4A The Mountain Messenger, Tuesday, March 20, 1990
• ¶
Harley Staggers is an intense young man, He visited his district on Saint
Patrick's Day -- all dressed in green down to emerald socks ready to
lalk about what's going on in Washington with as little blarney as the
holiday would permit.
The congressman talked about the national budget for sometime. He
feels the President's budget is unrealistic and takes exception to what he
contends are actual Presidential cuts to education. Congress faced with
the responsibility to come up with a "realistic" budget sometime in April.
Mr Staggers thinks its a big order.
When we asked him how much he was paid he quickly responded, "Too
much." His annual salary is $92,000. In addition to this rather princely
amount, there are any number of "'perks", such as money for office rental,
money for staff, money for telephones, money for mailing privileges. Mr
Staggers says, tl)ough, his salary is pretty nluch eaten up by the high cost of
things in Washington. Hc intimated he has a pretty rough time making ends
meet at times.
We hasten to add that Mr Staggers didn't ask for the $92,(X)0 per year
and all the extras'--- that just comes with the job these (lays.
On the West Virginia teacher's strike, Mr Staggers said, "It's so unfortu-
nate. It could have prevented." He feels the only way to get the West
Virgima teacher's salaries in line with the rest of the country is to have a
progressive income-based tax -"that would be the fitirest way." He added
"lf I were governor, I would never have draw a line."
Mr Staggers on the ever-escalating costs of medical treatment: "Doctors
will say it's the insurance companies and lawyers: insurance companies
will say it's the doctors and the lawyers: lawyers will say it's the doctors
and the insurance companies. There has to be reform in insurance, medicine
and tort (law)." He thinks there should be additional emphasis on providing
more competition, more clinics, more nurses, more physicians assistants
and more home health care.
Mr Staggers and his wife are expecting their second child in a couple of
months. They live "On The Hill" in Washington right now, but they are
looking for property in Jefferson County, West Virginia. The congressman
could then live in a country setting ("I'm a rural person") and commute to
Washington by train. The Staggers haven't beert successful yet in obtaining
land in Jefferson County because of the costs. "There's been an explosion
there in building and new business. It's only a little over an hour from
Washington."
Mr Staggers holds Jefferson County up as a model of progressiveness
which other parts of West Virginia could emulate -- even though he admits
that Jefferson County ~s also in a turmoil now because it lacked a compre-
hensive plan for grow~. Utilities are unable to provide the expected serv-
ice. police departments are understafl~l, and the influx of people continues.
ICharles A. Goddard
STAFF
Chas. A. Goddard. Editor
l)ottie Brackenrtch. Office Manager
Troy Forren. Advertising Sales
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By Jonathan Wright
One of our employees here at
the newspaper office is h.ving her
fortieth birthday April 21. I won't
reveal her identity---mere's no need
for that, and she'd kill me anyway.
My point in these few lines is to con-
vince all cynics out there that 40
isn't nearly as bad as some claim
Just three short years from now
I'll reach that milestone, and [can
truthfully say I don't dread it all that
much. There are several reasons.
First, 40 isn't that far away any-
more. Once it seemed to be the age
of parents, teachers, and all people
in the mainstream of adult life, Now
here I am at its threshold, and I still
feel as young as ever--well, almost.
Second, I spend a lot of time
around folks older than me. It does
wonders to make me feel young. It's
all in one's perspective, of course,
for what is young for some people is
old to others.
Third, I keep n mind how many
more years I have left if, for in-
stance, I live to be 80 Forty is only
half-way there. To make me feel
even better (and younger), I think of
the ultimate example: 112-year-old
Ettie Mae Greene of Springfield
Comprehensive Care Center in
Lindside Imagine this: at 40 years
of age, she had at least 72 years
left!
Fourth, I remember this: when I
reach any birthday, I am actually
only a day older than I was the day
before. All of us grow old one day at
a time--no more, no less. So you're
40 years old! How old were you the
day before your birthday?--39 years
and 364 days. Big deal!
