Mon County supports monarch butterflies
On Oct. 15, the Monongalia County community met at the Monongalia Arts Center to create monarch butterfly-themed art and learn about these insects’ lifecycle, migration and habitat.
It was a joy to have planned the first Monarchs @ Mon Arts festival at the MAC. We’re grateful for community support and the many amazing artists and environmental organizations, including Friends of Deckers Creek, West Virginia Botanic Garden, North Elementary, Morgantown Public Library, the City of Morgantown and Monarch City USA.
West Virginia’s iconic state butterfly was named an endangered species this year. Although environmental threats to monarch butterflies are a global problem, we can each pitch in locally to ensure that monarchs have the native plants and clean water to make their journey of pollination migration.
The issue of monarch butterfly conservation is personal to me. My late friend Michelle Furlong taught me about monarchs and helped revitalize my neighborhood pollinator gardens in Paul Preserve.
One thing Michelle had planned to do in Morgantown through pollinator garden projects was to spread the word about the importance of healthy monarch habitats by getting kids involved through hands-on art. She was an artist and a citizen scientist who tagged monarch butterflies for their migration counts.
Through nature and art, we can create a monarch butterfly effect, where our individual actions create the habitats monarch caterpillars and butterflies need to once again flock across the Mountain State.
If you see our new Monarch City USA signs around Morgantown and plan to plant seeds of hope for the monarchs, be sure to include West Virginia’s native milkweed species — butterfly milkweed, common milkweed or swamp milkweed — to support the next generation of those lovable striped caterpillars.
Marly Ynigues
Monongalia Arts Center
Morgantown
Clergy should spread messages of love
What is the role of religion in the public square? With some regularity, clergy weigh in on matters of public concern. This is appropriate for people of faith because we are voting citizens.
However, the rhetoric of people of faith must be judged by the guiding principle of all major religions — love of neighbor — which is consonant with the aims of most secular moral belief systems.
When clergy put forth statements of exclusion that drum up fear and hate, they have failed to meet the standard by which we can reasonably expect them to behave and teach.
Christianity has spectacularly failed in the public square in West Virginia. The religious voices that dominate public discourse demand that governing bodies act according to their beliefs, even using language like “sin” and “salvation” in formal documents addressed to legislators. These kinds of demands stem from a similarly coercive and colonial theology to convert the world.
The converse problem is the silence of clergy and laity who practice a different kind of Christianity, one that is rooted in genuine and humble invitation. Both have failed to act from a place of love.
When clergy rail against the identity of LGBTQ+ people or claim that the presence of Pride flags in a high school persecutes Christians, they are failing the public once more and failing the queer people in their own congregations. A gay friend once told me, “In West Virginia, you can identify as a queer person or a Christian, but not both. You have to choose.”
By standing fast on principles of exclusion or electing to remain silent, people of faith are not only further alienating the general public, they are alienating people in their own faith communities, perpetuating harm rather than love.
Rev. Jenny Williams
Faith Organizer
ACLU of West Virginia
Morgantown
Columnist cherry-picking statistics is deception
In his column titled, “Watch for Climate Change Extremists” (DP-10-16-22), Mr. Jay Ambrose accuses “climate change extremists” of taking advantage of hurricane Ian to advance their own agenda, stating that they claim “[a] warming planet caused the hurricane.”
However, with a little scrutiny of his “facts,” one can see that Mr. Ambrose is the extremist trying to advance his own agenda.
Mr. Ambrose states that “statistics show extreme weather is killing an amazing 80% fewer people worldwide now than in a smaller population 40 years ago.” Yet he cites no source for these statistics. Is the lack of source and detail for brevity, or to be so vague as to avoid scrutiny?
According to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), deaths in the U.S. during 2021 — compared to the past 30-year average — are up by 66% due to flooding, up 46% due to tornados, up 28% due to heat, up 253% due to cold and down 73% due to hurricanes. On average, overall deaths due to extreme weather are up 71% when compared to the 30-year average.
So, it appears Mr. Ambrose has selected data only from hurricanes, and tries to paint it as the bigger picture by calling it “extreme weather.”
Mr. Ambrose also states that CO2 emissions have been declining. Yes, this is true when one looks at worldwide annual CO2 emissions from 2019 to 2020, which were 36.7 and 34.8 billion metric tons (Bn. mt), respectively.
