More importantly, Gavin is an open-minded person and would not prejudge what is "warranted" to be discussed by other elected peers or the voters they represent.
Patrick H. Murphy
Martinsburg, W.Va.
Vote Queen, Norris
To the editor:
One of the most important local races is the contest for the two open seats on the Berkeley Country (W.Va.) Board of Education. The board oversees a $105.1 million budget, more than 2,000 employees, 27 schools, hundreds of buses and innumerable computers and books. All these are purchased with public funds - our tax money. It is vital that these funds and assets are used wisely and I truly believe that Board President Bill Queen and Vice President Bill Norris are more than qualified to retain their seats for a third term.
I had the unique pleasure of serving on the board with Queen and Norris for six years. They were interested in all facets of the system and absorbed the operation quickly. Neither was interested in making headlines - just in safe schools wisely run and administered.
They faced excess levy votes, bond calls and went to Charleston to lobby the legislature and the governors for additional funds from the SBA with proven results.
They sat in on the hiring of Manny Arvon as superintendent and that decision was justified last year when Manny was selected superintendent of the year in the state.
Most of all, I remember their compassion and dedication to the most important facet of board service: The children. They have handed out literally thousands of awards and certificates, attended hundreds of after-hours meetings and sporting events, judged hundreds of science and social studies fair projects.
Queen and Norris both hold down full-time jobs and have made the board an additional almost full-time job for our community.
I cannot strongly enough urge the voters of Berkeley County to return Queen and Norris for a third term on the board of education because of the proven, positive results.
Bill Sonnik
Williamsport
Choose Trumble
To the editor:
There are two strong Democratic contenders in this election cycle for county commissioner from the Shepherdstown district. I am supporting Tom Trumble.
Like most candidates, he has an extensive list of community activities and business experience. What impresses me is his tenacity as a volunteer to dig deep into the public records and compile details on the track record of funding to Jefferson County, W.Va., by a state agency.
Specifically, it was the School Building Authority. Then Trumble completed his mission by presenting the data and findings to the state board of education when they visited our schools.
Wouldn't it be a plus for Jefferson county to turn a new commissioner loose on the public records of other state agencies to make our case for better treatment and more tax money returned from Charleston?
Vote for Tom Trumble on May 11.
Mary S. Horky
Shepherdstown, W.Va.