Finally, to keep things in a more
eternal perspective, as one who
loves the Lord, I can't help realizing
that each birthday serves as a re-
minder I am one year closer to
Heaven. I am absolutely convinced
of that, and I am gratified God has
allowed me another year down here
to be used by Him. I only hope He is
pleased with how I am using my
time. It goes by all too quickly.
Forty years of age? Enjoy it!
Boast about it! Then forget it! Fifty
will be here before you know it--an-
other milestone to celebrate in the
long parade of years.
By Tedd E. Urice
Look to the skies, West Virgini-
ans!
You, the descendants of those
men of iron who preferred a life-or-
death struggle with misery in the
mountains and valleys of your state,
instead of suppression, you, the off-
spring of those hardy pioneers who
set their faces against all dangers
and difficulties that surrounded the
early settler's life, cleared the land,
and, eventually prepared the way for
you and me, look to the skys!
It was 7:55 Sunday morning,
skys were clear, in the distance.
white clouds touched an endless
expanse of motionless water. Hu-
manity began to st~r, some folk were
readying themselves for church, oth-
ers stretched their way out of restful
sleep, a few dug out their baseball
caps for a heated game with the
Giants. The game was never
played.
Within hours, twenty-three
hundred people died. How many
West Virgmians were among the
bodies as the. world exploded? The
date was December 7, 1941 Four
years and thousands upon thou-
sands of American bodies later, the
war with Japan ended, or did it?
Steel and lead bullets have been
replaced by paper projectiles, or
money, if you will. West Wrginians,
we are losing the battle!
Tl'is state, with certainty, is not
finar'ciatly secure. What state, at this
time., really is? Outside money can
look qu~te appet=zmg, but its source
~s important.
Unemployment figures are rising
to the 10 per cent mark. West
Virginia's future is leaving the state
in droves. Teachers will seek oppor-
tunities elsewhere. How many towns
are quickly becoming ghost towns?
How many schools are to be
closed? How many hospitals will
shut their doors? At what price will
heritage be sold?
If the selling or
Virginia properties is
tion to state
ployment is drastically
foreign investors and
would benefit. West
noted for being
are, as well, known
Maintain the pride,
tage. Unless
quickly, heritage will
is left holding the state
Foreign investments
should be welcomed,
guarantee of this
to have legislators
bill which would prevent
lease of historically
erties to foreign
or their representatives.
One particular case
Andrew S. Rowan
of the fertile mind of
son, and visited by
torical figures including
Lee and his family. It
be a travesty to have
flag from its staff.
Jackson's
be sold for scrap
Pearl Buck's home
us forever. Hundreds
ments to our past are
portance.
If the legislators of
are unable to hear
said, consider what
get for the U.S.S.
Golden Dome of Charles
Look to the skies
'ans!
Note: Mr Urice is a
West Virginian and a
World War II and
ber of various
well as a chairman of
Centennial of Indiana
his writings and
appeared n many
C"
Dear Editor:
The 1990 session of the West
Virginia legislature is history. Who Js
keeping score? Where were the pri-
orities? Lets look at a few bills going
to the governor on the last and cru-
cial day. Business ef State com-
plete???
Bill: Limit liability for horse
stables,
In the process of all the bull sling-
~ng ~n side-tracking critical bills such
as "tax equity" it's now mixed with
horse dung. Guess there was fear of
the public tiring of the same old diet.
Bill: Create New River Gorge
Bridge Day Commission:
Time spent wqutd have been bet-
ter utilized deterrr{ining the positives
an d values of '1he Recall and Refer-
endum Act." Fayette County citizens
have left little room ~r improvement
on this subject, the6 such infallible
leaders as Chuck Chambers want a
commission that will permit them to
jump "without parachute" for such
"boo-boos" as Chambers' inference
that we common voters don't pos-
sess sufficient intelligence to man-
age our own affairs.
