Government’s primary
obligation public safety
As a candidate for the next term of Preston County sheriff I’m writing on behalf of our citizens and first responders in law enforcement, fire and EMS. Our emergency response personnel are being stymied in their often life-or-death missions due to the continued deplorable condition of our roads in Preston County and throughout Division of Highways District 4.
It is not only our secondary roads, although these are in the most egregious shape, but lengthy sections of primary roads and emergency hospital routes are laden with dangerous potholes and surfaces. To date, insufficient action has been taken.
A chorus of “enough is enough” is reverberating throughout our hills and valleys as pictures of potholes, bent rims and vehicle accidents directly attributable to poor road maintenance and conditions continue to appear on social media and media reports.
This is not a new problem but certainly is now worse than ever. Even back in April 2015 this quote appeared in a local newspaper: “… Sheriff Dan Loughrie mentioned how the wear and tear of poor roads was hard on the police cruisers. But, according to Loughrie, his department has only reported a few bent rims. Still, as Loughrie put it, poor road conditions have caused an increase in the time it takes for authorities to respond.”
Now as bent rims from emergency response vehicles stack up higher and higher, and equipment repair costs swell, alternate routes are being taken in response to emergency calls for service further increasing response times. In fact, the “Golden Hour” for emergency medical calls is routinely eaten up diminishing the likelihood of successful outcomes.
Life and death hangs in the balance as our county remains under a state of emergency. Resources are being harnessed as community groups unite in solidarity with elected officials to address this crisis.
When the governor vetoed “Randy’s Dream” for accountability and action on our road crisis, after the legislation unanimously passed the Legislature, he chose to put the burden of repairs solely upon our shoulders.
Lest we forget, the primary obligation of government is that of public safety. We need immediate and sustained action now.
Joel E. Gordon
Masontown
Rough places on U.S. 19
only getting a lot worse
I don’t want to look a gift horse in the mouth, but the Division of Highways did road resurfacing through Cassville on W.Va. 7 West from U.S. 19 North.
They did a wonderful job, but from the top of Cassville Hill to the U.S. 19 North intersection really wasn’t that bad. There were a few places that needed patched, but U.S. 19 needs resurfaced from the W.Va. 7 intersection north to the West Virginia state line — farther than W.Va. 7 through Cassville.
That just goes to show that there is no planning. The DOH could have used all that asphalt on U.S. 19 instead of resurfacing through Cassville. I sure hope U.S. 19 is going to get resurfaced pretty soon.
The rough places are getting worse, especially the closer you get toward the state line. It’s not safe crossing lanes to miss the holes, either.
Ralph Correll
Morgantown
