The Mountain
Did you read the good news today on the front page that maybe,
just maybe, a 500-student private school will be located in our area?
Private schools aren't cheap these days -- to build or to attend. We
wish the Greenbrier Military School Foundation all good luck in their
endeavors to locate here.
Once there were two private schools in Lewisburg. There were
private schools and a college in Alderson. Thousands of students
attended these schools over the years.
Many of the area's old "main-line" businesses can attribute their
success to the money spent with them by those who were affiliated
with these now-defunct schools. Just think of the money which
would come to Greenbrier County from 500 new students, their par-
ents and relatives. Imagine the payroll and the job opportunities
which would be created!
Generally, if you look at any college town anywhere in the world,
you will find a certain prosperity -- a certain stability. Wouldn't it be
nice for southeastern West Virginia to once again be known as a
center of learning?
Let's do everything we can to encourage the establishment of
new schools in our area -- whether they are private or public. It
won't be just the town where such schools might be located which
will benefit
-- Charles A. Goddard
"West Virginia's My Choice"
Please write us a letter and tell us why you choose to live in West
Virginia. The reasons why you live in Wild, Wonderful West Virginia may
be encouragement to others considering this as their home, Send you
letters to: "West Virginia's My Choice", The Mountain Messenger, 122
North Court Street, Lewisburg 24901.
STAFF I
Chas. A. Goddard, Editor I
Dottle Brackenrlch, Office Manageri
Troy Forren, Advertising Sales!
122 N. Court Street
Lewisburg, WV 24901
304/64 7-5 724
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Students (9 mos.) $10.00
By Jonathan Wright
The war on litter continues. Our
Adopt-a-Highway program has been
a formidable leader in the battle,
with over 1,000 organizations now
attempting at least three times a
year to keep nearly 3,000 miles of
roadway throughout our state clear
of trash. Approximately 44 organiza-
tions in Greenbrier County partici-
pate, having "adopted" about 125
miles of highway. We should be
proud.
We still have a long way to go,
hoWever. Anyone familiar with the
Mountain State's endless maze of
one-lane back roads knows 3,000
miles of pavement are only a drop in
the bucket. Thousands more miles
are left to be "adopted," and their
appearance shows it. Let's face it:
There will never be enough organi-
zations to "adopt" every mile of
roadway in our state--and those
who participate find three times a
year is not nearly often enough to
keep up with the recurring problem
of irresponsible, littering motorists.
I have a partial solution, though.
With the knowledge jobs are often
hard to come by in West Virginia,
let's give some of our jobless wel-
fare recipients the opportunity to
work some for their
control is certainly an
of every citizen's
manpower available is
the good will of
participants.
Please don't get me
know many welfare
elderly and may not be
able to collect litter off
However, I can't help
many thousands who are
fiddle but simply have not
to locate employment
poor state. This would be
opportunity for them to
service which is
needed--and whose
be immediately obvious
lic.
This idea is simply a
coupling available
an obvious need, and
welfare recipient feel he is
earning his pay--which
long way in helping him
productive. It would require
money---only those
going to these citizens
I hope the idea is so0n
practice. Our
people--would be all the
it.
ii:?
i i~!
i,i
!ii i
Dear Editor:
Last Saturday (3/17/90) about 6
or 8 representatives of the Christian
Knights of the Ku Klux Klan
marched in Rainelle and Rupert al-
legedly m protest of drugs, flag
burning and abortion. It shows great
common sense, human decency
and wisdom on the parts of the citi-
zens of these two towns that very
few people turned out to view this
sorry spectacle.
I realize that there could possibty
be a testing in courts if permits were
riot issued to let this dreadful bunch
march, but if I were in a position of
from iqaor store sales. Soon the
new street was completed, the
bands played and the ribbon was
cut.
This is published by request:
there is no egotism or academics in-
tended. I was assigned the project
by the Commission and spent many
dollars and time for this project, plus
trips to Charleston Foundry for addi-
tional grates and frames.
