feb. 29. John McCain has shown himself to be not only a man of principle, integrity and honor, but also has displayed a maturity sadly lacking in our current president and in Bush. McCain has also shown himself to have a grasp of issues and a thoughtful outlook on governing, as opposed to Bush who merely repeats what his handlers advise him to say, and who seems not to have read a book or had an original thought in his adult life. Isn’t it time to have someone of substance in the White House? By Virginia law, you are not required to register to vote by party, so any registered voter is eligible to participate in the Republican primary. Let’s show the party establishment and those who believe that Bush’s money can buy success that we want a nominee with something beyond money and political parentage.” — Feb. 9, 2000
Last on election “What would America say if another country were torn apart by an election in which one candidate won the popular vote, yet the other candidate was declared the winner by a governing party, the province in which the election was most disputed was ruled by the winner’s brother, and the country had previously been under the leadership of his father? In addition, the majority of disputed, uncounted and discarded votes were from townships of the minority and poor, and there were no outside observers to give global legitimacy to the election?” — Jan. 3, 2001
Politics Political correctness “The most appropriate definition of political correctness is ‘bigotry clothed in group-righteousness.’ Political correctness evolves from and resides with left-wing liberal groups that consistently use it to discredit reality, facts, logic and common sense. Political correctness attacks the American Constitution and Bill of Rights, both of which are essential to this nation of laws. It is based on emotional, thoughtless actions demands conformity, and cannot tolerate the competition of different ideas. Political correctness robs the individual of initiative and personal opportunity. It is not the solution for the needs and wants of the American people.” — Jan. 19, 2002
Expensive tastes “It is hard to believe that Gov. Eliot Spitzer of New York is a Democrat. One would surmise that only a Republican in the upper 1 percentile income bracket could afford a $4,500 call girl. Now, we know why Spitzer is called a super delegate to the Democratic Convention.” — March 15, 2008
It’s who counts the votes “Judging from the bizarre Senate vote recount in Minnesota, Joseph Stalin was right when he said, ‘The people who cast the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything.” — April 15, 2009
Tortuous legislation “President Bush says the United States does not torture, yet his administration fights against a bill in Congress stipulating no torture. Bush states on various occasions that wiretaps require court orders, yet an NSA program spying on Americans is ongoing. At a photo op after Hurricane Katrina, he vowed that New Orleans would be rebuilt, but as of the first of the year barely a quarter of the people have returned. Bush is either a chronic liar or he believes the American people are morons.” — Jan. 7, 2006
Iraq war “I am getting sick of the foaming-at-themouth, pinko, tree-hugging liberals calling for George Bush’s impeachment. Do they not realize how many trees have been cut down to print their nay saying dribble? Furthermore, if Bush is impeached, who are we going to get to carry House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s lipstick around for the next two years?” — Jan. 27, 2007
Grasping democracy “It is obvious that the Iraqi people have not quite got the grasp of democracy. It appears that the only way they can live in peace is to have a tyrant ruling them. If they can just hold on for 20 more months, we can give them ours. He will be unemployed.” — April 4, 2007
46 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
Language of freedom “An arrogant young French representative to the recent G-20 talks stated that it was disgraceful that the talks were in English rather than French, the diplomatic language of the past couple of centuries. An elder representative from an Eastern European nation reminded him that were it not for the British and Americans, the talks would be in German.” — April 18, 2009
Stuck on Obama “The top three ways to remove an Obama sticker: (1) Wait to get permission from the government, just like you’ll have to do to remove a Band-Aid in the future. (2) Trade it in with your car for $4,500 under the Cash for Clunkers program. (3) Leave it on so when you park in the driveway of your firsttime home, you can thank him for your $8,000 tax credit.” — Aug. 29, 2009
Award recipient in chief “Rumors are that President Obama’s staff, emboldened by the Nobel Peace Prize Award, is going to nominate him for the Cy Young Award since he threw the first ball of the baseball season. Additionally, since he watched the Rose Bowl on TV, he will be nominated for the Heisman Trophy.” — Oct. 17, 2009
Peculiar
Last Word
across the interstate several miles ahead of me, acting in a very erratic manner. They were larger than an airplane, oval in shape, appeared to be aluminum-colored and to have yellow flames protruding from them in three different sections.”
Olympics coverage “I’ve been watching the Olympics, especially the swimming, and noticed that the swimmers tend to show a lot of teeth. I’m wondering if the chlorine in the water shrinks their gums.” — July 27, 1996
— Oct. 28, 1989
Missing pizza slice
Disclaimer lodged
Work to be done “On TV sporting events we can get an instant replay. Why can’t bagels be made a mite thinner so we could toast them in our toasters? We can travel several times faster than the speed of sound. We can add color to black and white movies; why can’t we outlaw plastic bags?” — Oct. 29, 1988
Happy Easter to you “We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. This greeting comes to you from the Procrastinators Club.” — March 18, 1989
UFOs sighted
“The members of the Williamsburg Moose Lodge and the co-workers of the Women of the Moose chapter want it known that the fight that occurred at the Moose Lodge on Saturday, Jan 13, did not, repeat, did not occur at a Moose-related activity.” — Jan. 17, 1990
Sky portrait “Strange happenings in the air. I hope a lot of people were looking last week at a cloud over to the west shaped in the image of Abraham Lincoln with his hat off, his long beard and all. It just held there for a long while until a lot of us got a good look at it before it broke up and disappeared.” — March 14, 1990
“I’m calling to see if anybody else saw the three flying saucers that I spotted off Interstate 64 in the West Point area? While I was traveling eastbound on Interstate 64 heading toward Williamsburg on Sunday, Oct. 22 at about 3 p.m., I heard a loud noise first before I saw the flying saucers. I observed three of them traveling from south to north
More about gays “In reference to your article on gays hanging out at all the family parks, it is my belief that if there were any real men in the Williamsburg area there wouldn’t be any gays hanging around there after this weekend.” — May 7, 1988
“Regarding the item about a missing slice from two separate pizzas, some could say that instead of increasing prices pizza parlors have decided to use the marketing technique of slice reduction. The caller would have us believe that it was a random and statistically amazing incident. I think the caller should look into how the pizza is delivered. Maybe after placing the it on the counter and taking a moment to hang up a winter coat, his or her loving spouse or child quickly stole a serving.’” — Jan. 26, 2002
Festivus “My family and I had hoped that we would see more coverage of Festivus this year. Sadly, as in years past, Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. I realized Festivus is still not widely celebrated, but an acknowledgment that it exists would be appreciated in the future. Perhaps some readers who celebrate Festivus could comment on this as well.” Our plans for Festivus coverage were canceled along with “Seinfeld,” which is where the fictitious holiday celebration originated.
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— Jan. 5, 2000
Last Word Worried “ I would like to know why Eastern State Hospital does not have a fence around its property to keep the patients in.” — March 21, 1987
Oyster sarcasm “There are still some oysters out there, so let’s not stop oystering. Let’s keep on going until we completely wipe the oyster out of our rivers. And if we are diligent and keep at it, we can wipe out the blue crab, too.” — Nov. 3, 1993
I wish I were a bear “I wish I were a bear. If you’re a bear, you get to hibernate. You do nothing but sleep for six months. I could get used to that. Also, before you hibernate, you’re supposed to eat yourself stupid. That wouldn’t bother me either. If you’re a mama bear, everyone knows you mean business. You swat anyone who bothers your cubs. If your cubs get out of line, you swat them too. Your husband expects you to growl when you wake up. He expects you to have hairy legs and excess body fat. He likes it. I wish I were a bear.” — July 3, 1999
Tongue-in-cheek, Immigration let the air out of their tires. 5. Families are like fudge – mostly sweet with a few nuts. 6. Middle age is when you choose cereal for the fiber, not the toy. 7. The more you complain, the longer God lets you live. 8. If you can remain calm, you don’t have all the facts. 9. Eat a live toad first thing in the morning, and nothing worse can happen to you the rest of the day. 10. You know you’re getting old when you stoop to tie your shoes and wonder what else you can do while you’re down there.”
— Aug. 16, 2003
— Aug. 28, 1999
No official language President Reagan “I agree with those who think Ronald Reagan’s picture should be on our currency. I recommend a 3 dollar bill.” — June 19, 2004
Cheers & Jeers “I think the Virginia Native Plant Society nude tree walk (Jan. 13 Gazette calendar) should be rescheduled from February to June, when it’s warmer out.” — Jan. 24, 2007
“The Latino Spanish-speaking population was here before the United States was even formed. It is incorrect to call these individuals foreigners or immigrants. Furthermore, there is no official language in this country. And the bottom line is that these Latinos cannot learn how to speak English and “melt in the melting pot” on their own. If this is really our goal, we need to make it possible for Latinos to melt with the immigrant infrastructure that Prof. Jennifer Bickham-Mendez is proposing. This is Virginia, and Latinos are among the residents.” — April 24, 2004
Last on royal visit “I was surprised that someone in the Last Word would be upset about ABC television showing that the Williamsburg Inn put in a new toilet seat for Queen Elizabeth II on her visit here. If anyone should have a nice throne, it should be a queen.” — March 15, 2008
Truths about life “Here are the Top 10 truths about life that adults have learned: 1. Raising teenagers is like trying to nail JellO to a tree. 2. There’s always a lot to be thankful for if you take time to look for it. For example, wrinkles don’t hurt. 3. Reason to smile: Every seven minutes of every day, someone in an aerobics class pulls a hamstring. 4. The best way to keep kids at home is to make the home a pleasant atmosphere – and
$10,000 as an immigrant. Affordable housing is not a black, white, brown or blue issue, proving it doesn’t mean giving any one race or culture an edge over the other. It’s a matter of providing affordable housing opportunities to those who have demonstrated through their current and past actions that although they do not make a lot of money, they have shown financial and personal responsibility in their lives and are a reasonable risk to those who provide the funds for the purchase. I understand that everyone is entitled to an opinion. However, it is unfortunate that folks like you would make judgments and express opinions without being properly informed.”
