Editor, Gazette-Journal:

Historically, May is a month when we specifically celebrate our Older Virginians and all they have given us and our communities over the years. Except, this year, to celebrate all our older Virginians have done, Governor McDonnell is proposing to cut funding for services for them throughout Virginia.

The General Assembly had passed in their budget an additional $1 million in the upcoming fiscal year and $1.5 million in the following year for services for our seniors in communities throughout Virginia. These are services funded primarily with federal Older Americans Act monies and with a small match by the Commonwealth. These services include Meals on Wheels, transportation, congregate meals, respite, personal care, etc. These are the services that help to allow older Virginians to stay safely in their neighborhoods and in their homes. Many of these folks are the veterans, the firefighters, the teachers, the librarians and the many others who built our com...