Shane Assadzandi, Morgantown
This is a response to Richard Vaglienti’s April 30 column entitled “City’s lifers need to get in the game.”
First, let’s immediately reject the notion that Morgantown should be run by a cabal of self-described “lifers.” For decades, Morgantown has been a thriving and diverse community of people who have come here from all over the world — often because of our university, our hospitals, and beautiful natural sights such as Cheat Lake and Coopers Rock. There is no reason to be afraid or ashamed of this. In fact, we should be proud.
Vaglienti goes further to express concerns about the direction of the city government. I, however, have nothing but optimism for the future of Morgantown.
Since the last election, our municipal government has become a model that other West Virginia cities look to for inspiration. We are quickly becoming a more welcoming, dynamic and economically robust municipality. Our City Council members should stand on their records with pride.
Also, isn’t it refreshing to see our elected officials settle disagreements with professionalism and civility rather than litigation and hostility? I missed that.
Vaglienti’s article relies on an age-old strategy used by opposition groups and special interests: Deny facts, use outrageous hypothetical scenarios to elicit fear, and attack the ideas presented by others while failing to produce any significant platform of your own.
Rather than leaning on these empty talking points, anyone who wants to see Morgantown succeed should bring real ideas and solutions to the table. It doesn’t matter whether we were born here or chose to make it our home. We all want what’s best for our neighbors and our community.
