William & Mary athletics is asking the very people giving the most and receiving the least to sacrifice everything. How un-American and how unlike everything William & Mary says it stands for is all of this?
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Select Arts and Sciences faculty at William & Mary should put down their pitchforks and torches and perhaps even apologize to the now former athletic director. Has this judge-and-jury faculty heard of due process? Well, it is right there in Section II of the Dean of Students Rights, Privileges and Immunities. If given a chance to explain, perhaps they would have understood that a letter about changes in the Athletic Department is not a class assignment. Such a letter might have been reviewed by many in the Athletic Department, the university and even the university’s lawyer from the attorney general’s office. It is basically a legal document with implications for Title IX. Universities frequently share communication about such matters.
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Maybe it’s time to consider cutting football. You could do it for health reasons: football is a violent sport where head trauma is common. Participation in youth football and high school football is, not surprisingly, on the decline. Fielding a college football is also expensive (scholarships, coaches’ salaries, travel). The W&M student body is not that interested in attending home games. Plus, a number of schools in the Colonial Athletic Association — College of Charleston, Drexel, Hofstra, Northeastern, UNC-Wilmington — do not play football. Dozens of D1 colleges and universities around the country do not have a football team. If William & Mary’s athletics program is in such bad fiscal shape, why keep football?
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There seems to be ample long-term awareness that constant head batterings as in football practice and games can lead to debilitating concussions. So why would a university that lauds its student performance and future success determine to keep football? The ” we need to jettison money costing sports” that involve many students and can lead to life time skills and enjoyment is indefensible. Dump costly and harmful football before smart parents and the public say no to football! Keep the sports that provide action, health, enjoyment, skill building for the many!
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army has extended their dates to apply for Angel Tree holiday assistance through Oct. 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bring the required documentation to 216 Ironbound Road.
Pandemic
With England and many of the other European countries seeing a resurgence of the virus, they are planning for or actively going back into some kind of lockdowns. This country which HAS NOT had the luxury of a slowdown in virus cases is on track to have a fall and winter which will make the past spring a fond memory. If you can, avoid meeting with people; if you cannot, wear a mask and keep your interactions brief. Then please vote to assure that we have leadership that understands the danger to all that the pandemic causes.
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I recently had an appointment with my doctor. Everybody had on masks but to my surprise my doctor did not have her mask covering her nose. I am a senior citizen and have diabetes 2, so am high risk, so one would think a doctor would have her mask on properly since she sees so many patients in a day. It made me really uncomfortable and hopefully she will rethink how to wear it before I see her again.
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I do not envy the WJCC-PS School Board’s responsibilities and challenges presented by COVID-19. I understand and appreciate that members worry about our local children, families, and WJCC school employees. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic is not over. Americans, at large, are within a new wave of coronavirus infection. And Virginians are not immune to this viral resurgence. As autumn slips to winter, we of James City Country will sadly see increased disease secondary to coronavirus. Therefore, per America’s current infection profile, my medically based readings and my resulting concerns, I implore the WJCC-PS School Board members to maintain remote learning, Path 1, for our public schools. Our entire community requires Path 1 decision at this time.
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Signs posted in the British Isles during WWI, when the world was also at war with a pandemic: “Cover your cough, cover your sneeze. Fools and traitors spread disease.” Well said.
Thanks to …
Kudos to the staff of Sentara Williamsburg who administered the drive-thru flu shots recently. Despite a large turnout, the line of cars moved along steadily and we had our flu shots and a goodie bag of items to bring home in about 45 minutes. While we stayed safe and dry in our cars, the Sentara staff braved the rain to make it all run smoothly. Many thanks to them all.
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Kudos to Sentara Williamsburg for the drive-thru flu shot clinic. I got there at 7:50 and there was already a long line, almost out to the main road. Once things got moving at 8, the process was relatively fast (I was number 124) and extremely efficient. And everyone was cheerful and kind, even as it started to rain. What a gem we have not only to have this hospital but to the wonderful people who work there!
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A friend and I, both of us seniors, were in the packed parking lot behind Berret’s restaurant at noon Oct. 9 looking for a parking space. We finally saw a car preparing to leave and waited for them to clear the space, when we noted a car also waiting from the opposite direction. They obviously were before us; this was rightfully their space, but instead, the two young men motioned for us to take it. We want to thank them; in these COVID days, neither my friend nor I are able to get out much. For us this was a long-awaited outing, made even more special by their kindness, consideration and generosity. Again, thank you!
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Families living in our neighborhood, known as The Cove, off of South Henry Street, are delighted with our pumpkins. They were placed by our mailboxes last week by Holly Miller and Elizabeth Jones of Liz Moore & Associates Realty. When it’s time to sell our home, our family will choose Liz Moore, who managed this sale. Thank you so much for our special pumpkins, which continue to lift our spirit. Thank you.
