Dear editor,
Ballard and Griffith extol their legislative virtues
In the 8-13-25 edition of the Radford News Journal, our Commonwealth Delegate lays out why he isn’t convinced that eliminating off-year elections would be a good idea. Mr. Ballard hasn’t seen enough evidence. Basically, he thinks that doing so would divert attention from local issues and the awareness of Richmond, I guess. The election of the president, the House, the Senate, and myriad officials highlights attention and lase focuses our senses on civic responsibility. The turnout for the year 2024 was 70.48%, for 2023 it was 40.96%, 2020-75.08%, 2016-72.05%, 2015-29.1%… Well, you get my drift. Off year elections don’t get near as much notice. Seems to me that crafty politicians could maneuver who might win, and fairly easily. Just sayin’. How about cost? The state does not reimburse localities for the full cost of elections. For example, the 2024 primaries cost $4 million more than the state came up with. Who paid? You did, with your local tax dollars. It goes on every election, folks, forever, past, present and future unless legislators like Mr. Ballard take five minutes to look up the facts, and then represent us fully, not the special interests.
So, the other public official bragging about how he is for veterans and is doing such wonderful things in his oversight (good word in this case) of the Defense Finance Accounting Service. He assures us that he works to get back pay and many other benefits through the system. Thats great. Thank you, Congressman, I am an Army brat whose father did combat in three wars. However, The DFAS has to do its job with 20% fewer people that DOGE cut. Do you think that helps veterans? You, Mr. Griffith, voted for the fiasco that continues to gut vital services in every walk of life. Thanks again Mr. Griffith. Maybe this was an oversight too?
John C. Nemeth, PhD
FSXI, FAAAS
Christiansburg
