Guptons Good For G’ville

Letter to the Editor
Published: March 6, 2008

To the editor,

I write in defense of Jacqueline Gupton and her husband and against the unjustified and mean-spirited attack on them by Diane Boggs.

As someone who remembers Gordonsville when it was a thriving village with every shop an active business and many townspeople employed there, it was painful to watch the town die a slow death and nearly every business close.

The historic buildings on Main Street sat shuttered and crumbling for years and everyone who worked in those businesses lost their jobs. The value of homes in the area plummeted. Now, thanks to Jacqueline Gupton and other investors in Main Street, our historic buildings have come back to life, countless people in the construction trades have found jobs restoring the downtown, people are working in the shops again, locals and tourists are spending money in Gordonsville like never before and the value of homes in the town went straight up when the Guptons began their work.
Who cares that two of the businesses have a French flair? It makes a trip to Gordonsville more fun. And besides, a little culture never hurt anyone!
Readers of the article Ms. Boggs complains about should remember that it was about Mrs. Gupton’s revitalization work and her home life and not about how much she gives to charity or to the poor.

Since the story clearly demonstrated that Mrs. Gupton is a woman of good works and with a big heart, we can only imagine that her generosity does not end with Gordonsville.

So to Mrs. Gupton I say, Viva la Jacqueline!

And to Ms. Boggs I say, judge not, that ye be not judged.

Rae H. Ely
Gordonsville