Dear Bob,

I get the sense of urgency from you and your Team. Super! We need things done in Virginia, rather than discussions and lofty promises.
One issue I have been trying to get support with is broadband internet connection in Barboursville/Somerset part of Orange County. Beautiful, historic area so close to Charlottesville yet a world a apart. Please help us convince Verizon to install fiber optic cable (yes we have copper telephone lines) so we could have access to info and markets the way most of Virginians do. I am willing to help and get involved in any way possible to assist you with this project.
Merry Christmas!

With warm wishes,

Robert Joskowiak
5052 Glendale Drive
Barboursville,VA 22923

Thank you, thank you, thank you for focusing on math, engineering, and science! I am a liberal arts major, but I believe that the enduring primacy of the United States absolutely depends on top-notch education in all fields, and right now we are lagging in those areas.

Robert, I understand. It’s almost 2010; broadband should be standard across the States by now.

Bob,
These difficult fiscal times may present a real opportunity for Virginia state government to not only “do more with less”, which has been the mantra every time the budget falls on hard times, but to take a hard look at what the government should and should not do.

There seem to be many government agencies performing functions which really should be left to private interests.  For example - the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation; the Virginia Science Museum; the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts; etc..  It is not that these organizations are not doing fine and laudable work, but are these really appropriate functions for government?  Is it worth further cuts in transportation and other essential state services to keep these entities up and running?

Thank you and Happy Holidays.