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Letters to the Editor

Randolph School Board should listen to parents

Most people love and care for one thing in life, and that is their children and their safety! So, how could the school board think children could travel over those mountains from Harman to Elkins? Those mountains are unsafe. I traveled over that road this morning as a passenger in a car, so I had time to look over these mountains and they are the steepest hills I have ever traveled. The school board, along with Dr. Dilley, this winter need to load up in a bus at the hour you expect the children to leave (make sure it’s on a snowy morning) and ride over to Elkins and back to see ...

Fighting to save the Harman School, again

I’m writing concerning the closure of Harman and Pickens schools. We the people of this community and taxpayers are deeply concerned for these children. The hazardous and lengthy trip over these mountains — not only in the winter, but summer, too — with all the transit trucks running Route 33. If I was a bus driver I would quit before I would take this responsibility on. In one of the Board addendums, I read that there is nothing in Harman to sustain this school. Well, that’s truly wrong. We may not have a Walmart, but we have the Harman Presbyterian Church, the Harman ...

‘Pardon the turkey’ this Thanksgiving?

Later this month, President Biden will pardon two turkeys at the White House, a symbolic gesture of mercy. Yet, every year in the U.S., over 224 million turkeys endure a far grimmer fate. These gentle birds are raised in overcrowded sheds thick with toxic fumes, their beaks and toes clipped to prevent stress-related aggression. At just 16 weeks, they are slaughtered—throats slit, bodies dumped into boiling water for feather removal. Meanwhile, their meat, laden with cholesterol and saturated fat, poses health risks to consumers. But there’s promising news: U.S. turkey ...

Reader: BOE must keep winter roads in mind

My take on the possible consolidation of the two schools, Harman and Pickens. But first, a story.  My father, Carroll Martin, was on the Randolph County Board of Education in the late 60s into the early 70s.  The Superintendent of Schools at the time was Jason Meadows. Both men were local folks so they knew the territory. Mr. Meadows called my father to ask him if he could spend the day riding on a school bus in the Harman area. He told my father that the folks in the Harman area were complaining that their kids were getting home late and sometimes getting to the school late.  ...

Reader: Plant-based diets to the rescue?

There is a problem with our food systems. The recent E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers has led to illness, hospitalization and even death. The CDC, FDA and other health agencies are investigating, with fresh slivered onions and quarter pound beef patties as the suspected sources of contamination. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen outbreaks linked to meat-based products, and it underscores a larger issue with food safety in animal agriculture. There is a better way. By embracing a plant-based diet, we can avoid these risks and enjoy delicious ...

Residents urged to fight to keep Harman School

As a concerned member of the Randolph community, it has come to my attention that Dr. Dilley has yet to come up with a plan for Harman or Pickens School. He has pushed back the date of voting for the closing of schools, but has yet to meet and discuss with the community leaders of Harman and Pickens to find alternative ways to keep the school open. Is this because he, along with other board members, have made up their minds and want to make it look like they are doing all they can? We assume that other board members have the best interest at heart. If so, why would they want to ...