To county, city and municipal governing bodies:

As you travel around Randolph County from Harman to Valley Head, one cannot help but notice the lack of business, infrastructure and growth.

We have lost population, our schools are facing closing and it does not seem that anyone is working very hard to reverse this trend.

Without Internet service in all areas of the county, how do we prosper?

Without new business to the areas, how do we thrive?

Have any of the persons in our local governments been to Mon County (Morgantown), Harrison County, Kanawha County, Cabell County (Huntington) and seen the business and critical infrastructure? This attracts person to live in those areas.

Randolph County lacks a variety of retail and businesses to lure new persons to our county.

How many of our government officials drive to Morgantown or Clarksburg/Bridgeport to shop and acquire things?

The running theme you hear in Randolph County is “You can’t bring in new business, it will put the little shops out of business.”

“You can’t change things, it will ruin the historical component of the area.”

“All we have to offer is hiking, hunting and fishing, and they will come.”

With each new business that is opened, it adds to the economy; it gives the residents of the county more choices and the existing businesses in the county try a little harder, as competition is good for everyone.

We lack newer affordable housing for young families; we lack varied entertainment options; we lack reliable Internet connections throughout the county. What do we expect to happen?

Our children will leave in search of better opportunities and new persons will not choose to make Randolph County their home.

I encourage you to take a drive around 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on a Saturday from Harman to Elkins, to Beverly and Valley Head, and try to find businesses open and opportunities for entertainment besides the outdoor sports.

Then think on why our own county residents go to Morgantown and Clarksburg for opportunities to find places to shop, eat, find needed home items and get entertainment.

Daisy Cutlip

Beverly