Spanish inquisition “Shame on Marriott Corp. for running an ad in the hotel/employment section in unintelligible Spanish. Shame on the Gazette for not editing the ad.” — April 30, 2003
Immigration “To the person who complained that immigrants are given $10,000 to start with: Where did you get your information? Maybe I should move out of the country, renounce my U.S. citizenship, then return and collect my 48 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
Illegal vs. undocumented “Calling an illegal alien an undocumented immigrant is like calling a drug dealer an unlicensed pharmacist.” — May 12, 2007
Illegal by any other name “I think the important thing to recognize when discussing the immigration issue is that these individuals are here illegally. They are breaking the law just as much as a person who steals, murders or rapes. Do our police officers not arrest murderers just because there are so many of them, or because we don’t want them to feel prejudiced against? When you break U.S. laws, you pay the price. Stop using my tax dollars to make illegal people feel welcome.” — Aug. 8, 2007
Last Word Dead heads “I’m beginning to wonder whether American voters are dead from the ears up. The other night on TV a senator from Michigan made the following statement: ‘Aircraft carriers do not go to war. Only the airplanes go to war.’ Apparently he has never read a newspaper, watched TV, or listened to a radio between 1941 and 1975. When the USS Wasp was sunk in the Coral Sea in 1942, I could swear that they were not in a dry dock in Portsmouth or basking in the Bermuda sun. I’m sure the survivors of the Hornet, Franklin, Yorktown, Lexington, Saratoga, and the list goes on and on, will be surprised to learn that they were never in war.” — March 18, 1987
A beautiful sight “I would like to call attention to one of the most beautiful sights at 8 o’clock in the morning that you would ever hope to find. If you’re just across from the Williamsburg fire station at 7:55 you can watch the city firefighters raise the American flag. It makes your heart beat pretty hard. It’s the sort of thing people don’t see too much of and it’s a worthwhile thing to watch.” — Sept. 19, 1987
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Truth and tyranny “The other day I was hunting by Old Stage Road when I saw a vision of Patrick Henry riding his horse into Williamsburg. I went over to him and said, ‘Patrick, I don’t understand what is happening to the country. The president says he wants the federal government to be a partner with parents raising children. Doesn’t he see that he has made the government a partner by chasing out fathers with the welfare system? Take a look at the children. See how many are involved in crime. Patrick, I don’t understand.’ Patrick looked at me and said, ‘Hunter, you are fighting for the truth, and I’m fighting against tyranny. They’re the same thing. It’s just a matter of time.’ With that, he turned his horse and headed toward the King’s Arm Tavern.”
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“Aye, tear our national ensign down. For long it has waved on high, and many an eye has danced to see that banner in the sky. Beneath it rang the battle shout, and burst the cannons’ roar. But now the Supreme Court has ruled it can be burned. It soon may wave no more.” — July 1, 1989
Love my country “This is for the Toano Fire Station. Thank you for raising the American flag again. It
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“I don’t think the person who made the comment about national parks is familiar with the parks in this country. The Grand Canyon’s zion arches are like God’s gift to all people, and by no means should they be turned into commercial property. If we see an empty lot or piece of land with trees on it in this area, we say, ‘Look quickly, it’ll be gone tomorrow.’ No way should national parks be turned over to be commercialized.” — Oct. 10, 2009 49 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
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Last Word Church day care regs “Some of our churches are having problems with the government proposing to make them fall in line with all other private sector regulations for having licensed and responsible day care centers. From my observation, most religious groups have become very vocal about political hopefuls and officials and our local so-called moral codes. Since our church leaders are becoming openly involved in affairs of state, they can hardly expect for us to continue to hold on to the old rules regarding separation of church and state. Thank you.” — Feb. 7, 1987
Religion individuals re-evaluate our priorities. Thank God for Grace Baptist Church and our pastor, Steven Holley.” — Feb. 4, 1995
Eternal search “If NASA can spend billions sending men into space looking for God and hasn’t found Him yet, I don’t see what is wrong with letting some harmless people from out West dig up Bruton Parish Church yard looking for Bacon’s writings.” — April 8, 1992
Curse on humanity “I don’t think AIDs is God’s curse on homosexuals and drug-users. It is God’s curse on humanity, saying, ‘Fools, if you won’t regulate your own birth rate, I will do it for you.’ If you think that God would not do something like that, read II Kings 2:23-25, about God sending bears to kill 42 children for making fun of a baldheaded man.” — Dec. 24, 1991
Fallen angels “I guess this could be the end of religion on TV. I watch PTL mostly in curiosity. I always thought Jim and Tammy Bakker were better actors than TV ministers, with the make-up, crying on cue and so forth. So, the inevitable happened. The Bakkers have resigned from PTL. One thing makes me very angry. The money used to pay blackmail came from the poor, who could not afford to send them money in the first place. I would like to ask Mr. Bakker one question. Where was your socalled Christian willpower in Florida? And why have you and Tammy been getting away with this very unchristian behavior for your faithful PTL Christian followers?” — March 28, 1987
Victory Sunday “I’m so thankful our church, Grace Baptist, did not cancel Sunday night services because of the Super Bowl. Our hearts were blessed by beautiful music and testimony, and our ‘commercials’ were more ‘spirit-filled’ than any on TV. It’s disappointing to think anyone would choose to miss a spirit-filled worship service to sit at home and watch TV, but it’s sadder yet to think some pastors canceled services so members would not have to miss the big game of the year. It is time that we as
King Solomon “To the caller who seemed upset over the statement that King Solomon was black. Solomon said he was looking at the beauty of his skin one day and said, ‘I am black and I am beautiful.’ His mother, Bathsheba, was a beautiful black woman. Nowhere in the Bible is it stated that one of Noah’s three sons were married when they went into the ark and when the flood ended, and none of them could have been the father of the black race unless he was black. If he was black, then Noah was black. The caller didn’t straighten out the situation. She’s the one who needs straightening out.” — April 17, 1996
Voicemail to God “Have you wondered what would happen if God decided to install voice mail? Imagine praying and hearing, ‘Thank you for calling My Father’s House. Please select one of the following options: Press 1 for requests. Press 2 for thanksgiving. Press 3 for complaints. Press 4 for all other inquiries.’ What if God used the familiar excuse, ‘I’m sorry, all the angels are helping other customers right now. Please stay on the line. Your call is important to us and will be answered in the order it was 50 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
received.’ Can you imagine getting these kinds of responses as you call God in prayer: ‘If you would like to speak to Gabriel, press 1, or for Michael, press 2. For a directory of other angels, press 3. If you would like to hear King David sing a Psalm while you are on hold, press 4. To find out if a loved one has been assigned to heaven, press 5. Enter his or her Social Security Number, then press the pound key. For reservations at My Father’s House, press the letters J-O-H-N, then 3-16. For answers to nagging questions about dinosaurs, the age of the Earth and where Noah’s Ark is, please wait until you arrive here. Our computers show that you have already called once today. Please hang up and try again tomorrow. This office is closed for the weekend. Please call again on Monday after 9:30 a.m.’ Isn’t it great that God is always available for us?” — May 8, 1999
Ten Commandments “To revisionist Christians upset about the removal of the Ten Commandments statue in Alabama: Why do you think your brand of Protestant Christianity should be the national religion, excluding all other religions that exist in the United States? Why do you think your version of God is better than someone else’s? For that matter, why do you insist that God be the only name for a supreme being, and you have the only definition of God? I think the Ten Commandments should be kept at the courthouse, but install other religions’ moral codes next to it as a testament to the similarities in all of the world’ s faiths.” — Sept. 3, 2003
Religious diversity “When NBC News showed its anti-Christian bigotry of the Book of Daniel, the result was protests in the form of e-mails, letters and telephone calls to the station, its affiliates, and the show’s sponsors. When the JyllandsPosten newspaper of Denmark published a few cartoons of Muhammad, the result was protests in the form of threats to murder the cartoonists, kidnappings of Europeans in the Mideast, embassy and Christian church burnings, and other general violence throughout the Muslim world. Judge which religion is a religion of peace and turns the other cheek.” — Feb. 8, 2006
Homeless
Last Word Disabilities “I have two children, and I have a disability that affects me five or six times per year, at which time I am unable to work. I was forced by my illness to resign from an excellent state job. I tucked my tail and headed to James City Social Services, only to be made to feel as though I was a burden on the county. Until recently, I had been a taxpayer. The things I own put my income level above the limit. Therefore, I don’t qualify for assistance. I worked to have the better things in life. Where do people like me go for help when they fall between the cracks? It is a sad day when a working woman and her children are about to be evicted or their electricity is about to be turned off because they don’t qualify for assistance. Maybe I’m naïve, and there are programs for the partially disabled. If anyone knows of any, please let me know.” — Oct. 6, 1999
