Town issues more serious than a beret

Jerry R. Beckett / Culpeper Star Exponent
Published: February 16, 2008

I want to thank Charles Snyder for his concern about my hat ("A word on the wearing of service uniforms," Feb. 11).

Though similiar, my beret is not an Army-issued item. I bought my beret on the commercial market. Only officers are authorized to wear their rank on their Army berets. The insignia on my beret is not an insignia of rank.

I had a wonderful career and I was concerned about training soldiers to survive in combat. I left the administrative matters to others. I am not concerned about what any of the councilmen wear. However, I am concerned about the $500,000-plus the town is short for this fiscal year. While relying on 90 percent projections and actual 10 percent revenues, the bill is now coming due.

In addition, I believe that the four hours the council spent discussing a $51million budget was woefully inadequate. Also, what about the $500,000-plus that the town lost to a contractor because someone failed to read the fine print-

Even with this shortage, instead of cutting or holding fast, this present group is attempting to create a public information officer position to educate us citizens. With the interim town managers salary at $100,000-plus, I believe he can take a little time to educate us. Also, isn't that part of a councilman's job, to educate and talk with the public about what is going on-

We saw a tax increase on our property last year, and they will raise the taxes again this year after recently giving $71,000 to our local Chamber of Commerce.

I sat in a council meeting when they were about to approve an $856,000 consulting fee to build a new police station on property the town had yet to get a deed for.

What about traffic problems- What about the sidewalks to nowhere- What about growth management- Couldn't we control that through the issuing of water taps-

Through our visionary planning, we did get a bike path on East Street; however, I would not want to be the one on the bike if two cars were passing.

What about consolidation, how is that going!

Wouldn't it be nice if the present leaders would show some genuine concern to and about the citizens that elected them-

Folks, our nation, our state and our towns are facing serious problems. I truly believe people are more concerned about those issues than what I wear on my head each day. 

Jerry R. Beckett is a resident of Culpeper and is running for Town Council.