Letters To The Publisher
"The People's Voice"

 

Hold Public Servants Accountable For Words

Considering the lies and distortions of the presidential candidates, it has become painfully clear that there is a double standard at work.

If a person lies on his or her employment application, then he or she likely will not be hired. The words of those campaigning for office become an employment application, of sorts. Sen. Hillary Clinton isn't doing so well on hers.

Her recent "misstatement" about ducking sniper fire and running for cover in Bosnia is appalling. If we don't do something about the corrupt behavior of office seekers, our complacency could very well be our undoing.

Daniel B. Jeffs
Apple Valley, California

 

McCain Playing It Smart, Dems In Chaos

Because I am 16, I will not be able to vote in the 2008 Presidential election.  Although I am disappointed my voice will not be heard, there is still plenty I can do to help spread the word for my party and my candidate.

All we see when we turn on the six o'clock news is an image of Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama, each of which stumping for votes and clawing at each others necks.  Obama calls Hillary this, Hillary calls Obama that, and as radio commentary Rush Limbaugh put it, "Operation Chaos" has ensued.  Meanwhile, Republican nominee-to-be John McCain sits back and pools resources to prepare for the upcoming general election.  I, personally, love it.

This type of a divided race on the Democratic ticket is awesome for our party.  It shows the undecidedness and unpreparedness by the Democrats and the bitter opposition between Clinton and Obama.  Behind the plastered-on smiles of their faces stands a hatred of one another.  Clinton thinks she has the experience to take on McCain in November while Obama is playing the change game.  He thinks that because he was a Senator in Illinois for 2 years that it somehow qualifies him for the Presidency.

I've heard many fellow West Virginians who are true to the Democratic Party say the same thing:  these two clowns do not represent the traditional values of their party.  I stand for many things, and I base my values primarily on my faith.  I stand for pro-life, pro-family beliefs, as well as for gun rights and for defending our homeland.  We are making progress in Iraq as well as in Afghanistan, and all the sacrifices our military has made would be lost if someone like Barack Hussein Obama or Hillary Clinton comes in and decides to rip our troops out of where they were called upon to go.

While John McCain may not be my personal choice for the Presidency (as I believe he is not conservative as he could be), he is heads and shoulders above either Clinton or Obama.  I hope that everyone will vote their values when it comes election time, and not vote for someone without doing some research first.

Aaron Kidd
Hurricane

 

Leave The Street Sweeper Alone

We're tired of you whining about the Wal-Mart street sweeper. The guy is trying to earn a living. He can't get a "real job" working "real hours" so he "works" driving in circles at a Wally World at 2:00 a.m. So what if he disrupts your neighborhood. If he doesn't work at 2:00 a.m., what else will he do with his time? If he doesn't work, then he'll be on welfare and have to SHOP at Wal-Mart. As for your belief that you have the right to peace and quiet, Dream on Alice, you live in Hurricane. Citizens don't have rights in Hurricane. Only King Edwards calls the shots. Just ask him.

Gerald Harper
Culloden

 

Thanks For Your Very Respectful Coverage

Thanks for the very respectful coverage of our recent loss of Samantha.  We appreciate your understanding.

Mark Hopkins
Band Director
Buffalo High School

 

I Appreciate The Wonderful Job You Do

I read your website almost daily to keep up on the news from "down home" and appreciate the wonderful job you do. 

Tammy (Badgley) Chancey
Ann Arbor, Michigan

 

Stone Cartoon Is "Repulsive!!!"

The new cartoon featuring Mayor Ron Stone is repulsive!!! Yes most politicians care about no one but themselves, but NO ONE should in NO WAY be compared to the Christ being crucified on the Cross. I have laughed and enjoyed so many of your past cartoons, but this is not only offensive, but mockery to God. I think you should reconsider your posting of something so blasphemous.   

Nathan Cobb
Buffalo

 

PutnamLIVE.com "Rocks!"

I love PutnamLIVE.com! You guys rock!

Loretta Hilton
Bancroft

Money For Nothing Paves The Road To Hell

Mr. Jacobs seems a tad upset about recent letters in which readers state their view of people on welfare.

He threatens discrimination charges.

To begin with if he had actually read the letters and understood the content, he would see that we were not talking about the elderly who had worked all their lives. We are talking about the people who have never worked a day in their lives and are 3rd and 4th generation welfare scum. (My personal view, not the view of PutnamLIVE.com). These individuals have never contributed to society. They are takers, who only want to take more.
 
