VMRC leadership
The Virginia Marine Resources Commission manages the commonwealth’s fisheries and marine resources. Unfortunately, under its current leadership, the VMRC is broken after controversies and suppression of marine science. Much like the Nov. 30 guest column “New governor can restore good governance at Va. universities,” Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger can, and must, prioritize reform and strong leadership at the VMRC to protect the invaluable fisheries and the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.
Let’s look at a few recent examples of VMRC’s failures. For one, the agency has faced allegations of misconduct — the Virginia Police Benevolent Association has documented these complaints. The agency attempted to reopen a winter dredge fishery on female blue crabs, amid overwhelming scientific evidence of declining abundance and vocal opposition from Maryland officials. By stonewalling reasonable attempts to improve menhaden management, I believe the VMRC has ignored legitimate public concern for the worsening osprey crisis and the health of the Chesapeake Bay. This inaction has only benefited the last remaining menhaden reduction fishing company on the Atlantic coast.
Virginia’s marine resources should support all of the commonwealth. The current VMRC grants special, well-connected interests the upper hand.
The Chesapeake Bay is at an inflection point. The fisheries are changing, yet VMRC leadership continues to put its head in the sand. The commonwealth needs a strong, conservation-minded leader atop VMRC to restore its credibility and responsibly manage its marine resources.
Julie V. Kacmarcik, Richmond Audubon, Chester
Hard work
Re “Education that works” (Your Views, Dec. 10): I respect the work experience of the retired Air Force chief of staff and Virginia Council of Higher Education chairman, but the education plan he advocates is a move we have seen before that won’t succeed this time either.
His plan is yet another version of an “outside-in” strategy that sets laudable goals and pledges to get all the stakeholders on board to see it through, which sounds great in theory. It could even prove to be great in practice, but the plan assumes that authentic educational standards will be adhered to, meaning that those who don’t meet its lofty expectations will fail. My 34-year career in public education convinces me that will not happen.
The problem, which the letter writer acknowledges, is that learning is hard work, and too many students do not buy in. I am reminded of a teenage Kobe Bryant who, upon returning to American basketball courts from Italy, saw his peers obsessed with dunking while he worked on footwork.
Bryant’s parents created an “inside-out” mini-culture for him that allowed him to swim upstream against all the distractions that mainstream American culture offers. While public education needs changes, plenty of students succeed within its present structure because they have their eyes on the prize and embrace a strong work ethic.
Since our culture is what it is, the key to student success is to be wrapped in a support system that rejects the bacchanalia and rewards day-to-day honest hard work.
David Meyerholz, Virginia Beach
Electric bills
Re “The price of power” (Our Views, Dec. 14): In keeping with Sunday’s editorial and the season, Virginia’s former Lt. Gov. Henry Howell used to say, “There’s a lot running around in the dark at night other than Santa Claus.”
These statements were and still are related to the high price of electricity. Some things never change.
Susie Rixey, Virginia Beach
Housing or golf?
Re “Tourist attractions” (Your Views, Dec. 14): Many have been lamenting for decades about how golf courses are where wealthy, white men carve up the world amongst themselves for profit. Many claim these golf courses should be used for housing.
Now, the city of Virginia Beach is considering selling a golf course to be developed for … housing.
What’s the problem again?
Jimmy Frost, Virginia Beach