Paul K. Yates
Ronceverte
Dear Editor:
As the contractor on the Roncev-
Influence and power m a community, erte Streetscape Project I would like
I would NEVER (repeat NEVER) let to thank each and everyone in the
th~s group march. By so doing (issu- community. I would especially like to
ing a march permit) this sets a bad thank the nine Greenbrier County
employees and the merchants who
precedent. Will it be Communists or
Devil Worshippers who will want to
march next?
Race relations in western Green-
uner County are excellent. We don't
need these purveyors of hate, vio-
lence and lynchings in our county.
Let them go back 1o North Carolina
or Georgia or wherever they came
from and stay!! I'm sure 99.99% of
assisted my firm in completing the
project in a timely fashion. Had it not
been for the help of the merchants
the project would still not be com-
plete.
I hope that the residents enjoy
the finished 13reject and can assure
everyone that the quality exceeds
the requirements specified in every
ties in our communities and state.
Then take actions appropriate to
correct them. As a start for equity,
it's time to demand that the county
commtssion face up to whatever
reason, then overcome it and levy
the hotel-motel tax on the Green-
brier Hotel. If establishments such
as the Brier Inn can pay it and make
a profit, it sure won't bankrupt the
Greenbrier. If the unemployed and
underemployed can sustain 10 per
cent The Greenbrier can cough up 3
per cent.
It's time for all candidates, county
and state, to come forth and tell us
---the voters, tax payers and citi-
zens what their position is on such
vital issues as tax equity, educa-
tional reform and funding, recall and
referendum, economic development,
county and statewide zoning, that all
segmems of the poPulace can live
with, and cross-ticket voting in pri-
maries. It's true, most (if not all)
these bills have been through the
paper mill repeatedly only to be
pushed aside by a few well-place
individuals m committee. If these
would-be representatives feel so
the wonderful people in our county
snare my wews.
Sincerely
Pritchard Farley Collins
Rupert
Dear Editor:
Subject: Edgar Avenue
detail, secure to continuously disregard the
In a recent letter to the editor I electorate's wishes maybe it's time
understand that I purchased a new for a mass switch in party registra-
house and Mercedes after complet- tion.
mg the Ronceverte Streetscape J.W. Pennington
Project. A portion of that statement Fairlea
is true; the Mercedes is financed for
five years and, the payment is Dear Editor:
Once a nice brick paved street, $597.86 per month, as for the
but rutted and des, troyed by ditches, house, I have not purchased a new
created by impropl~r replacement of house or remodeled my existing
streel, by gas, water and sewer house of eleven years; nor have I
service, plus damage by the 1954 any intention of doing so in the near
flood, i fut are,
City Council decided to replace I would hope the good residents
the street. Mr L. G Burns, Auditor of Greenbrier County would evalu-
for the State Tax Commission, and a
good friend, made the appointment
w~th Mr Joe Soto, Tax Commis-
sioner and Joe Burdette, Secretary
of State. Dr Prillman and our friend
Lyle James made the trip and were
kindly received by these men. A pic-
ture of the street was made from the
Chestnut Street bridge. We were
told that full consideration would be
given.
Some two weeks later I made the
trip and met with these men plus Mr
O. R. Shreeve, Sinking Fund Com-
missioner. He was very courteous
and complimentary. I was handed a
large package. He had the estimate
of the cost of replacement, made by
a friend in the State Road commis-
sion. The package contained
$30,000 in printed bonds, ready for
signature. These were sold to our
local banks, and we had the money
to proceed. Mr Ernest Livesay, a
good citizen, contacted the C & O
Railway property agent in Hunting-
ton, and soon a survey party arrived
and surveyed off the street, with
much additional width. An engineer-
mg firm from Roanoke, Virginia was
employed to prepare drawings and
specifications. A contract to Ray and
Frank Cavendish was let and we
were underway. We hit a problem at
the intersection of Cedar Street, but
a local quarry sent us 100 tons of
stone to stabilize the base.
We Had a problem in replacing
the storm sewer, but this was
worked out by using the sales tax
ate the credibility of any employee
who has been dismissed and look at
the finished product.
Thanks Again,
G. Gary Hissom
Vice President
Highland Construction
(A Division of
Journey's End, Inc.)