How have we discriminated against your mother? Have we denied her any of her rights as given by the Constitution? Have we denied her service in a restaurant, hotel, store, or public building because she is on welfare? Have we denied her a job, healthcare, or the right to travel and speak due to her receiving welfare?
 

No discrimination has occurred. Who do you plan on filing charges with, and for what cause of discrimination?

People have the right to state their views, even if they offend others. We also have he responsibility for our actions of stating such views.

Those of us who work are sick and tired of those who do not and never have.  How long can we continue to support these people? If we did not have to shell out welfare then maybe the elderly would get more social security.

I believe that all able bodied people of working age that get welfare checks should be put into work camps like the old WPA and CCC. Money for nothing paves the road to Hell.

John Estes
Teays Valley

 

What Happened To "Nice" Putnam County?

What has happened to the nice quiet little towns?  I was born in Plymouth and raised in Bancroft.  I have relatives in Hurricane, etc.  It was such a good place to live in the 40s and 50s.  So, what has happened?

I see drug reports, molesters, theft and crime of political officers.  The areas sound like metro cities, not Putnam County.

I know "progress" is bound to happen and that we no longer live in the age of innocence, but I didn't think the people would change that much.  I haven't -  and I haven't lived there since the 50s.  The beliefs and ideals that were formed when I was a child living there and going to church there have followed me all 66 years of my life.

I haven't been back for many years.  All of my immediate family is deceased, but I always thought I would like to come back sometime.  But, after what I read - I don't think so.

The towns were church-centered and everyone helped everyone.  What a shame.

Hope everyone gets back to God and to each other.

Connie King Kerner
St. Mary's, Pennsylvania

 

Stop Posting Stuff About "Welfare"

I Suggest That If You Don’t Want Discrimination Charges brought against you, you stop posting stuff about “welfare.”My mother is 78 years old and she has worked all for life,and now that’s she is 78 she has to get welfare and Social Security. I pissed off enough now that is wouldn’t bother me a bit to file charges..

Daniel Jacobs
Poca

 

Today, Wally World. Tomorrow, Golden Corral

If you think the traffic is bad outside of Wal-Mart, you should go inside. Twenty check-out counters and only three open. I stood in line for 45 minutes to make my purchase. It was good to see that all the welfare cases have already found their way to the new Wally World. Now if Hurricane can get a Golden Corral the welfare cases will truly be happy.

Cynthia Jahani
Scott Depot

 

Captive Audience Bill Bad For WV Businesses

The 'Captive Audience' bill that is currently being run through the state legislature, if enacted, will be yet another black eye for our state.  Why in the world would our legislature want to send a message to the business world like this?  They want business to come to our state and create jobs, but refuse to provide a business friendly environment.  The unions want the jobs, but they also want to control the 'evil' companies.  And the legislature, controlled for over 70 years by liberal democrat lawyers, want this bill enacted into law for self-serving reasons.  Why would any business want to be subjected to this risk?  They would face the potential of litigation up to their eyeballs.  Virginia is a right to work state and look at their business climate.  West Virginia is a right to strike judicial cesspool.  'nuff said.  And it will be interesting to see if Emperor Joe will sign this bill if it makes it to his desk.  70+ years of a democrat controlled legislature, and where are we?  One of the most business UNfriendly states in the country.  And, fellow West Virginians, it is not going to change unless we throw the bums out.

Randall Bradford
Hurricane

 

Wal-Mart Welcomed At Any Cost

I am a Putnam county resident.  I have lived here for six years.  I have watched development unfold in this community just in the short time I have lived here.  So, I can imagine what the residents of the community who have lived here their whole lives have had encroached upon them, as they have had to sit back and watch economic growth in what ever form it comes. I visit your web site somewhat regularly. Along with the community news, I read your ‘Enduring Wal-Mart’ commentary.  I find it both informational and entertaining.  It is sometimes redundant, but I guess that is your point.  And, I sympathize with anyone with a baby and wanting the most comfortable and safe environment for them.

First let me say, I don’t shop for all things at Wal-Mart, but I do go to the Wal-Mart in Cross Lanes/Nitro. And, I have shopped our new Wal-Mart. 

