Downtown shops offer unique experiences
Recently, I’ve seen gas prices at $1.99 around town. It would be nice to fill up, but I’m not going anywhere, and I’m not the only one. I suppose that’s how supply and demand works. As Linda Newcome says (DP-4-5-20), parking is just one more thing that costs money when you live in a small city.
You can go out of town to eat and park for free. It’s only five miles away. Morgantown struggles with the “free rider” problem, where, allegedly, businesses can set up out of town, draw patrons and not have to worry about paying city taxes. Indeed, this is the reason for the “minor boundary adjustment” which was actually a big land grab.
But before we demonize the city, let’s think about what the city does for us. Downtown provides a lot of restaurants, from the fashionable to the freaky fast. You can still plan a wedding, get custom jewelry or a unique briefcase.
Not many things I hear impress me, but I remember years ago a housemate lamenting the “McDonaldization of culture.” The problem is not occasional fast food but an incentive towards a uniformity of culture, driven by convenient consumer choices.
So, go ahead, go shop and eat downtown. You’ll like it.
Steven Knudsen
Morgantown
Endangered Species Act in danger from Congress
With all the congressional drama happening in Washington, D.C., I don’t want to forget about one of our most fundamental environmental laws: The Endangered Species Act. Passed practically unanimously in 1973 during the Nixon administration, the Endangered Species Act protects our imperiled plants, wildlife and habitat and recognizes that they “are of esthetic, ecological, educational, historical, recreational and scientific value to the Nation and its people,” according to the Act’s preamble.
Let’s add economic value to that list. According to a 2017 report by the Outdoor Industry Association, the outdoor recreation economy generates $887 billion in consumer spending, 7.6 million jobs, $65.3 billion federal tax revenue and $59.2 billion state and local tax revenue. Yet, without clean habitats and biodiversity, we wouldn’t have the privilege to enjoy the prosperity that comes from the recreation industry.
Right now, some members of Congress are promising to gut the Endangered Species Act to make way for fossil fuel development in critical habitat areas, including our public lands. We need the Endangered Species Act and other environmental laws to protect our disappearing wildlife and public lands. Our senators should protect the Endangered Species Act.
Peter McCumber
Westover
Local woman makes, donates face masks
A few weeks before this terrible virus had begun to widely spread, Linda Anderson, a volunteer who volunteers with me at Animal Friends Thrift Shop in the Mountaineer Mall, asked me if I would like to have a mask that she was making to protect me from the virus.
I was so happy to get this gift of a mask. I also got one for my lifetime partner who also volunteers at Animal Friends.
When others found out that Linda was making masks, they contacted her to make masks for them and for health care workers. Linda has a daughter and son-in-law in the health care group. Linda and her sewing group are making masks for many health care workers, not only in Mon County but for many other counties.
Some of my friends wanted to donate money for materials and elastic. Linda told me that many generous people had already donated material. At Linda’s request, for anyone that would like to donate money, she would like the checks to be sent to Animal Friends Thrift Shop in the Mountaineer Mall. Since our shop is closed, we still have to pay rent, utilities, care for the animals, food, medical supplies, cleaning supplies, etc. Any monetary donation would be greatly appreciated. We are a nonprofit agency.
Please mail checks to the address below.
Linda Anderson in care of Kathy Orosz
Animal Friends Thrift Shop
5000 Green Bag Road
Morgantown, WV 26501
I want to thank Linda and her sewing group from the bottom of my heart for all that they are doing to protect our citizens.
May God bless you all and many, many prayers for everyone.
Prayers for all of you. Please stay safe and stay in unless for groceries or medicines.
Wear your mask.
May God bless you all and many, many prayers.
Carol Ann Miller
Morgantown