Dear Editor:
In January 1990 the Greenbrier
County Commission, by a majority
vote, increased property owner tax
by 10 per cent, with very little fan-
fare or explanation of intended use
of funds. To date, no question or ob-
jection has been forthcoming from
the tax payer. Presumably due to
one of two reasons, (A) the public
still sleeps and cares less what
elected representatives do that af-
fects our rights and freedoms, or (B)
we have one again been cajoled
into believing tax increase is de-
manded by dire needs that justify
any action.
No question that the county gov-
ernment needs for additional funds
are real. However before an addi-
tional tax burden is placed on the
back of the general public, actions
must be taken to collect all tax cur-
rently on the books and tax equity
obtained through re-evaluation of
corporate and absentee land own-
ers to increase taxation of their hold-
ings to the same percentage that we
the public must pay.
We the public must find the real
reasons for the flagrant tax inequi-
Would any reader know the au-
thor or where the following poem
came from?
I picked this up from the floor of a
Navy barracks during World War II.
I have often wondered how the
writer's life turned out.
I know that God alone created you
for me to love.
He picked you out from all the rest
because He knew I love you best.
I once had a heart so tender and
true, but now it has gone from me
to you. Take care of it as I have
done because you have two and I
have none.
If I should die and go to heaven and
you're not there, Ill paint your face
on the Golden stairs so all the an-
gels may know and see what
you, my dear, mean to me.
And if you don't arrive by Judgment
Day, Ill know you have gone the
other way, and just to show what
you mean to me, Ill give the an
gels back their harp, golden wings
and everything, and, Ill go to Hell,
my dear, just for you.
Paul R. Lilly
Lewisburg
Dear Editor:
After much deliberation and
many family discussions at home, I
finally reached the decision to stand
and be counted with the other
16,000 teachers in 47 counties who
walked out of their classrooms last
week. Although I did not strike, I did
attend rallies in Charleston and met
with legislators to discuss educa-
tional issues -- underfunded insur-
ance, retirement, equity and teacher
pay increase. Teacher salary in-
creases were not the main issue,
but just one small part of a legisla-
tive system that has continually ig-
nored the pleas of educators to ad-
dress the many problems that
plague our state system. I will ex-
plain a few points:
1. Cost of Education --
Teacher's salaries have been com-
pared to other state employees. The
Charleston Gazette on Saturday
(March 17) compared an average
state employee salary of $19,000 to
an average teacher salary of
$21,000. I don't know how much
education is involved for other aver-
age state employees, but by today's
figures a 4-year degree for an in-
state pubiic institution would cost
$77,000, according to NEA TODAY
(an educator's journal). Keep in
mind that teachers are required to
upgrade their certification and many
choose to pursue higher degrees
and continue to attend workshops,
seminars, and conferences to stay
attuned to current trends in educa-
tion. Teachers in this county must
travel at their own personal expense
to other areas in order to pursue a
higher degree in education beyond
the 4-year degree. There is no com-
pensation for this expense.
2. Loss of our most valuable
resource -- our young college
graduates -- Multitudes of young
college graduates continue their
exodus from this state in pursuit of
greener pastures. Higher pay and
better benefits can be found in any
of the surrounding states. I, too,
chose that route 29 years ago but
returned in 1975 to what I hoped
was a splendid future for education
in West Virginia. At that time, West
Virginia ranked 34th in the nation on
the salary scale. Since that year, is-
sues in education have not been
satisfactorily addressed and we
have now plunged to next to last in
salaries, 49th in the nation. How
then, can we expect to attract busi-
ness into West Virginia and ulti-
mately into Pocahontas County?
3. Teachers today are expected
to be all things to many students
-- Caretaker, counselor, nurse, psy-
chologist, nutrition expert and many
more. With a changing set of values
in the home and the prevalence of
TV, students now are exposed to
violence, adultery, drugs, etc. even
before entering school. It is the
teacher's job to try and focus on the
positive and restore a sense of nor-
malcy to an environment that is
swirling with adversity. Gone are the
days when a teacher could do what
she was hired to do. TEACH! Kids
have special needs today and these
needs have to be identified by class-
room teachers and addressed im-
mediately. No profession is more
challenging, more stressful, more
time-consuming of personal time,
yet more rewarding than teaching.
