Democrat Editorials
By David H. Corcoran, Sr.
Hurrah
Americans go to the Polls; and so do Gilmer Countians
Let us West Virginians not forget to vote! Oftentimes we Americans get so wrapped up in our daily activities that we don't make going to the polls a priority. "Oh, I'm so tired of politics and want to get back to normal in my life again, so why vote," some citizens might say. You readers have heard this before ... sadly.
The problem, however, is this: "No one will get back to normal, if the ultra-conservatives and Trumpist Republicans take back a majority in either or both Houses of Congress, those being the House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. If that happens, the progressive initiatives of President Joe Biden will come to a screeching halt and chaos will reign, once again, in Congress and populous discontent in the nation. We Americans have too much of the latter now!
As for myself, this is the most significant Mid-Term Election in my life. Truly, we will choose to go the way of either the reactionary right, the people who believe Mr. Trump won the 2020 Election ("The Big Lie"), or the moderate center and let President Biden complete his four year term with carrying on a fair, just, truthful, and humane platform moving forward.
My late father always told me, "If you vote for Republicans you vote for benefits to Big Business and their fat corporate directors, but if you vote for Democrats you vote for the little men and women!" The latter, of course, cannot afford to run for office to make things right, except if you are a prospective State Delegate, like Sutton's Kevin Carpenter, who makes up for a lack of money by his hard work speaking to groups and knocking on doors in Gilmer County and others. He's truly a good Democrat who should hold your confidence over his Republican opponent who we editors have not seen or heard of before.
As of Tuesday and nationwide, and with only a week to go until Election Day, more than 20.7 million pre-election ballots have been cast in 46 states, according to CBS News. Already, Texas, Florida and California have crossed the 2.0 million ballot threshold, according to election officials. More than 1.6 million ballots have also been cast in Georgia, where Republican Gov. Brian Kemp and Democratic nominee Stacey Abrams faced off Sunday in their second and final gubernatorial debate. Wish we had seen that in West Virginia; many of us have friends in the Peach State!
And to the good, a top US cybersecurity official reported there are no "specific or credible" threats to disrupt election infrastructure during this year's midterms, even as the federal government remains concerned about attempts -- both online and in-person -- to interfere in the voting. Fortunately, our WV Secretary of State Mac Warner, a good GOP member, has already alerted County Clerks of potential Chinese or Russian techniques to disrupt our state's elections. So, we're ready in Gilmer County!
Consequently, the only people who can interfere with the "Will of our State's People" are us West Virginians. Let us, therefore, help our elderly neighbors and others needing assistance to get to the polls on or before next Tues., Nov. 8. Also, we need to encourage our young people to vote, because, indeed, their future is at stake, as well.
From the time of our Founding Fathers onward to the present, the "Right to Vote" has been thought of as "sacred," and that remains so even for these current Midterm Elections. Let's remember that!
Finally, cheers to all of you who have already been concerned enough to caste your choices in Early Voting! You're a Great American!
David H. Corcoran, Sr., Publisher-Sr. Editor
************
Last stand
Are the Amendments in trouble?
The corporate and other large benefactors of the four proposed 2022 Amendments to the State's Constitution have in the past two weeks come out of their holes. They are advertising heavily now on TV and the internet, but they aren't spending much money with newspaper advertising. That's because we in print journalism have been publishing a wide variety of stories debunking those "precious" Four Amendments.
As this Sr. Editor has stated before, these proposals give the "State Legislature Power and Control" concerning not permitting the Supreme County to question legislative impeachment claims (Amendment #1). Another would provide abolishing certain taxation for individuals and businesses, but not providing alternate sources of state revenue for schools, local agencies, counties and city governments (Amendment # 2). The third would authorize churches and religious organizations the Right to Incorporate (Amendment #3). Finally, the last proposal would bring the State Board of Education under the State Legislature's review and thereby control (Amendment #4).
Although some of our citizens may believe that a couple of these proposed Amendments are useful and good, remember that there's nothing in the measures that says this current State Legislature or any future one in the years head will actually pass the laws to implement them. Moreover, current Republican Governor Jim Justice opposes them, possibly as a "legislative power grab" from the Chief Executive's constitutional duties. Also, all of them smack against the state and national governments' "Separation of Powers" Doctrine, as well as "Separation of Church and State."
