Fairfax County schools need new leadership Thirty years ago, alarms were raised when the Fairfax County Public Schools superintendent took a week to respond to a series of questions by the county executive.That may have been the beginning of our school administration misery.
The current superintendent runs the schools with an iron hand, doling out favors — and retribution to subdue those who question or confront him. His administration lied to taxpayers and the Board of Supervisors about the reasons to close Clifton’s award-winning elementary school, but citizens apparently have no serious path of appeal.
The elected School Board has been sued unsuccessfully every year since 2007.If anyone thinks these expensive lawsuits are initiated lightly, they are grossly mistaken.There are very serious concerns across the whole of Fairfax County about our public schools and their management.
Maybe November will bring new School Board representation and a little sunshine to the process.
Bruce Bennett
Vienna
John Wayne embodied American exceptionalism
What really sets America apart from the rest of the world? I contend that there was and will always be only one John Wayne, who was the embodiment of the true grit that is uniquely American.
The Duke single-handedly symbolized to the rest of the world what it really means to be a man. He also loved America, as few other actors do these days.
As Rooster Cogburn or big Jake McCandles, the Duke always spoke his mind honestly, political correctness be damned. The lucky bad guys went to jail; the rest got U.S. Marshal J.D. Cahill.
There will never be a foreign version of John Wayne, and patriotic Americans will hold him forever in their hearts and minds as no foreigners can. He is the embodiment of America’s eternal exceptionalism.
Lawrence K. Marsh
Gaithersburg
College-bound students should vote absentee
I graduated from Langley High School and will be attending Wake Forest University in the fall. This week, I voted absentee in the Republican primary, and I plan to vote absentee in the general election as well.
I am writing to encourage other young people in our area to vote. Even if you plan to attend college in the fall, and will not be home for the Nov. 8 election, you can still have your voice heard.
I would like to encourage members of my community to vote for Caren Merrick for Virginia Senate in the 31st District. As an 18-year-old, one of the issues that is particularly important to me is the traffic congestion in our area, which is absolutely abysmal. Even driving the five miles from my house to Tysons Corner can take up to 45 minutes if I leave at the wrong time!
Merrick has a plan on her website to cut down on traffic by ensuring that transportation funds are spent wisely so that our roads can be widened and improved. I hope that other students will take the time to make an informed decision and vote in the upcoming election.
Lucia Terpak
McLean
