Careful what you wish for — you might get it
The lead story in our local newspaper (DP-07-22-21) concerns a letter to the president of the United States, asking that he provide a solution to a local problem: A legitimate private enterprise has decided to close its private sector facility, leaving workers to find other employment. In a red county in a red state, we seek public redress to a business decision by a private corporation.
Ironic: A local problem overwhelms us; a private enterprise acts, and we clamor for redress by a public sector executive. As Mr. Kercheval points out (DP-07-23-21), businesspeople borrow for operating capital and for investment in their companies with the understanding that the loans will be paid back. Public services — public health, education and roads, for example — are paid for through taxes, borrowing (bonds) and fees.
Yet we vote to reduce government and pay less for public services. And private citizens compete for public positions in public councils and legislatures so they may direct public spending and recruit private enterprise with preferential treatment regarding public financial obligations — taxes, for example — while we clamor for reduced public expenditure and smaller government in the face of increasing and aging populations, crumbling infrastructure and societal problems.
There appears to be little understanding of the value of and complementarity between private and public enterprise in our democratic republic.
What a topsy-turvy world we find when we stumble and dissemble. Be careful what you ask/vote for — you may get (or have already gotten) it.
Bill Wyant
Morgantown
Bray Cary ‘eminently’ qualified for WVU BOG
You can erase your question mark on last Friday’s editorial (DP-07-23-21). Bray Cary is eminently qualified to serve on the West Virginia University Board of Governors.
Mr. Cary is an outstandingly competent journalist, business man and public servant. His former weekly television interviews with public figures and his guidance of the State Journal filled an informational void, which the public experienced as other media faltered.
His business acumen will complement the efforts of a competent university administration and the unpaid members of its governing board as they guide this state’s flagship institution and our community’s most significant economic asset.
While I make no judgement about the governor’s ability to find appointees that you deem a “good fit,” in my opinion, Cary’s selection is an excellent one and I doubt the award of the Bob Huggins television show to IMG had anything to do with it.
Edwin F. Flowers
Morgantown
Glad to see tech industry take interest in W.Va.
The announcement of DataRobot coming into the area is a breath of fresh air.
I have seen lots of changes in Morgantown after living in the area over a number of years, but I think it is great Morgantown can have an opportunity to be known for something of this caliber. We are lucky in Morgantown, because there are plenty of places to shop, eat and have fun, but having new businesses come in just makes it that much better.
This company could have located anywhere else in the country — but instead they choose to come here. With as many of my friends who have left the state for other jobs, it is nice to know that someone who wants to get into this kind of work does not have to leave if they do not want to. They do not have to choose between a good paying job or the family and friends they have here.
This company will help keep our West Virginians in West Virginia, and I thank them for that. I am glad that DataRobot saw there are talented people here in north-central West Virginia and hope other businesses continue to explore what we have to offer.
Hope Judy
Morgantown
‘Cannot move on without correcting the wrong’
One more chance to right the wrong. When one laments that democracy is in tatters, we rally to the task — an investigation in the right direction.
A country cannot move on without correcting the wrong. The emotional testimony of four police officers, all of whom risked their lives to save the Congressional clan, was riveting. The American public needs to find out the unvarnished truth.
While it may be argued that this is not a true bipartisan venture, this is the best for a start, as most Republicans did not want to get on board and were playing it down.
Other obvious pressing concerns facing the country now are first to coalesce behind the infrastructure bill. All constituents realize the importance of this bill, where people and states benefit the most. Congressional men and women need to realize this and act on it.
The other supreme concern is the voting rights bill. This embodies the United States’ motto: One nation under God — equal opportunities irrespective of caste, creed, religion or race — with liberty and justice for all.
It is time to put aside partisan feelings and work towards that one nation, protecting the rights of all.
Syamala Jagannathan
Morgantown
U.S. Olympic athletes should’ve had vaccine
Why was it allowed to happen that members of the United States’ Olympic team have tested positive for COVID-19? This kind of situation should have been anticipated and planned for. Why didn’t the United States Olympic Committee set standards or protocols that would have kept this from happening and becoming a problem?
At last count, at least five members of the U.S.’s Olympic team had been placed in quarantine, and they will stay there for the full 12 to 14 days. I strongly suspect that until they are totally cleared of COVID, their participation in any activity is in jeopardy. Think for a minute what this does to a team or coach who is counting on them for a specific event. It is quite possible the United States would not even be represented at all in an event.
The U.S.O.C.’s decision not to require a vaccination as a prerequisite for qualifying for the team may have cost the participant and the team a chance for a medal. Were they so naive to think team members would not have contact with other people? Being in quarantine does not do the participant or the team — and their country — any good. What it did do, however, was cost the U.S.O.C. money to get the participant to Tokyo — just to turn around and fly them home, probably without participating at all.
So again I ask, why was this allowed to happen?
Tom Talerico
Morgantown
