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I am an independent voter. I depend on various sources of information to compare and contrast candidates so that I can cast my vote in all elections with confidence. The Roanoke Times is one of my news sources, and I appreciate your coverage of commonwealth and national politics. However, I feel compelled to ask that you review your policies regarding photos chosen for your paper.

Since moving to Virginia three years ago, I have noticed that The Roanoke Times depicts Democrats as smiling, bright and welcoming, while photos of Republicans are usually unflattering, unsmiling and sporting the blankest look that your photographer or agent could capture.

The latest round of Photo Marketing 100 can be found in the Oct. 23 edition, on pages 11, of Bill Bolling and Jody Wagner ("Candidates running a heated race"), and 12, of Ken Cuccinelli and Steve Shannon ("Attorney general candidates trade barbs").

I realize the press in not without bias; each of us brings bias to the table at election time. I simply feel that the press should strive to present the news in a factual, straightforward manner. Using cheap photo stabs is sophomoric. The readership of The Times deserves better.

Deeds failed to win Wilder's backing

I was shocked to hear that former Democratic Gov. Doug Wilder refuses to endorse Democrat Creigh Deeds for governor.

In his statement, published Sept. 25 at Virginia Tomorrow, Wilder said: "This is not the time in our commonwealth to talk about any kind of tax increase, especially those that are fundamentally regressive and will hit hardest those who are struggling." Apparently he was referring to Deeds' leaving open the possibility of raising gasoline taxes.

Deeds will be a problem-solver

I urge all Virginians to elect Creigh Deeds, my longtime colleague, as our next governor. Deeds will continue the policies of Govs. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine that have made Virginia the "best managed" state, the "best state to do business" and the "best state to educate a child."

Deeds has a realistic plan to solve our transportation woes. Like Gov. Gerald Baliles, he will convene a bipartisan commission to seek a solution to the $1 billion annual transportation shortfall everyone agrees exists. Deeds has vowed not to pit education needs against transportation needs.

Only Deeds:

n Supported Gov. Warner's 2004 historic tax reforms ensuring our triple-A bond rating and our core services.

n Fought for Virginia's jobless by supporting the $125 million federal stimulus money for our unemployed.

n Has a clear, pro-environment and conservation record.

n Has a moderate social agenda.

Deeds, from Bath County, understands rural and Western Virginia and will make sure we are not forgotten. As governor, Deeds will see to it that Western Virginia receives its fair share.

In this time of economic crisis, a vote for Deeds for governor is a vote to solve these problems in the tradition of Warner and Kaine.

State Senator 21st District

Cuccinelli is up front about where he stands

Having watched the attorney general debate recently in Northern Virginia and having checked out the Web sites of the two candidates, Ken Cuccinelli and Steve Shannon, I have to say there is a big difference in quality.

Cuccinelli is not afraid to tell the voters of Virginia his positions on the issues of concern to us. Shannon hides his positions behind campaign slogans and rhetoric. This must be why Shannon refuses to debate Cuccinelli in Roanoke.

Cuccinelli has asked that all Virginians be able to choose for themselves who is the better candidate, but his opponent denied rural Virginia that opportunity. Join me in supporting Cuccinelli on Nov. 3 because he is not afraid to tell Roanokers where he stands on the issues important to them.

McDonnell will protect right-to-work law

Virginia is one of 22 states with a right-to-work law. Because of this law, employees cannot be compelled to join a labor union or pay union dues. Labor unions despise this law and want desperately to erase it from the books.

Labor unions are applying heavy pressure for Congress to enact card check into law. Card-check would eliminate secret ballot unionization elections and mandate that management-labor disputes be settled by politically appointed mediators if not settled within a short period of time.

Twenty percent of the contributions to Democrat Creigh Deeds' gubernatorial campaign have come from labor unions across the country. Why are labor unions so interested in Deeds? They are giving him such heavy support because they expect him to eliminate the right-to-work law and support card check.

Virginia has been consistently rated best for business in America. The right-to-work law is a major factor in Virginia being so highly rated. California, New York, New Jersey and Michigan are facing the biggest financial crises; none is a right-to-work state.

We need to reject the pressure from the labor unions and elect Bob McDonnell as our next governor.

Supervisor's actions raise some questions

Re: "Accusation appears vengeful," Sept. 15 letter:

In reading Mike Bailey's comments about Roanoke County Supervisors Richard Flora and Butch Church, he stated Church should have better things to do than watch his neighbors.

As a curious citizen with interest in Roanoke County, I obtained documents through the Freedom of Information Act that show Flora's address on record was indeed on the same Salem street as Church's. That strikes me as odd, being that Flora represents the Hollins District of Roanoke County, which I understand is a violation of his duty as a supervisor.

As to Flora's fiscal responsibility, he voted to approve a $30 million recreational center project, but voted against starting the design and planning of the Glenvar library project, which citizens supported. These actions lead me to question Flora's intentions as well as his honesty.

Sheriff's office would benefit from Garrett

The Roanoke Sheriff's Office needs a new leader, and that leader should be Frank Garrett.

Garrett cares about the employees and sees the need for improved morale. He will also improve the department's role in our community by expanding the DARE program, allowing deputies to become more involved by participating in neighborhood workshops and education programs. Garrett also sees the need for deputy training, and will create better training opportunities within the department.

He will save the taxpayers money by eliminating the public information officer's position. The duties of this position can be easily performed by our sheriff and, in times of need, can be delegated to the major or a captain.

Brian Keenum had only a short career in law enforcement and has been out of the game for too long. He doesn't understand the needs of our deputies and, most importantly, does not have the support of the deputies working for our sheriff's office.

The sheriff's office needs a leader like Frank Garrett. The deputies want Garrett as their leader, and the citizens of Roanoke need to vote for Garrett on Nov. 3.