Refreshing straight talk

Mr. Niemeier,

I want to thank you for your column, “It’s time to speak up,” in the July 2020 edition of Virginia Business.

Your straight talk phrase, “an unjust society is bad for business,” says all that needs to be said! What a breath of fresh air for you to put the basic proposition out there for all to read and hear. Can’t wait to hear your follow-up thoughts in future editions on how Virginia can again be a great history maker and become both the best state for business and the best state for employees.

Ensuring justice in business, employment, education, health care and housing? We couldn’t keep the best and brightest in the world from flocking to Virginia as the place for all people to thrive!

Lawrence B. Dickenson
President
Virginia United Methodist Housing Development Corp.
Roanoke

Speak up and do the right thing

Really enjoyed your OurView piece, “It’s time to speak up.” The case for business leaders to act is powerful. Hopefully, we can help get other business groups to speak up and do the right thing. Thanks.

James Dyke
Senior adviser, state government relations
McGuireWoods Consulting
Richmond

Redistricting commission coverage needed

I was impressed by Virginia Business this month. I appreciated your commentary on the need for Virginia to move forward on race relations … [and] I was also glad for the article on the activities of the new legislature. I was disappointed, however, that I saw no mention of the passing of the Redistricting Commission Constitutional Amendment. The amendment provides procedures for creating a citizen-led, transparent and bipartisan commission that would draw both state legislative and congressional district lines. It also has language that would prohibit gerrymandering on the basis of race. The amendment will take effect in time for the 2021 redistricting if it passes in the fall referendum. I believe the amendment will make voting more fair in Virginia and ensure that voters will choose the politicians, not the politicians choosing the voters. Fair, bipartisan redistricting is a basic and essential prerequisite for a thriving democracy.

Wayne Bert
Arlington

To submit a letter to the editor, please send your email of no more than 250 words to Richard Foster at
[email protected]. Letters chosen for publication may be edited for clarity, word count and grammar.

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