Consequently, an "Against" vote for all of them are the recommended votes to maintain local control over these aforementioned, often financially crucial areas.
Finally, let me assure you that our editorial comments are just our recommendations, but most of all, we editors respect your "Right to Vote in any way you see fit!" We just offer another view of issues and candidates!
Oh, Happy Voting for YOU!
DHC, Sr.
************
Subway
Is it suffering from Bad Owners?
A week ago we editors covered a story of a Labor-Management dispute at Glenville's Subway in Foodland Plaza. It was news because the State Police, Gilmer County Sheriff's Department, and Glenville Police Department were all there to keep the peace.
The discontent took place when a manager phoned the business to say he was coming in to replace all of the employees with a new crew, according to our sources. Now, this manager didn't know what he was talking about, for in about one or two visits to Subway per week, this Sr. Editor and his family have always had a friendly greeting and good service from the current staff, mostly dedicated student employees.
By contrast, Tudor's Manager Kelly Moore Radcliff is stepping out to do community service projects and her staff is all for them, along with offering delicious meals and specials. Her most recent project was sponsoring Halloween Pumpkin and Costume Contests. Her staff members are happy and helpful to their patrons, too. So, kudos to Kelly and her devoted team!
And, perhaps the Subway management and owners could learn something good from Glenville's Tudor's, as well! DHC, Sr.
**********
Americans go to the Polls; and so do Gilmer Countians
Let us West Virginians not forget to vote! Oftentimes we Americans get so wrapped up in our daily activities that we don't make going to the polls a priority. "Oh, I'm so tired of politics and want to get back to normal in my life again, so why vote," some citizens might say. You readers have heard this before ... sadly.
The problem, however, is this: "No one will get back to normal, if the ultra-conservatives and Trumpist Republicans take back a majority in either or both Houses of Congress, those being the House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. If that happens, the progressive initiatives of President Joe Biden will come to a screeching halt and chaos will reign, once again, in Congress and populous discontent in the nation. We Americans have too much of the latter now!
As for myself, this is the most significant Mid-Term Election in my life. Truly, we will choose to go the way of either the reactionary right, the people who believe Mr. Trump won the 2020 Election ("The Big Lie"), or the moderate center and let President Biden complete his four year term with carrying on a fair, just, truthful, and humane platform moving forward.
My late father always told me, "If you vote for Republicans you vote for benefits to Big Business and their fat corporate directors, but if you vote for Democrats you vote for the little men and women!" The latter, of course, cannot afford to run for office to make things right, except if you are a prospective State Delegate, like Sutton's Kevin Carpenter, who makes up for a lack of money by his hard work speaking to groups and knocking on doors in Gilmer County and others. He's truly a good Democrat who should hold your confidence over his Republican opponent who we editors have not seen or heard of before.
As of Tuesday and nationwide, and with only a week to go until Election Day, more than 20.7 million pre-election ballots have been cast in 46 states, according to CBS News. Already, Texas, Florida and California have crossed the 2.0 million ballot threshold, according to election officials. More than 1.6 million ballots have also been cast in Georgia, where Republican Gov. Brian Kemp and Democratic nominee Stacey Abrams faced off Sunday in their second and final gubernatorial debate. Wish we had seen that in West Virginia; many of us have friends in the Peach State!
And to the good, a top US cybersecurity official reported there are no "specific or credible" threats to disrupt election infrastructure during this year's midterms, even as the federal government remains concerned about attempts -- both online and in-person -- to interfere in the voting. Fortunately, our WV Secretary of State Mac Warner, a good GOP member, has already alerted County Clerks of potential Chinese or Russian techniques to disrupt our state's elections. So, we're ready in Gilmer County!
Consequently, the only people who can interfere with the "Will of our State's People" are us West Virginians. Let us, therefore, help our elderly neighbors and others needing assistance to get to the polls on or before next Tues., Nov. 8. Also, we need to encourage our young people to vote, because, indeed, their future is at stake, as well.
From the time of our Founding Fathers onward to the present, the "Right to Vote" has been thought of as "sacred," and that remains so even for these current Midterm Elections. Let's remember that!
Finally, cheers to all of you who have already been concerned enough to caste your choices in Early Voting! You're a Great American!