4. Recht Decision -- In 1984 the
West Virginia Supreme Court re-
quired that the state give children in
all counties equal education. This
plan was to be implemented over a
three-year period with implementa-
tion to be completed by 1987. We
still have not achieved equity. Also,
several counties have added sup-
plements to their teachers' base
state salary. This may be actual dol-
lars as well as additional insurance
such as dental and optical. Here, in
Pocahontas County, teachers do not
have this.
In retrospect, one important as-
pect of the strike has been to in-
crease awareness of the issues in
education. If, as the WVEA (West
Virginia Education Association) plan
calls for, a comprehensive plan to
deal with all of education evolves
from this strike I can see very posi-
tive effects that will benefit all of
education in the future. These last
two weeks have certainly height-
ened my awareness of the legisla-
tive process and I can assure you
that in the future my attitude towards
our legislators will be one of interest
and concern and I will be making
decisions on Election Day based on
issues that concern the students of
our county and state.
Education is an investment in
your future.
Jan McNeel
Pocahontas County
Hillsboro School
Dear Friends:
Renick Parents Advisory Com-
mittee and other civic organizations
of the Falling Springs School District
take pleasure in inviting you to par-
ticipate in our Home Town Celebra-
tion to be held the weekend of May
12, 1990.
Beginning at 1 p.m., a variety of
activities are planned, including:
Games and competition for young
and old, such as sack races, egg
toss, three-legged races and others
such as horseshoe pitching, cross-
cut sawing. We expect many partici-
pants to erect displays of craft and
art projects and hobbies, and sev-
eral organizations will have refresh-
ment booths.
There will be a parade, starting at
10 a.m., and plenty of opportunity
for socializing with old friends in
town for this event. A square dance
will be held at the Renick Fire House
on the evening of the 12th and, if
past experience can be used to
judge, a good time can be expected
by all.
If you would like to participate
there will be no charge for display
space or for a concession booth.
However, we would appreciate a
donation to help defray the costs of
organizing and publicizing this
event, and to contribute to the Ren-
ick PAC's funds which are used to
benefit academic programs at Ren-
iok Junior High. Please contact, by
April 20, Debbie Sponaugle, P. O.
Box 43, Renick, 24966.
Dear Editor:
The West Virginia Business and
Industry Council (BIC) commended
Governor Gaston Caperton for the
diligent work, patient attitude, and
leadership he has exhibited during
the recent crisis facing our state's
educational system.
BiC opposes any teacher com-
pensation and educational reform
plan which is not comprehensive in
nature, and which is based on the
imposition of massive amounts of
new taxes on West Virginia busi-
nesses or citizens. As we have
stated previously, it is time to stop
measuring our state's educational
standards solely on th~
money spent, since West
ready ranks fourth highest
tion in per capita
cation, and we currently
per cent of our $1.758
budget on education.
BIC urges the
steps to bring West
with all national
and personnel
ment of both
and other state school
components to reflect
ages, as was outlined
Governor's Task Force
Compensation, will
ginia teachers to be paid
above the national
stated goal of teacher
tives! Coupled with an
implementation of the
property reappraisal, this
achieving national
ages will place West
forefront of education
a position of leadership,
toward the twent
BIC believes that
taken to place West Virg
cation system at, or
tional educational
categories, the best
West Virginia citizens,
most precious resource,
dren, and the guideposts
mative years, our
protected now, and in the
Appalachian Power
Associated Builders &
tors; Builders Supply
of West Virginia;
ing Company, Inc.;
machinery Company;
Regional Chamber of
& Development; con~
Coal Company;
soclation of West
Transmission Cor
ible Pavements counC
Virginia; Independent
Association of West
Merit Enterprises; wesl
Chamber of CommerCe,
sociation, Consumer
sociation, Hospital
Hospitality &
Manufacturers
ing & Reclamation
Motor Truck
leum Council,
ers & Convenience
ciation, Retailers
State Medical A
Drink Association.
Dear Editor:
The Legislature
sixty-day session.
time on a lot of
and failed to address tt"
lems of the state:
giving Citizens a voice
ment (Initiative, Refere~
Recall). They spent th
following the
Interests. These speC
groups are not
problems, and mine.
concern is to shoW
Continued
Page 5-A,
