County Administrator disputes story
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor,

I was shocked and disappointed to see the front page of the Chesterfield Observer's May 2 edition and find that you reported, citing unidentified sources other than the Board of Supervisors, that there is a pre-selection of the next county administrator. The headline, "Stegmaier leads candidates for county administrator," and the statement that three Board of Supervisors members are ready to appoint an individual, are inaccurate. While Mr. Stegmaier, along with other internal candidates, has excellent qualifications for the county administrator's position, it was very unfortunate that the Observer would report misinformation.

The Observer has become a valuable source of information to Chesterfield citizens and has a growing circulation. That is why I feel I must take great exception to reporting which had unnamed sources of information [reporting that there was] a decision [made] or that there were three votes for any particular candidate.

The article, in my opinion, could seriously damage the process the Board of Supervisors is going through to fill this position. Any credible outside applicant will research the county and likely see this article, which could influence them not to apply, believing that the Board of Supervisors has already made a decision. Additionally, other internal candidates would obviously be disturbed at your report. Equally troubling is the possibility that your article might raise questions about the validity and value of the focus group meetings held with citizens and business people.

I believe the Observer owes the candidates for county administrator, the Board of Supervisors, and the citizens who have contributed to this process an apology for inaccurately reporting, based on hearsay from unreliable sources, that a decision has already been made. This certainly is not careful, objective, fact-based reporting, and as such, is damaging to the Observer's credibility as well.

I strongly advise that in the future, you rely on official county spokespeople for information about Chesterfield County processes.

Lane B. Ramsey

County Administrator

The story says Stegmaier is the "leading candidate" and "the search and interview process continues because not all potential candidates - particularly from outside the county - have been identified." Three supervisors were reported to favor Stegmaier "as it stands now." The newspaper stands behind its story. Editor

Alliance looks for new executive director

Dear Editor,

Now in its fourth year, the Responsible Growth Alliance of Chesterfield County continues to enjoy success in citizen involvement, education and leadership. From the initial energetic monthly meetings where residents gathered to share frustrations and gain information, the RGA has morphed into a "virtual" organization. By that I mean informed members are dispersed across the county- even metro area- addressing growth issues in newspapers, blogs, community meetings and local TV. No fewer than a half dozen RGA members spoke at a recent Planning Commission meeting on zoning cases. Skills in using [Freedom of Information] along with Internet communication enables rapid sharing of ideas and information.

Continued rapid growth keeps citizens busy gathering and sharing data almost daily. Monthly meetings mostly fulfill our charter obligation and provide an opportunity for networking and fellowship, though "hot button" issues bring us all together from time to time. One would certainly not get a true picture of this virtual organization by dropping in and out on an occasional meeting.

A recent challenge to the RGA is the resignation of our founding executive director, Marleen Durfee. While this was a difficult and painful decision for her to make, Marleen exhibited the wisdom and integrity we have seen her display over the last several years in placing the well-being of the RGA and the Chesterfield community over what may have been her own personal preference. Marleen does not want her efforts to seek public office to detract from the good work the RGA has done or will do in the months and years to come.

While Marleen was wrestling with these decisions, she was also confronted with the illness and death of her father. Throughout this time, Marleen held her head high and demonstrated great strength, character, dignity and faith to both her family and others who have had the pleasure to call her friend.

However, with the strongest board in our brief history, we will not skip a beat, even as we search for a new executive director. Faces may change, but the resolve of the citizens and members of the RGA to work with county leaders and others to address the many issues that confront us has not, I can assure you, waned.

Mike Harton, President

Responsible Growth Alliance of

Chesterfield County

Retirees are being taxed out of their homes

Dear Editor,

I think the majority of retirees are in the same position that I am in. Every single year, the assessment on my property goes up anywhere from 6 to 16 percent, which is anywhere from two to five times the increase in social security benefits. How can this be? Have our county supervisors no compassion whatsoever?

This past year was a definite down year in the real estate market, but the supervisors overlooked that. To me this is nothing but pure greed. Obviously they care nothing about the fact that they are driving some retirees out of homes that they bought and paid for. I, too, would like to see the county have good schools, but should this be done at the expense of retired persons who have no recourse and could lose their homes? They tax our homes as if they were in pristine condition. My home is in no such condition. With my taxes, I can not afford to give it the upkeep it needs.

Don Sowder is [my] county supervisor, and I note that he voted down the drop to 95 cents [on the property tax rate], letting it go to 97 cents. This means, with the increase in my assessment this year, that I will be paying $242 more in real estate taxes or total from $2,982 to $3,224 dollars [or] $286 dollars per month [or] $8.95 per day for the privilege to live in my own home, and the county provides no garbage pickup or sewer system.

Must we be driven from our homes while… having one of the finest school systems?

Henry Harrison

Midlothian

Letters to the editor can be e-mailed to letters@chesterfieldobserver.com, mailed to P.O. Box 1616, Midlothian, VA 23113, or faxed to 744-3269. Letters should include the writer's phone number and home address, but neither will be printed.