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I supported, voted for and canvassed several neighborhoods distributing literature supporting the successful OneVirginia2021 campaign for a constitutional amendment ending political gerrymandering in Virginia. I would do it again in a heartbeat, with enthusiasm.

Starting with Odie Donald II's guarantee of 1 year severance regardless of cause, and now Connie Clay getting $549,000 after departing her $158,684-a-year job, it seems leaving our city's government jobs is a lucrative business in and of itself. This on top of $630,000 in attorney's fees for the city. Waste indeed.

It was June 1964. I was 21 years old and just finished my junior year at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts. I was home in Albany, New York, and my father developed a kidney infection. He ended up in the hospital, and they gave him an antibiotic that was available for that type of infection. He was allergic to the medicine, so they stopped giving the drug. My father's temperature climbed until he was consumed by the infection and he died.

Why would Virginia undo a fair system we fought for just four years ago? The April 21 redistricting referendum claims to “restore fairness,” but it’s a blatant power grab. It scraps the bipartisan redistricting commission we voters approved in 2020 with a two-thirds majority, returning map-drawing to the Democratic-controlled legislature. That’s not progress — it’s a step back to the same politicians we wanted out of the process.

As a constituent of Virginia’s 1st District, I am increasingly concerned by Representative Rob Wittman’s continued prioritization of party loyalty over the needs of our community.