I am a stay at home mother and step mother to four children 12 and under.  So, you can imagine why it is important for our family to take the time to find places to shop that accommodate our budget.   

I am a Kroger shopper for many things, but have found the prices out of range for my budget for many things.  That has been the experience for a lot of the smaller scale grocery stores, as they have to make a huge profit on toiletries and other sundries in order to sell grocery items at their “sale” prices.  It isn’t rocket science.  And, I realize most people realize this to be true. 

When I was growing up, my mother, who raised all five of her children on her own after my father was killed, shopped at the three local grocery stores in the small town where I grew up.  It depended on what was on sale at which store.  It was how she did it to get the most for her meager income.

Second, I will say that I was one of those idiot consumers you make reference to, who drove up to the Wal-Mart in the last month or so to “check it out” before it opened.  I guess I just had to see the debacle for myself.  The entrance was a little strange to me.  I envisioned traffic nightmares at pivotal shopping times of the year. 

I must say, I would be somewhat bothered if I were a resident on that hill.  Their nighttimes are forever interrupted by the light and noise of the Wal-Mart and other retail stores.  So, I can see your point.  Unfortunately, it is there to stay.  I hope that someone buys your house and the others as well so you do not have to ‘endure’ this much longer.  I mean that sincerely.

However, please try to remember that there are people in and around this community who have welcomed this Wal-Mart at any cost because they need to have a place to buy product where they can afford it.  It is unfortunate that is at the cost of residents who have lived here a long time in peaceful communities.  But, most of those shoppers have no idea who you are or what you stand for. 

To speak of your community as lemmings flocking to buy cheap Chinese shoes is absurd and name calling.  And, I realize you have become a name caller out of frustration.  But, it is not the fault of families who have embraced the idea of a cheaper place to buy their goods than the locally owned grocery store where they cannot afford to buy anything extra.

Try having a little sympathy in knowing that people will not have to drive 15 to 20+ minutes away to go to the store.  Have you seen the price of gas.  A lot of those people who shopped on that day despite the weather, may have only had that day to do it.  Did you think of that?  I was one of those people.

Lemmings, really?

Debbie Talley
Putnam County

 

Lord Scotty's House Can't Provide Product

Who's runnin' that popsicle stand?

Not sure if this has anything to do with not receiving new shipments due to the weather like the mall location said happened to them, or if they just forgot to show the employees how to restock.

The Barboursville Wal-Mart on Saturday night was totally out of a lot of things I usually get and claimed that they haven't had a truck in 2 days because of the weather and didn't even have much left in back stock.

Sunday night at the Hurricane location, it looked more like a going out of business sale where prices have already been marked down to 50% off.

The 3-4 aisles of frozen foods were at least 75-80% empty, the meat department was 65% empty, no Nesquik Chocolate Milk at either location, no garlic bread left at all in Hurricane "I re-walked the frozen foods section several times before I found where they have their garlic bread", I did find 1 box of the cheap brand and 3-4 packages but I don't want that stuff.

The whole store looks like a one time sale "no restocking to take place".

Hope ya don't want a Totino's Pizza! while there, yeah they're out of them.

I'm still stunned at this hour how empty that place is.

I doubt the situation has changed much since I left there a little after 10:00 pm except more merch going out the door.

The house that Lord Scotty built can't even provide product to their customers.

There will be a lot of backlash from the public over this if they don't do something.

Jason Sloan
Culloden

 

Not Everyone Is Thrilled About Wal-Mart

First, I would like to thank all of the residents of Hurricane that went to the council meeting last Monday night in protest of Scott Edward’s attempt at creating his “own” world.  (I know, the concept is SCARY)  I would also like to thank those that sent letters to PutnamLIVE.com regarding the issue. 

I live across the street from the new Wal-Mart. I’ve been a silent victim for almost two years now.  I’ve endured blasting, dust/dirt, loud motors, and the destruction of the beautiful surroundings that once existed. 

Now, before someone jumps and says, “Why don’t you just move”, let me set the record straight:  If we could afford to pay the house payment and pay for another place to live, we would have left long before construction began.  Unfortunately, this is just not an option for us. We have pleaded with the City of Hurricane and the PCDA to buy us out, but we have been unsuccessful.  We’ve had the house listed with 4 different realtors and this was unsuccessful. 