Once again, Mr. Ambrose has selected certain data to promote his extreme agenda. Worldwide annual CO2 emissions for 2021 are back up to 36.4 Bn. mt, and when looking at the bigger picture, we see that worldwide annual CO2 emissions rates have been rising near linearly since the 1945 rate of just 4.24 Bn. mt, according to Statista.
Selecting data to promote one’s predetermined agenda is known by another term — deception. Not exactly becoming of a “journalist” such as Mr. Ambrose.
Ron Jarrett
Morgantown
Reverend doesn’t speak for all Catholics
I am writing this letter in response to a Dominion Post Oct. 9 letter by local Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Brian J. Crenwelge.
First and foremost, I take issue with his description of “those who display a Pride flag do not tolerate other views or even basic biology.” I (a married, practicing Catholic) proudly display a Pride flag in front of our home. As a family, we have taught our children to welcome inclusion and diversity within our house. I feel that we are called to do this as good citizens (and good Catholics).
I also take issue with his description of me (and many others). He stated that “those who display a Pride flag also have zero tolerance for those who oppose his or her views.” I have enjoyed lively conversations with those who may differ from my views. They have been a “peaceful and healthy debate.” We have remained forever friends.
I do not profess to be anything close to a Biblical scholar, but I remember my religion classes teaching me that “all are welcome” in God’s family.
To me, if the Pride flag provides a feeling of safety or inclusion for students (or anyone else), why would we deny them?
Finally, I hope Rev. Fr. Crenwelge will stop saying “Those who display a pride flag do not tolerate other views.”
Betty Evans
Morgantown
On Election Day, vote no on Amendments 2 and 4
What do these amendments really mean? Do you trust our West Virginia government? Do you want them taking over? If you’d called 911, wouldn’t you want the EMS, police or firemen come to your rescue? Do you like having libraries, public transportation and recreation in your community? Then vote no to Amendment 2 and to having the politicians controlling how moneys will be spent in your community.
Vote no to the politicians getting to decide where and how money may be used locally. It sounds great to hear them say they will get rid of property taxes and vehicle taxes. But at what cost? What’s the plan to fund our communities to have keep services? How well do you trust the politicians? Think they’ll fund these services in every community?
Do you want to be able to vote for local school board members and how schools are run? Then vote no to Amendment 4 and the Legislature’s control over schools.
There’s a very good chance that we could possibly lose services and voting rights. Think long and hard on voting day and vote no to Amendments 2 and 4 to tell politicians you want to keep services and your say in local schools.
Scheryll Richards
Morgantown
Barbara Fleischauer a better fit for Senate 13
In the race for State Senate District 13, voters have a clear choice. Barbara Evans Fleischauer has dedicated her career to serving the people of West Virginia. First, as an attorney for UMWA District 31, then as a state legislator who works across the aisle to get things done.
Her opponent is Michael Oliverio, an insurance salesman/financial advisor who trades upon the name of his father. But unlike his father, the junior Oliverio takes his cues from ALEC (the American Legislative Exchange). ALEC is an out-of-state, right-leaning policy organization that writes and promotes model legislation that often benefits large corporations. Its followers work to get state legislatures to adopt these laws.
Free from out-of-state influence, Barbara works with honesty and integrity to do what’s best for West Virginia. She supports West Virginia families, veterans and small businesses. Barbara believes all West Virginians deserve good jobs, clean drinking water and safe communities to raise their families.
Barbara fights for fairness for all West Virginians. Choose to join her in that fight.
Kathleen Abate
Morgantown
The long reach of reproductive legislation
Every female child comes into this world carrying all the eggs she will ever have, meaning she may become pregnant from about age 10 until about age 50.
Forty years is a very long time to be vulnerable to reproductive system issues.
Honesty Buczek
Terra Alta
Another Rosie gone, but her story remembered
We recently lost another member of our Greatest Generation, Pauline Everetts, who recently passed away at her Morgantown home at the age of 97.
Pauline’s story of the years she spent in Pennsylvania and Ohio working as a Rosie the Riveter to help with the war effort was recorded by a West Virginia group, Thanks Plain and Simple. I was lucky to meet many local Rosies through working with this group.
