By Richard M. Vaglienti
I have been a lifelong resident of Morgantown and chose to stay in my hometown for most of my education and for all of my career. I have no regrets for my decisions.
Recently, however, I have become concerned with the direction in which my hometown seems to be headed.
There appears to be a significant leftward turn within city government which is inconsistent with what I know to be the desires of people like me.
The new “progressive” (who could be against progress) City Council has expressed and attempted to make some frightening changes to our city charter in order to solidify their power and left-leaning influences.
I became concerned when the deputy mayor, who seems to be the designated mouthpiece, proudly announced that one of the first actions of the new council would be to abide by the Paris climate accords. This announcement, while hilarious at first, clearly indicated where they wanted to take our town.
The concept of global warming is far from settled science. Seems harmless even if a bit daffy.
Consider the possibilities: Forced use of electric cars and trucks by the city which will increase costs and thereby force a search for more revenue. Taxes on vehicles traveling downtown that do not meet certain emission or mileage standards. A foolhardy attempt to stop truck traffic through the downtown area (a fight which has been going on since the 1970s) and I predict an attempt to implement any other feel-good, left-wing concept associated with this.
Be wary my friends, the next moves were more concerning. One must credit this group for getting together a small group of loyal followers to vote them into office. About 1,000 people carried the entire city election the last time. Only a 17 percent turnout.
This is why they don’t want to move the city election to coincide with the primary or general election — because they know that an increased turnout will lead to certain losses.
Even when they know moving the election will save the city money. They also tried to increase the length of term in office to four years from two years. Another grab at power, which failed. The people who clamor for inclusion and diversity appear to be just the opposite.
Finally there is an attempt to annex various areas of the county into the city. This will lead to businesses moving out of the new boundaries.
This group attempted to sponsor legislation through leftward leaning members of the House of Delegates to allow annexation without a vote. Fortunately, it failed.
They have discussed diverting the fees paid by those who work in Morgantown away from the designated road repair to other line items. By the way, the roads are still awful.
Don’t let them get away with it, get in the game.
Richard Vaglenti is a member of The Dominion Post’s Community Advisory Board.