Bill: Declare the fossil coral offi-
cial state gem:
Come on now! and while we are
faced with such crucial issues as our
education system's predicament,
Small. wonder then why no one can
think of solutions other than tossing
more tax dollars into a system de-
clining in both quantity and quality,
while cost goes up; good manage-
ment dictates opposite, has no one
in resoonsible position ever given
thought to conceivable facts that we
continue to support a top-heavy
administrative organization? While
first line teaching personnel are
forced to make-do on thread-bare
budgets? Is it not true that high-paid
non-teaching personnel chew up
massive tax dollars that can be util-
ized on the classroom level to pro-
duce much bmproved results? Is it
not about time we gave the school
system back to those who foot the
• bill and do the work; parent and
teacher?
gllh Provide study of private land
recreation.
More time and tax dollars wasted
at chipping away at citizens' rights,
while more than half the world's
population struggle for freedom and
rights for individuals. The people
you and I elect push us in the oppo-
site direction using our money.
When do we say enough is
enough????
J. W. Pennington
President, Greenbrier County
Citizens for Progress
Dear Editor:
Remember the Maine! Remem-
ber the Alamo! Remember the
Sweat Shops? Around the turn of
the century when immigrants and
others were exploited in the garment
industry, especially by greedy em-
ployers. The young, the old, chil-
dren, worked under intolerable con-
ditions. They spent long hours in fire
traps and in filth and were paid a
ptttance,
Remember? No unions in those
days. No one to fight for their rights.
So the evil, greed~ creatures, ex-
ploiters of human beings had their
way -- until the unions came.
If the teachers miners, sale-
speople and others were accorded
their rights, including decent sala-
ries, adequate benefits and Chris-
tian treatment, there wouldn't be all
this trouble.
If they cannot or will not do this
then we will lose many of our skilled,
respected, honored teachers. They
will move away to other states for a
better life.
Students will fail because West
Virginia shall have failed its teach-
ers.
Most West Virginians want to the
proud of our state and hope our un-
fortunate image will become a petter
image, one of more honest politi-
cians, fewer greedy money grabbers
and less ill-mannered drivers and
others. Just think what •it would be
like were it not for the unions --
worse than the sweat shops.
Sincerely
Henry Dunn
Lewisburg
Dear Editor:
On Saturday, March 9 the Ku
Klux Klan held a "recruiting march"
in Union. Close to 75 people met
them with signs, songs and voices
as they entered town. We let them
know in no uncertain terms that their
brand of hate and bigotry is not wel-
come in Monroe County! The KKK
message went largely unheeded
and they soon grew discouraged
and left town. (I understand they
then went to Peterstown to conduct
a march there.)
The people of the Greenbrier
Valley need to know that the Klan is
once again attempting to person our
communities with their message of
white supremacy. I fear that they n-
tend to visit other towns in our area
soon. While they certainly have the
constitutional right to freedom of
speech, We do not have to listen!
Please, we must let such hate-
groups know that their message wil
not be tolerated in these parts. We
need to work for a world where free-
dom and dignity are offered to all
people. My four-year-old son carried
a sign on Saturday which read "All
God's Children Are Equal!" Let's
continue to strive to live by that
creed in this valley. Love wil indeed
conquer hate.
Sincerely,
Dee Cole Vodicka
Alderson
Dear Editor:
Hurray for Harry Walkup MD.of
Marlinton for his courageous and
well-written letter warmng pro-abor-
tionists of God's judgment on those
who shed innocent blood and those
who support this abomination.
Hurray also for the Editor of this
fine publication for printing Dr
Walkup's letter without any editorial
notes.
Realizing that the contents of the
"Letters to the Editor" do not neces-
sarily represent the opinions of you
or your publication, I thank you for
publishing Dr Walkup's letter• You
could have stuck it under the blotter
on your desk or in File 13, as many
people of this day have seemingly
dispensed with their consciences,
Roy L. Spinks
Lewisburg
Dear Ed Itor:
To the 120 Greenbrier County
teachers who have gone into the
schools during the teachers' strike.
I respect you and admire your
professionalism, high principles and
integrity.
I respect your sense of responsi-
bility which causes you to honor
your contracts with the school
board.
I respect your devotion to the
children of this county and your
commitment to their education.
I respect your loyalty to the
Board of Education which has
placed you n a confrontational and
dangerous situation by keeping
schools open during this unprece-
dented strike and by asking you to
cross picket lines to teach so that
they will continue to receive State
Aid Formula money.