After her twin brother and cousins went off to fight in World War II, Pauline began to wonder how she could serve. Her oldest sister lived in Ambridge, Pa., and on a visit home talked about how women were wanted to work in defense plants. Pauline returned with her sister to Pennsylvania and quickly got a job at National Electric Company checking for defects in wiring for warships.
Her second job was at American Bridge Co., where they asked if she would like to become a welder. Pauline said yes, and became skilled in acetylene welding and electric welding. She and three other women were selected for training in atomic welding and sent to a high security Curtiss Wright plant to weld airplane propellers. She was very proud that all of her welds passed inspection.
About a year and a half later, the boss came in one day and said, “Everyone turn off your machines — the war is over!”
“We all started yelling and shouting and jumping and running around the building,” Pauline shared.
Pauline returned to West Virginia after the war. She and her husband Donald built a home on Kingwood Pike and lived happily together for over 40 years.
Thankfully, we have at least one Rosie left in Morgantown, Anna Hess. If you know someone from the Greatest Generation, talk to them now! It is so important to hear their stories of their proud service to our country.
Barbara Evans Fleischauer
Morgantown
In support of Katie Fallon for House District 82
I’m writing in support of Katie Fallon, candidate for House of Delegates in District 82.
I am a veteran. I spent 11 years in the Army, including deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. I wanted to see the world and make it a better place.
Physical injuries caused me to be discharged from the military. After over a year of physical therapy, I was deemed not deployable. I was devastated. Overnight, I felt I went from someone who had so much value and responsibility to being a 30-something-year-old trying to find my place in the world.
As I searched for a purpose, I began volunteering for the nonprofit that Katie founded, the Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia. Katie took the time to get to know me and connected me with people who share my interests. Those connections helped me get a sense of purpose back in my life. Katie has no idea the incredible impact she has had on me.
But it’s not just me — Katie helps so many in our community by connecting people from different backgrounds. She has been actively involved in our community for years: from running the Cheat Lake Farmers Market; to owning a business with her family and helping the area’s pets; to starting a nonprofit; to teaching classes at WVU.
Most importantly, Katie genuinely cares about people. She takes the time to ask questions and really listens to the responses.
I will feel good casting my vote for Katie in November. Once elected, Katie will be a delegate who lives in our community, and who will serve as our local voice in Charleston. I hope you’ll join me in voting for Katie Fallon for House of Delegates District 82.
Nicole Gerard
Morgantown
Mailer misleads about Fleischauer on broadband
As a retired teacher, with grandkids in the public school system and a son who is a teacher, I understood the importance of faster internet services for students stuck at home during the height of the pandemic. Now that they’re back to school, the need still exists.
So, what a shock to receive a mailer smearing my long-time friend Barbara Fleischauer, declaring that she opposed broadband expansion! The idea that Barbara, a strong voice for West Virginia public school students and educators, would oppose bringing more bandwidth to the people of our state is ridiculous.
But apparently the West Virginia’s Future PAC — funded by big corporations — thought West Virginians would fall for this and spent thousands of dollars circulating this false rumor to voters in Senate District 13.
The truth? Barbara has been busy voting for six broadband expansion bills as well as several funding bills in the past three years. Four years ago, she voted against one bill because it was deemed unconstitutional. (The rest of the Legislature apparently agreed; the bill never passed.) As I expected, Barbara was working in bipartisan fashion, using her legal skills and long legislative experience to help solve the tricky problems associated with that bill.
Thanks to the pandemic and infrastructure funding authorized by federal, state and local governments, our tax dollars are ensuring that thousands of West Virginia families and businesses get reliable internet service.
You might see more nasty mailers distorting who Barbara is and the work she has done. Shame on West Virginia’s Future PAC for bringing this campaign into the mud.
I look forward to seeing Barbara sworn in as the first female state senator ever elected from Monongalia and Marion counties. I am proud that she is supported by our State Education Unions, as well as United Mine Workers, West Virginia Troopers Association and West Virginia Deputy Sheriffs Association.
Please be sure to vote — it may be a close race, and your vote will matter. Let’s keep Barbara’s voice in our state government. Vote early, or on Election Day, Nov. 8.
Rose Bell
Westover