Crime element “If people were to follow the illogic of the bigotry exhibited in the Last Word concerning an increase in crime if there is a shelter for the homeless on the campus of Eastern State
Hospital, would we not also have to conclude the following? (1) The tourism industry attracts people with money. (2) Serving alcohol at restaurants attracts drinkers. (3) Older people drive cars. (4) Patients at Eastern State have emotional or mental problems. If these things seem extreme, then please rethink your opinion concerning establishing a shelter for the homeless at Eastern State. None of these things is any less ridiculous than someone’s bigoted opinion. Anyone who has investments in the market knows that it only takes a slight downturn to radically affect your financial well-being. Any company executive knows that he or she could be pink-slipped at the drop of a hat. Should these people find themselves in need of assistance, would they automatically become panhandlers, thieves or drug dealers? No? So, why should we be afraid of those who are currently homeless?” — July 9, 2003
Homeless site denied “It is a disgrace for John Favret, director of Eastern State Hospital, to say that Building 27 would be a risk to the patients if it were to be used as a site for the homeless. The building has been closed for many years, and a shelter is needed in the community. Some folks who live here don’t even make $10,000 a year. There are so many struggling, including those on disability, who only receive $500-$700 a month to make ends meet. Thank God for A Gift From Ben, where you can go for help. Building 27 is far away for
the patients at Eastern State, it is big and seems secure. Doesn’t Greater Williamsburg have any compassion?” — Aug. 20, 2003
Homeless “My fiancé and I are homeless. We moved here from New Jersey, thinking it would be less expensive to live here and get a job for a short while so we could make it back to Florida. We stayed at a couple of shelters in Newport News, but couldn’t get work because we don’t have IDs. We were told to go to Williamsburg, since there is more work available there. We walked the whole way, with no money or food. When we first arrived, we slept on the streets for a short time until we were told to move. We found that there are no shelters here. When it rained, we slept behind buildings and looked for jobs during the daytime. We called the Red Cross and United Way of Greater Williamsburg. We were directed to the Salvation Army. Alone, tired and hungry, we met a man at Food Lion who told us about Patti McKenzie. We called her and she sent a car for us so we could shower, eat and rest as she searched for people to help us with bus tickets to get to Florida, where our family is. We are both Christians. There may not be a shelter in Williamsburg, but there is an angel who God sent here. We want to thank God for the man who told us about McKenzie and for McKenzie herself.” — Sept. 22, 2004
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Last Word Whirly birds “One of the factors contributing to the declining quality of life in Williamsburg is the ever-present noise of choppers flying over the city. If these are military training flights, why choose Williamsburg for a flyover? If, as is more likely, they are sightseeing tours, they should be prohibited.” — April 4, 1987
Bus pollution “Tour buses are parked in the back of a hotel facing Skipwith Farms residences. The buses run their motors in the late evening and the early hours of the morning for five or six hours. What help can we get from the EPA about the fumes and pollution spewed in the air and on our homes? Residents are prevented from getting proper sleep because of the horrendous, continuous noises emitted from the motors.” — May 15, 1991
Noise
I have just
Turn down the volume “To the young man who drives the Volkswagen through Berkeley’s Green, please turn your radio down.” — Jan. 18, 1995
Local radio “There is one spot in all of Williamsburg that seems to be in a ghastly state. The local radio station is supposed to be the voice of the people of Williamsburg. However, it seems that it’s more or less a conglomeration of strange noises –– when it can be heard at all.” — Sept. 5, 2001
Toy guns “I would enjoy Merchants Square much more if the merchants didn’t sell caps with the cap guns they sell. We’ve been out while children were shooting those things, pointing the cap guns at visitors and locals alike. It would be appreciated if merchants would just sell the guns and not the caps.” — June 1, 1996
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“In regard to the June 19 item about the plane buzzing a Father’s Day outing, that area is a practice zone for military aircraft, because it is sparsely populated. It only disrupted the outing for a few seconds.” “I also live in Chickahominy Haven, and I saw the plane on June 16. I was proud to know the war bird was in the sky defending our freedom. I stood and saluted instead of complaining. I think any little inconvenience the caller had while cooking by the river is a small price to pay for freedom. You could not see the landing gear.” — June 22, 2002
Villages of Westminster
Ford’s Colony
Delightful one level living with open floor plan and bonus room over the garage. 2,310 sq ft, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths. Priced at $324,900.
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Ford’s Colony
Powhatan Woods
Stately & elegant quality built home offering 1st & 2nd floor MBR. 4 bedrooms plus bonus & sunroom, 4 full & 2 half baths, 5201 sq ft. $649,000
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Noise ordinance
UNDER CONTRACT!
“I worked in a steel mill years ago, and when I was on active duty I served on an aircraft carrier. These experiences exposed me to loud noises. However, these noises did not approach the discomfort of going to the movies. Aren’t more people bothered by the extremely loud volume in movie theaters? Last week my wife and I did not make it through the coming attractions. When we complained to the manager, he refused to decrease the volume to a comfortable level and told us that most people ask that the volume be increased. My audiologist told me that if your ears are ringing after sitting through the latest blockbuster, you may have permanently damaged the nerves in your ears.” — Aug. 19, 2009
52 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
Skimino Landing Custom built and move-in perfect home situated on 2.62 acres of wooded privacy less than 10 minutes from town. 1st floor master as well as 4 bedrooms and a bonus up. 3,870 sq ft, 5 bedrooms, 31⁄2 baths. $600,000
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171686d
— Oct. 30, 1991
Longhill Station Charming & move in ready home on interior lot. Hardwoods and huge family room! 3 bedrooms, 21⁄2 baths, 1,511 sq ft. Priced to sell at $245,900!
See that plane
Sound-shocked “The volume of the PA system at Tribe football games this year has been eardrumshattering. Spectators near us either remove their hearing aids or turn them off. Some of us use cotton in our ears, to no avail. It is amateurish to scream even louder into the microphone when something exciting happens. We are not all boom-box listeners and are already hearing impaired.”
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Last Word Tar and feather “To the person who is putting in the housing project across the road from Handy Grocery on Jamestown Road: Why did you have to cut down all those beautiful trees just to put a road into the project? They were beautiful trees. You should be ashamed of yourself. You should be tarred and feathered.” — July 4, 1987
Environment had a similar experience? I was told there are many cases in the area.” A few cases of Giardia surfaced in James City two years ago.
“I live in the Elmwood section of upper James City, 20 miles from the Charles City landfill. An article about this landfill said it had dumped in one year a total of a quarter-million tons of garbage consisting of municipal waste, contaminated soil, industrial sludge, oil-spill residue, and disinfected medical waste coming from Richmond, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina and South Carolina. Since I live a short distance from the dump and have a deep well, are my family and all upper James City on wells in danger of contamination?” — April 6, 1991
Global warming “We have never had a spring as perfect as this one. This harmony of the daffodils, jonquils, crocuses, redbuds and dogwoods has never been seen. Who cares that our governments cannot agree on a simple plan to save our future? If it has happened because of global warming, then I am all for it. Even if a horrible accident of nature destroys this accomplishment, it has still occurred. What a glorious blunder life is, and however it was made, by creator or not, we are the participants.”
Global warming “2007 seemed to be the year of Al Gore and global warming. However, it’s starting to crack. The prominent French physicist Claude Allegre called Gore a crook and equates Gore’s French scholars with being nothing more than zealots. John Coleman, a meteorologist for the Weather channel, calls global warming the greatest scam in history. Gore continues to duck open invitations to debate his theory, and more than 400 scientists have disputed global warming claims.” — Jan. 19, 2008
Shopping notes
Bush vs. environment
“Canvas tote bags are now available at several local grocery stores, so that we can begin carrying our own to the store. Mine usually stays at home or in the car, but I am trying. If more people would tote their own totes, it would help all of us to do this on a regular basis. Let’s do our part to reduce unnecessary material heading eventually for overflowing landfills. Thanks to the grocery stores for providing them.”
“President Bush has again shown just how pro-big business he is and how far he will go to extract the last bit of resources, at any cost to the environment and future generations. Vice President Cheney, in his notso-veiled manner, is pushing coal, oil and even nuclear power as an answer to the phony and contrived energy shortage. Alternative energy sources and conservation would ease any supply problem if the energy industry weren’t a monopoly of greedy mega-corporations, which now have their man in office. Bush-Cheney is the worst combination against the environment and the future of this country since Reagan-Watt.”
— May 8, 1991
Infection “I recently had a severe intestinal attack, diarrhea and cramps, which a doctor thought was caused by a parasite or bacteria in the local water system. Has anyone
How about you?
—July 10, 1996
— April 18, 2007
Creeping waste?
We’ve earned this lifestyle...
