Published: December 30, 2005 09:55 pm      

Our Readers Speak -- Saturday, December 31, 2005

If toll roads are so good, why are we ‘privileged?’

The West Virginia Turnpike, the road we keep giving to.

The governor and Parkways Authority say the 75-cent increase is for road safety, but four-lane highways around Charleston or northern parts of the state seem to get improved without taxing local drivers. If paying for highway construction through toll booths is such a good idea, why is southern West Virginia the only privileged area of the state?

It’s past time to close the toll booths. This road has been paid for and refinanced and refinanced again. The people of southern West Virginia should get to enjoy their 88-mile stretch of I-77 just like every other West Virginian north of Charleston.

Richard Cobb

Cyclone







Thanks to all police for peaceful holidays

I would like to take time to give thanks to the police officers in Raleigh County, the troopers and deputies and city officers. These are the folks that have to work while others enjoy the holidays.

So many times officers are always taken for granted and never given the respect and honor they deserve for the thankless job the public expects of them. They do it because it’s their job and they took an oath to do it.

They do the job that others wouldn’t do, but expect them to do, and for that I say thank you and may God bless these heroes we have here in our own back yard. Thanks for making the holidays a time of peace for all Raleigh County citizens.

Bob McComas

Mabscott







Putting sports inside has changed the games

I love and enjoy watching football. But these days you watch indoor football. I can remember when Fran Tarkenton, Terry Bradshaw and Roger Staubach played outside in the cold, snow, and rain. These quarterbacks played in every city outdoors. There was no such thing as a dome back then. But things have changed. I’m not talking about just football, but baseball, too.

I remember when Joe Nukhall was announcing, he said he “doesn’t believe in playing indoors, sports is meant for outdoors.” Now it’s good for the fans — they will stay nice and warm. But I’m saying it’s changed.

Mark Karvasky

Beckley







Why is it only Massey families thank company?

Why is it that only people who have some family member working for A.T. Massey say “Thank You A.T. Massey for moving into this area.”

Tell Jackie down at the Dairy Queen that she should kneel down and praise Massey the next time her house trembles and shakes from blasting on Massey’s Shumates Branch mountaintop strip mine.

Why should Jackie and her family have to suffer just so someone can have a job destroying the total environment.

Now, Raleigh County is sending the law after those who drop cigarette butts. Sherrie Hunter, of the Raleigh County Solid Waste Authority, says that “litter can take away from the potential for economic development; businesses don’t want to locate in unattractive areas.”

She’s talking cigarette butts. We’re talking major damage down here on Coal River — damage and pollution from these coal mines and timber operations.

But I guess it all depends on a person’s perspective.

Richard A. Bradford

Edwight