4A The Mountain Messenger, Thursday, April 26, 1990
Trustworthiness, moral-
ity, legality -- these are all
elements one must deal
with when one takes on
responsibility-- especially
when one is a politician or
is employed by (or serves)
a public organization sup-
ported by contributions.
For example: we have
heard former Governor
Arch A. Moore's confession
of guilt -- where he admit-
ted he had breached the
trust we had placed in
him; forgotten his moral
obligations; dismissed the
law of our state. To most
West Virginians, this was
no revelation. We knew Mr
Moore did not take hon-
esty, morality, legality, or
trustworthiness too seri-
ously (even as we voted
him into an unprece-
dented second term as
governor!) Mr Moore's
tragedy is not his alone --
it is a tragedy for all West
Virginlans.
Our complicity with Mr
Moore is multi-faceted. If
we voted tor Mr Moore, we
must accept responsibility
for placing our trust in a
person who -we knew was
not trustworthy. If we did
not vote for Mr Moore and
we did not demand he be
impeached for his criminal
activities, then we must be
held equally accountable.
The time has come for
West Virginia to expect
and demand the very best
from those who have the
responsibility (and enjoy
the benefits) of serving the
public. Too long have we
been content with less
than the best. We must
not let our motto become
"Mountaineers are always
fr, e-- to be used".
The exercise of power is
a very delicate matter. For
those who find themselves
(or put themselves) in po-
sitions of power, the re-
sponsibilities are awe-
some. Every powerful per-
son must always keep the
welfare of those whom
they serve uppermost in
their mind. They must put
"sell" aside and work for
the commonweal. Elitists
must be given no quarter
in a democracy.
The Moore tragedy is re-
peated daily all over the
world (and, yes, also here
in Greenbrier, Pocahontas.
and Monroe counties)
when the powerful be-
come blinded by their own
importance and begin to
believe they know what ls
best for Everyman.
Everyman does have his
chance, however. He has
the right and the obliga-
tion to vote.
-- Chas. A. Goddard
STAFF
Chas. A. Goddard, Editor
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~IXIIIIIIII Iili Illlil IlIlI IIl llIIIllN.
To the
By Jonathan Wright
Ever since the timing was
changed on the traffic light in front of
the Ronceverte City Hall, I have
done my best to get it changed
back. I have spoken to quite a num-
ber of public figures in the river city,
for I strongly believe you should at-
ways take your gripes to the people
who can do something about it.
All have listened politely and
sympathetically. Their positive reac-
tions to the case I set before them
encouraged me and gave me hope.
I'm still hanging onto that hope---
because nothing has been done yet!
Most people who have ever been
passengers in my car know I don't
do a lot of speeding. I usually don't
get hot under the collar at traffic
lights, for all in the Greenbrier Valley
are timed to regulate traffic evenly
and reasonably--except the one in
Ronceverte.
Before late last fall, drivers along
U. S. 219 (Main Street) could expect
the traffic light at City Hall to stay on
for a reasonable amount of time. It
allowed a large number of vehicles
to get through before drivers enter-
ing the highway from Cedar Street
got the green lig.ht.
That was the way it should be.
Traffic counts on Cedar Street are
but a mere fraction of what comes
barreling through on U. S. 219, for
U. S. 219 is a major north-south
highway. It would only seem reason-
able, then, for the light to
to stay green at least 40
end for U. S. 219 traffic,!
Cedar Street drivers are
15 or 20 seconds.
Lewisburg's busy U. S
60 intersection uses that
more heavily traveled
U. S. 219, whose
green light lasting a
seconds. U. S. 60 drivers
seconds to make it
That's the way it
though some U. S. 60
argue that point at
Now--what about the '.
for the Ronceverte
five seconds for U. S.
and 20 for Cedar Street.
boils down to is this:
changing far too often,
tying up U. S. 219
times when nothing,
nothing, is coming off
It's a simple matter of
efficiency is not being
traffic light.
Every time I appr0=
dreaded signal from a
sign myself to slowing
at an unnatural pace,
there's no way I will make
before it turns red again,
always been that way. I~
stand why nothing is
correct it.
Enough. My collar's
smoke.
One of West Virginia's Finest Newspapers
ountain
essenger
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THE MOUNTAIN MESSENGER
122 North Court Street * Lewisburg, W. Va. 24901
Dear Editor:
I was in Ronceverte this Easter
weekend past, visiting a relative, I
took advantage of the weather Sat-
urday to walk the banks of the
Greenbrier as it flows past the island
Park. The river was incredibly beau-
tiful, and I was pleased to see a ca-
noe rental business which was new
since I last was here,
My purpose in writing is to ex-
press concern over what I now
understand is a project of civic pride
being constructed across from the
ball field. I speak not of the amphi-
theater, but of what I have been told
is going to be a riverside picnic area.
