Published: October 31, 2009 10:05 pm      

Our Readers Speak, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009

Newspaper is woman’s lifeline to the area



I have been a subscriber to The Register-Herald since 1962. I have always felt the need to read the paper before I began my day. Even though I now live in Bethel, Conn., after having resided in West Virginia for 68 years, I still receive The Register-Herald and the magazine, West Virginia South. It is my lifeline to Beckley and surrounding areas.

It is also superior in every way to the paper I receive daily here in Connecticut. The editorials in The Register-Herald are timely and well-written. The paper does a great job of covering activities in the Beckley area as well as in surrounding areas.

I hope people realize the extent to which this paper supports community organizations and activities.

When I was serving as director of the United Way of Southern West Virginia, I don’t think there was ever a time when The Register-Herald refused to further the cause of the United Way. I thanked you then, but I want to thank you again for the super cooperation provided by everyone at the paper with whom I ever collaborated.

I love the days the postman delivers The Register-Herald. I do not receive them daily — they arrive in bunches. Doesn’t matter. I read them all immediately. Is there a discount for a lifetime subscription?



Linda S. Lugar

Bethel, Conn.



Statesman’s death saddens friend



As author John Donne aptly stated in his writings, every man’s death diminishes me, and this was especially true for me in the passing of former State Sen. Alan Land Susman. He and his widow, Delegate Sally M. Susman, have been our friends for a number of years; my wife, Alice, and I have loved them dearly.

My heart broke when the senator was forced to face and deal with the devastating effects of Parkinson’s disease. Alan was a bright and politically astute businessman who had a deep, warm inner soul. He did much to improve the lives of the people of our state, but was not the kind of man to boast of his good works.

He and Sally have been there when I have needed a listening ear and have befriended me at times when I really needed them to do so.

They raised three fine children: Ben, Robin (Mrs. Brad) Wartella, and Tom.

All of them are unique and caring individuals, as is Robin’s husband, Brad. My wife, Alice, taught the Wartellas’ two daughters, was fond of them, and was always impressed by the encouragement and educational goals they expressed for their children.

I will never forget the kind gestures offered me by the wonderful statesman and his widow, as well as the jobs or projects on which we worked together, including my stints of employment at Bank of Mount Hope, for which Alan served as president for a number of years, and The Gulf Times, a revealing and down-to-earth weekly newspaper (now closed) published by Sally, who served as editor.

Alan, you have been missed by me and in my prayers during your illness, and your death truly lessens me, while your life surely has enhanced my great memories.

You will always have my deep love and respect.



Leonard Gauldin

Prosperity



Levy voters have won the battle



Thank goodness the Fayette County school levy failed. Now, the students can continue with their education in non-overcrowded schools.

The people have spoken and I bet the editor of this newspaper and others that supported the levy will soon come out with some lame excuse why it failed. Or some editorial whining that it should have passed and now the students of Fayette County will suffer in some way.

I graduated from Midland Trail High and I feel that my education there was second to none. Yet the supporters of this failed levy seem to think that since I graduated from a non-consolidated school, my education is somehow lacking.

I think this ridiculous attitude is an insult to all of us that have graduated from a non-consolidated school.

Now that we, the ones that voted down the levy, have won the battle, we need to win the war.

To accomplish this, we need to do these things:

1. Remove all the school board members that voted in favor of the levy. If they don’t resign in shame, we must vote them out at the next election.

2. Demand the resignation of Butch Antolini, the editor of this paper. He wrote not one, but two, editorials in last week’s paper in favor of the levy. He is so out of touch with the citizens of southern West Virginia that he can no longer do his job properly. If he refuses, then everyone needs to cancel their subscriptions or contact The Register-Herald’s advertisers and have them remove their ads.

3. Let the local businesses that displayed the “Vote Yes” signs on their properties know our feelings by taking our business elsewhere. I for one will never again order from a local pizza place here in Oak Hill that prominently displayed a “Vote Yes” sign.

Hopefully this will be the last time the money-grubbers try to lay waste to our beloved Fayette County schools.



James Blackburn

Oak Hill



Diet changes can reduce cancer risk



October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As a dietitian, I think we should focus on the healthy lifestyle and dietary changes that can reduce women’s risk of breast cancer and increase chances of survival.

A new analysis by European researchers predicts that obesity will become the leading cause of cancer in women in Western countries within the next decade. University of Manchester researchers believe excess weight leads to higher estrogen levels, which promotes cancer cell growth.

But studies show that a vegetarian diet can help shed pounds and may decrease the incidence of breast cancer. A low-fat plant-based diet can also help women with breast cancer greatly reduce their risk of recurrence. For more information about how a healthy diet can help fight cancer, visit www.CancerProject.org.



Christ Haynes

Washington, D.C.



W.Va. must move from coal someday



I am writing to let you know that I was appalled by the placement of ads played during the WVU-Marshall football game claiming that the coal industry is “under attack“ by people who don’t understand and don’t care about its importance to West Virginians.

While coal has played an important role in the economy of our state in the past, and will continue to be important for the immediate future, the fact remains that it is a dirty fuel. It is extracted from the earth in a destructive way which poses safety and health concerns for those who mine the coal, as well as the people of the surrounding communities.

Energy independence is very important to all of us. But as a resident of West Virginia, I believe we must look toward methods which do less damage. Even if it means less flow of money.

Our economy is important, and finding ways for our state to thrive beyond coal is difficult. However, it will have to be done at some point. The fact that we are trying to move in that direction sooner rather than later is a good thing for our state. If we put it off until the coal is gone, the only real beneficiary will be the coal industry, while West Virginians could be left with no coal and no other economic options due to lack of preparation.

Finally, I believe the EPA has served our country and state well by upholding reasonable regulations and maintaining a standard which allows for responsible energy production. Only those looking to take advantage of our state’s resources (mineral and human) would push the stance that these regulations are too limiting. Protecting our environment and, more importantly, protecting our human resources should not be less of a priority than large energy corporations’ financial bottom line.



James Allder

Caldwell





Couple save young kittens from danger



To the person that dropped the cat/kittens off in the dip between Mark’s Barbershop and the church on Rt. 3, Rock Creek and Massyville, my husband and I saved the kittens from being killed like the other one. We don’t know if it was its sibling or mother. What hurt and made me mad the most, this little kitten, probably 2 months old, was so hungry that it was eating off the dead one. I hope you have nightmares about this and it haunts you the rest of your life.



Linda Buchanan

Montcoal



Parents need to voice their opinions



I read with interest, at the last Raleigh County Board of Education meeting it was voted upon to build a new Marsh Fork Elementary School. I understand the parents wanting a new school, but at the same time, it was unusual for the board to vote on a new school at one meeting.

The problem with their decision is that Crab Orchard Elementary has been promised a new school for years. The president of the Raleigh County board has told Crab Orchard Elementary they would be next after Fairdale Elementary’s new school was built.

Crab Orchard School is over 60 years old. The maintenance department for the board has spent all summer repairing and working on the school. There is no safe place to park at the school for buses or parents.

I guess the question is why don’t the parents of Crab Orchard and MacArthur go to the board meetings and fight for their children and get a new school. Until they stand up for their children, it will not happen.

It is now time for the president and board members to do what has been promised to Crab Orchard for years. After all, the people of Crab Orchard and MacArthur pay taxes like all others in Raleigh County.

Parents, you need to let you voices be heard at the board meetings.



Dave Tolliver

Beckley