Editor, Gazette-Journal:

Being a member of the board of supervisors is a serious position. Decisions that affect your pocketbook and everyday life experiences tomorrow, next week, next month and years ahead are made by this group of five. You should expect that they will—at a minimum:

—Talk to one another and respectfully debate. It is expected that they won’t agree—we want them to consider many sides before making decisions.

—Prepare for meetings. That means hours of reading, calling each other and stakeholders, and doing research—there’s no budget or staff to help—it’s them, coordinating agendas ahead of meetings, coordinating meeting minutes of prior meetings (ahead of when they vote on them).

—Learn. Put in the time to obtain Virginia’s Association of Counties Board of Supervisors’ Certification. Until then, lean on colleagues that have more experience than them. The law is very specific about how the budget works, what a supervisor’s role is and what they can and cann...