Editor, Gazette-Journal:

There are some who enthusiastically support current Gloucester Point Supervisor Chris Hutson in his efforts to obtain the Republican nomination for that position by promoting the actions of the infamous Gloucester 40 and Gloucester’s former Commonwealth Attorney.

Even though Teresa Altemus and the other targeted supervisors were cleared of all charges, the efforts seem to be an attempt to cast a negative cloud about Teresa Altemus who is also seeking the Republican Party’s nomination for supervisor of the Gloucester Point district. In fact it was not Mrs. Altemus and the other targeted supervisors who cost Gloucester County hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees. It was a group of people who were all associated with a single local civic organization that were unhappy about the results of an election.

Mrs. Altemus has a proven track record as a supervisor for the people of Gloucester County. Her conservative and sensible views on issues that truly matter to the people are far more desirable than the alternative. Mr. Hutson, on the other hand, failed to disclose his personal interest in property that would have been impacted by the Terrapin Cove sewer extension and voted to approve the project. When the appearance of conflict and Mr. Hutson’s failure to disclose his interest in the property was discovered, Mr. Hutson publicly claimed his wife did not tell him about the property.

More recently he was heard claiming that his wife didn’t know about the property until the conflict appearance became public. Mr. Hutson voted against lifting the boat tax and suggested taxing boats owned by already struggling commercial watermen. He voted against the recently adopted 2016 budget because real estate tax rates were not raised to 70 plus cents. He has publicly stated that the only way the board of supervisors knows what the people want is through comments made at board meetings during citizen comment periods. What about e-mails to the board or to one’s district representative, or phone calls, letters and face to face communications?

I can honestly say Mr. Hutson has never responded to a single e-mail I have sent to him and I live in the Gloucester Point district. 

At the Republican Party Mass Meeting being held at Achilles Elementary School this Thursday evening, Gloucester Point residents will vote to determine which of these individuals will receive the Republican nomination to run for the position of their representative on the board of supervisors. Those wishing to participate must register between 5:30 and 6:45 p.m. and bring with them a picture ID (as is required for elections in Virginia). Please come and vote for Teresa Altemus for Gloucester Point Supervisor.

Kenneth E. Hogge Sr.

Gloucester Point, Va.