Editor’s Note

It All Begins Here:

April 21st was a day that marked a deep divide in our community. My husband and I were at the polls throughout the day, and time after time we saw (and cheered) hard-working, independent-minded Virginians chastise those that would silence their vote. This was a gerrymandering coup that masqueraded as a referendum, an election that sought to make our Valley voices voiceless.

Welcome to the Voice of the Valley, where we print and champion the voices of the strong, God-fearing, gratitude-filled Valley Americans. And while I do not hail from Virginia (Nebraska was my home before I married that military man), I, too, come from a place where roots run deep and manners are still taught to children. I am so grateful for this land that has adopted me, and the Valley Virginians that have welcomed me home.

So if your roots still run deep, as do mine; If your children are still respectful, as are ours; if you work hard and don’t expect a handout, and if you’re disgusted that others are trying to take that away from our Valley, join us. Get ahold of this newspaper, brought about by Virginians just like you. Share it with friends, and contact us to contribute.

Because here at the Valley, your voice speaks louder than any news cycle.

Carmen Westbrook, Editor.

Who are my legislators?

Author: Carol Coffelt

In Virginia, state government is divided into three branches, Executive, Legislative, and Judicial. The legislative branch, known as the Virginia General Assembly, is bicameral, meaning it consists of two chambers: the House of Delegates and the Senate.

Virginia's House of Delegates is made up of 100 Delegates, while the Senate consists of 40 Senators. Virginia's Legislators are often referred to as "citizen legislators." The General Assembly meets for a limited period each year to consider legislation. Outside of session, legislators work with constituents, assist with state agency issues, attend community events, and serve their districts.

It is also important to understand that most Virginia legislators maintain careers outside of public office. Many own businesses, work in private industry, farm, practice professions, or are retired. The Commonwealth's part-time legislature reflects the Founders' vision that citizens, not career politicians, would remain closely connected to the communities they serve.

REPRESENTING CLARKE COUNTY:

Delegate Delores Oates

31st House District

Email: DelDOates@house.virginia.gov

Phone: (804) 698-1031

Senator Timmy French

1st Senate District

Email: senatorfrench@senate.virginia.gov

Phone: (540) 325-8767

What Can I do?

Conservative Playbook.

There are many ways you can help.

• Put up a sign

• Call your friends

• Email your friends

• Talk to people about the issues

• Join the Republican Committee

• Are you interested in running for local seats?

• Donate your talent: Can you organize? Are you proficient in website design?

• Donate you treasure: Set up a monthly re-occuring donation to your local committee. Pay for the occasional event or mailer.

• Donate your time: Join the Committee, make phone calls, knock on doors.

• Run for office

Hurt People … hurt People

by Carmen Westbrook

There is a popular cultural saying that “hurt people hurt people.” We have movies extolling this (think Wicked), stories full of glamour and heartache. The moral is that we are to feel sorry for the hurt people (or the wicked), as it’s not their fault that they are the way they are. It’s really, actually, our fault (or our parent’s fault) for being mean to them. And so, the lesson is that it is our responsibility to be better and help them to get better

Yet guilt, of course, is not the true lesson. The true lesson is that, despite being hurt in this world, it is our own responsibility to not choose wickedness. We have the responsibility to not hurt in retaliation; we do not have the responsibility to make other people not hurt. We are saddened by people that choose wickedness. We pray for them and love them. But it is not our fault that they chose to be wicked, it is truly their own.

It is understandable to feel empathy for those that have been hurt, because indeed, we have all been hurt. Every person has the ability to choose good, and has many role models to help them do so (think teachers and principals). If they choose not to do so, that is indeed their choice, just as it is ours.

So do not, my friends, teach children to feel guilty about wicked people. Do not teach them that it is their responsibility to fix them, or, even more, for the wicked to fix us. We are not to accept their wickedness because “it’s not their fault, they were just hurt in the past.” Do not teach them that these hurt people, indeed, might actually be good and doing good for our society (the tale of Wicked), so we should listen to the wicked. That is a lie. Antisocial behavior is antisocial. The benefit of Oz is that it teaches children that once they are courageous, thoughtful, and kind, they will realize that the secret to being an adult is to not be afraid of the power that courage, kindness, and thoughtfulness brings. And that, of course, once they have this secret, it is their job to confront and defeat the wicked in this world, in whatever way they have been called. These are the truths to teach our children. Teach them to continue to choose good, and to forgive. But do not teach them to feel guilty for the hurts that others choose to propagate instead of to forgive. For that, my friends, is how lies are spread, and wickedness wins.

The Aftermath

by Carol Coffelt

Don’t let the victory for Democracy in Virginia make you complacent, the Democrats will try again. The recent win at the US Supreme Court, who elected to NOT intervene in the Virginia Supreme Court’s ruling, is a battle won. But the war is far from over.

In 2020, Virginia voters passed a constitutional amendment to create fair congressional district maps. It took 2 ½ years to pass because it was done the right way. Voters had plenty of time to review the proposal, decide if they supported it, and then vote accordingly.

That amendment garnered overwhelming support with 64% of the vote. In a so evenly divided state, that was a huge lead. Virginia was rated as having the fairest congressional maps in the nation. Even though Virginia Dems pushed for the 2020 Redistricting Committee, they are now the group that wants to abolish it.

In 2026, Virginia Democrats saw what happened in Texas, then decided, with their super-majority, the could try to shift the balance of power in Washington to the detriment of Virginians. They only saw one thing…Orange-Man-Bad.

The details of their failed illegal attempt to dissolve the Redistricting Commission and return that authority to politicians is moot. Per the Virginia and the US Supreme Courts, it was Illegal. However, though it was found illegal, it passed.

So let us not forget the Democrats still hold a super majority in the Virginia House of Delegates, a majority in the Senate, the Governor’s Mansion, Lt. Governor and Commonwealth Attorney’s office.

• They will vote again to dissolve the Redistricting Commission.

• They will vote again to disenfranchise 40% of Virginia voters.

• They will vote again to use Virginia for their own agenda to get Orange-Man-Bad.

Because they are acting like children and do not know how to follow the rule of law, follow the Virginia State Constitution, and play fair in this game we call ... life.

But of course, this all just In My Opinion.