Remarks about drivers sting Ohio native

Editor:

After reading Karin Fuller's most recent column, I was very disappointed. I am originally from Ohio and have lived in West Virginia for over 28 years. I resent Fuller's degrading and disrespectful comments concerning Ohio drivers. The sting of prejudice against Ohio drivers or Ohio people is still real, even after the 28-plus years I have lived in West Virginia.

Fuller is a very talented writer, except when these prejudicial remarks surface. How many times have I heard that Ohio drivers always drive in the left lane? How many times have I heard that Ohio drivers always take up two parking spaces? How many times have I heard that "we should not expect better from them?"

I think Fuller should recognize these utterances for what they are: stupid, tasteless erroneous and prejudicial. I expect better from a feature article writer for a major newspaper.

Charlotte E. Raines

South Charleston

Unique candidate blocked from debate

Editor:

It's a travesty that the Green and Mountain Party candidate for governor, Jesse Johnson, will be locked out of governor debate. Johnson is the only candidate who is pro-choice, anti-death penalty, anti-mountaintop removal, and for the common people, yet he is being excluded from the public airwaves by West Virginia broadcasters.

How can this be allowed? How can they exclude this man who made history being the only West Virginian to run for both president and governor at the same time? Since he was not picked as the Green Party's candidate for president, he has put all his efforts into running for governor.

He is the only candidate who showed up at the Bayer hearing over the explosion and tried to get answers for the public in this potentially dangerous situation. He speaks for communities and people who have lost their clean water and their mountains to the terrible practice of mountaintop removal. He is a champion of the working class and helped organize state government workers.

Is he such a threat to Gov. Manchin and Republican candidate Weeks that they could not stand his critiques? Shame on the broadcasters.

Mark Blumenstein

President, Friends of the

Lower Greenbrier River

Alderson

Mayor Jones is a fine representative for city

Editor:

I just wanted to share with you an experience that demonstrates what a terrific ambassador Mayor Danny Jones is for the city.

My mother and I were in Charleston this summer visiting friends and relatives. (I grew up in Charleston, and my mother lived all of her life there until three years ago.) We came to Charleston via Amtrak. We were scheduled to depart on a Sunday-morning train. But when we arrived at the station we were told that the train was delayed for 5 1/2 hours!

By that time we had checked out of our hotel and returned our rental car. We didn't want to disturb friends and relatives on an early Sunday morning when they would either be resting or going to church. We thought of walking or taking a taxi to the mall, but discovered that it is not open on Sunday mornings.

Remarks about drivers sting Ohio native

Editor:

After reading Karin Fuller's most recent column, I was very disappointed. I am originally from Ohio and have lived in West Virginia for over 28 years. I resent Fuller's degrading and disrespectful comments concerning Ohio drivers. The sting of prejudice against Ohio drivers or Ohio people is still real, even after the 28-plus years I have lived in West Virginia.

Fuller is a very talented writer, except when these prejudicial remarks surface. How many times have I heard that Ohio drivers always drive in the left lane? How many times have I heard that Ohio drivers always take up two parking spaces? How many times have I heard that "we should not expect better from them?"

I think Fuller should recognize these utterances for what they are: stupid, tasteless erroneous and prejudicial. I expect better from a feature article writer for a major newspaper.

Charlotte E. Raines

South Charleston

Unique candidate blocked from debate

Editor:

It's a travesty that the Green and Mountain Party candidate for governor, Jesse Johnson, will be locked out of governor debate. Johnson is the only candidate who is pro-choice, anti-death penalty, anti-mountaintop removal, and for the common people, yet he is being excluded from the public airwaves by West Virginia broadcasters.

How can this be allowed? How can they exclude this man who made history being the only West Virginian to run for both president and governor at the same time? Since he was not picked as the Green Party's candidate for president, he has put all his efforts into running for governor.

He is the only candidate who showed up at the Bayer hearing over the explosion and tried to get answers for the public in this potentially dangerous situation. He speaks for communities and people who have lost their clean water and their mountains to the terrible practice of mountaintop removal. He is a champion of the working class and helped organize state government workers.

Is he such a threat to Gov. Manchin and Republican candidate Weeks that they could not stand his critiques? Shame on the broadcasters.

Mark Blumenstein

President, Friends of the

Lower Greenbrier River

Alderson

Mayor Jones is a fine representative for city

Editor:

I just wanted to share with you an experience that demonstrates what a terrific ambassador Mayor Danny Jones is for the city.

My mother and I were in Charleston this summer visiting friends and relatives. (I grew up in Charleston, and my mother lived all of her life there until three years ago.) We came to Charleston via Amtrak. We were scheduled to depart on a Sunday-morning train. But when we arrived at the station we were told that the train was delayed for 5 1/2 hours!

By that time we had checked out of our hotel and returned our rental car. We didn't want to disturb friends and relatives on an early Sunday morning when they would either be resting or going to church. We thought of walking or taking a taxi to the mall, but discovered that it is not open on Sunday mornings.

As luck would have it, Mayor Jones walked into the station to exchange some train tickets. He struck up a conversation with my mother and me. And upon hearing our situation offered to drive us downtown. He took us to Taylor Books on Capitol Street. So instead of cooling our heels in an empty train station, we were able to spend our hours sipping coffee, shopping for books, and even surfing the Web.

Mayor Jones' friendliness and willingness to help reminded me why I miss the people of Charleston so much.

Mary Fitzpatrick

Alexandria, Va.

Whatever Obama's faith, don't speak falsely

Editor:

As a recent arrival in West Virginia (I moved here only 38 years ago) I was shocked to learn from a recent poll that about 50 percent of West Virginians think Barack Obama is not a Christian, and 20 percent believe that he is a Muslim.

I am a supporter of Sen. Obama for the presidency. I don't ask that anyone change their vote based on principle or issue, but I do ask that if you have a chance to dispel these ridiculous rumors, speak to your friends and neighbors and encourage them to make judgments based on fact, not on malicious and race-based lies.

Every individual's religion is his or her own to cherish. When a person publicly announces and acknowledges their faith, it surely is our responsibility to accept that statement as a testament of their faith and not to impute the vilest of motives to that statement. A false statement in court can lead to jail time. If you are a person of faith, imagine what a false statement of your own faith could lead to.

Obama has publicly declared his Christian faith. Please make your decision based on the issues before us, not on ridiculous lies.

John Ashton

Morgantown

Cigarette butts are an eyesore to visitors

Editor:

We at the Charleston Area Alliance strive to attract new jobs and investments to our region, provide business solutions and technical advice to local companies, launch innovative community enhancement programs or develop talent and resources that promote success and opportunity for all. Whether it's working with TRG, which just announced an expansion of its Southridge facility and creation of 225 new jobs, leading efforts to establish Gateway Greenspace or bringing young professionals together to help build new trails at Cato Park, we leave no stone unturned in our quest to make our community a better place to live, work and play.

Recently the Alliance received free giveaway items as part of a national litter prevention initiative. According to Keep America Beautiful, cigarette butts are now the most-littered item in America. Cigarette litter is an eyesore to residents, as well as tourists and even businesses that may be considering our region for relocation or expansion. We don't think cigarette butts belong on our city's welcome mat.

That tobacco use is unhealthy and costly is not debatable. In the meantime, let's keep the area litter-free! The Alliance is serious about creating a better future for our region - no "ifs," "ands" or "butts."

Jack Rossi

Chairman

Matt Ballard

President and CEO

Charleston