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Opinion
‘Well begun is half done’
If “well begun is half done” then, this year’s Legislative Session already has a lot of catching up to do. History shows that when the Legislature has a controversial issue to address during an election year one of two things will occur. Either Legislative leadership will not address the controversy issue, or if the issue must be addressed, leadership will not address it until after Feb. 1 (it must be a coincidence that filing for candidacy fo...
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Your Opinion: Proud of good neighbors
Dear Editor: During the cold, snowy weather of last week I dreaded, as most of us were, hearing the weather reports of snow and Arctic temperatures. Each morning I would walk to my car in snow up to my ankles only to clean off my car and go to work worrying about myself and others falling in the ice and snow. That evening as I arrived home from work and pulled into my driveway, I noticed someone had cleaned it off. I was pleasantly surprised. ...
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Your Opinion: Turnpike failure
Dear Editor: The snow storm of Dec. 18, 2009, brings to light the need for changes in the operation of the West Virginia Turnpike operation and commission. Failure in the operations was rewarded with a stiff increase in toll in 2009. A simple matter of communication Friday, Dec. 18, 2009, by the toll takers at the Beckley booths, southbound lanes to exit at one of several Beckley exits. This would have prevented people from having to spend 15 ...
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Your Opinion: Historic preservation
Dear Editor: A glorious year of 2010 is fast approaching. I can think of many interesting ideas to fill in this exciting year. The monthly days are beginning to lengthen into productive accomplishments. Thinking of all the many aspects of society that needs attending to. I will soon have a conference with a high Mason County official discussing civic endeavor and ways to preserve our blessed historical heritage. As a starter, I would like to ...
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Legislators better man up
Happy New Year, Everybody! The Second Regular Session of the Seventy-Ninth Legislature of West Virginia which begins Wednesday, January 13, 2010, will not be for a session for the meek or faint of heart. The economic climate in West Virginia has slowed down resulting in a projected $120 million dollar shortfall for fiscal year 2011 (FY2011). Following are summaries of two proposed interim committee bills that would update our laws and provide ...
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Turnpike issues need to be addressed
Where were you the weekend of December 19, 2009? The top five answers are: (1) I was at home without any electricity; (2) I was at home with electricity most of the time, but I could not get out of my house; (3) I was stuck on the West Virginia Turnpike for up to twenty hours; (4) I was rescued from the turnpike and spent two nights at a Volunteer Fire Department; and (5) I am still at home without electricity or heat and I expect to be this w...
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Good time in Mason Co.
Dear Editor: It was my extreme pride and pleasure to have our driver take my motorcoach through our beautiful Krodel Park Holiday Light Show upon returning from two tours last week; one from Nashville for Opryland Hotel’s Country Christmas on which we had travelers from Charleston, Teays Valley, and Columbus, as well as many of our county residents and the other from a trip to Dayton, Ohio for a dinner theater performance. In all, we showed of...
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Your Opinion: Identity theft protection
Dear Editor: All over the media outlets in America, what you will hear is identity theft this and that. Free programs for so long, then the charges ensue. The question is, “Do I really need this?” One commercial has the CEO of the company giving everyone his Social Security Number. Of course they tell you that you’re safe, because somebody is always monitoring it. Why would you want to advertise your personal information in the first place? Is...
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Your Opinion: Veterans Day at Wahama
Dear Editor: To Mr. Bond, principal, and Mrs. VanMeter, vice principal, faculty and staff of Wahama High School, also students of Wahama High School, I would like to comment on your assembly honoring veterans at your school on Nov. 10, 2000 — “IMPRESSIVE.” It was an honor to be in the same facility with these brave men and women who serve the United States of America. The program was enjoyable and the participation by the students who spoke we...
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W.Va. lawmakers in special session
The West Virginia Legislature at the call of the Governor is once again in Special Session. This Fourth Extraordinary Session brings the Legislature into session to address eleven items on the Governor’s call. The most controversial issue is the Governor’s proposal to increase the amount of State tax that can be assessed to the sale of a gallon of gasoline. There are proponents on both side of the issue. Those in favor of the increase are actu...