The area I speak of is a low-lying
area which functions as a backwater
area for the river when It is high.
Many sycamores and~other species
grow in this space, helping to hold
the riverbank and undoubtabty slow-
ing the water in time o~ flood. As I
am newly acquainted with the joy of
wild flower hunting, I was excited to
find numerous species springing
forth in this tiny corner of Roncev-
erte. Mayapples and violets, Virginia
bluebells and wild geranium, and at
least eight other species I could not
identify. As i toured this haven, I
contemplated the solitude and q uiet
offered in this spot, contrasting with
the might and power of the green
river flowing swiftly and endlessly
just a few yards away. I also oh-
served two other visitors to this
sanctuary, one seemingly enjoying
the day as much as !, and the other
hard ~t work. The former was a Ca-
nadian goose, paddling the still pool
noiselessly and effortlessly, I
thought perhaps a nest was near,
but saw none, though most probably
they are better at hiding than I am at
finding. ! did observe, however, that
his (or her) left leg had been
banded. Some wildlife official, no
doubt, had interest in this feathered
fellow previous to mine. The other
visitor was a woodpecker -- a sap-
sucker or flicker or ladderback
(sorry, rm still learning my birds). He
was drumming his beak on a high
branch, rattatat,., rattatat. Then he
would cock his head back as if lis-
tening for a reply~ and then repeated
his job all over again. I say job, be-
cause he was working at attracting a
mate; working to continue his spe-
cies in the cycle o{ life.
My joy soon turned to sorrow as I
o .,erved the area I had found now
being filled with residue from the lo-
cal lumber yard. The heavy, dark,
mulch-like material was spread
throughout the area to a thickness
of six to eight feet, burying roots be-
neath debris so as to slowly kill the
towering trees that make the space
so beautiful. Killing whatever flowers
and plants were growing (was there
a rare or undiscovered species
here? it is too late now to know).
The scenario is as clear as it is
sad. Fill in a flood-plain, kill and re-
move the trees, put in a man-made
embankment, plant grass and put
up picnic tables. Where there is any
neighboring backwater area left, it
will also eventually be filled-in, be-
cause of the mosquitoes. Otherwise,
they would hatch and come to
bother the picnickers (good food for
wildlife, but bad for people eating
food). One day the river will rage
again (I do not wish thi ;, but merely
state a fact of nature). In its awe-
some power it will come across its
old familiar flood plain. Instead of
trees to slow its pace,a man-made
structure will block its path. The river
will laugh, and wash all away. After-
ward, no picnic area, no trees, no
wildflowers will be found. Only mud
and rock and ugliness.
By now you say "you don't live
here --- if you don't like what you
see go home (and don't come back
thank you!") But please, you've
read this far, so at least hear me
out. Wouldn't it make more sense to
make this a natural area where chil-
dren and adults could come and
study nature? A footbridge already
exists, and a trail could be devel-
oped at little cost by volunteers (yes,
rll drive back to help out!). The pic-
nic area could surely be placed in
an open area close-by. What a won-
derful civic display this could be{
How many cities in America have
such an opportunity to provide a na-
ture-study area for .their students
and older citizenry near such an his-
toric and scenic waterway? And by
saving trees it would be supporting
President Bush's efforts at the re-
greening of America through tree
planting and.tree appreciation, by
saving wildflowers it would be sup-
porting the passion and lasting leg-
acy of former first-lady, Lady Bird
Johnson.
But you still say, "butt out buddy
-- this is none of your businessL" I
believe natural resources, no matter
how great or small, belong to us all.
It is every citizen's duty to protect
them. I hope someone in this com-
munity might feel as I do and try to
save this niche. Considering all of
the vanishing habitat in America,
here is an opportunity to keep more
"wild" in "wonderful West Virginia."
Thank you for letting me express
myself.
J. Michael McMahan
Charlottesville, Virginia
Dear Editor:
As our (West Virginia's) image
has diminished to the lowest level
yet and humiliation and shame have
descended upon the people, it's
time we arise and try in every way
we can to improve the unfortunate
image some have caused us.
When a person is hurt by
someone's ill-mannered remark, a
snub, slight or slur, or some unkind-
ness, it is a very serious thing to the
victim. Sometimes a sensitive per-
son lives with that offense all his or
her life. it causes a wound that
never heals.
And that is serious, sad and
cruel.
Multiply that by the some two mil-
lion West Virgimans who must live
with the hurt and embarrassment
they suffer because of the greed
and selfishness of some of those we
honor with our votes. The offender
seems to have no remorse for their
offenses --- not even an "I'm sorry."
Well, yes, I'm sorry for them. Their
sins will find them out.
