Editor, Gazette-Journal:

The neighbors of Sandbank in Mathews County would like to thank the Gazette-Journal for being a true hometown newspaper that looks out for the welfare of the citizens of Mathews and Gloucester counties. We would particularly like to thank reporter Sherry Hamilton for the excellent coverage of the VDOT road project at the end of Route 602. The state road was washing away with the asphalt breaking off in large chunks. The road would flood all the time, not just during severe weather. All of us were concerned that, if needed, emergency vehicles could not enter our community. Also, we feared that someone unfamiliar with the problem of erosion under the highway would drive over the edge and damage their vehicle, or worse, hurt themselves.

We tried for several years working with VDOT to stop the deterioration of the state highway to no avail. We even wrote to the State Highway Commissioner for assistance. Finally, after years of frustration and lack of communication from VDOT, Sherry Hamilton took pictures and wrote articles about our concerns. This got the ball rolling and, today, the area is fixed. We know the road will probably still flood in hurricanes, but at least it won’t under normal conditions.

Thank you Sherry Hamilton and thank you Gazette-Journal for being an advocate for your community.

Carson and Polly Barnes

Stanley and Sylvia Gurganus

Wallace and Mary Lou Sterling

Curtis and Carolyn Watkins

New Point, Va.