Buchanan Town Improvement Society sends thanks
The Buchanan Town Improvement Society would like to thank the people of the Buchanan area for all their support through contributions of time, energy, advice, money, phone calls, membership, and more during this time of reorganization, restoration, rebuilding, and certification of the historic Wilson Warehouse/Community House and the organization which strives to maintain this extraordinary asset to the Town of Buchanan.
Unfortunately, we have not received information on reservations or rentals of the facility, so if you have been promised a date or would like to schedule an event in the future, please contact us at 540-817-5772, or BTIS1903@aol.com.
Pat Jasper, President
Sherry Crumley, Vice-President
Kathy Austin, Treasurer
Joyce Newcomb, Secretary
Rebuttal to recent letter about B.R.A.C.E.
In response to Alex Stewart’s recent letter to the editor attacking the Botetourt Residents Against Child Exploitation (B.R.A.C.E.) group, I would like to provide a few observations.
Mr. Stewart stated that the Library Board meetings are now held with sheriff’s deputies present to maintain decorum. There were no deputies at that meeting or any previous Library Board meeting.
Mr. Stewart stated that members of our group do not have children or grandchildren, let alone any in attendance at Botetourt County schools. First, we’re not talking about schools; we’re addressing public libraries. Second, members of our group do have children and grandchildren in the county, but that’s immaterial. Anyone can be outraged that our libraries are violating community standards by making available harmful books for children.
Mr. Stewart said that at the Salem Library, I was “wandering the children’s section looking for sexual material.” In fact, I was looking for a specific book that I knew was at the Salem Library called “Making a Baby.” I was there for a meeting with Governor Youngkin and wanted to show it to him. A librarian approached me and she said that they have moved any books like that from the children’s section to the adult section under parenting. (Something the Botetourt County libraries might consider.) Together we looked for it in the adult section and couldn’t find it. Mr. Stewart said I read from that book at the Library Board meeting. In fact, I quoted from “Sex is a Funny Word” for 8 to 11 year olds. Mr. Stewart says it’s about parental rights but a casual reading from “Sex is a Funny Word” would reveal that this book invites children to sneak around their parents. For example: “Do you know if there are rules in your family about touching yourself? If there are rules, do they make sense to you?”
Mr. Stewart stated that parents have a “right to navigate our children’s education and access to free speech.” Free speech, the First Amendment protection, does not extend to obscenity. Mr. Stewart is free to purchase materials like this for the education of his own children. Our public libraries, however, should not be free to purchase and make available to everyone objectionable materials with our tax dollars.
Charles Ruhl
Fincastle