Editor, The Herald:

“If it ain't broke, don't fix it” is a good motto, unless the fix is a major improvement.

I propose that Prince Edward County would be improved significantly by a name change.

Currently our county is named after a minor British royal who never did anything worth mentioning. Edward Augustus, Duke of York, was the grandson of King George II and the younger brother of King George III of Revolutionary War infamy. Aside from being named a vice-admiral in the Royal navy, he left no accomplishments. He has been described as “silly, frivolous, rather a chatterbox, someone who loved a good practical joke and who did not keep the most upright company. He died in Monaco at age 28 while on his way to visit his mistress.

Prince Edward was totally unconnected to our county and never did anything for us. There is no honor or benefit to us in bearing his name.

A better name would be one that would unite our county, a name that speaks to our history, a name in which all segments of our community could take pride. (A shorter name would also save considerable time and ink).

My proposal is that we should change our name to Johns County, in tribute to our citizens of that name from both races and with special recognition of Barbara Johns and her contribution to the county we are today.

Joseph C. McCutchen

Farmville