Last Word

Last Word on sales tax increase, Feb. 28

Sales tax increase I don’t appreciate the sneaky way this tax hike is being motored through to support tourism and another-named slush fund. Please list the names and phone numbers of who we can call in Richmond for York, James City and Williamsburg to let our voices be heard. Thank you. Editor’s...

Last Word on sales tax, Feb. 24

Sales tax increase Instead of a 1 percent sales tax increase to feed the tourism oligarchs, how about an increase to promote affordable housing for the people who do the work that runs the tourism industry in the area? Seems like the Chamber of Commerce, JCC Supervisors and the Williamsburg City...

Last Word on Florida shootings, Feb. 21

Florida shootings A question for Congress: Why is the possession of assault weapons more important than school children's lives? Don't those children have a right, under the Constitution, to live full lives, in liberty and in the pursuit of happiness? I’m in high school and I’m scared to go to...

Last Word, Feb. 17

Shooting in Florida To all those who write in demanding rights to carry in schools, churches and other public places: do you also demand similar rights for convicted criminals, the mentally ill and those with restraining orders? Should they be allowed to build up arsenals of assault weapons? Anyone...

Last Word on harassment, Feb. 14

Looking good To whoever is decorating Lake Powell Road and Brookwood Drive with decorations: They look amazing. Can’t wait to see what you put up for Easter. This is harassment I worked at a big box hardware store. Every day, the male customers would make degrading sexual comments to any of the...

Last Word on workforce housing, Feb. 10

City taxes Here we go again, as the Williamsburg City Council looks to raise taxes after its annual retreat. The city manager can’t offer a specific reason why he anticipates a reduction in revenues from the meal and room taxes. The mayor and council members keep looking for ways to increase our...

Last Word on tourism taxes, Feb. 7

Tax for tourism I think the proposed 1 percent added sales tax for James City, York and Williamsburg is a big crock. It’s a complete, unfair burden to the citizens to have to pay this to fund tourism. Why don’t they keep doing like they’ve been doing? They’ve got taxes on the rooms and meal taxes....

Last Word about CW finances, Feb. 3

Williamsburg budget The Virginia Gazette's recent reporting on the Williamsburg City Council discussions on potential tax increases and the need to add a new position to administer the new Tourism Development Fund is very revealing. If the city ran like a business, as revenues decline, the focus...

Last Word on an angel, Jan. 31

Met my angel I had a very important doctor’s appointment the other day and stopped at a store for water on my way. I got back to my car and it wouldn’t start. I cried because I could not get to the appointment. Then my angel called, “Ma’am, Ma’am.” I looked and she offered me a ride. I had to take...

Last Word on the shutdown, Jan. 27

Williamsburg Inn On Wednesday, Last Word published a comment that said The Williamsburg Inn had been awarded the Forbes Travel Guide Fifth Star. The Inn was awarded the AAA Five Diamond designation in November 2017, one of just 120 hotels in North America to hold this distinction. However, Forbes...

Graduation reminds us about the connectedness of things

There are reasonable ways to stay safe

Traveling to U.S. is a risk worth taking

Need more information on CW finances

Sports Illustrated Sold For $110 Million

Fans flock to see Lexi Thompson

LPGA Pure Silk Championship Round 2

New York family enjoying first ever LPGA event

LPGA Pure Silk Championship Round 1

Hurricane Season for 2019 in the Atlantic Is Starting Early

Williamsburg Unitarian Universalists participate in Colonial Parkway cleanup

It’s difficult to drive or bike down the Colonial Parkway without taking a moment to gaze out at the scenic views of the river, but what you may not notice are plastic bottles, wrappers and other trash strewn around the pull-off areas and nearby shoreline. A handful of Williamsburg Unitarian Universalist...

Williamsburg Live gets underway, brings crowds, music and more downtown

A warm summer evening set the perfect backdrop for Williamsburg Live, which kicked off on Friday evening with thousands crowding into the lawn of the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg to catch live tunes and enjoy local food and craft beer. The two-night music festival is the successor of the...

City to host public forum for businesses next week

Local business owners and members of the public are invited to share their thoughts on how best to improve the city’s major commercial areas at a Planning Commission comprehensive plan meeting Wednesday. The meeting will follow a similar format as a community forum on housing that Planning Commission...

William and Mary wants to know how you think about the school

For most people familiar with the College of William and Mary, a few adjectives quickly come to mind. People think of the school as having great academics and community-minded, studious students. But they may also view the school as old, lacking diversity and liberal-arts focused. The school’s...