Board appointments
Much has been written in recent months regarding the appointments to boards of visitors of Virginia’s public colleges and universities. How should these appointments be made? I make the following proposals for consideration:
1. Every college or university board of visitors should have nine members regardless of size.
2. Appointments would be for three-year staggered terms.
3. One board member each year would be appointed by the governor, one by the House of Delegates recommended by the delegate located in the jurisdiction of the college/university, and one appointed by the current board itself.
4. There would be no limit as to the number of reappointments.
This proposal would provide much more diversity of thought and reduce much of the politics inherent in the current system. In addition, the name of these governing boards should be changed from “board of visitors” to “board of trustees.” Certainly these members are visitors, but they have much authority in the administration of these higher education institutions and need to be identified as such.
Robert N. Holt, Franklin
Aid in dying
The Virginia legislative session brings new opportunities. I am a licensed and certified family nurse practitioner. I have lived and worked in Virginia since 1986. I have worked in health care since 1975, caring for thousands of patients in that time. I want to advocate for legislation that would legalize Medical Aid in Dying (MAID), also known as death with dignity.
House Bill 886 is still before the legislature this session. Virginia has the opportunity to join 12 other states and Washington, D.C., in making MAID legal here in the commonwealth. MAID allows a terminally ill, mentally competent individual to obtain medication to end their life when their suffering becomes overwhelming. It does not replace hospice or palliative care but gives individuals control over how they spend their final days. It is completely voluntary with many safeguards built into the legislation to prevent any abuse or coercion.
We will all face the end of life and having MAID should be an option for those who choose it. Every individual should be allowed to choose MAID if it aligns with their beliefs and values. I hope that Virginia will move forward and legalize MAID.
Judy St. George, Chesapeake
Unhealthy republic
Is this the beginning of the end of our republic?
As former President Barack Obama said, “elections have consequences.” What he meant was that the elected officials have a mandate to fulfill the promises and platform of policies they intend to implement. The electorate will use that to determine who they will vote for.
History repeatedly demonstrates that when political actors refuse to accept electoral results, the foundations of a republic begin to erode. The survival of a republic requires all sides to honor election outcomes, even when the results are disappointing.
As factions grow unwilling to respect election results or the authority of elected officials, political competition shifts from constitutional channels for change to intimidation, obstruction and force. We may be on the brink of destroying the foundation of the republic, which will cause the demise of our great nation. Some think that there is a group who has this as their goal, the destruction of America.
Many polarizing issues are at play here; should we have open borders, should we deport anyone who has come here illegally, should we have sanctuary cities, abortion positions, socialism or capitalism all spark debate.
Healthy protest and healthy debate are hallmarks of a healthy republic. Outright obstruction and interference are hallmarks of a republic doomed to fail. This is what is at risk today. If we disagree, let’s debate or vote to change the leadership, law or policy we don’t agree with — peaceably.
Terry Morton, Virginia Beach
