We make this apology on behalf of what we believe to be the vast majority of the good citizens of Charlottesville and Albemarle County and offer it to the president of the
United States and to the 72 new U.S. citizens sworn in at Monticello on July 4.

Soon after we moved to Charlottesville in 1979, my wife joined the Charlottesville Municipal Band.

Like millions of other Americans, I was shocked and deeply saddened by the un-timely passing of Tim Russert of a heart attack.

What an incredible delight was in store for all those attending the opening night performance of “My Fair Lady” at Ash Lawn on July 5.

I was never more proud of my hometown and my country than to attend the Naturalization Ceremonies at Monti-cello this Independence Day. 

Congratulations to the 72 men, women and children who became American citizens on July 4 at the 46th annual Independence Day and Naturalization Ceremony at Monticello, with their proud families and President Bush looking on.

A letter to the editor takes Barack Obama to task for suggesting that race will play a role in the presidential campaign (“Obama making race an issue,” The Daily Progress, June 27).

One of the new citizens naturalized on July 4 at Monticello began his own remarks with “no demonstrations, please.” I suspect he was expressing the hearts’ desires of the whole group after their welcome to the United States was repeatedly interrupted by angry shouting and screaming.

In response to the letter that appeared in June 25 edition of The Daily Progress, “Democrats don’t talk bright side”:

Even if we were to find and burn more fossil fuels, we would not be able to keep up with the increases in demand that are projected over the next 25 years.

Sen. McCain has the experience, the wisdom and strength necessary to be the president of this great nation.

Those who have power hunger for more. And those who have absolute power are insatiable.

Repairing the project as designed by Halprin rather than degrading it through redesign will help preserve this national landmark.

It is time to replace the bricks to match Third Street.

It is time to give pause to understand what liberty means to most Americans.

Wake up, Albemarle County! “If you build it, they will come.”

The Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority did an excellent job shepherding the current water-supply plan through the permitting process.

Big thanks to The Daily Progress for the “boost” for Gravity Lounge and other small live-entertainment venues (“Area should boost Gravity,” June 30).

According to recent news reports, Sen. Barack Obama has now established what he thinks his critics will use against him in his bid for the White House.

You are not forgotten. Rest in peace.

George W. Bush is a thoroughly good and decent man. He deserves our respect both as an individual and as our president. I

Did you know that your right to vote is the first law of the land?

It was with great dismay that I learned of the decision to have President George W. Bush as the guest speaker at this year’s naturalization ceremony at Monticello on July 4.

Kudos to the letter that appeared in the June 15 edition of The Daily Progress headlined “IRS, waiting at lights both taxing.”

We were pleased to see Treesdale Park as the subject of a front-page article (“Housing project denied tax help,” The Daily Progress, June 10), but were dismayed by the gloomy impression it left on readers.

I find it interesting that on The Daily Progress Opinion page of July 22, in which George Will defends the U.S. position as the world’s most prolific incarcerator, the editorial just to the left considers the challenge of the Virginia Department of Corrections in operating its prison system without the revenue generated by renting out space to other states. In the same edition is a story regarding the General Assembly’s failure to fund proper road maintenance and construction.

Last March I was involved in a serious auto accident at the intersection of Route 53 (Thomas Jefferson Parkway) and Route 729 (Milton Road).

Poverty deprives people of those things that determine the quality of life, including food, clothing, shelter, safe drinking water and the opportunity to learn, engage in meaningful employment and enjoy a feeling of self-worth and independence.

I have been looking around Hillsdale Drive where I live. Litter is strewn everywhere, especially beside the bus stops.

Sen. Obama needs to take a hard look at the McCarthy example and decide whether he wants to continue down the path he has adopted.