Letters to the Editor

Put bulk of stormwater fees on business

Rain falls and soaks into the ground or runs off. Stormwater runoff is increased by residential and commercial development, which increases the probability of flooding if not controlled. Waynesboro has a "control" problem. The City Council should solve this problem fairly. 

The city's "water utility" bills are based on gallons of water used. The "stormwater utility" being developed by the city similarly should charge each "user" their fair share of cost measured in this case by the amount of runoff coming from their properties. 

The typical method used to estimate runoff is square footage of impervious surface within a property. One of the options being considered by the City Council is basing fees on square footage. Such fees result in everyone paying their fair share based on their contribution to the problem. The second option, and the one endorsed by The News Virginian, is a 50-50 split where businesses pay for half the cost of the utility, even though they have more than 76 percent of the impervious surface. This option results in single-family residential property owners paying for the runoff from their properties and almost 24 percent of the business property runoff. This is not a fair and equitable solution - this is single-family residents subsidizing everyone else.

Property owners should be encouraged to reduce the amount of runoff (decrease impervious surface) and therefore reduce their stormwater utility fees. A simple and fair system should be created to promote this end result. 

Also, the city has been remiss in not requiring all business owners to maintain their stormwater retention or detention systems. Fines that cover the costs to the city to enforce compliance should be implemented. Unfortunately, fines appear necessary to encourage good corporate citizenship.

Ellen Winter

Waynesboro

EDITOR'S NOTE: The News Virginian has not endorsed the proposed 50-50 split. Nor has the newspaper supported the other option proposed by the council, to require businesses to pay roughly 76 percent of stormwater fees and homeowners to pay the remaining 24 percent.

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Remember, Christ is at heart of true meaning of Christmas

In Matthew 18:16 and 2 Corinthians 13:1, the word of God states "[I]n the mouths of two or three witnesses every word may be established."  Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; and 48:16 bear witness to the virgin birth of Jesus Christ. 

Jeremiah 31:22 tells us "the Lord (yhwh —tetragrammaton — 4 letters of Yahueh or Jehovah-JHVH) hath created a new thing in the earth. A woman shall compass a man." Jesus Christ was conceived in the womb of Mary, a virgin, not a young girl or maiden (as a young girl or maid can be many things, sexually). 

The zygote, or fertilized egg, placed in Mary's womb by the Holy Spirit is called by Gabriel that "holy thing" (Luke 1:35) which shall be called the Son of God. Jesus Christ is unique of all to be born of a woman's womb. He alone is without sin. Jesus Christ existed with the father and Holy Spirit before the universe came into existence. He is even the creator (John 1:3 and Col 1:16) of all things - even the womb, which gave him birth. 

Wonder of wonders, the awesome God became a man — Jesus — the name given by Mary and Joseph from Gabriel (Luke 1:31, Matt. 1:21, respectively). Jesus is also named Emmanuel — God is with us. Jesus had to assume a prepared body in order to give his life a ransom. To suffer, bleed and die on the cross of Calvary. The just for the unjust the righteous, hold one of God for the sinful, wicked soul that would receive him. 

This Christmas, I wonder if you know the Christ of Christmas. The American Civil Liberties Union and haters of God would have Christ removed from Christmas — but they cannot. Jesus came, Jesus died. Jesus rose triumphantly over death, hell and the grave, whether you believe it or not. "This is a faithful saying — and worthy of all acceptance — that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners!" (1 Timothy 1:15). And the great apostle Paul adds, "of whom I am chief." 

Why not let this be the Christmas Christ comes into your heart. Remember, the first coming was to save sinners.  The second coming (perhaps in our lifetime) is to judge the world.

Merry Christmas.

Kenny Fisher

Waynesboro