— May 18, 2002 53 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
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Last Word
Post Office A good neighbor “I like it when the postman comes early, because then I can get my neighbors’ mail over to them as soon as possible.” — March 27, 1996
Post office Mail drop “If the traffic is congested in Williamsburg and if the post office is on a busy street, and if cars without passengers continually stop traffic and drivers walk to the drive-up mail drop and cause a serious problem, then why doesn’t the post office relocate the box to the rear of the building where the driver could deposit mail and not block traffic?” — Feb. 14, 1987
Post haste “I was delighted to see on Saturday’s front page that they’re thinking of opening a new postal branch on Route 5 soon. It can’t be too soon. I went to mail some stuff in the pickup boxes. First of all, I couldn’t even get out or in. I had to get out of my car to deposit the mail. And as I was going out, another car came out of the place, and I struck it. The lane is too narrow. I hope the post office branch is open soon. Another one is necessary in this area. It’s unbelievable, that place.” — April 13, 1991
“To those who like the lines at the Williamsburg Post Office: Last Monday I waited in line for 38 minutes, I have some land in the James River that I would like to sell you.” — April 21, 1999
Post office landscaping “We were all impressed to see the Williamsburg Post Office landscaping improved and cleaned up before Williamsburg’s 300th birthday party in May. Surprise, surprise, the neglect is winning again. It seems the post office can make a profit, raise the price of stamps and wait until the local garden clubs put in their money, time and energy to stave off the disgraceful appearance of public grounds. I’m not a member of a garden club, but I do buy stamps. I resent the post office refusing to take care of its property. It has to be a part of its contract on the property to preserve and maintain landscaping in a healthy, clean, attractive condition. Do we really have to write our senators on such a matter?”
Pony tale
— Oct. 9, 1999
“What is wrong with the Williamsburg Post Office? The pony express did a much better job. I mailed a letter to Petersburg Jan. 7 with a check in it, and it still has not been received. It took a letter eight days to go across town and 16 days for an insured package to go to Gloucester.” — March 1, 1995
How about a snack? “Now that the postal service is delivering free cereal in the mail, could I suggest coffee and doughnuts be made available for patrons who have to wait in line at the main post office. Or the refreshments in the back where the other clerks are?” — Feb. 14, 1996
Stamp of disapproval “Has anyone ever found the stamp machines at the Williamsburg Post Office to be in working order, that is, filled with stamps and able to make change? I never have trouble getting snacks from vending machines, but I’ve never been able to get stamps from the machines at the post office. I guess snack vendors don’t make money if their machines are unreliable.” — Feb. 21, 2001
Postal increase for raises? “Since the Postal Service is planning a large increase in the cost of mail, will it also still allow huge bonuses to be given to the upper 54 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
staff as I hear was done last year? This adds more debt to the post offices. I have always been told that you don’t spend money if you don’t have it. Since the post office needs good workers, as many of them are, why are workers going to be laid off? Why do bonuses go to people who have been able to reduce the huge debt instead of giving extra pay to the workers? It doesn’t make sense to me.” — March 30, 2002
Long lines “I had the displeasure of going to the Monticello Post Office recently at 4:45 p.m. The parking lot was so crowded that I couldn’t pull into it, and cars were lined up out to the street. When I was able to park, the line inside the post office was out to the door. To make matters worse, the one small stamp machine was out of order. Why doesn’t the Monticello branch have one of the large multistamping machines since it does quite a bit of business? Also, why were two customers service windows closed at the busiest time of the day?” — Jan. 14, 2006
My 2 cents “I was at the post office on Monday morning, in line with all the other people going after their two-cent stamps because of the price increase. I was only there about 20 minutes, and during that time I found that the clerks worked efficiently and quickly, yet didn’t seem upset at the length of the line. The clerks should be commended.” — Jan. 14, 2006
Wrong solution “To the grandparent asking about a solution to sending care packages to grandchildren because of the high cost of postage (April 11 Last Word): The U.S. Postal Service lost approximately $3 billion in 2008 and will lose somewhere in the range of $6 billion in 2009. The solution is to let the federal government take over the USPS so it is run more efficiently. No, wait. It already runs the postal service. Try writing to the postmaster general.” — Oct. 24, 2009
Last Word Love our town “Williamsburg is a great place to live. It has excellent city government and a responsive staff. The town has wonderful volunteer organizations, great residents and delightful students. It is a wonderful place to raise a family. I’m happy to be here. I hope everybody else is, too.” — May 17, 1995
New slogan “I suggest this slogan: ‘Williamsburg, it gets old fast.’” — June 12, 1996
Disneyburg “The comments Henry O’Neil wrote in his essay in the April 18 Gazette are a prime example of why Williamsburg residents/taxpayers should tremble with fear. To recap his views: ‘He would like the library to become a tourist support center, the post office another welcome center, the Governor’s Inn torn down for parking, and a monorail through Williamsburg.’ He forgot Matthew Whaley School. Why not tear it down and build an airport? Congratulations, Mr. O’Neil, you just created Disneyburg. Where will one get taxes to pay for this extreme nonsense? The citizens have been eliminated. If O’Neil’s views become reality, I hope he and all who support these plans will be happy with a downtown sterile tourist town.” — April 22, 1998
Room & meal taxes
Williamsburg Water conservation “Thank you, City of Williamsburg, for the recent voluntary water conservation program. It makes a lot more sense than waiting until the reservoir is nearly empty and Newport News is looking for water somewhere else. What makes anyone think that we should not be in a voluntary conservation mode all the time? Water will be one of the major issues of the next century, and we in Williamsburg are no exception. It amounts to use, use and lose. We should all be thinking conservation of water each time we use it and act as though the future supply depends upon us.” — April 17, 2002
Where do you live? “After reading the article about the Williamsburg name, I find the notion moronic that someone living in York or James City counties claims Williamsburg as their home. The stubbornness in which county folks perpetuate this astounding lie jeopardizes the fabric of polite society. If maintaining high self-esteem is of value to you, those who live in the county should mention that they live close to Williamsburg. Otherwise I suggest continuing education classes. In terms of real estate, the governing body that oversees the ethical processes of its members is asleep at the wheel. Clients are easily hoodwinked because of the Williamsburg mailing address, which has about 7,000 people and fewer homes than it does just in gated compounds in James City.” — June 16, 2004
Conflict of interest “I’ve long questioned the advisability of our mayor being employed by Colonial Williamsburg, because anytime that question comes up, City Council goes along with whatever Colonial Williamsburg wants. And this is regardless of what the citizens of Williamsburg really want.” — Feb. 4, 2006
“Why should people whose only crime is living in Williamsburg be punished by extra taxes so tourists will think this is a nice place to visit? City Council should not tax homeowners.” — July 15, 1998
Foreign workers “Williamsburg City Council members are such busy-bodies. The latest over-regulation effort to dictate the number of people that can share a bed is comical and embarrassing. Even funnier is that several motels could (and 55 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
should) quietly work together to plan a ‘musical chairs’ shifting of student guest workers every 30 days to circumvent council. The bed police then could only watch helplessly. Bed sharing is not an issue that City Council should legislate.” — Jan. 17, 2007
Student vote “Some students at William and Mary are crowing with delight now that more than 1,000 W&M students are registered to vote in Williamsburg elections. College funds have provided a $10 ‘bribe’ for everyone who gets a friend registered, and the pot still contains enough for a lot more such bribes. I feel that these students should instead be registered to vote in their hometowns. Williamsburg is too small a place to allow a potentially large block of transient residents to change the delicate political balance of this city that has functioned so well to date. I am particularly worried in the long run about off-campus party housing.” — March 5, 2008
Trash pickup “To the good people of the City of Williamsburg: Rolling out a trash container to the curb once a week is not a tragedy. Families young and old in the counties have been doing it for years. With the money the city saves, it might keep a few city workers employed.” — May 20, 2009
Library turns 100 “Does anyone realize that our wonderful Williamsburg Library is 100 years old? It still remains a wonderful city treasure, by far exceeding many libraries in larger areas where I have lived. Founded in 1909 in the front hall of the historic Saint George Tucker House with 50 volumes, the library grew and relocated many times. It began serving James City County residents in 1926. The Williamsburg Library moved to its current location in 1973 with about 12,000 volumes, and was first expanded there in 1981.” The Gazette published a feature in 2009 chronicling the library’s first century. — Feb 27, 2010
Last Word
Customer Service look like a Marine sergeant, the attendant seemed to be much more concerned with her cheating boyfriend and personal telephone calls than my hair. Why is it so difficult to leave personal drama out of the workplace – at least when working with the public?” — Aug. 23, 2003
Have your bagel and slice it too Wants double coupons “As soon as Farm Fresh bought out some of its competition, it discontinued the practice of double coupons. Now that much of the competition has been eliminated, the board of directors no longer is concerned with the public. And have the prices been lowered? No. As for me I will no longer shop at Farm Fresh until the practice of double coupons is reinstituted.” — Oct. 24, 1987
Not so hungry “The other day I went into a restaurant. The owner rang me up and gave me my food while, in the back, a cook spat on the floor.”