We can repair some of the dam-
age to our image by being better
citizens, better West Virginians. That
is, those of use who are not perfect.
We can be more courteous and con-
siderate of others when driving,
more friendly, less arrogant, more
humble. Show kindness to everyone
we meet, do not litter, smile at
someone now and then.
Let us not avenge the hurt these
misguided men have done to us.
Rather, be happy we have so many
good people who do so much for
others. Be happy for those who min-
ister to shut-ins, get their groceries,
take them to their doctor, visit with
them, cheer them and pray for them.
Surely we can overcome our
lowly image if we care enough. Then
visitors, strangers, tourists will say:
"My, these West Virginians surely
are good people, warm and friendly,
courteous, helpful, and very, very
kind.
Let our light shine . . . in West
Virginia.
Sincerely
Henry Dunn
Lewisburg
Dear Editor:
Education is once again in the
news as our state grapples with the
legitimate demands of teachers and
the real problems of a faltering
economy. In spite of the temporary
controversy engendered by the re-
cent teacher strike, we at the West
Virginia Federations of Teachers
(WVFT) believe that all segments of
our state must work together to put
West Virginia back on its feet. We
remain convinced that education is
the key to a brighter future. We also
believe that the time to begin is now.
That's why WVFT is developing a
comprehensive plan to improve our
schools, our tax base and our state
economy.
We believe teachers have an im- ~
portant role to play in leading West
Virginia out of economic depression.
But we also know we can't do it
alone. We need help from business,
labor, our elected leaders and the
people of our state. We recognize
too that partnership means coopera-
tion and evenhandedness on all
sides.
In the coming months, we intend
to develop a broad plan to create a
more equitable tax base and intro-
duce innovative and effective edu-
cation reforms in our schools. WVFT
will reach out to the entire commu-
nity to begin the economic redevel-
opment of our state.
The attached op-ed explains how
and why we are proceeding and just
what we hope to accomplish. We
believe that these issues are vital to
all West Virginians. And we hope
you will agree.
After the Teachers' Strike:
A Primer for Progress
The recent teacher strike may
have sparked controversy. But it can
light our way to success. While rea-
sonable people can disagree about
the strike's merits, one thing all
West Virginians can agree on is that
it's time for our state to move ahead.
It may seem paradoxical, but I
believe this is the best time for West
Virginians to build a consensus on
the kind of school system we want
and on the way that system wilt
shape West Virginia's future.
It's time to abandon tired tech-
niques such as the assembly-line
approaches that dominate too many
of our classrooms and forego would-
be panaceas like merit pay.
Our state, like our schools, must
be freed from outdated education.
To do that, the West Virginia Fed-
eration of Teachers (WVFT) is de-
veloping a four-point approach to
help our state compete in the de-
manding world of the 1990s:
*Develop Data -- Researchers
at the American Federation of
Teachers (AFL-CIO), WVFT's par-
ent organization, are already taking
a hard look at our state economy,
our tax base and our educational
system. They're asking tough ques-
tions: Can we afford to continue ex-
porting our best and brightest stu-
dents? How can we train our stu-
dents in the skills they'll need to
help our state succeed in the 21 st
century? Can we remain at or near
the bottom nationally in the share of
households headed by high school
and college graduates? What is the
fairest way to finance the investment
we need in public education? We
are talking with teachers, parents,
business people and West Virgini-
ans all over our state to find out
what's wrong and how to make it
right.
*Prepare a Plan -- Later this
spring, we will bring together these
ideas in a practical plan to show
how our schools and our state can
change. Can we, for example, con-
tinue to rely so heavily on shrinking
industries as coal, steel and glass
while failing to capitalize on our
prime location near major East
Coast markets? Can we continue to
straitjacket county school districts by
mandating so much from Char-
leston? Do we need more flexibility
at the local level in allocating re-
sources?
*Build Consensus -- Teachers
alone will never change our state.
We need broad support from busi-
ness, labor, government and com-
munity groups who understand that
today's students are tomorrow's
workers, we must stop exporting so
many of our educated citizens --
both students and teachers. Skilled
workers work smarter and attract
new businesses. Skilled workers
earn high wages that
quality education and the
cal public services
needs to reverse our
cline.
*Pass Legislation ~ I
scenarios, plans
are useless unless
policy. Only a
coalition will convince
and the governor that
reform means
goal must be action
we are ever to
ages and dark attitudes
the strike. Openness
as well as
from all sides if we
Our state will face
challenges in the 1990s as
ern Panhandle is
Washington, D.C.
tech growth Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh; and
mental regulations
chemicals. Change
The question is :
pared for it?
Quality education ""
educators --- aren't the
swer, but if We invest in1
they will pay handsome
tomorrow.
West Virginl8
of
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