Comments on: Sign Language: Parade Truck Perturbs Planning Commission

By: Keith Underhill

Keith Underhill — Sat, 27 Jul 2013 23:04:59 +0000

I love it when a plan comes together. Keep throwing stones at Goliath. It’s shaking them up. They are even feeling guilty. They may be human after all.

By: Belle Haegele

Belle Haegele — Wed, 17 Jul 2013 01:01:35 +0000

Did these elected officials not take an oath of office to defend and uphold the constitution? Do they not know that our constitution protects the rights of citizens to speak out in the public square? One member of council would like to have an ordinance permitting elected officials to confiscate signs they find offensive. Will someone please convey to this person that Americans for more than 200 years have fought and died to make this country free — a country where elected officials do not have powers such as she advocates.

By: Stephen Fox

Stephen Fox — Tue, 16 Jul 2013 17:25:54 +0000

I differ in opinion over the hospital issue. I had the occasion to see many of the written comments from the official meetings held. The great majority of the citizens were silent, though privately unaccepting. That, in my opinion, does not constitute “all in opposition.” My point was — if you want to get “worked up” about something, choose something that will really make a great difference in the lives of people in the long run. “Old School” has taken on a life of its own by the discord it has created in the community. If the citizens disagree with the elected officials’ decisions, vote them out of office.

By: Mike Kuzma, Jr

Mike Kuzma, Jr — Tue, 16 Jul 2013 14:38:43 +0000

Mr. Fox, all of Northampton County made their feelings known regarding the Hospital. Obamacare guaranteed that hospitals on the edge of financial ruin would be forced WAY over the edge and the Country voted to re-elect the man who is heck bent on destroying healthcare. Off point, but relevant.

By: Geneva Smith

Geneva Smith — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 22:02:28 +0000

Upset about a truck with some signs? I’d be more upset about a commission taking two years to review one ordinance! And I don’t understand the part about the signs being offensive either. What is offensive about the truth?

By: Deborah Bender

Deborah Bender — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 17:52:20 +0000

Mr. Fox — is it really OK with you that the town “sold” the school for $10? Threw in a street, gave away the basketball court, AND showed outright racism all the way around by originally denying availability to low-income people? Throw into the mix discrimination by not even entertaining Old School Cape Charles’ $10,000 offer. No vote, no meeting, no discussion.

What this town needs is honest, open government. Period.

By: Wayne Creed

Wayne Creed — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 15:47:52 +0000

Mr. Fox is correct to be concerned about mixing his metaphors regarding the old school and the old hospital; however, to say there was deafening apathy and no opposition is selective memory (I personally wrote three letters to the ES News over the issue). At the time, Supervisor Murray was hardly apathetic, and with the grass roots level support of many folks here on the lower Shore, sought several times for Riverside to justify the move to us (http://hamptonroads.com/2011/04/proposed-move-eastern-shore-hospital-sparks-debate). In the end, the issue was never black and white, and was complicated by revenue streams, financial viability, and even regional wastewater (or lack thereof). Mr. Fox is, however, absolutely correct to point out that losing the hospital was a good lesson for us all, as is Old School's refusal to roll over like craven dogs when confronted by fact that those we have entrusted with power have, in time, perverted it into tyranny.

By: Scott Wade

Scott Wade — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 15:33:12 +0000

Really? Can’t be airing the dirty laundry in front of the tourists, can we? Isn’t the 4th of July supposed to be about celebrating the original civic activism that started this country? We celebrate free speech by stomping out dissent? Regardless of your position, destruction of private property is low rent vigilantism. How was it any different than the political campaign tents? Much more offensive was the incessant fundamentalist preaching emanating from the gazebo that afternoon and all the religious signs everywhere. What happened to the separation of church and state?

By: Stephen Fox

Stephen Fox — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:17:06 +0000

It is baffling to hear the continuing dialogue over “old school” issues, though I believe everybody has a right to vent and re-vent. I hesitate to mix issues as the situations are not exactly parallel. But, where were the voices of opposition when Riverside [Hospital] decided to rip out a vital 80-year-old County feature and move it to Onley, a location which places the hospital outside the reasonable reach of lower Northampton residents? Certainly the hospital closure and re-location will affect all County residents more than the “old school” deal. The apathy was deafening — hardly a peep.

By: Mike Kuzma, Jr

Mike Kuzma, Jr — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 13:51:28 +0000

Jah, zis whole “free speech” thing has gotten WAY outta hand — thankfully, we have the FIRM hand of GOVERNMENT to tell us what to think and say! Or else!