Support Ty Hodges for school board
It is essential for our community to thoroughly evaluate each individual seeking a position on the school board. We must choose board members who are genuinely dedicated to advancing the well-being of our students and who are committed to providing adequate support for our teachers.
Among the candidates, Ty Hodges stands out for his openness and willingness to listen to the concerns of all stakeholders within our school division. He has made a clear commitment to consider the perspectives and needs of students, teachers, staff and the broader community when faced with important decisions.
I am confident that Hodges will treat every person who engages with the board with respect and courtesy. This is especially important for students who demonstrate courage by presenting their requests or concerns directly to the board. Their voices deserve to be heard and valued.
As a retired educator and grandparent of three WJCC students, I join the many dedicated teachers who support Hodges’ candidacy. Our students, teachers, staff and administrators deserve the very best that our community can provide. I hope you will join me in supporting Ty Hodges for the school board.
Denise Trainor, James City County
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Reelect Sarah Ortego for school board
Ty Hodges is running for the school board position against incumbent Sarah Ortego in the Jamestown District. I am concerned about Ty’s advocacy for a teachers union, specifically the Williamsburg-James City County Education Association. The WJCC Education Association is affiliated with the Virginia Education Association, which is affiliated with its national union the NEA. The NEA has proven time and time again to be a political organization and will push their agenda to the local level here in Williamsburg and James City County. We do not need this outside influence in our school board. We need to keep our board local. It seems to me that Ty is running more like a union organizer than a candidate for our WJCC School Board.
A candidate running for school board should be creative enough to provide a healthy environment for our teachers and students to pursue their education in preparation to succeed as citizens beyond high school. We do not need a union to do this.
We need to reelect Sarah Ortego, whose vision is for academic achievement, career readiness upon graduation and for enhancing students’ experiences while a student in the WJCC school system.
Mike Joseph, James City County
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Will fewer books be available in a new library?
I called the Williamsburg Regional Library as I couldn’t find a physical copy of the new book: “Nobody’s Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice” by Virginia Roberts Giuffre.
The librarian said that they have an e-book and online version of this book. I would like to read a hard copy or physical book.
If Williamsburg wants to build a new library building, what will fill the library if fewer or no physical books are available? The city and county already have community recreation centers for gatherings.
Ginger Chwalowski, Toano
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Amanda Batten for 71st District seat
After Operation Midnight Hammer, Jessica Anderson declared that President Trump had set us a path toward another Middle East war. Instead, the result was regional peace — revealing a recurring flaw in Ms. Anderson’s perspective: she fixates on a single dramatic detail rather than understanding its broader context. Her preference for quick “sound bites” contrasts sharply with the actual outcome.
This pattern, combined with her past social media posts, shows a consistent absence of sound judgment. Ms. Anderson appears unable to evaluate consequences or connect individual facts into a coherent whole.
Some argue her online behavior shouldn’t be judged too harshly, since everyone makes mistakes. That may be true, but her repeated lapses in judgment and maturity raise legitimate concerns about her fitness for public office. Her “ready, fire, aim” approach to issues, along with her inability to integrate facts before acting, demonstrates a style ill-suited to responsible governance.
In Richmond, we need steadiness, not impulsiveness. We need a delegate who resists snap conclusions and sees the bigger picture amid daily distractions. Anderson’s record shows a pattern of rashness; the 71st District deserves better.
Vote for Del. Amanda Batten — a proven, thoughtful leader who exercises judgment, weighs evidence carefully and represents our values with clarity and restraint. She is the right choice to continue serving us in the House of Delegates.
Chuck Colegrove, James City County
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Trump has been acting like a king
Lower taxes, stricter immigration and less government have been policies achieved by previous Republican presidents and are not unique to Donald Trump. However, most of Trump’s other policies, tactics and behavior can only be characterized as unethical, autocratic, un-American and probably illegal. Attacks on immigrants, unwanted and unnecessary deployment of troops to cities, murders of suspected (without proof) drug smugglers, unnecessary and expensive gathering of hundreds of military officers from around the world, wasteful destruction of the East Wing for an unneeded new ballroom, etc. His blatant weaponization of federal agencies to punish anyone he dislikes is particularly dangerous and autocratic. Trump has been acting like a king or dictator with no accountability, limits or penalties. So, his demands keep increasing and disregard for the rule of law, freedom of speech and the press go unchecked. Our adversaries are gleeful while our allies and a growing majority of Americans are disgusted and opposed to this president.
Tim Weidman, James City County
https://www.dailypress.com/2025/10/29/letters-to-the-gazette-85/
