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Opinion

Letters to the Gazette-Journal on any subject of public interest are always welcome. Letters should be 300 words or shorter, and all submissions must include the writer’s complete home mailing address, email and phone number should we need to reach you (this information is not published).

We favor letters that thoughtfully respond to or offer perspective or content published in the Gazette-Journal, and on local or state issues. The Gazette-Journal will not accept letters which comment on articles published in other periodicals; and we may not use letters which have appeared in other publications. We do not accept letters that are primarily broad endorsements or attacks on political candidates or parties. Also, space limitations often prevent publication of thank-you letters.

The right is reserved to refuse letters and to limit letters from individual contributors to one per month, to limit to one the number of candidate endorsements an individual can make, and to edit letters for length, accuracy, clarity, tone, style and other considerations. The newspaper requires a physically signed copy for our records. That can be accomplished by sending a digital image, such as a JPEG, to the editor.

Editorial: Cleaner waters (7/15/2026) - There’s some good news this week. The quality of our local waters has improved.Local waters closed to harvesting shellfish have declined about 1,000 acres over the past couple of years.…
Editorial: Hard work has paid off (7/15/2026) - Congratulations to the men and women of Gloucester and Mathews who put in countless hours preparing for this year’s celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.Their…
Books about True Crime (7/15/2026) - So far, you’ve had a nice, relatively uneventful summer. Quiet days, serene nights, just the way you like it. But every now and then, a little shaking-up might be nice,…
Letter: Cell phones in courthouse (7/15/2026) - Editor, Gazette-Journal: The recent administrative order restricting cell phone usage inside our courthouse is a direct subversion of Virginia House Bill 872 meant to improve customer service. The General Assembly…
Letter: Thank you, Gazette-Journal (7/15/2026) - Editor, Gazette-Journal: This is a short—but no less sincere—thank-you for the July 2, 2026 issue of the Gazette-Journal. There was clearly a tremendous amount of effort that went into that…
Letter: A catastrophe (7/15/2026) - Editor, Gazette-Journal: I was impressed with the size and professionalism of the musical presentation of “Crickets on a Hill” at the Mathews High School auditorium. “Crickets on a Hill” is…
Letter: A more perfect union (7/15/2026) - Editor, Gazette-Journal: As Virginians consider the proposed “Right to Reproductive Freedom” amendment, the U.S. Constitution’s call to “form a more perfect Union” offers a useful standard: would this amendment improve…
Letter: We can’t afford Wittman (7/15/2026) - Editor, Gazette-Journal: We can’t afford Rob Wittman. Representative Wittman voted for PL 119-21, which took millions of dollars from the most vulnerable. Representative Wittman supports the Iran war, which costs…
Letter: Bhatti for Congress (7/8/2026) - Editor, Gazette Journal: A repetitive loop describes getting stuck in an ongoing cycle of behavior, thinking, or habits without making progress. People get trapped in these loops by using the…
Letter: Vote in Republican primary (7/8/2026) - Editor, Gazette-Journal: As America celebrates 250 years with pride, joy, and thanks, we see petulant Democrats trying to spoil everything. They vandalize monuments restored for all Americans, they mock patriotism,…
Letter: Democratic socialism (7/8/2026) - Editor, Gazette-Journal: You can hate Trump all you want, but he is transparent as to what he is doing and why. Fox News offers more media facts, has videos of…
Letter: Time for new leadership (7/8/2026) - Editor, Gazette-Journal: Representative Rob Witt-man’s endorsement of Todd Blanche as Attorney General, the highest law enforcement officer in our democratic republic, is the functional equivalent of flipping the bird to…
Letter: Condemned by man (7/8/2026) - Editor, Gazette-Journal: Now when did the Word of God teach man to arrest, judge, and kill the sinners that King Jesus died to save? Ronald L. PaigeGloucester, Va.
Letter: Protect a merit-based civil service (7/8/2026) - Editor, Gazette-Journal: Since 1883, America has depended on a professional civil service hired for skill, not political loyalty. That system helps keep government services steady when presidents and parties change.…
Letter: Will He listen? (7/8/2026) - Editor, Gazette-Journal: America’s “250 Years” beautiful celebrations are over. The battle cry continues to resound as we daily face the subtle and obvious threats to our republic. Well-written letters to…
Letter: Cywinski for Congress (7/8/2026) - Editor, Gazette-Journal: Someone running for political office said something remarkable at a town hall meeting. Tim Cywinski, a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Virginia’s First Congressional District,…
Letter: Be aware (7/8/2026) - Editor, Gazette-Journal: Trump and his congressional MAGA Republicans and his billionaire supporters are doing all they can to prevent the loss of the Senate and House of Representatives to the…
Letter: Don’t return Wittman (7/8/2026) - Editor, Gazette-Journal: Living in an area where most voters supported Representative Wittman for the past 19 years does not mean voters must continue to do so. I suggest that all…
Editorial: A puzzle (7/8/2026) - The Virginia Department of Historic Resources states that Gwynn’s Island has 1,425 acres. Contemporary historians of 1776 said it had 2,000+ acres, which included the 1,000-acre plantation of John Randolph…
Editorial: Exit Dunmore (7/8/2026) - At dawn on the ninth day of July, 1776, exactly 250 years ago, sharp-eyed patriots on the mainland sighted their guns on the Dunmore, flagship of John Murray, Lord Dunmore,…
Screenshot Essay: The 250th Anniversary (7/1/2026) - Madison Young, Rising Senior at GHSGloucester, Va. The 250th Anniversary of the United States matters in part due to patriotism, pride that this country has prevailed in its existence for…
rgb essay ruth machen preferred Essay: Reflect and remember (7/1/2026) - Ruth Machen, recent homeschool graduateFoster, Va. Our nation’s 250th anniversary is a time to reflect and remember where we came from. Every freedom we have today in the greatest country…
rgb 250 essay eloise leslie Essay: What This Nation, and its Anniversary, Means to Me (7/1/2026) - Eloise Leslie, Rising Freshman at MHSMathews, Va. This year is the United States of America’s 250th anniversary. I have lived in the USA for my entire life. In those years…
rgb 250 essay mackenzie chapman Essay: Protecting our freedom (7/1/2026) - Mackenzie Lynn chapmanRising Freshman at GHSGloucester,Va. The 250th anniversary of this country reminds me of the freedom that it means to me. While this country has a hateful past, where…
rgb 250 essay peter machen Essay: Our Nation’s Incredible Milestone (7/1/2026) - Peter Machen, Grades 8-9 HomeschoolHonorable Mention, Foster, Va. This 250th Anniversary of our Nation is significant for many reasons. Only 15 countries in the world today have had independence for…

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