Re "Virginia Wesleyan to change name" (A1, Aug. 21): As an alumnus, I'm disappointed that the handful of people who made this decision didn't canvas the alumni, current students and staff to solicit feedback on this ambitious change.
As someone raised in the Methodist church, I'm deeply offended that the efforts of my parents and grandparents as founders of Virginia Wesleyan College have been so callously forgotten and tossed to the trash heap of history. My dad recalls making weekly pledge payments for years in the 1960s, along with the entire church, in order to build Wesleyan. He's heartsick at this hostile takeover of what he helped establish -- and that doesn't sit well with me.
Scott Miller, VWU president, oversaw the elimination of the Methodist cross from the university seal and now he's removing the Wesleyan name. This rebranding is a slap in the face to alumni, founders, donors, current students and staff. Thousands of alumni have already signed a petition opposing the rebranding.
Jane Batten has the power to reject this name change and leave the Wesleyan name intact. There is still time to reflect, and walk this back. To do otherwise is simply saying that personal accolades are valued above all else. And that would be a sad legacy.
Scott Straub, VWC Class of 1982, Winchester
Re "4 more Filipino workers detained" (A1, Aug. 20): What an injustice. Four Filipino cruise workers were arrested and arrangements were being made to have them deported even though they all had valid visas.
They were accused of possessing child pornography, a claim they denied and no evidence was found. This seems to be a frequent occurrence in our country ever since President Donald Trump took office. Our president justifies these actions on the basis that the majority of voters elected him president, thereby giving him the prerogative to implement his platform, including this one regarding immigrants.
Would these voters still been supportive of Trump, and these extreme immigration methods that our president is resorts to, when they voted for him? If so, then they too, are responsible along with Trump for these questionable methods.
Ed Marroni, Norfolk
A letter writer complained about U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman, but the writer is apparently oblivious to the travesty that is U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott.
In 1992, the Department of Justice directed the Virginia legislature to draw a Black-majority district after the 1990 census. The legislature responded by shifting most of the Black residents of Hampton Roads and Richmond into a newly created 3rd District. Scott won 67% of the vote in a three-way Democratic primary, which is tantamount to the general election in the 3rd District.
In 2017, a former congressional fellow who had worked in Scott's office, alleged that the congressman had sexually harassed her.
Scott is now 78 years old and has held his job for more than 30 years. It's time for him to go, and it's time for term limits.
Lee Matthews, Hampton
Re "Negative side" (Your Views, Aug. 21): A recent letter writer complains about U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans' insensitivity in supporting the budget bill that serves to avoid fraud in Medicaid recipients by using the example that a parent who must care for a disabled child is asked to complete 80 hours of either working or doing some other helpful service.
It appears the writer would rather make specious arguments and set forth inaccurate statements about the new law. If one is caring for a disabled child, that individual may seek an exemption from the Medicaid work requirement. It is not helpful to attempt to frighten people with such untruthful statements. You are disparaging an elected representative who is attempting to reduce wasteful and fraudulent conduct at the expense of real taxpayers.