“To the person who purchased a dozen bagels and then asked the proprietor to slice and butter one on the premises (May 1 Last Word): As the owner of a Williamsburg restaurant, we have similar problems with customers who think here is no difference between bulk take-out and dine-in orders. These orders have separate pricing. Would you expect to purchase a steak in the meat department of a grocery store, then take it to the dining section and expect it to be cooked for you so you could sit at a table to consume it? This same type of customer probably orders a take-out pizza an Italian restaurant, then sits at a table, opens the box and eats a piece.” — May 5, 2004
ing, there were at least three other tables that had the Jamestown-Lafayette booklet and were also denied use of the discount.” — Jan. 25, 2006
Here’s a suggestion “More suggestion boxes are needed in public places. Employees are not going to tell bosses what management is doing wrong.” — July 18, 2007
Smoking sections “The food and service at a certain restaurant are great. However, our experience was tainted by an extremely smoky environment. I doubt if we will visit again. As someone observed, ‘Having a smoking section in a restaurant is like having a peeing section in a swimming pool.’ I am a physician, and I see the effects of first-hand and second-hand smoke on a daily basis. For such a popular establishment to dismiss the irrefutable evidence of the effects of second-hand smoke is negligent.” — Jan. 10, 2009
— Jan. 25, 1995
Slacking off responsibility “Beware of a local dry cleaner. It ruined a pair of my pants while trying to remove stains, then told me it was my fault for asking that the stains be removed. This is great customer service.” — Aug. 15, 2001
But if the slacks fit... “Cheers to a local dry cleaner for having the backbone not to care about what people think. After repeated calls about a pair of lost slacks, I was told by the manager in charge that she probably took them home since she wears a size 10 and likes the Jones of New York brand. The best part was when I was told that if I wanted money to replace the slacks that I would have to sue the business. Hat’s off to this establishment’s customer service.” — Jan. 26, 2002
Hair-raising experience “I received the worst haircut at a local hairstyling salon I have ever seen. Not only do I
More on bagels
Repaint your sins
“Don’t we all wish we could get a baker’s dozen and have one of the bagels sliced open, toasted and buttered? The truth is that once bread or bagels are sliced, they have to be charged as a sandwich and taxed as such. Try going to a supermarket, buying a loaf of bread and a package of bologna and asking the clerk behind the deli counter to make a sandwich for you. What the person proposed to do the next time - take the bag to the table, cut the bagel with a plastic knife and buy an order of butter – sounds right.”
“The Gazette article on selecting a good painter reminded me of a story of a crooked painter who eventually took a job painting a church steeple. While he was up there, using bad-quality paint to begin with, which he thinned out almost to water, there was a flash of lightning and a crash from heaven. A voice then said, ‘Repaint! Repaint! And thin no more!’”
— May 8, 2004
“While conducting business in a county office, I was subjected to running political commentary by an employee sitting behind the counter. She was openly discussing her views on just about every subject imaginable, all while watching Fox News on the television behind her. It seems that every county building I go into these days has a TV on. Who pays the cable bill and who decides which channel to watch while employees are supposed to be working?”
Discount refused “My mother, daughter and I recently went out to eat. When it was time to pay our bill, the server informed us that we could not use the Jamestown-Lafayette Tour of Excellence Restaurants discount, even though the discount was good until April 9, and the day we went was not a holiday. Our server was sympathetic and could only explain that the food and beverage director would not allow the discount to be used. At the time we were eat56 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
— July 4, 2009
Employees and TV
— Aug. 29, 2009
Last Word Insurance for gay partners I am responding to the call about the state paying insurance premiums for gay partners of W&M faculty. Once these people get AIDS, treatment will be a tremendous expense for taxpayers. Why don’t gays realize Mother Nature is trying to tell them something? — Feb. 5, 1994
Homosexual marriages “I find it hard to fathom how two people choosing to spend their lives together in a loving and committed relationship could be construed as anti-marriage or anti-family. Don’t blame the problems of society on homosexuals. Blame the divorce rate, impoverished single mothers and violent children on too much TV, not enough education, lack of affordable quality child care, and selfish people who care more about themselves or in keeping up with the Joneses than in spending quality time with their loved ones. Don’t blame the minority for the majority’s problems.” — July 9, 2003
Ban divorce The sanctity of marriage is under attack. With 50% of all marriages ending in divorce, our country needs a constitutional amendment to preserve this sacred institution. Please write to our representatives in Congress demanding an amendment that will ban divorce between married couples. I know of several couples getting married with no intention of having children. Why even get married? We need another constitutional amendment to make sure any couple who enters into marriage has children. States should not have the right to create their own policies about this. This must be federally mandated for all to see that we are serious about protecting marriage.” — Feb. 7, 2004
Marriage Marriage competency “One caller concerned about the 50% divorce rate recommends that we write our representatives and demand a constitutional amendment banning divorce between married couples. I, on the other hand, suggest that we ban marriage until the individuals can prove their competence and commitment before entering this sacred union and producing children.” — Feb. 11, 2004
Stone adulterers “I agree that the nation should amend the Constitution and make nationwide laws to preserve the institution of marriage. Divorce should be a punishable offense. The current 50% divorce rate is horrible. Sex outside of marriage should be punishable by stoning. Parents should be held liable for their children’s actions, since it is a marital duty to teach offspring to walk the straight and narrow. If the institution of marriage were doing its job, there would be no juvenile delinquents or criminals. Like China, there should be a mandate on the number of children per-household, to ensure that couples procreate, no matter their ages. It would be better to standardize the wedding ceremony. Once these threats to the sacred institution of marriage are taken care of, then maybe we can turn to the threat of same-sex relationships.”
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Hit the road, Jack “To the husband looking to give away his wife and children: You should be ashamed. I’m sure that you’re a peach to live with. Have you ever questioned yourself as to how your household ended up the way you said it is? If your wife was so smart, she’d pay someone to take you. I love men who think that they are perfect and deserving of someone younger, skinnier, and of course, childless. If you were my husband, you would have been gone long ago.” — March 29, 2008 57 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
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Last Word After hours “I was wondering why the state of Virginia allows bars to stay open till 2 a.m., while it only allows beer and wine sales until midnight. It would seem that people who go out to bars are likely to be driving home after drinking. If liquor sales were allowed until later, people would be encouraged to take their purchases home and drink there.” — Oct. 31, 1987
Safety in peril “I’m calling about a situation I recently observed at Monticello shopping center. At about 1 p.m. one afternoon, my young daughters and I arrived at the shopping center. While we were looking for a parking place, I noticed a group of about four men standing on the sidewalk in front of the Pizza Hut carryout, leaning on poles. One was sitting on a garbage can, and they were drinking from several brown paper bags. This situation made me uncomfortable, and I questioned the safety of my children. I chose another store to make my purchase. Can’t something be done? Is there someone I can call? This is loitering. Is it illegal? The shopping center will continue to lose my business until I can feel reasonably safe.” Williamsburg Police Major David Sloggie responded: “Unfortunately, and contrary to popular belief, loitering is not a violation of law in public places. However, presenting oneself intoxicated or drinking is. In 1994, Williamsburg police officers arrested 83 people for drunkenness in the shopping center areas. Additionally, many other contacts were made. These calls were officer-initiated as well as in response to citizens’ complaints. This policy will continue, and we welcome citizens to call whenever they view illegal behavior. — Jan. 14, 1995
Drinking Mixed signals “First Night is a very worthwhile endeavor. As a member of MADD and former teacher, I applaud any event that embraces a drug-free atmosphere. But this community sends mixed messages to its young people. Many First Night participants probably turn around and buy season passes to Busch Gardens, an environment that sends a signal that beer is okay, nothing more than soda pop. Ride a roller coaster, go to the Hospitality Center, see a show, have a beer. If a tobacco company tried to advertise and market its product in a family park, there would be a public outrage. Yet this community seems to passively soak up the beer and the messages from Busch. A drug is a drug is a drug. The next time the authorities raid Lafayette High, ask yourself what we as a community can do to ensure a drug-free environment for our children on more than one night during the year.” — June 8, 1996
Spruce beer “I recently read about the Revolutionary War. I came upon some passages concerning a beverage called spruce beer, served to George Washington’s troops at Valley Forge. I haven’t read or found out much more about the beer, other than it was made from the sweet or red spruce. Was it alcoholic, or was it more along the lines of root beer? Has anyone ever heard of spruce beer? One would think there would be information about it in Colonial Williamsburg.” According to several internet sources, spruce beer was a popular drink in the American colonies and in Canada during the Revolutionary War. Many brews of this period contained small levels of alcohol, or were diluted to stretch supplies. There are also beer recipes that contain no alcohol.