David H. Corcoran, Sr., Publisher-Sr. Editor
************
Last stand
Are the Amendments in trouble?
The corporate and other large benefactors of the four proposed 2022 Amendments to the State's Constitution have in the past two weeks come out of their holes. They are advertising heavily now on TV and the internet, but they aren't spending much money with newspaper advertising. That's because we in print journalism have been publishing a wide variety of stories debunking those "precious" Four Amendments.
As this Sr. Editor has stated before, these proposals give the "State Legislature Power and Control" concerning not permitting the Supreme County to question legislative impeachment claims (Amendment #1). Another would provide abolishing certain taxation for individuals and businesses, but not providing alternate sources of state revenue for schools, local agencies, counties and city governments (Amendment # 2). The third would authorize churches and religious organizations the Right to Incorporate (Amendment #3). Finally, the last proposal would bring the State Board of Education under the State Legislature's review and thereby control (Amendment #4).
Although some of our citizens may believe that a couple of these proposed Amendments are useful and good, remember that there's nothing in the measures that says this current State Legislature or any future one in the years head will actually pass the laws to implement them. Moreover, current Republican Governor Jim Justice opposes them, possibly as a "legislative power grab" from the Chief Executive's constitutional duties. Also, all of them smack against the state and national governments' "Separation of Powers" Doctrine, as well as "Separation of Church and State."
Consequently, an "Against" vote for all of them are the recommended votes to maintain local control over these aforementioned, often financially crucial areas.
Finally, let me assure you that our editorial comments are just our recommendations, but most of all, we editors respect your "Right to Vote in any way you see fit!" We just offer another view of issues and candidates!
Oh, Happy Voting for YOU!
DHC, Sr.
************
Subway
Is it suffering from Bad Owners?
A week ago we editors covered a story of a Labor-Management dispute at Glenville's Subway in Foodland Plaza. It was news because the State Police, Gilmer County Sheriff's Department, and Glenville Police Department were all there to keep the peace.
The discontent took place when a manager phoned the business to say he was coming in to replace all of the employees with a new crew, according to our sources. Now, this manager didn't know what he was talking about, for in about one or two visits to Subway per week, this Sr. Editor and his family have always had a friendly greeting and good service from the current staff, mostly dedicated student employees.
By contrast, Tudor's Manager Kelly Moore Radcliff is stepping out to do community service projects and her staff is all for them, along with offering delicious meals and specials. Her most recent project was sponsoring Halloween Pumpkin and Costume Contests. Her staff members are happy and helpful to their patrons, too. So, kudos to Kelly and her devoted team!
And, perhaps the Subway management and owners could learn something good from Glenville's Tudor's, as well! DHC, Sr.
**********
Delg. Brent Boggs Column
Faith and family are at the core of America, our values, and the freedoms we enjoy, individually and collectively. That’s why I’ve always pointed out at every opportunity that every day is Veterans Day, not just once each year. That said, the actual date of 11/11 is fast approaching with important opportunities being set to honor our esteemed veterans and their families. I’m looking forward to helping honor our veterans this week in Gilmer County and the following week in Braxton County. I’m always in awe of the selfless service and sacrifice of each veteran, their families, and the stories they share. Honoring our Veterans continues the generational connection of service, sacrifice, and what makes our nation great.
Like many of you, I received the distressing news this week that Kroger Co. executives have notified local employees of the closure of our Gassaway Kroger store in early 2023. As a large employer that provides good wages and benefits, this is yet another gut punch to our local economy in central West Virginia.
As soon as I heard of the proposed Kroger – Albertson mega-merger a few weeks ago, my concerns immediately turned to personal experiences with mergers. In railroad terms, when companies merge, it’s usually the little guys – employees, customers, and communities – at the end of the line that tends to get cut loose as companies try to polish up the bottom line. Not only is this conduct short-sighted, but it’s also another reason why big businesses seldom have the best interests of the communities they serve at heart. I lived and worked through several railroad mergers or spin-off transactions during my railroad career and none of them – not one – ever was a good thing for rural communities. Local businesses, shippers, and families at the end of the line always had to bear the burden of corporate cutbacks. Jobs were lost and the opportunities for young people entering the workforce diminished. In fact, I spent the last decade of my railroad career working on the road or out of town. For me, I was able to compensate for the inconvenience. A younger employee would have relocated out of necessity.