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Time for W.Va.’s Legislative Interims
The November 2009, Legislative Interims are scheduled to begin on Tuesday, Nov. 17 and conclude on Thursday, Nov. 19. Once again with interims being scheduled during the regular work week, instead of being held on Sunday through Tuesday as they were in the past, most committee agendas have not yet been posted. As of November 11th only five committees have posted their agendas. Topics to be addressed on Tuesday, Nov. 17 are: Ad Valorem Property...
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Your Opinion: Support local business
Dear Editor: I was reading about the Halftime Sports Bar and Grill article. It seems to me that this isn’t a successful business. I’ve heard more than one time, about Halftime refusing to pay their employees. Even at that, who can afford the high prices? People can barely afford to put food on the table. Even if it was a decent place, nobody would patronize it. I might be only 22, but for as long as I can remember, nobody seems to patronize lo...
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Your Opinion: Useless sermon
Dear Editor: In response to Delegate Patti Shoen’s letter to the editor, with unemployment in West Virginia nearly nine percent (Mason County 13 percent) and a loss of over 23,000 jobs in the state since the beginning of 2009, I want to hear how our delegate plans to create jobs and bring development to Mason County. Instead of a useless sermon about her Capitol experiences, I want to hear plans of tax reform, tort reform and jobs. Actions tha...
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YOUR OPINIONS Fed up with illegal immigrants
Dear Editor: I have submitted a letter to Target Corporation informing them of my family’s decision to boycott their store. This week Target was issued a complaint from an organization that supports immigration and was offended by a Halloween costume that was made to be an illegal alien. This costume was made to be funny, and was. The issue that I have, is when companies give in to people supporting criminal activities, they themselves are now...
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Capitol changes promote pride in W.Va.
This week’s projected forecast of rain and dropping temperatures reminds me of the many changes that have taken place in the capitol building since I was first elected to the House of Delegates in 2003. My first legislative term, Delegate Kelli Sobonya (R-Cabell) and I, were assigned an office underneath the front steps of the main capitol building. Green and yellow substances could be seen growing on the walls of our office. The heating was s...
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Your Letters: Pat on the back
Dear Editor, We are always hearing about the “foot soldiers,” “people in the trenches.” We have been privileged to see them in action! They are not military. They are the technicians or as they are better known, the aids, and the nurses, at Pleasant Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Home. These young men and women, who work tirelessly to take care of the elderly and infirmed patients, deserve to be given a very big Mason County applause. They ...
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Health care common sense
Dear Editor, The recent debate over health care leaves us all a little overwhelmed. I have a different take on this subject. Let me share this thought with you. I spent over 30 years working for my company. Every three years the members of my union gave up sizable pay raises to get better health care. We bargained in good faith, gave up good money to ensure that in our old age, we would have the benefits we needed. The younger people wanted th...
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OUR VIEW
See the need, be the solution
If you take a look around Gallia County, you’ll see many pressing needs. From kids who aren’t getting three square meals a day to senior citizens worrying about having to decide between paying this month’s electric bill or buying groceries. And then there’s the family across the street, down on their luck since dad lost his job and mom’s boss cut back on her hours. What about the woman you work with who’s desperate to escape an abusive relatio...
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Reader's View
Show some repect
Dear Editor, To the people who have going to our son’s — little Pete McKinney — grave and shooting up drugs and raising their needles up for him had better stop it now. You are so disgraceful. Pete didn’t die from using needles and you are making a mockery of his death. If you were any kind of friend to him you should have learned something from his death instead of sitting at his grave celebrating it with your drug addiction. We will find out...
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Reader's Views
Horrified
Dear Editor, On Friday, Sept. 18, I received a call from my nephew who is in Afghanistan and in harm’s way. I was relieved to hear his voice and I pray that I hear from him again soon. Just two days prior to hearing from him, his company hit a device in the road (a bomb). Many of them were wounded badly, some killed. This call inspired me to send him another package of snacks, toiletries, etc. On Saturday, Sept. 19, I made the mistake of enter...
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