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Last Word Condoms on campus “The college is fulfilling its responsibility to education by placing condom machines in the men’s restrooms. They ought to put them in the women’s restrooms as well. Just because I keep an umbrella handy doesn’t mean, necessarily, that I am toting rain. Thank you.” — Oct. 7, 1987
National champ “I want to congratulate Billy Baxter of W&M for winning the ‘Jeopardy’ college contest. He won $26,800 for his answer, ‘the Mayflower Compact.’ ” — May 20, 1992
Mascot “Why don’t we call the new mascot what it looks like, a Hokey Yahoo. I’m glad I graduated before the proud Indian was replaced with this politically correct symbol, which stands for nothing.” — Aug. 19, 1992
Campus parking “The campus does not have ample parking. As an employee, I spend $55 per year for a hunting permit, which allows me to hunt for a parking place designated for faculty and staff parking. When I can’t find a space, I sometimes park in the two-hour parking on the street. If I leave my car there more than two hours, I get ticketed. I pay a lot to park in downtown Williamsburg. The caller shouldn’t fret. Students get tickets as well and thus contribute to revenue for the city.” — May 29, 1996
College Woods “I suggest that the president of the College of William & Mary give a report on the state of College Woods, which are entirely under W&M control. I visited there several years ago and found them in sad disarray. These
William & Mary woods were once our Common Glory, but now they are common shame.” Spokesman Bill Walker responded: “Because the woods are such a valuable asset, the college has appointed an advisory committee that has developed a series of measures that are being implemented to preserve the environmentally sensitive area. The college is also evaluating methods for reducing the flow of nutrients and sediments into Lake Matoaka. In one important respect, the caller is mistaken: The woods are not ‘entirely under W&M control.’ There are still major portions of the woods and the Lake Matoaka watershed that are not controlled by the college.” — Feb. 4, 1998
Student drinking “The College of William & Mary is trying to curb student drinking. As a business owner, I am trying to curb the tardiness of my employees. One of the questions on the employment application for my business is, ‘How many times were you tardy or absent from your previous job in the last 12 months?’ One of the questions on the W&M application should be, ‘How many drinks have you had in the past month?’ A college as selective as W&M could fill its entire freshman class each year with 100% teetotalers. Prevention, not cure, is the answer.” — March 4, 1998
Rape lesson “Hopefully the rape that occurred at William and Mary will help instruct the administration as to the action that should have been obvious long ago. Get the campus police out of their cruisers and onto bicycles and scooters to patrol the campus instead of trying to nail speeders on Richmond and Jamestown Roads. That’s clearly the city’s responsibility.” — Sept. 8, 2001
Professor’s ouster “Congratulations to Brooke Taylor for having the strength of her convictions to speak out against an alleged discrimination at William & Mary (‘Professor’s ouster lamented as political, May 5 Gazette). It is good that she defends Dan Krier, a favorite professor who is being dismissed because he ‘fails a political correctness standard and doesn’t march in 59 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
lockstep with the current feminist craze.’ That he is not politically correct is precisely why W&M needs him. One fears Taylor will be tormented for her position, but she sounds strong enough to cope with those pressures. The situation she describes in the Sociology Department also exists in other departments, where feminist pressures against males take numerous forms. All that is necessary is to charge that a professor is teaching ‘dead white male beliefs’ or personalities, and he or she faces potential disastrous punishment, ranging from lack of positive ratings, inability to receive grants, failure to be promoted or even dismissal. This is an ugly situation that needs airing. Thanks are due to Taylor as well as to the Gazette. It’s too bad Taylor is graduating. The college needs her voice.” — May 8, 2002
Faculty salaries “I was appalled to hear about the salaries at W&M. A mere $60,000-$160,000-plus for 30 weeks of work? Doesn’t the state understand that faculty have to come in two days a week and teach the same two classes every semester? On top of such a colossal workload, faculty has to write a paper and chit-chat on a committee or two. The faculty has very few perks, no-cut contracts, unlimited leave, union-style self-governance, a one-year paid sabbatical, and the ability to hire their spouse-partner. Doesn’t anyone understand when a faculty member breaks the shackles, unties the Gordian knot keeping them at the college and climbs down from the ivory tower that there are only several hundred applicants for their position. I have a few modest proposals that might work: (1) Have tip jars in every class. (2) One of the many deans could serve as a valet in the giant parking garage being constructed on campus. (3) Sell some of their massive storage of intellectual property. No, wait. We need more money than that would bring in. How about have a car wash or a bake sale? (4) Perhaps a vice president could serve as a restroom attendant in the university. I understand the faculty’s plight just as it does the plight of the housekeeping staff. I imagine we’ll have to hire someone else from Chapel Hill to panhandle more money for the disadvantaged faculty.” — March 20, 2004
Last Word Barksdale
William & Mary manner, a difficult task with our tuition increasing exponentially each year. Please remember that W&M students are a few short years away from being leaders in Virginia and the United States. Even more appalling than the community’s disdain for students is its animosity toward professors. Not only are they experts in their field, many nationally renowned, they are citizens and taxpayers in Virginia.” — March 27, 2004
“According to information at Swem Library, the campus field along Jamestown Road was dedicated permanently to the memory of Martha Barksdale, the first woman graduate of William & Mary. Now we are informed that the college is going to virtually pave the field over with additional dorms and other buildings. Why does the definition of ‘permanently’ pose such a challenge to this institute of higher learning, and why is it dissing Barksdale by eliminating her memorial?” — June 28, 2003
Town & gown “As a member of the Class of 2005, I am disappointed at the attitude the citizens of Williamsburg have toward the college community. We students are not hoodlums or irresponsible kids out to make trouble. We are intelligent, ambitious young adults who are concerned with receiving the best education and college experience possible. We and our parents would like to do so in an affordable
College party “To the student who complained about the William & Mary School of Education seeming like an elementary school with its lowfiber, high-calorie curriculum: Talk with administrators about your concerns, as I did when I took a couple of classes there. School of Education administrators are caring people who listen attentively. When you are finished sharing with the administrators why you were upset, you can count on them to smile reassuringly, give you a hug and send you out to play again.” — June 2, 2004
Sex Workers Art Show “The return of the sex workers to W&M is bad for students. After carefully monitoring this kind of material out of their television and movie viewing for years while they were at home, parents have to watch helplessly as the college methodically undoes their chil-
dren’s upbringing. And whey they can’t do it alone through professorial influence, they seek outside help. Popularity is no proof of need. We know alcohol and other unmentionables are popular on campus, but the college does not actively contract to import them.” — Jan. 23, 2008
Last on W&M logo “I’ve solved the problem of William & Mary’s green and gold being confused with Waste Management’s green and gold. If Waste Management can put a couple of feathers in the M, everyone will know it’s the garbage people, since William & Mary can use the feathers anymore. It’s strange that other organizations fought for the right to be named Redskins, Indians, Chiefs, Seminoles, etc. and won, but no one took up the constitutional right for William & Mary, even though the local Native Americans were supportive. — Feb. 13, 2008
Dirty Martini “After seeing a picture of Dirty Martini in the Opinion section of the Gazette, I don’t understand why college students would pay to see her take off her clothes. I would pay for her not to. The Century Project is being allowed because it supposedly falls under freedom of speech. But if someone took pictures from the exhibit and posted them on youtube.com, that would be a different story.” — Feb. 25, 2009
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Guns Gun control “Gun control. Select your target. Steadily sight and take aim. Slowly squeeze the trigger and fire!”
“In 1787, several delegates to the Pennsylvania Convention would not vote to ratify the Constitution. They recommended changes, one being ‘that the people have a right to bear arms for the defense of themselves and their own state, or the United States, or for the purpose of killing game; and no law shall be passed for disarming the people or any of them, unless for crimes committed, or real danger of public injury from individuals…’” — June 15, 1991
NRA victims “We have just had another episode of a madman getting a handgun and killing or wounding almost 50 people in one splurge of revenge. Even the most hardened NRA member must be having second thoughts about the indiscriminate distribution of these weapons. It is hard to think of another manmade device built for only one purpose: to destroy.” — Oct. 23, 1991
ent’s Presid rd Awa r Winne
— Sept. 19, 2001
— Aug. 1, 1992
Background checks
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Amendment right to own and bear arms. The anti-gun component of our society is no better than terrorists and are seeking to undermine the freedom of gun owners to protect themselves in the face of a terrorist threat.”
“This is to all the anti-gun people complaining about the bill currently in Richmond to ease restrictions on getting a concealed weapons permit. One of the arguments against the bill is that it will make it easier for criminals to commit crimes. When will people get a dose of reality and realize that criminals don’t follow rules?” — Feb. 25, 1995
— Feb. 15, 2006
Unclaimed guns “‘Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold are not clothed.’ – President Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953).” — Aug. 7, 2002
The other extreme “In light of the recent tragic events in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania, it is now more urgent than ever to respond to the antigun element in our society. With imminent danger surrounding us, no one is safe. How dare anyone suggest I relinquish my Second
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“Background checks at gun shows work. Of the 207,823 background searches conducted statewide by licensed dealers at gun shows last year, 1% of them found a prohibited purchaser. That stopped sales to 200 people who should not have guns. People prohibited from having a gun include convicted felons, those convicted of misdemeanors involving domestic violence and those involuntarily committed to mental institutions.”
Virginia Tech shooting “The Virginia Tech administration was the enabler and thus also to blame. There are more than 2,200 gun laws on the books. Criminals like Cho do not obey the law, therefore all the gun laws in the world will not deter them. Even if guns were banned entirely in this country, Cho would have found a way to get one, just like people find was to get illegal drugs. Had the system flagged Cho as mentally ill and thus prevented him from buying a gun, he would have found one anyway through illegal channels. — April 23, 2008
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Does anyone know...
