Donations needed for Fourth of July fireworks
There are two and a half months before the Fourth of July fireworks display at Breckinridge Elementary School in Fincastle will be held. Last year’s fireworks display was wonderful. The fireworks display will cost $7,000 this year because we had to hire a professional fireworks company. We will be using the same company, Master Display, as we had last year.
Donations will be needed. We appreciated all who donated to the wonderful event in the Town of Fincastle last year.
Our Fourth of July fireworks display has been enjoyed by many people in Botetourt and other counties. Let your friends, co-workers, and families know about the Fincastle Fourth of July fireworks. Come and have an enjoyable time together with family and friends.
Donations can be taken to the Fincastle Town Office or sent to Town of Fincastle, P.O. Box 250, Fincastle, 24090. You can call the Town Office at 540-473-2200 to use your debit or credit card to make a donation.
Let’s make the 2024 Fincastle Fourth of July fireworks display the best show of the year.
Paige Ware
Fourth of July Fireworks Committee
Patterson responds to Yu’s ‘diatribe’
Anna Yu’s April 10 letter proves beyond any doubt that “the truth hurts”! And the pain it causes is so intense that it can only be assuaged by personally attacking one who states the facts. Notice how she and others who may have contributed to her sad diatribe don’t contradict anything said in my letter because everyone knows it is all true. So, the only retort is to deflect.
As it has been awhile, and we’ve been subjected to a few attempted rebuttal letters which contain only personal attacks, let me refresh your memory about the assertions she made in her March 13 letter regarding why the assessment on her property should not be increased. First, she has no kid(s) in school: second, she lives on a private road, thus no county money is spent on asphalt sealing/resealing of her road; third, she doesn’t need to tie up EMS, police, fire department or courts, etc.; and fourth, her house requires maintenance.
On March 13, these were illogical statements and, today, they are still illogical statements. The facts are that many of us don’t have children in the schools; her county taxes and those of all other county residents don’t fund road repairs (these come from VDOT’s budget, and neither VDOT, nor the county, repair private roads); emergency services are the very last thing you would want to be without when you need them (and eventually, you will) and, unfortunately, a part of home ownership, along with paying real estate taxes, is doing maintenance. I won’t bore you with the tutorial on calculating an assessment increase percentage again – we’ve already been over that.
Sadly, this grumpy old coot is left puzzled over how to bridge a communication and information gap as wide as this one. Perhaps a Civics 101 lesson is in order?
Bob Patterson
Fincastle
Letter writer clarifies reassessment figures
I now realize I must explain how we reached out reassessment value at 93%. It seems that we are being called liars and chronic complainers because of the figure.
I should have been specific that the increase was on our house and buildings, not our land. Our land was assessed at the same figures, but the house and buildings went up from over $55,000 to $106,000. I will let our fellow citizens calculate the increase.
I have yet to see why the letter writer thinks the citizens should be happy to see the large increases. We have talked to many citizens who are upset about the increase. It is not just us. I also now that no one has responded to the reassessment of the home in Eagle Rock going up over 60%. The owners are eager to sell to anyone willing to pay over $250,000.
Barbara Fridley
Eagle Rock
This is Work Zone Awareness Week
Each spring, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and other state DOTs recognize Work Zone Awareness Week to remind drivers of the importance of avoiding distractions and driving safely through work zones. Join us at VDOT as we promote National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 15-19, with our theme this year, “Work zones are temporary. Actions behind the wheel can last forever.” Whether you work on our roads or drive them every day, work zone safety is everyone’s responsibility.
Our employees and contractors put their lives on the line in work zones every day while working to improve travel for motorists in Virginia. This is true in mobile operations like mowing, paving and plowing snow, short-term work zones set up to replace bridges and culverts, as well as in our established work zones for long-term construction projects. Although signs, cones and safety vests can be effective in warning motorists of a work zone, these tools are no protection against a fast-moving vehicle or an inattentive driver. In fact, most work zone deaths are motorists, not workers, so slowing down, eliminating distractions and paying close attention in work zones can help all of us.
All motorists — whether a seasoned driver or someone new behind the wheel — should follow these instructions when driving through a work zone:
- Work zones are a sign to slow down.
- If you see the orange work zone warning signs, be alert for changing conditions ahead.
- Eliminate distractions and stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
- Follow Virginia’s phone down and move over laws.
- In addition, to show support for National Work Zone Awareness Week, VDOT encourages you to participate in these activities during the week:
- Show us your Orange! Wednesday, April 17 is national “Go Orange Day.” Everyone is encouraged to wear orange in support of work zone safety across the country. Share your pictures with us on Twitter and Facebook! #GoOrangeVa
- Attend the vigil at the VDOT Workers Memorial on Afton Mountain on Wednesday, April 17 at 4 p.m.
- Follow us all week long and share our Facebook VDOT Salem District group page at www.facebook.com/groups/VDOTSalem and ReTweet with us @VaDOTSalem.
Join our team to keep our roads and work zones safe for everyone. Let’s work together so we can all arrive at home safely each and every day.
Ken King, P.E.
District Engineer
VDOT Salem District