Jean and I have been loyal Kroger customers for over forty years and our families for even longer. Our Governor and our United States Senators need to get actively and forcefully involved in leaning on Kroger executives for a plan to keep the Gassaway store and any other WV locations that are on the chopping block open. Otherwise, we’ll have no local competition, which always leads to higher prices and less service.
It is troubling that at the same time some in government are trying to convince voters to approve Amendment 2 – something that was crafted to primarily benefit big businesses and out of state corporations with our tax dollars – that an out of state corporation is about to eliminate some great local jobs, uproot local families, and put a chokehold on local grocery competition. Again, I urge everyone to contact Governor Justice (304-558-2000); Senator Manchin (Washington office: 202-224-3954 or Charleston office: 304-342-5855) and Senator Capito (Washington office: 202-224-6472 or Charleston office: 304-347-5372) and respectfully request they exercise the power of their offices to request Kroger to reconsider their store closure decision. Profitable local businesses that have a high impact in our communities should not be allowed to be sacrificed by parent corporations, while at the same time they will be seeking the blessings of Congress in completing yet another mega-merger.
I want to remind everyone that early voting continues this week through November 5th. Election Day is Tuesday, November 8. With all the options available for casting your vote – including traditional Election Day voting – there are few excuses for failing to exercise you right to select your county, state, and federal elected officials.
Speaking of elections, more and more money is being poured into campaigns while less and less scrutiny is placed on outright lies, deception and campaign mudslinging. Statewide and national groups are already flooding mailboxes and social media with this type of advertising. Everyone should reject and condemn negative ads. I call on all candidates to reject these efforts, regardless of the source. Whether a negative ad is designed to benefit or hurt a particular candidate, the mere fact that they continue to proliferate is reason enough to object. When voters reject negative campaigning with their votes, everyone wins.
Finally, one final thought for the week. The hammer-wielding assailant that nearly killed the husband of House Speaker Pelosi last week is just the latest in the unacceptable hatemongering and reckless policies espoused by conspiracy theorists and those intent on the demise of our nation. Whether the January 6 mob; those that seek to overthrow the government; or those individuals that seek to intimidate and harm elected officials and their families on the federal, state, and local level, every freedom-loving American needs to condemn this behavior, regardless of political differences. The tone for all this begins in Washington, DC. Once both sides of the political aisle reject and stop tolerating extremism, America can once again breathe a sigh of relief and return to the values we hold dear.
If you need assistance, please contact me at my home office at: 151 Park Street, Gassaway, WV 26624. The phone number is 304-364-8411. For those with Internet access, my legislative email address is: [email protected] Thank a Veteran every day for their service and remember our troops - at home and abroad - and keep them and their families in your thoughts and prayers. Until next week, take care.
Pathfinder Editorials
Attorney General's Office to Participate in National Drug Take Back Day
West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced his office will be involved in this weekend’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day by partnering with law enforcement and substance abuse prevention groups across the state.
Representatives from the Attorney General’s Office will assist state agencies and groups in staffing take-back sites around the state Friday (Oct. 28) and Saturday (Oct. 29).
The Attorney General’s Office will also join the Capitol Police and the state Department of Homeland Security from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at the State Capitol Complex Safe Zone adjacent to the Culture Center at the Greenbrier/Washington Street entrance.
“This is a very important event,” Attorney General Morrisey said. “I encourage anyone who has unused or unwanted prescription medications to participate so we can get potentially dangerous drugs off the streets. Take-back day has the potential to both reduce diversion of prescription opioids and help identify overprescribing in our state.”
The Attorney General’s Office has participated in the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day each year since 2013. The office’s locations this weekend will be among dozens of collection sites in West Virginia.
Elsewhere this weekend, the Attorney General’s Office will assist the Logan County Sheriff’s Office at the Community Park in Man from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday and Weston Municipal Building, 102 W. 2nd St., Weston; the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, 510 S. Raleigh St., Martinsburg and the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, 200 N. Court St., Fayetteville, all from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
The DEA spearheads Drug Take Back Day, which was launched in 2010. During the event, local and state law enforcement agencies collect unused medication and responsibly dispose of it. The DEA typically hosts two prescription drug take back days per year with one in the spring and one in the fall.
