Letters to the Editor
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Letters to the Editor
Everything starts with a dream I was told one day. But why can't a dream become a reality in Clarksburg and help beautify Glen Elk with a nice outlet and a good-size parking lot close to or where the freight house used to be.
I've been told by several there's plenty of room for both. If that isn't at least making an effort to put business in Clarksburg, then what is?
We have a lovely town and I love it. Nowhere can one find friendlier and more caring people than in Clarksburg.
Council (and) city manager (should) bring this up in a Council meeting about the outlet and parking lot. At least it's a start and I think in the right direction.
Betty Jo Nulter
Clarksburg, W. Va. 26301
Updated January 29, 1997
What Has Happened
To Priority No. 1?
I read, with interest, the letter to the editor from Nancy J. Swiger, which was published in the Sunday Exponent-Telegram, on Jan. 19.
Later that same night, I was brought to the hospital and am a patient in Room 373.
I have experienced first-hand the trauma of having attempts made by three RNs, LPNs and aides to draw blood, all unsuccessful. Both arms were left with bumps, knots, extensive bruises and bleeding.
Following three unsuccessful attempts, I said "enough is enough, call someone from the lab." Susan Storage came to my room and was successful on the very first attempt, although I know it was difficult due to the condition of both arms. Following that experience, only skilled phlebotomists drew any blood, and each was successful on the first attempt.
On the surface, this would appear to be downsizing on the part of the hospital. If not, then what?
What has happened to Priority No. 1 _ the ultimate in health care and procedures for the benefit of diagnosis and comfort of patients? Perhaps all RNs, LPNs and aides employed by the hospital have been trained to draw blood, but when that skill is not used regularly, it is gone, and the patients pay the price.
Fairie E. Westfall
Clarksburg
Updated January 28, 1997
A Need for Wilderness
I knew I was reading about Alaska, but it could just as well have been West Virginia. It was an article titled "New Highways Drive a Stake in the Heart of Alaska," by Nick Jans, who lives in the wilderness there. (USA Today, Jan. 9).
He is not a Sierra Clubber or a "Greenpeace radical" but he lives where the vast majority of people are opposed to building roads through their wild area, even though it would make transportation easier. But, they are outnumbered by the urban dwellers by 10 or 20 to 1. So the yellow marker stakes are there for the future road grid.
Substitute West Virginia for Alaska when you read this: "What's ironic is that so many urban Alaskans seem so bent on destroying the Alaska by which they identify themselves, the Alaska many of them came for, the Alaska they love. Of course, they want access to the bush for themselves, but it's like shooting a bear because you think somehow, if you have that shining hide stretched out on your floor, you'll own the thing itself. But the hunter finds instead a bloody pile of flesh, bone and hair. The thing he hoped to own has slipped away."
Beyond selfish reasons for his stand against bisecting the bush, the writer points out that we Americans, even though increasingly urban, define ourselves by the notion that somewhere ahead there is "wilderness, beyond fences, civilization and roads. What happens to our souls when there is no longer such a place?"
As Alaska is the last great wild place on this continent, so the Monongahela National Forest and surrounding mountains (the Corridor H route) make up the last great wild place in West Virginia. If you think the need for wildness is baloney, stop and think again. Why do we West Virginians resonate so to "Wild, Wonderful West Virginia"?
Anne Reynolds Harvey
Clarksburg
Updated January 28, 1997
Stand and Be Counted
All of the people who are for Right to Life should stand up and be counted at the West Virginia Capitol Rotunda from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 12. There will be a free shuttle bus from Laidley Field.
Robert L. Conrad
Burnsville
Updated January 28, 1997
Good Journalism
Bob Stealey's Bob'N'Along column is the best journalism to come the way of the Clarksburg area in some time. Without totally giving away the fact I have earned what few gray hairs there are left on my head, I remember most of the places mentioned in Bob's Reminiscing. I also remember that there was a time when the jobs in Clarksburg were the best paying in all of northern West Virginia. That is why I get so tired
of hearing our local politicos shout as if they had done something great when they land a couple hundred minimum wage jobs for us. Sure a job is better than none but this area was once well off and we didn't appreciate how good we had it.
Harold D. Tate
Bridgeport
Updated January 28, 1997
This letter is in reference to an article published in last weeks issue of your paper, in reference to an area couple raising "Rare German Shepherds". This article is full of inaccuracies and untruths. I will clarify some of the inaccuracies.
1. The white GSD is not a rare GSD. A white GSD is one that possesses no pigmentation in its coat factor; therefore, it is DNA genetic inferior. The DNA gene that produces white is a submissive gene and must be bred to another white or black (also submissive gene) to maintain the pure white coat.
2. Mention was made of a 140 pound GSD. The world standard of the GSD is, for males, should not be more than 26 inches at the withers and approximately 80-90 pounds. Females should be not more than 24 inches at withers and 65-70 pounds. Over sized dogs are refused breeding privileges.
3. A statement was made to the effect that the whites do not get hip dysplasia. Nothing could be further from the truth. Since whites are recessive in genealogy and as previously stated must be bred to whites and blacks to produce the white pigment. Their genetic breeding pool for their mates is therefore extremely limited. Therefore most solid whites possess in-breeding traits. Thus the incidents of hip dysplasia is much greater than those of conscientious breeders of which only line-breed and periodically out cross their bloodiness.
4. "The intelligence level is the same." This again is a fallacy. My studies of training and handling of white GSD's show severe temperament faults. They generally possess one of two faulty traits. Sharp shy (aggression based in fear) or over aggressive behavior.
5. I also took into account a picture of the litter which had approximately five to seven dogs that appear to be seven months of age. It is a proven fact that animals that are not separated from their litter mates by seven to eight weeks of age of life will suffer from improper socialization toward humans. These animals will not properly bond to the family and thus do not make good household pets.
Wayne Davis, President
West Virginia Canine College, Inc.
Buckhannon, W. Va. 26201
Updated January 27, 1997
The Charleston Gazette recently praised Governor Gaston Caperton for, "concern for the underdog, caring for defenseless people left out of the good life." They were referring to his farewell address to the Legislature _ an address that included this "packet" of mustard to go on top of the bologna that has frequently come out of his offices these last eight years.
Caperton's concerns have nothing to do with helping underdog. No, his concerns have always entered on the almighty dollar, and there they will always stay.
The labor movement has always fought and prayed for protections of the disadvantaged and disabled children, and for families and children fighting to survive when the primary wage-earner has been permanently disabled, or killed. Caperton has been no friend of theirs.
The lack of concern in the bureaucracy that Caperton and Richardson oversaw allowed children to see their fathers and mothers lose the homes in which they lived, the food with which they sustained, and the pride with which they lived. Caperton is no friend to them.
Caperton certainly was no friend to workers and their children, when he wielded the bloody ax that was put to Workers Compensation, destroying the hopes and dreams held by those seriously injured workers and their families.
I'll tell you who Caperton was a friend to: THE WEALTHY. He and his friends decided to take a program with no possibility of bankruptcy, and give it a complete, disastrous, overhaul. Why? To prepare the Workers Compensation system for it's eventual handing over to private industry _ an act that would further line the pockets of those who Have, with money gleaned from the blood of injured workers and their families.
My prayer is that someone is able to help all of the children and families destroyed by Caperton's so-called concerns. When I read of his urge for Legislators to "be concerned about the next generation _ not the next election," what I fear I hear is the sound of bread slamming down on the mountain of bologna.
Jack R. McComas
Secretary-Treasurer of the West Virginia AFL-CIO &
A concerned citizen for workers and the disadvantaged
Charleston, W. Va. 25301-1289
Updated January 27, 1997
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