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Letters to the Editor

Bill would work toward equal pay for equal work

Despite national legislative efforts of the past, persistent gender pay inequity continues to negatively impact West Virginia’s economy. According to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, “If employed women in West Virginia were paid the same as comparable men, their poverty rate would be reduced by more than one third.” A West Virginia woman could put two years’ worth of food on her family’s table with the earnings she loses every year because of this pay gap. It’s essential that we adopt state legislation to help eliminate the pay gap for West Virginia women ...

Aiding totally disabled vets

This resolution has been brought up 2015 to 2020 and was never let out of the committee. They always say the budget is tight but they seem to have enough to exempt military retirees and numerous other people. The totally disabled veterans are not asking for much considering what they have given and how they suffer on a daily basis, mentally and physically. Had our young men and women over the years not gone to wars in defense of freedom, we might be in a dictatorship. The time has come for all brave legislators to come to the aid of our totally disabled veterans. To paraphrase ...

Trimming, removing trees downtown

Elkins Main Street and the Elkins Tree Board recognizes and thanks the City of Elkins Operations Department for their recent work on the downtown trees. Trimming—and removing—trees is a significant undertaking, and they have persevered. The urban forest is a vital part of city life. A true public resource, the downtown canopy provides shade for businesses and pedestrians, creates an inviting visual cue for visitors, and establishes habitat for birdlife; while providing positive mental benefits, sequestering carbon, and mitigating the urban heat island effect. So: why have some ...

Protecting churches from government?

West Virginia Constitution, Article 6, Section 47: “No charter of incorporation shall be granted to any church or religious denomination. Provisions may be made by general laws for securing the title to church property, and for the sale and transfer thereof, so that it hall be held, used, or transferred for the purposes of such church, or religious denomination.” The framers displayed wisdom in Article 6, Section 47 of the 1872 West Virginia Constitution. The prohibiting of church incorporation was in the earlier 1863 Constitution and intentionally retained for obvious reasons. ...

Tale of two brothers

A short story of two brothers who act as if they are God’s gift to the world. The little brother in the duo got himself hired on to one of the three hours of prime time on CNN, following His Majesty Anderson Cooper who has the coveted spot at 8 p.m. The older brother got elected governor of New York. That’s right, it’s the Cuomo boys, Chris and Andrew. How have their lives been an example for us to follow? Gov. Cuomo’s plan was going to save us all. He demanded, from President Trump, a ridiculous amount of supplies, like ventilators and beds and tents for overflow. When ...

Candidate opposes city manager change

This is an important election for the City of Elkins. We will be electing a new mayor, half of the council seats are up, and the citizens will be deciding on some important key issues. I have been in attendance at many of the meetings related to the city charter changes. While some changes were needed, some changes had objections, and it was decided they would be placed on the ballot. This is the proper way it should have been done; however, some of the more controversial topics could have been decided after the pandemic when council was able to hold consistent public meetings. I am ...