The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

January 28, 2008

Our Readers Speak - Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008


Oak Hill microbrewery is really a great idea



As soon as my husband and I read the article that two proprietors had purchased a site on Main Street in Oak Hill for a microbrewery/tavern, we looked at each other and thought, “Awesome! Oak Hill needs something like this.”

Then kept reading and saw that the city council opposes this business because of odor, parking, and morale? Holy cow!

Morale would go up. And as for the odor, it’s not like this is the Budweiser plant going up in downtown Oak Hill; it’s a small microbrewery and you would probably never even notice a smell.

Parking is always an issue in town so that is just another brick in the wall.

I feel this microbrewery is a great idea and if it is what these business owners want to try to be successful at, then let them.

I think the tavern is a great idea, too. No wonder this town is so unappealing to younger couples and those seeking work right out of college. There is nothing here to do if you’re not at work. All of the good ideas keep getting turned down by those who probably wouldn’t ever set foot in the tavern anyway.



Alycia Farley

Oak Hill



Mountaintop removal commercials bug reader



I can’t watch another one of these stupid Walker Machinery bug commercials without “going Elvis” and shooting my TV. Do they really think they can convince the audience that we’re fighting to end mountaintop removal mining just for the sake of Mr. Bug’s habitat?

What am I saying? Of course they do. That’s why they’re running the ads. They do think we’re that stupid.

I want to let everyone know that the other habitat that we’re fighting for is our habitat. You know, those of us who live with a valley fill in our backyard, or a slurry impoundment hovering above our communities, homes and schools, or have lost our well water because of blasting. That’s whose habitat we’re trying to save!

Their attempt to trivialize our fight to save our homes is pathetic. So go ahead and spend that money on these stupid commercials. We know you’ve got it to spend. But most West Virginians are not that stupid.



James Tawney

Summersville