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Carter Turner will give a fresh view to all sides

We are writing in support of the candidacy of Carter Turner for delegate in the 8th District. We have known Carter since his school days at Salem High with our son and daughter. We know his family through our church. We believe he has the well-being and interests of this community at heart, as evidenced by his role in preventing the building of an asphalt plant near schools and senior residences in the Glenvar area.

Another issue is transportation, especially trains. The Roanoke Valley should not have to wait for decades to have passenger service restored.

Turner is a moderate. In these serious economic times, we need someone who will seek solutions based on moderation, rather than on extreme views. He will listen to all sides of an issue and not reject a solution based on the party line. Finally, we feel it is time for a new generation of creative, energetic leaders in the Virginia House of Delegates.

Pratt will work to create more jobs in Pulaski

As a soon-to-be graduate of Pulaski County High school, I would love to have confidence that I will find a well-paying, stable job without having to move miles away after graduating. For anyone who doesn't know, Pulaski County is a beautiful area with a lot of potential. I feel very discouraged with the fact that the reality of getting older means that most likely I will have no other option than moving away.

During the current campaign, Carole Pratt will have my full support. I am 100 percent positive that Pratt will do everything in her power to create more jobs and provide our county with more opportunities.

Vote Gwen Mason for the 17th District

While there are a number of front-burner issues facing our community, state and nation, none is more important, fundamental or more closely linked to all the other issues than education. Gwen Mason clearly recognizes the central role of public education in our community. Mason's grasp of this and related issues, her experience, her ability to tackle complex problems and her passion for public service make her the clear choice in the 17th District.

The creation of jobs is impossible without understanding the connection between economic development and excellence in public education. Aligning high school with workforce needs, continuing to work to raise graduation rates, preparing students for post-secondary education and ensuring the resources necessary to create and maintain high-performing schools are some of the key components of the underpinning for economic success in the 17th District.

Mason's commitment to supporting public education with public resources allows us to fully invest in public education, without drawing off much-needed resources for publicly funded private/home school choice.

Attracting new businesses to the valley while growing our own intellectual capital is a win-win situation for the 17th District. Mason is the strong choice for delegate.

Former Chairwoman Roanoke School Board

Ad against Cleaveland contains untruths

Recently, Democratic Roanoke City Councilwoman Gwen Mason started running a negative TV spot against Bill Cleaveland. Cleaveland is running for the House of Delegates in the 17th District, most recently represented by William Fralin. Fralin endorsed Cleaveland and is actively supporting his campaign.

Mason's TV ad lies about Cleaveland's position regarding public schools. The ad also says Cleaveland would drive up property taxes. Property taxes are set by local governments, not the General Assembly. Mason is the only candidate in this race with the experience of increasing taxes, as evidenced by her record on city council.

Mason closes her TV spot with the line that her platform is "The Best Plan for Roanoke." Has she forgotten that Roanoke is less than 50 percent of the 17th District? What about those parts of Roanoke and Botetourt counties that this district covers? Is Mason ignoring them? She is not running for city council now.

The 17th District deserves common-sense leadership in its delegate -- someone who will talk straight with the voters and not resort to negative ads. I urge you to vote for Cleaveland on Tuesday.

Campaign Manager Cleaveland for Delegate

Deeds doesn't have transportation ideas

It is no surprise that The Roanoke Times has endorsed Creigh Deeds in the election for governor ("Creigh Deeds for governor," Oct. 25 editorial). The candidate's transportation plan is cited as an example of Deeds' supposed superiority over Bob McDonnell. However, for those who take the time to watch, read and listen, this is absolute nonsense.

After a recent debate, Deeds was questioned on his statement that he would not raise taxes. When quizzed by reporters, he was inarticulate, confusing and evasive. The bottom line is that Deeds has few solid ideas on transportation or any other issue. However, to his credit, he proposes to set up a bipartisan commission to study the transportation issues in detail. This seems to be the only sensible part of his weak plan -- yet this was stolen from McDonnell's plan that appeared much earlier in the campaign.

Furthermore, despite this newspaper's comments to the contrary, McDonnell suggests a number of creative revenue-generating initiatives, including a long-term plan for income from offshore oil and gas drilling -- part of a comprehensive energy plan that too many Democrats oppose.

Re-elect Holland as commissioner

The city of Roanoke is indeed fortunate to have Sherman Holland as commissioner of the revenue. I have lived in Roanoke for more than 50 years and have been able to watch him grow up in this community. He is a product of the church and schools of this city. He is educationally prepared with a degree in finance from Roanoke College.

Holland is a family man who is proud of his family. The people of our city must have confidence in him because they have elected him three times for this office. His experience in the office as a team member and as commissioner make him the best person for the job at this time. No negative comments that have been made about him have shown that Holland's leadership has been anything but good.

Let us join together and re-elect the man who has served us well for 28 years.

Retired pastor Sweet Union Baptist Church

Will Smith will help limit federal power

The Virginia Citizens Defense League, a strong Second Amendment voice in Virginia, has endorsed Will Smith for the 19th District House of Delegates race. The Virginia Gun Owners Coalition gave Smith an A, but only a B to the incumbent.

Smith is my good friend and I will be voting for him on Tuesday. He understands that the federal government in Washington is outside constitutional limits and out of control, not only on guns, but on most everything.

This year, responding to decades of federal abuse of power, two states passed 10th Amendment State Sovereignty resolutions, while more than 30 others considered them. Tennessee's resolution calls for a joint conference of the states to enumerate and repeal the federal abuses of power.

Virginia must follow suit and pass a strong 10th Amendment Resolution. Unfortunately, in 2009 our 19th District incumbent would not support this. Now is the time to elect someone who will stand up for a sovereign Virginia and limited federal government. Smith will stand strong. Our incumbent won't.

If you believe it is time to protect liberty and limit Washington, please vote for Smith on Tuesday. Let's roll.