When the city approved the access to the Wal-Mart and allowed the construction company to drop the road about 12 feet below our property levels, our option to sell vanished.  We no longer have a right-of-way that is wide enough for commercial zoning.  Again, this was done without any thought or regard to how it would affect the homeowners. 

Now, the Wal-Mart is open and everyone is thrilled. Well, not everyone.  Now we have a whole other nightmare to endure and nobody cares.  The traffic is an absolute mess. When you’re sitting on the side of the Interstate waiting to exit at Hurricane, pick up your cell phone and call City Hall and thank our "lovely" Mayor for his bad planning.  There’s no reason that access was not better developed except that someone was in over their heads and just didn’t know what they were doing.  If they would have just listened to the tax payers, this would have never happened. 

If what has occurred can happen to us, it can happen to you too.  City and county officials are only worried about the almighty dollar.  They preach “new jobs” for Putnam County, but how many people that work for Wal-Mart can support a family on what they make?  What about benefits?  Our new state slogan is “Open for Business” but people that can make a difference are leaving our state because Wal-Marts are the best we have to offer.  I don’t know about you, but I think it stinks. 

As a community, we need to speak up and speak loud.  Why do you think the mayor of Hurricane was trying to get that ordinance on the books?  He knows that traffic complaints are going to come out of the woodwork and it would have been a lot easier to deal with the complaints if he had been able to call up the police chief and have the people doing the complaining fined and arrested.  This is the kind of person we have in leadership and it makes me ill! 

I’ve been quiet up to this point, and I’ve let my husband do the talking for us.  If you haven’t figured it out yet, the owner of PutnamLIVE.com is my husband, Mark. He has been criticized and unfairly judged for his comments. He has only tried to protect his family and neighbors. We’ve not only been affected by the frustration, ignorance, and unbelief of everything, but hurt financially. 

I had a baby in August. I have no idea what kind of spring and summer he’ll have. Playing outside at his home will not be an option. 

Let me close with a question: “What would you have done if this had happened to you?  Would you have sat back and let city and county officials walk all over you or would you have spoken out and fought with everything you had inside you to protect your family and financial investment?” 

Dolores Halburn
Hurricane

 

P.O. Boxes At Wal-Mart For Welfare Cases?

I am so happy that Wal-Mart is finally opening. Finally a place for welfare recipients to hang out in style.

I wonder if Wal-Mart could convince the postal service to put in PO Boxes? This way the check could be picked up at Wal-Mart, and they would never have to leave.

This is a sad day for all of Putnam County. I would rather see a manufacturing company that employees one fourth the number of employees at a living wage. This would have a greater economic impact than a bunch of $8 and $9 buck an hour part time jobs. Remember the high cost of the low price.

John Estes
Teays Valley

 

Are Hurricane Council Members Terrorists?

Someone ought to take every one of those Hurricane Council members and fire them. Then put them in jail for terrorism. That is what they proposed: a terrorist act that would make the civil freedoms disappear in that town. Let me know if this comes to pass by the way, it's one the ACLU should hear about.

I think they are terrorists.  Anything designed to circumvent our constitutional rights is terrorism. 

Alison Henritze
Richmond, Virginia

 

Council Needs To Run Civilized City

When the Hurricane Council learns to run a civilized city, people will stop complaining. Instead of updating the complaint ordinance, Edwards and his puppets need to resign and go run Beijing. We don't need them here.

Darlene Westfall
Hurricane

 

Edwards, Behavior Police? Surely You Jest!

Scott Edwards wants to jail people for what he thinks is abnormal behavior? Scott Edwards, The same guy that swears in front of children? Scott Edwards, behavior police? Surely you jest!

David Carson
Scott Depot

 

Are They Smoking Crack???

Just like to comment on your websites reporting of the proposed Hurricane ordinance....
 
Are these council men and woman smoking crack??? 
 
I guess it will cut down on residents attending any city hall meetings to voice their thoughts, god given rights & beliefs or objecting to anything.
 
I can picture a city council meeting now...."lets put this to a vote... all oppose raise your hands....OK, officer, arrest those people"...
 
Should also cut down on anyone going outside of their homes.
 
Jack Swint
Huntington

 

Publisher's note: PutnamLIVE.com is pleased to let readers send letters for publication. Please include your full name, city, or community when writing, as well as your telephone number for verification. Please note: It may take several days before your letter appears. Letters should be emailed to: News@PutnamLIVE.com.