COMMENTARY

ON THE MARK... Hurricane And Kyoto Protocol
Commentary
By Mark Hallburn
Publisher
PutnamLIVE.com

Hurricane Mayor Scott D. Edwards wants the town to "Go Green."

There's never been a                                    doubt in anyone's mind                                   that the politician                                     loves the color green,                                    as in money, but some                                 were caught by                                      surprise that he wants                                     Hurricane to join the                                 Kyoto Protocol, and                                      make his town more                                environmentally sound.

It's easy to understand why Edwards' detractors,. and there are many, would doubt his sincerity.

First, Edwards heavily promoted the Wal-Mart. This 180,000-plus square foot monster was built on a hillside that was blasted away and a pond that was filled in when there were several other more suitable sites in Hurricane to build the supercenter.

Then there are the thousands of trees that were burned for Silly Scotty's Wally-World. They have never been replaced with others in Hurricane, a requirement that Edwards, former Mayor F. Raymond Peak, and both council's should have demanded.

The pollution from the thousands of cars that travel to Wal-Mart every week is sending particles and dust into the nearby neighborhood, causing problems for innocent neighbors who simply want to breathe clean air. And the noise pollution from the cars to Wal-Mart, Dollar Tree, and other stores is making life miserable for Hurricane residents that have lived in town before Edwards was born.

All the while, Edwards turns his back on his constituents.

Then there's the matter of Edwards' personal vehicle that he also drives for city business. It may be the largest personal vehicle in Hurricane.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PutnamLIVE.com snapped this photo at Wal-Mart where Edwards needlessly burned fossil fuel as he drove around the parking lot, honked his horn at our camera, but never stopped in the store to buy anything. This from the man that told the Charleston Newspapers that city employees should ride together to save gasoline.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edwards huge black Chevrolet isn't his only gas guzzler. His business owns several vans and we also took this picture of another SUV as it left his home. Why doesn't Mayor Edwards own a Toyota Prius? They are very easy on gasoline!

Of course Mayor Edwards also has issues at his business. Last August we told you about missing siding, holes in siding, and this broken window with a bullet hole allowing hot air to escape. Eight months later, Edwards hasn't repaired his building while City of Hurricane employees harass residents about the condition of their properties. Why the double standard? Because King Scottie is allowed to get away with an eyesore of a building while his citizens are faced with potential fines from City Hall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course, Mayor Edwards isn't the only City of Hurricane elected official that is out-of-touch with environmental sensitivity. March 29th of this year we took this photo of cardboard boxes tossed near the street beside Councilwoman Patty Hager's home and business. The boxes remained for several days and we doubt they were recycled.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Across town at Councilman C. Brian Ellis' Mountaineer 4x4 store, PutnamLIVE.com shot a photo of this huge SUV. We doubt it gets an environmental-friendly 30 miles per gallon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No one wants to discourage the City of Hurricane from becoming more energy-efficient and environmentally sensitive. Taking care of our planet is a great idea. However, city officials need to "Walk their talk" and set examples. Otherwise they look and sound like a bunch of hypocritical politicians blowing hot air.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark

Hallburn