I am awed by your courage to go
alone through the picket lines
manned by your associates, friends,
parents, and sometimes students.
I respect your quiet bravery and
strength in bearing the criticism, the
insults and threats from your associ-
ates, friends, and parents.
I am ashamed that I have not
walked with you through the picket
line.
I apologize that I did not stand
with you when.you were criticized
and harassed.
I am ashamed that you have
been alone in satisfying your obliga-
tion to teach.
You few teachers deserve the
thanks and praise of all the people
of this county for it is by your actions
m crossing the picket lines and
keeping the schools open that the
county Board of Education has con-
tinued to receive money through the
State Aid Formula to keep the
school systems operating in the
amount of $65,490.82 per day: Had
you not crossed the picket fines and
continued to teach, Greenbrier
County would not have received
State Aid Formula money during the
strike. Without State Aid money the
school systems would collapse.
The Board of Education can
never repay you for the abuse and
trauma you have suffered from your
associates, friends, and parents.
You few brave, valiant teachers
have shown the people of this
.o
county true professionalism, great
integrity, true leadership and cour-
age in action! Your bravery and de-
votion to your chosen profession of
teaching commands the respect of
all the people of this county.
Billle Jean Hutsanpiller
Srnoot
Dear Editor:
I moved to West Virginia three
years ago and have since witnessed
the most unprofessional, uncivil, ille-
gal conduct by local law enforce-
ment and elected officials in my
forty-eight years of life.
I suspect that a certain elected
official has used a controversial sub-
ject (Nazis) as a device to increase
his own popularity and is presently
grooming himself for higher public
office. I further suspect that the of-
lenses against me were the result of
my investigative efforts into the sub-
jects of the Second World War and
racial hatred. Of course this clown
did not know the motivation for my
research and evidently concluded I
am a "Nazi" and could be used as
an "election tool" to further his own
serf-interest.
At this point I feel the reader is
entitled to an explanation of my mo-
tivation to research the Nazi phe-
nc menon.
In the mid 1950s Queen Eliza-
beth, via Her Majesty's Navy, res-
cued a young Polish merchant ma-
rine who was being held captive
aboard a Polish vessel.
My mother sponsored this young
man to come to America. Anthony
suggest I go to --
contacted my
sponded and su!
someone else.
At this point I
up, right? --- Like Hellt!
Since my civil
nied and since I have
seek redress through
command" type of
been forced to take the
The United Natiol
Declaration of Human
cember 1948 and the
January 1976
of member nations the
erties as enjoyed
I am now
tions of the United
to my government to
before mentioned
tify the wrongs I have
prosecute the offenders"
K. lived with us and had a tremen-
able or unwilling to
dous influence on me during my wishes we must
youth. I had put my fingers on the
We must demand
ployees (elected
and every citizen witll
respect without
status, financial
cal clout. If our
dividuals from our
are more inclined
their employers
We need industry
be a decision of the
people need em
not ask for the right
the People" will give'
authority to solicit
to invest in our future.
Our forefathers
tion that resulted in the
periment in democracY
of mankind. This
start with muskets
started with the pen,
forum (i.e. Letters to
us use it to reaffirm
to this great
about a more
our children.
I am fed up and
ing to form a
interested, please
6644 between 6
weekdays only.
scared holes where a machine gun
and ripped open his legs when he
was just a young boy attempting to
escape a concentration camp. This
story has remained a secret for 35
y~ars. I have only recently told this
to my children and a few select
friends. I have spent the last 25
years researching this subject, often
doing without necessities in order to
buy books or send for information
from all manner of organizations.
This research was my secret,
sacred obsession not to be shared
with anyone. However, thanks to
some opportunist my 25 years of re-
search has just gone down the
drain.
To redress the offenses against
me I made at least ten phone calls
to a county commissioner. Having
never received one return call I then
attempted to contact a senator on
the state level. I had made cam-
paign s=gns for this man as per his
request at no charge to him and was
sure I would at least receive the
courtesy of a phone call, Again I
was ignored. I then wrote my con-
gressman who sent my letter to the
governor who then wrote me and
through the election
ment process. We can