Last Word Hungry “I live in Raleigh Square Townhouses. In January a little girl came by selling Girl Scout cookies and I ordered $20 worth. She hasn’t returned. Are the Scouts finished with delivery? Am I going to get cookies? Are there other Girl Scouts out there who would like to sell me some cookies?” — Feb. 28, 1996
Tourists gone wild “Why doesn’t the city do something to control teenage tour groups who hang out on Prince George Street after they get off the buses? These kids run wild in the midtown area, screaming, yelling, fighting and littering. At night, people are afraid to walk through the area when the groups are gathered along the street. Why are they allowed to run unsupervised through the area? There are offices and homes in the area, and people who work and live there, as well as other tourists passing through. They are being terrorized by these tour-bus hooligans. Where are police and Colonial Williamsburg security?”
Who owns Armistead House?
Preying on puppies
“I read that the Armistead House is on lease from Colonial Williamsburg. Does this mean that Colonial Williamsburg owns the house, and if it does, from whom did CW purchase it? I think there is a misunderstanding about this house and it would be nice to have it straightened out.” A spokesman responded: “In September 1994, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation obtained a 75-year lease on the Cary Peyton Armistead House from the owners, Robert and Sarah Armistead, and his sister, Letitia Hanson. The agreement, which gave the house to Colonial Williamsburg, stipulated that it be moved to other foundation-owned land in Williamsburg. It also allowed archaeological excavation of the property and the reconstruction of 18th century structures that previously occupied the site.”
“I’ve noticed turkey vultures surveying our backyard. I’ve read that these creatures not only feast on carrion but can carry off small mammals. I have a 17-pound puppy that likes to play outside with our other dog. Should I be concerned, or is the puppy heavy enough to escape being whisked away?”
— July 4, 1998
Sex and the sixties “My husband is 65 and has had no physical desires for more than 10 years. He says men at his age do not have sexual desires. I’ve been talking to a friend who has been in convalescent homes for as long as a month, and there are men and women there in their 70s and 80s who have loving relationships and still have sex. Let’s hear from men 65 and up and see which of us has the problem.” — March 20, 2004
— March 24, 2004
Vultures can’t lift them “In response to a question about vultures in the March 24 Last Word, from a biologist at the College of William & Mary: The puppy will not be carried off by turkey vultures. Vultures occasionally drag carrion off the road a few yards with their beaks, but they are not capable of carrying prey in the air with their feet the way hawks do. In addition, turkey vultures eat only dead animals. Black vultures will allegedly eat incapacitated animals, such as sick or abandoned newborns. This is rare, and they could never consume an animal that did anything but lie still. — March 31, 2004
On-time doctors “Does anyone know of a doctor’s office in town that keeps it’s appointments, doesn’t make patients wait an hour in the lobby and 15-30 minutes in the examining room, only for the doctor to spend about ten minutes checking you out?” — March 1, 2008
— April 1, 1998
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Last Word Trailer troubles “I would like to bring this to some official’s attention: I live in a trailer park near Quarterpath Park. It’s not by choice that I live here. It’s a very, very bad neighborhood. Right after I moved in, I had clothes stolen off my line. I have had toys stolen out of my yard. I’ve had beer cans thrown into my yard. You walk in the park, and there’s old mattresses and trailers in poor condition. I think it a great location to live and it could be a really nice if someone would just clean it up. Today, my neighbor told me one of the children had found a hypodermic needle, and this is not the first time. There seems to be nothing we can do. The policeman assured us there was almost no chance of catching AIDS from a needle lying in the streets. I do not buy that. I do not think anybody in this community would buy that. Help us clean up our neighborhood for our children.” — June 19, 1991
House in the woods “After reading the calls to the Last Word and hearing the views at the James City Community Conversations, I’ve come to the following conclusion: A developer earns a living building houses in the woods for environmentalists to live in. An environmentalist wants to be the last person to move into a house in the woods.” — Dec. 2, 1995
Affordable retirement “Are there any mobile home retirement communities in this area that provide security for senior citizens? I would like to buy a lot and put a new doublewide or modular home there. I’ve lived here for 40 years, and this is my home. I don’t want to move to Florida or Arizona, where these accommodations exist. And I can’t afford the retirement communities in Williamsburg. If there are no such places
Housing in the area, why doesn’t a contractor build one? I’m sure there are many others in my position who would support such a place.” — Aug. 10, 1996
New Town “The dream that New Town would be a focal point of community pride is quickly evaporating. The proposed retirement project is an architectural monstrosity and looks like a large apartment complex more suited for an inner city. One is now left with the feeling that the New Town Design Board is merely a lackey for the developer, and the altruistic mantle of providing care for the aged should not bypass questions concerning the availability of water, the scarcity of physicians, and the issue of safety if hundreds of geriatric drivers are deposited on the doorstep of this college.” — May 23, 2001
Priced out “I moved to Williamsburg from another state recently, not by choice but by necessity. I considered myself upper-middle class when I moved here, but shortly thereafter I found I had been reduced to middle class and was in the minority. All I find in Williamsburg are the very rich and the very poor. The going wage is terrible, and the poor must work three or more jobs just to put food on the table. The poor work hard to service the rich, yet there is no adequate housing for middle class or the poor. After a year of searching, I found a townhouse that was not more than $100,000 in a neighborhood I would not be afraid to live in. There are only three such neighborhoods in James City. I have a friend who is in the same situation and has found nothing. Still I read that expensive developments continue to be built, and the city and county still want tourists pouring in here. It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that soon there will be no places for working people who serve the rich to live. There are few doctors now. Services will soon be compromised. I could not believe I moved to a town that does not have a Wal-Mart or a mall. If 63 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
Williamsburg wants to continue to grow and prosper, it must be realistic and think equally about all its residents. Build reasonable housing. If I had the capital, I would get rich on building this type of housing. There is a limit to how many rich seniors from other states this area can handle. I am more than a bit disgruntled with this area that tourists find fascinating. To live here without services and fight the tourist crowd is frustrating.” — May 29, 2002
Affordable housing “Regarding ‘Strawberry Plains affordable homes sold out, everyone happy’: I must be confused on the definition of affordable homes. In my opinion, affordable homes are for people who cannot otherwise qualify for $100,000 homes. It’s interesting to look at the people interviewed in the article. Are they doing this for investment purposes? Two years from now, will that $100,000 house sell for $150,000? Where do those interviewed live? Did they qualify financially? I think those who earn $25,000-$30,000 a year should get the affordable homes, not those who can afford a $100,000 house.” — Jan. 11, 2006
Work force housing “‘Work force’ housing is a more polite way of saying ‘affordable’ housing. I think it sounds like a commune in Siberia.” — July 7, 2007
Eminent domain “Perhaps James City should exercise the power of eminent domain to take one of the several golf courses in the county. That way we could acquire a municipal moneymaker just like Hampton and Newport News. Were it to take a course that had a housing development on it, the county would acquire some spiffy public affordable housing at the same time, thus killing two birds with one stone.” — April 11, 2007
Last Word
Military American lives were being snuffed out daily. Certainly the bomb caused instant death and destruction, but continuation of the war was producing the same effect, only more slowly and painfully. Americans and the crew of Enola Gay should be proud helping end of World War II. There is no reason why Enola Gay should not be displayed with pride at the Smithsonian Institution.”
Honor vets for their deeds “I would like to say something about the returning vets from Saudi Arabia. I resent the fact that they have the linkage between the Persian Gulf and Vietnam wars. The people who fought deserve all the credit. They did a great job. There’s no sense and no reason to add the Vietnam veteran situation. The United States blew it when it did not take care of the vets who came back from Vietnam, and there’s no reason to tie these people’s joy and glory up with what happened 20 years ago.” — March 13, 1991
Enola Gay “What is all this hoopla about Enola Gay, the plane that dropped the bomb on Hiroshima? Have the detractors forgotten that we were in a war in which a decisive winner had to be determined? Have they forgotten that hundreds and thousands of soldiers’ lives were on the line? Hindsight notwithstanding, there was no better solution at the time to quickly end the devastation. Yes, thousands of Japanese were regrettably killed in one fell swoop. But hundreds of Japanese and
— Feb. 1, 1995
Praying for war “No soldier prays for war. Soldiers are probably the last people who want war because we know the great cost and sacrifice involved. If ever in history there was a time to stand and fight, now is that time. We must support those who are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice with their lives and fight for freedom, democracy and what’s right. This war will not just be about revenge. It will be about justice. It will happen so we won’t have to live in fear. Are those who protest the war willing to take arms and fight for the right? Others before you have and many paid with their lives.” — Oct. 3, 2001
Old Glory “I am a retired vet who has spilled my blood in foreign lands to protect the freedom and flag of the United States. My brother died for the American flag. How many restaurants, schools and other people at home let Old Glory fly all night without being seen? It’s illegal to fly our flag at night without spot-
lights or some form of light. There are two local restaurants that have a lot of flags that are not illuminated. Come on, folks. We vets don’t ask for much. Let’s treat Old Glory the way she should be treated. Light her up.” — April 3, 2002
Waterboarding “There are those who say that torture is not effective. The truth is that it is effective if the motive is to inflict great pain and injury or to scare a populace into submission. al-Qaeda has published a torture manual available on the Internet. Waterboarding is noticeably missing for a good reason. It doesn’t inflict great pain or permanent injury and it doesn’t really scare anyone other than the radical leftists around the world.” — Jan. 14, 2009
Waterboarding illustration “My compliments to the Gazette for the illustrative description of waterboarding in the May 13 Opinion section. As a retired Infantry officer and Special Forces soldier who experienced waterboarding as a part of my training in the event of being taken prisoner, I believe the Gazette’s illustration is basically accurate. It is unfortunate that The New York Times and major TV media have refused to duplicate the Gazette’s effort to inform the public. Torture is unacceptable, but the intimidation that evolves from the threat of torture is a necessary tool in the soldier’s methodology.”
