When the push to impose the largest tax increase in the history of James City County was in full swing earlier this year, the Gazette didn't just support the increase: they championed it.  Although the paper publishes only two days a week, they devoted six editorials to argue for it - and to demonize those who stood up against it.

 

Not content to restrict their enthusiasm for higher taxes to the editorial page, the Gazette's news coverage abandoned even the appearance of impartiality.  Those who came forward to propose alternatives or to offer ways government could reduce spending found themselves and their proposals derided in the pages of our local paper.  Bullying has long been the Gazette's mode of operation in addressing those who dare disagree with it.

 

Of course, the Gazette won't be affected by James City County's 10 percent tax hike.  Their offices are located in the City of Williamsburg, where the tax rate is much, much lower than ours.  Since newspapers are exempt from paying BPOL, the Gazette doesn't have to worry about pesky and burdensome business licensing taxes either.  And did you know that newspapers in Virginia collect mandated revenues from local governments, which are required to pay to advertise myriad public notices and transactions in the local paper?

 

Three women who had the courage to stand up against the tax increase - Mary Jones, Heather Cordasco, and Sue Sadler - are our Republican nominees for the Board of Supervisors.  Because they had the temerity to publicly take a principled stand against the Gazette's editorial position and biased reporting, the paper is doing everything in its power to make sure these Republican women aren't victorious on November 3.

 

An article in today's paper by Austin Bogues illustrates the length to which the Gazette will go to disadvantage our candidates.  The story, which was supposed to cover the candidates' positions on growth, implies that our nominees didn't answer or respond to the paper.  This is absolutely false.

 

All three of our nominees submitted their positions on growth to Mr. Bogues, just as they did in last week's story on taxes.  But, the Gazette refused to print their answers or to let their readers know our candidates submitted responses.  The paper's editorial team - Digby Solomon, Peggy Bellows, and Robert Brauchle - wants to make sure the sensible conservative positions of our candidates never appear in its pages.  But you can see the positions on growth our candidates submitted to the Gazette by clicking here.

 

The paper complained that our three nominees would not participate in the Gazette's endorsement process.   But since the Gazette has repeatedly pronounced its devotion to the tax increase and condescendingly accused our nominees of "underestimating the intelligence" of James City County voters, why would they?  Based on the paper's editorial and news coverage, and the fact the Gazette endorsed Barack Obama in 2008 and again in 2012, our nominees' chances of receiving its endorsement were on a par with their receiving donations from the local Democrat committee.

 

In short, our nominees demonstrated courage that is almost unheard of in James City County: they stood up to The Virginia Gazette.

 

The Gazette told our nominees they would no longer be allowed to respond to questions or surveys via email.  Now, they are expected to respond to Mr. Bogues and answer his questions in person or over the phone at his convenience.  The arrogance of the Gazette's new policy - imposed just this week and clearly aimed exclusively at our candidates - is staggering.

 

Our candidates are wise to only respond to the media - and especially to the Gazette - in writing.  Over the years, the Gazette has not become renowned for its accuracy or its ability to correctly quote people.  For years, we have advised our nominees to only respond to Gazette inquiries in writing for just this reason.  In short, the paper gets it wrong - a lot.  And, Mr. Bogues has repeatedly gotten stories wrong throughout his tenure as a reporter.

 

We are going to need your help as a result of all this.  To combat the Gazette's biased, one-sided reporting, we need you to talk to friends and neighbors.  Please forward this email to your friends in James City County or post it on your Facebook page.  Do whatever you can to get the truth out.

 

Overcoming the Gazette is going to cost a lot of money.  If you can afford to help our nominees, please donate to the James City County Republican Committee today.  Every cent we receive in donations between now and November 3 will go directly to assist our local Republican nominees.  We are an entirely volunteer organization, so your donation won't go to paid staff or overhead.  It will be spent on contacting the voters who will decide these important elections.

We also need your vote on November 3.  And while our outstanding nominees are a great reason to vote Republican this year, there's now another good reason: you get to annoy The Virginia Gazette.

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Featuring Guest Speaker

Congressman Rob Wittman

Sunday, October 18, 2015

6:00 p.m. Private Reception

6:30 p.m. General Reception

Wessex Hall at The Williamsburg Winery

5800 Wessex Hundred

Williamsburg, VA 23185

Tickets: $40

Sponsorships available

All funds raised will support our local Republican candidates!

Click HERE for a printable invitation.

Purchase tickets online via credit card!

WJCC School Board Candidate Forum

JCC Board of Supervisor Candidate Meet & Greet

Hosted by: League of Women Voters-Williamsburg Area

When: 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 15

Where: Board Room, Building F, James City County Government Center, 101 Mounts Bay Road, Williamsburg

JCC Board of Supervisor Candidate Forum 

Hosted by: The Virginia Gazette

When: 6:00 - 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 21

Where: Legacy Hall in New Town, 4301 New Town Avenue, Williamsburg, VA 23188

93rd House District candidate forum: Lara Overy & Monty Mason

Colonial Area Republican Men's Association (CARMA)

When:  11:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 15, 2015

Where: Giuseppe's on Olde Towne Road

Program: Lara Overy, Republican nominee for the Virginia House of Delegates, District 93

RSVP: Visit  http://www.carmagop.com

for a printable RSVP form with lunch selections.  Mail form to CARMA, P.O. Box 814, Williamsburg, VA 23187.  Lunch costs $17

Visit: http://www.carmagop.com

Jamestown Heritage Republican Women 

When:  Wednesday, October 14, 2015

11:00 a.m.: Business meeting

12:00 p.m.: Lunch

12:30 p.m.: Program-- Nate Green, Williamsburg James City County Commonwealth's Attorney & Mary Jones, James City County Supervisor, Berkeley District

Where: Ford's Colony Country Club

RSVP:  New attendees, please call Sandra Young at 757-345-2088. Current members will be contacted by the reservations committee. Lunch costs $19.00.

Historic Triangle Republican Women 

When: 7 :30 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, 2015 

Where:  Triangle (Restaurant),  601 Prince George St, Williamsburg, VA 23185

Program:  TBA

RSVP: Not required

Visit: http://www.htrwc.org