Financial crisis

“I’m tired of all the talk from President-elect Barack Obama. He recently said that he wants to spend billions more to boost the economy, and wants the stimulus package ready when he takes office because time is important. If the stimulus package is the answer to the problem, why wait? Let the job be done now by President Bush.”

Employee theft

“The hype about employee theft is an obvious attempt by amoral business owners who pay starvation wages and blame their losses on the people who produce the product the bosses sell (Nov. 26 Last Word). I never cease to be amazed that the people who actually produce the goods and services are demonized by those who crack the whip. Prosperity is based on production. Workers make less in real dollars than they did 30 years ago. No more wages to spend or borrow against equals fewer sales. Small business doesn’t have a problem with pilferage, but a problem with paying low wages. If a business pays a living wage, then the money is spent at other businesses. What goes around, comes around. The boasting by companies that wages are cut is a shortsighted ploy by CEOs to boost stock prices, and thus the value of their options. Pay workers well, and the economy thrives. Cut labor costs for years, and we end up like we are now.”

Colonial Williamsburg

“There are too many complaints about the salaries of the 10 vice presidents at Colonial Williamsburg. I am not an employee of Colonial Williamsburg, but there are so many aspects as to education, such as the landscaping, buildings, museums, the docents, food and lodging. And that’s just part of what is done. Could we, as residents of greater Williamsburg, please support Colonial Williamsburg? Eat and shop there in the off season instead of complaining. Colonial Williamsburg is one of the most wonderful, glorious sites in America. Don’t worry about tourism coming in January and February, worry about what we are going to do for the wonderful privilege of having Colonial Williamsburg here. Most of us moved here because of Colonial Williamsburg. Without it, Williamsburg is just a podunk Virginia town.”

School issues

“I drove past the new school site on Jolly Pond Road the other day. I noticed there was no building permit or clearing permit posted at the site as required by James City county code. Are there approved building plans on file for the two schools? Is there an approved site plan on file for the school? If there are no approved building plans, why was WJC Schools issued a clearing permit? If the common person wants to build in this county, he or she has to have an approved building permit to obtain the clearing permit. I’d like to know how the school division was issued the clearing permit so the next time I wish to build here I to can avoid the requirements and start early. The county should have to follow the same rules as the public.”