Voted
— May 23, 2009
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Last Word Suggestion box “I’d like to see our Gazette coordinate with a local radio station on a radio roundup of news that would come on at a certain time with information for local people, especially the elderly, younger people, business people, and also people travelling.” — May 28, 1988
Bragging rights “I am calling to find out why The Virginia Gazette has failed to challenge the Daily Press’s brag that it is the best newspaper from Richmond or Washington? Why aren’t you answering the blustering full page ads the Daily Press is giving to itself? I would like to see the Gazette expand to daily, foregoing a Saturday edition. Turn out quality articles on pertinent Peninsula news and you would easily push the Daily Press off the Peninsula.” — March 4, 1992
Feed the little animals “I was very offended, as I’m sure many animal lovers were, by the Wednesday, March 11, headline about roadkill. Maybe if the writer were assigned the task of removing these little animals from the roadways and to see close up their crushed bodies, he’d be less likely refer to them as ‘possum patties,’ ‘squirrel pizza,’ and ‘toad tofu.’ It outrages me when unfeeling people make light of this. I’m sure they never stop to think that perhaps that little possum has babies in her pouch, or that little squirrel a nest full of babies who will starve to death. Yes, it’s a shame these animals die under wheels of cars by the millions, and yet many times it’s totally unavoidable. However, many unskilled drivers do not drive with care. Had they been more alert, the little animal would have lived.” — March 18, 1992
Gazette To do to-do
Hatred explained
“Can the Gazette print weekend activities on Wednesday morning instead of Saturday? By Saturday, my day is planned, as is most of my Sunday. By the time I get the Gazette on Saturday and look at the weekend activities around Williamsburg, it’s too late. If you could print them on Wednesday, I could plan my weekend around the activities listed.” Good idea! We’ll switch Weekend to Wednesday next week.
“When I first read the story about the William and Mary professor who insinuates that the United States is to blame for the suffering in the Middle East and thus the terrorist attack, I was annoyed that the Gazette was giving her a front-page platform. However, I then realized that the Gazette was performing a great public service in exposing the insensitivity of this individual. I only hope that other faculty members rise up to publicly voice their disdain for her.”
— April 3, 1993
— Sept. 26, 2001
Family-oriented “I am concerned and angry about a recent front-page photo in the Gazette captioned ‘Catchin’ some rays.’ I find a picture of young women sunbathing, including one in a bikini, in poor taste. I feel even more strongly, however, that if such a photograph does make the cover, the caption should list the women’s names, class year and dormitory address. I feel the caption is irresponsible and an invitation to harassment.” — March 29, 1995
Question of honor “I found the Gazette article ‘Question of Honor’ to be a question of worthiness. To honor a Yankee combatant whose Army burned and pillaged Williamsburg on the front page of the Gazette is deplorable and an affront to the ancestors of Confederate soldiers and citizens of Williamsburg who perished defending Williamsburg. I suggest the Gazette present stories about Confederates and townspeople who fought and endured during this period, rather that amplify the heroics of citizens of Maine. I suggest the Gazette reference the book ‘War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies,’ Series I, Vol. XI, all parts. I believe there is more than enough information to adorn the front page of the Gazette rather that the slap in the face that local citizens were hit with on Sept. 29. Interestingly enough, I observed a bumper sticker bordered with a Confederate national flag on a car traveling along Richmond Road that read, ‘Help. They are still invading.’ Now I understand.” — Oct. 13, 1999
65 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
Cheers & Jeers “We write and talk about the rapid development and growth in the Williamsburg area. I remember 20 years ago when the Gazette was published once a week, and if it had eight pages it was a big issue. The April 12 Gazette was the largest I have ever seen. Don’t change a thing in your format or direction. I love your publication.” — April 19, 2003
Kaput with ‘kaput’ already “What gives with the word ‘kaput’ used in headlines? The Gazette uses the word often. I think ‘kaput’ is an ugly German word. Please stick to the English language. It is more elegant.” — May 24, 2003
To do to-do “Gazette columnist Lew Leadbeater should stop his pompous, repulsive dialogue and true-or-false history information and get to the point. Using words unfamiliar to the general public is rude.” — June 30, 2004
Cheers & Jeers “In Saturday’s Gazette, Burrows Court was moved into Governor’s Land. Last Wednesday’s tornado did move some of Burrows court into other neighborhoods, but we are still where we have been for the last eight years, in Foxfield.” Sorry for the error. A press release on the storm issued by the James City Fire Department listed Burrows Court as being in Governor’s Land. — Jan. 18, 2006
Last Word
The Last Word Logo lacks diversity
— Nov. 2, 1991
“Half of the Last Word logo figures don’t seem to be black. Look at the definitely white features such as the noses and lips. Perhaps this is the same phenomenon that affected 1970 black GI Joe dolls or certain store mannequins.” — July 15, 1992
More on Word “Those boring Last Word calls. We may now savor the prospect of adjudicating a controversy over the Gazette’s responsibility for publishing only the more diverting messages. Incidentally, Elvis had expressed an interest in this issue. I encountered him last week as he was being ejected from a Kingsmill fundraiser for manifest indifference to the blacktie code.” — Oct. 14, 1989
Think about it “The Last Word is a very good idea. Some ideas brought out are good. Some thoughts are bad. But there it is, in black and white. It lets you know that not everyone thinks like you do. But sometimes you some who do. Sometimes the Last Word makes you angry. But it makes you think and makes you aware of some problems in our area. And to be aware is a big step toward progress. It makes you aware that we are all different, but unique, and we can all learn something from each other. Let us pray we use our knowledge for the good of our community, so we can all live with peace and understanding, and tolerance of each other.”
Gazette credited “I enjoyed Ellen K. Rudolph’s letter to the editor April 10. However, I think the Gazette deserves even more credit than what was bestowed. Reporting the ‘usual crime, smut and politico stuff’ is obviously something that sells. I personally think the Gazette would sell even more papers if it reported on the unusual crime, smut and political stuff. It seems the almighty dollar doesn’t rule here. Bravo! I applaud the Gazette for fairness in the support, for it does support the non-special, non-interest groups of people who toot their own horn for whatever their non-special reasons may be. The Gazette gets two sparkling stars in my book.” — April 27, 1996
Bomb threat “I agree with Lafayette High Principal Parke Land that the Last Word is not conducive to problem-solving student discipline matters. However, I do feel the community deserves the right to know what public schools are telling our children and how the schools are treating them. The Last Word is a column respected for that responsibility.” — March 21, 1998
— April 13, 1991
Yellow Peril “I find the Last Word to be the worst example of yellow journalism. The idea that you can put everybody’s anonymous comments into the paper is ridiculous. It is disturbing to see charges against people, issues and ideas put into the paper as if they were accurate. The Last Word instructions suggest that questions raised will be answered. However, it is usually the rule that the column answers any question it pleases to. A lot of people read this column as if it were honest questioning and information being requested. You fail miserably in responding.”
Williamsburg whiners “What has happened to our community in the last few years? People have become so negative. Positive criticism with responsible, constructive alternatives has become a thing of the past. Now it’s a bash mentality. What a sad legacy to pass on to our children and guests who visit this historic, beautiful community. The Last Word remains full of comments from individuals criticizing others from communities different from their own or who possess a different perspective. It’s time that responsible adults begin to assert themselves and start to discourage this behavior. If not, I’m sure we’ll see new bumper stickers around town that read ‘Williamsburg is for Whiners.’” — April 28, 2001
Freedom of expression “When I first moved to Williamsburg, I found the Last Word amusing, though I thought it should be titled ‘anything but the Last Word’ or perhaps ‘Complainer’s Corner.’ Since then, I have become a regular reader to learn what is of interest and importance to my fellow citizens. If I have learned one thing while in the very cradle of democracy, it is that freedom to express oneself is a wonderful gift, one not to be taken for granted and one to be exercised at every reasonable opportunity. That the Gazette should be considered a disgrace to our community for giving us a forum for this freedom, by some self-righteous hypocrite who is using it to post his or her own close-minded complaint for all to read, is laughable. I still find the Last Word amusing.” — July 17, 2004
Call selection “I want to know how the Gazette chooses which calls get printed in the Last Word. I know of a few people who have left some messages for the Last Word on a particular subject, and they have not been printed. However, the Gazette has no problem printing the other side of the situation. Deputy editor Rusty Carter responded: “All calls are edited for style, clarity and libel. If an item is libelous, it cannot be printed.” — April 11, 1998
Whine capital “The Last Word inspires me to get a bumper sticker proclaiming ‘Williamsburg: The Whine Capital of the United States.” — March 13, 2004
Primitive culture “Reading Gazette letters and Last Word items every week is a strange experience. I don’t feel like a citizen learning about his community so much as I feel like an anthropologist studying a primitive culture.” — April 11, 2009
66 - Twenty-five years of Last Word
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