The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Our Readers Speak

August 30, 2010

Our Readers Speak, Monday, Aug. 30, 2010

Genealogy material should stay in library

As a young child I remember walking into the Raleigh County Library and being in awe of the massive amount of information there. Every week my mother or father would take me to the library where I would peruse the fictional mystery section to attempt to find a Nancy Drew or Agatha Christie novel. I still use the library but my tastes have changed a bit. When I enter the library now, I immediately go to the heritage room to see what new information has been added.

While Raleigh County is most convenient for me, I do visit libraries in other counties and search for a section that may contain information to assist me in my genealogical research. After all, isn’t the library a wonderful place to help someone in their research? That is what I have always believed. However, that is about to change at the Fayette County Library in Fayetteville.

A small section of this library is dedicated to genealogical research material. The material (from my understanding) is holdings of the Fayette/Raleigh County Genealogy Society. The society previously requested the material be moved from the main room in the library to the West Virginia Room located in Oak Hill. This request was denied by Judy Gunsaulis and the Fayette County Library Board of Directors. Now the society is being told by both Gunsaulis and the board the materials must be removed from the library by Oct. 1. It is also my understanding West Virginia genealogy material cannot be accepted by any library in Fayette County. I must say shocked is not a strong enough word for the way this information has affected me.

West Virginia has a rich and beautiful history. It is a history we should be proud to show. I know this information at the Fayette County Library is used by persons who make journeys into Fayette County to research their genealogy. I, for one, am voicing my opinion about this action. Please don’t do this to myself and my fellow genealogists. This is a part of our history that should be shared with the public. The local library is a convenient, and logical, place to share our history.

Vickie Aliff

Beckley

 



Why is gas in Raleigh, Fayette always higher?

In the Register-Herald Aug. 26 there was another article about the price of gas dropping to an average of $2.66. It said that prices ranged from a low of $2.56 in Bridgeport to a high of $2.68 in Weirton.

My question is, “Why is the cost of gas at the pump in our area never compared to the rest of the state?” It appears that Raleigh and Fayette counties always have the highest gas prices in the state.

On Aug. 26 in Fayette County, the price of our gas dropped from $2.839 to $2.799. That is $.11 higher than anywhere else. Why do we pay more at the pump than anywhere else in the state?

I’m sure someone has a good explanation for our gas being higher, and I for one would like to know what it is.

Lois Matthews

Fayetteville

Text Only
Our Readers Speak