We’d do well to follow Huntington’s example

William A. Neal, Morgantown
The editorial “Democracy takes root” (DP-Sunday) applauds the public response to action by the Morgantown City Council’s consideration of purchasing the Haymaker Forest. Citizen involvement in local government should be applauded, the point of the editorial.
Beyond that, however, the tone of the article is condescending. It unnecessarily belittles City Council members collectively, and unfairly denigrates the conduct and motives of one of its members, deputy mayor Mark Brazaitis.
It characterizes what many in our community consider a progressive City Council as a novice body “often disjointed” and frequently lacking consensus.
It is even more disturbing for the paper to slander the deputy mayor as “delusional … who cannot see his obvious conflict of interest for his blind ambition.”
I agree, the appearance of conflict of interest is real. Based upon my personal knowledge of this man, the reality is not. There was no “sleight of hand” here.
Brazaitis ran for office advocating purchase of the Haymaker Forest as an important addition to Morgantown’s less than robust park system. This apparently resonated with voters as he was elected by a wide margin. Can we not get beyond the cynical view that all action is motivated by self-interest?
The Haymaker Forest is cast disparagingly as just
“40 acres of trees.” Years ago, Huntington’s Mayor Rufus Switzer convinced his colleagues on that City Council of the advisability of purchasing 55 acres of forest south of the city. Today known as Ritter Park, it became the crown jewel of Huntington’s outstanding park system.
We in Morgantown would be well served by following the example of our sister city in southern West Virginia.