The Attorney General Public Health Trust previously awarded prescription drug incinerators to law enforcement agencies across the state. The incinerators are used to destroy unwanted/expired pills and are shared among law enforcement agencies.
The incinerators were awarded through the Dispose Responsibly of Prescriptions (DRoP) initiative, which also distributed drug disposal drop boxes throughout the state.
Capito, Manchin Announce $2.8 Million for COVID-19 Relief Reimbursement
U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), both members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $2,811,617 for Thomas Health System and Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC). This funding, which is through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will be used to reimburse costs accrued in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our state reacted quickly at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and provided the resources needed to keep West Virginians safe, and take care of those who were ill. Both CAMC and Thomas Health played roles in our response efforts, and I am glad to see support is on the way to help reimburse them for their hard work and dedication of their staff. I could not be more thankful for the selfless service of our health care professionals, and I am happy to secure the reimbursement they are due,Ranking Member Capito said.
“Our healthcare workers and first responders have gone above and beyond throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to keep our fellow West Virginians safe. I am pleased FEMA is investing more than $2.8 million in the Charleston Area Medical Center and Thomas Health System to help reimburse resources used to purchase personal protective equipment and additional emergency protective measures needed during the pandemic. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue advocating for funding to ensure our healthcare professionals are properly equipped for any emergency that tests our state,Senator Manchin said.
West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced his office will be involved in this weekend’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day by partnering with law enforcement and substance abuse prevention groups across the state.
Representatives from the Attorney General’s Office will assist state agencies and groups in staffing take-back sites around the state Friday (Oct. 28) and Saturday (Oct. 29).
The Attorney General’s Office will also join the Capitol Police and the state Department of Homeland Security from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at the State Capitol Complex Safe Zone adjacent to the Culture Center at the Greenbrier/Washington Street entrance.
“This is a very important event,” Attorney General Morrisey said. “I encourage anyone who has unused or unwanted prescription medications to participate so we can get potentially dangerous drugs off the streets. Take-back day has the potential to both reduce diversion of prescription opioids and help identify overprescribing in our state.”
The Attorney General’s Office has participated in the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day each year since 2013. The office’s locations this weekend will be among dozens of collection sites in West Virginia.
Elsewhere this weekend, the Attorney General’s Office will assist the Logan County Sheriff’s Office at the Community Park in Man from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday and Weston Municipal Building, 102 W. 2nd St., Weston; the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, 510 S. Raleigh St., Martinsburg and the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, 200 N. Court St., Fayetteville, all from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
The DEA spearheads Drug Take Back Day, which was launched in 2010. During the event, local and state law enforcement agencies collect unused medication and responsibly dispose of it. The DEA typically hosts two prescription drug take back days per year with one in the spring and one in the fall.
The Attorney General Public Health Trust previously awarded prescription drug incinerators to law enforcement agencies across the state. The incinerators are used to destroy unwanted/expired pills and are shared among law enforcement agencies.
The incinerators were awarded through the Dispose Responsibly of Prescriptions (DRoP) initiative, which also distributed drug disposal drop boxes throughout the state.
Capito, Manchin Announce $2.8 Million for COVID-19 Relief Reimbursement
U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), both members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $2,811,617 for Thomas Health System and Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC). This funding, which is through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will be used to reimburse costs accrued in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our state reacted quickly at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and provided the resources needed to keep West Virginians safe, and take care of those who were ill. Both CAMC and Thomas Health played roles in our response efforts, and I am glad to see support is on the way to help reimburse them for their hard work and dedication of their staff. I could not be more thankful for the selfless service of our health care professionals, and I am happy to secure the reimbursement they are due,Ranking Member Capito said.
“Our healthcare workers and first responders have gone above and beyond throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to keep our fellow West Virginians safe. I am pleased FEMA is investing more than $2.8 million in the Charleston Area Medical Center and Thomas Health System to help reimburse resources used to purchase personal protective equipment and additional emergency protective measures needed during the pandemic. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue advocating for funding to ensure our healthcare professionals are properly equipped for any emergency that tests our state,Senator Manchin said.