Observations
You know, folks, how I acted in my life some 60 years ago, is history. It really is. What I did then, a lot of things are not acceptable today. The same way we can go back into the 20th century, the 19th century, the 17th century. What they did then was typical. It’s not acceptable today, but, folks, I’ll tell you what it’s called. History — exactly what it is. It’s not what we were. It’s what we are today.
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The Prince William County School Board has proposed adding Jewish New Year Rosh Hashanah, Jewish holy day Yom Kippur, Hindu Festival of Lights Diwali, and Eid al-Fitr Muslim holiday to the calendar. The four days would be worked in by taking one day away from Winter (Christmas) break, the Monday after spring break and two other days away. I really like this idea. It is time we give students of other faiths a day off. Why should Christian students get a whole week off when others have gotten not one day?! How about it, Williamsburg/JCC schools?
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God listens to prayers all day and night. He has a favorite prayer he likes best. It is the silent prayer. The reason he likes the silent prayer is because he gets to tell us what we need to know.
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If you had a hacking cough, even without other COVID symptoms, please don’t sit in a waiting room to be seen by a doctor. Let the office know you will be waiting in your vehicle and have them call you on your cellphone when it is time for your appointment.
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You know, what I did as a young child — I said some things, I did some things that probably weren’t very good. As a preteen, I know that I did some things that were wrong and I know that I said things that were awful. Then I became a teenager — 17, 18. There’s no doubt in my mind that I said things and did things that in today’s society are not very good. But, that’s been in the past. Now that I’m 80, all I ask is don’t hold things in the past that I know today were wrong. In today’s society, they’re wrong. Maybe not back then, some 50 years ago, they weren’t. It is how I am today, not what I was yesterday. Thank you.
Questions
What do you do when a big box store refuses to complete a carpet installation job? They’ve left me with a half done job, repeatedly schedule the completion and cancel it or just don’t show, and won’t respond to requests for reimbursement. Do I have any recourse?
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I can certainly understand why banks require two IDs to withdraw money from the bank. Is there anyone out there, pray tell me, why they need two IDs to put money into the bank? This is totally confusing.
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When is the construction on the new WaWa on Richmond Road going to take place? I see the ground has been cleared for some time now, and nothing has been done since.
Recommendations
We have recently completed construction in our backyard. We had a great experience working with Superior Landscapes and Utilities to complete the project. We had them install paver walkway and decking around the pool as well as fencing. They also built two beautiful retaining walls and completed the process by installing sod. We now have our very own little piece of heaven. The owner, John Wright, is great to work with. He has a great eye and can take one look and come up with great recommendations and ideas. I highly recommend Superior. Mr. Wright can be reached at 757-585-6565 or mr.wrightway@yahoo.com.
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I would like to highly recommend One Stop Carpet Cleaning Service. They’re located on Second Street in Williamsburg. We had them come out to do our carpets — the best I’ve ever had done. They did a fantastic job. They also do tile and hardwood. We’re going to have them come back to clean our grout and our tile floor and seal it. And, I tell you, they were very good. The two young men were outstanding. Very courteous, wore masks and everything, very careful. I highly, highly recommend them. Their number is 757-707-9600. The team captain who came out, Michael Gaskins, was so pleasant to work with, so I highly, highly recommend them. Thank you.
Editor’s note: One Stop Cleaning LLC, 160 Second Street, Suite 202.
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We would like to add our enthusiastic recommendation for Mr. Nguyen of MN Jeweler and Clock Repair in the Williamsburg Crossing Shopping Center. He recently came to our home to repair a grandfather clock that had stopped running. He gave us an estimate that we thought was very reasonable, cautioning that after he examined the clock, it might need parts replaced. He cleaned and repaired it exactly for the estimated price, and the clock is now running better than ever. Excellent in-home service. He can be reached at 757-849-2785.
Readers respond
For the person looking for a licensed electrician to add 40 amp capability to their breaker box: I highly recommend Williamsburg Electrical Services, 757-564-9364. This is a long-established local company, licensed by the state of Virginia. They are in high demand, and I’m sure you will be very happy with their work and professionalism. Good luck with your new cooktop!
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Someone wrote to the Last Word that it was not a good thing for Gov. Northam to negate Columbus Day. I totally agree with our governor. Let’s re-name it Indigenous People Day. Let’s get real about our Native American original tribes and their history. Christopher Columbus never laid a foot on our shores and has nothing to do with Virginia. Today it is a shopping day, a three-day holiday not even recognized by most. And talk about someone who decimated a native population! The Caribbean Islands were never the same after the Northern European invasion. A beautiful day in October could mean so much more if it was a time to celebrate our Virginia Indians.
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To the person looking for a dentist: I am very pleased with the service provided by Dr. Brett Dunnills and Associates. They are in Discovery Park. Phone number is 757-345-5500.
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I agree with the person whose comments appeared in the Oct. 17 Last Word. It is nice not to see that nasty and inaccurate comments regarding politics are not appearing there. The person then went on to defend and talk about Elaine Luria. I guess the comments don’t apply to the commenter. Political opinions belong on the opinion page where one must take credit for comments.
