STAND UP and SPEAK OUT!

I am as guilty as anyone by turning a blind eye at what has been/is going on with my community and local government. Life is busy and at times overwhelming, the last thing most people would want to do after working 12 hours, fixing supper, and tending the kids is to go to a Board of Supervisors meeting. Everyone is wrapped up in their own family and lives.

I did not realize just how bad our local government is or how poorly things are run until my house ordeal. I think our government and community leaders rely on the average citizen being too self-absorbed to care. This gives these officials freedom to ride around in their county vehicles and while away the hours, getting more complacent and worthless by the day until they can retire. These officials are not there to serve for the best interests and safety of the citizens. They are there for photo ops and to be talking heads of departments while poorly (or not performing) their official duties.

To whom can you report these officials? Administrators? The County Attorney? The Board of Supervisors? From my personal experience, none of the above do any good and that needs to change. The Code of Virginia and the Uniform Standards of Building Code are written with great specifics. Theses laws and codes are for the benefit of the common good and not to be interpreted or made up as the situation arises.

We as a community should be ashamed of ourselves. I was brought up knowing right from wrong. I was taught to stand up for what is right and not be afraid to speak up. Family values, equal rights and equal pay for men and women, treating others as you would want to be treated are core values. NONE of our Warren County leaders are relying on their core values. These Valley Health men in suits don’t care if women have to suffer through long car rides or transports writhing in labor, have any VHS female leaders been present at these meetings? These men have no idea about birthing pain. Maybe someone should grab them by the testicles and pull them over their heads for an example, it might help them gain perspective.

Removing Women’s Care from the new hospital in not equal rights, it is taking away access to care for local women. Delinquent taxes, looking the other way, and insider deals are destroying our community. It is no wonder our community has the issues it has. Citizens who pay attention are feeling hopeless. The opioid-addicted citizens stay too high to care. The commuters only sleep here, and probably spend their money in more desirable locations. The hard working citizens at local businesses such as VHS probably feel pressured to stay silent or it could affect their livelihood. The established and connected citizens get more established and the water becomes even muddier. Then you have the citizens such as myself who have an ordeal that pushes them to seek justice.  Well I am still trying to figure this one out!

The Good Ol’ Boy system is alive and well. Male officials and leaders tend not to take female complaints too seriously and things are insinuated and done to try to intimidate the squeaky wheels. I have had these experiences first-hand, but I am still here. I am holding my head high and I will not be silenced.

If I quit, what example would that show kids, especially my daughter, whom I have raised her to be fierce and loud?

I challenge every citizen of Warren County and everywhere. Get involved, research items, don’t just read a notice and say, “okay.”  Challenge it, if you know better. Stand up and speak out!!!

It is time for things to change and for the citizens to hold the local government accountable. If we don’t, who will?

Kristie Sours Atwood
Bentonville, VA