Archive
Letters for 03-08-2010
Fight for fair rates
Dear Editor,
It has been an honor to serve my constituents in Southside and Southwest Virginia for nearly 20 years in the Virginia House of Delegates. During my time as delegate, I have received tens of thousands of letters, emails, and phone calls on many issues. Yet, without question, the single issue about which I’ve been contacted the most is the recent skyrocketing of electric utility bills.
In the last two years and amidst the worst economic recession in 70 years, APCo power bills have increased by more than 60 percent. Appalachian has requested 13 rate increases in the last five years alone. Families in western Virginia are receiving power bills of more than $200, $500, even $1000. Many must choose between paying their power bill or buying food, medicine, or paying their mortgage. Instead of responding to this problem with real reform, some legislators in Richmond struck a backroom deal with AEP. They sold out the citizens by slapping a band aid on this gaping wound and offering lip service instead of solutions.
But we cannot give up. I have decided to take further action and take this fight to the people of Southwest Virginia. I have posted a petition on my website at www.wardarmstrong.com and I encourage everyone to sign on. I will be delivering the names and petition to my fellow members of the General Assembly and Appalachian Power.
Also, I am holding town hall meetings and will be in Wytheville on Saturday March 6 at 4 p.m. to discuss the problems that exist and what we can do together to fix them.
Real reform always comes from the people. I hope you will join me in the fight for fair electric rates.
Tenth District Del. Ward Armstrong
D-Martinsville
Give the President a chance
Dear Editor,
I don't know a whole lot about politics, but I do know that every time I look at T.V. or read my newspaper, the majority of the things about our president are negative. I tell you one thing, it don't make any difference if we are old, young, black, white or any other color we are all in this mess together.
I think President Obama is doing the best he can, considering the mess was already there when he took office. If any of you think you can do better, try out for president next term. My God, give the man a chance. If you don't think he is doing anything, so what, the mess is still there; and it is going to take a good while for it to go anywhere. It doesn't make any difference who is in the White House.
It doesn't make any sense. He is a man with a lot of knowledge and intelligence, whether you want to admit it or not. This is some of the problem, but we all know what the main problem is.
Estelle Hayden
Pulaski
