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History in the Hills: The power of objects

I love how these articles develop. Sometimes I think about a topic for days and nothing comes together and finally in the course of a conversation, a word or phrase will hit me, and I have a topic just like that. For instance, this week’s piece came together in a similar way. I spoke to someone about something and wham — topic. In this case, the topic was discovered while talking about one of my favorite things — antiques. I love antiques, and the more the merrier, as far as I am concerned. Sometimes though, practicality and space is a concern, not to mention money. With that ...

A requiem for Doug Skaff, a complicated man

I really wasn’t expecting to have to write, in essence, an obituary for former lawmaker and politician Doug Skaff last Tuesday. The accident that killed him remains under investigation, but by all reports it was a freak accident on I-79 near Weston. Skaff’s SUV went into the back of a semi-truck and despite trying to brake in time, it was too late. Skaff was only five years older than me at 48. I had known him since his first stint in the House of Delegates in what was once the largest of the multi-member districts covering Kanawha County. He was a rising star in Democratic ...

The potential of our future leaders

The most recent class of Leadership Ohio Valley has completed its program, and now the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce is looking for individuals interested in taking their own journey on the path of leadership. Every event and program organized by the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce has at its core an element of networking for our area professionals, and Leadership is no different. There is an opportunity within to get to know the men and women who are part of our local business communities, assisting in the development of connections which could aid in your own career. More than ...

Guest column: West Virginia is taking a stand against China

The Communist Party of China (CCP) wants to unseat the United States as the number one global power. For decades, the CCP has stolen American trade secrets, used our data against our own citizens, and artificially unbalanced trade in their favor. Chinese Communist leaders understand by accomplishing this feat, they gain significant leverage to push their policies and influence on countries around the world. Therefore, it is crucial for America to take a stand. I applaud President Donald Trump’s efforts to hold China accountable and rebalance unfair trade agreements that put our country ...

Guest column: Mediation: A huge step in the right direction

We strive at the Public Service Commission to resolve complaints in the simplest, fairest, and most expedient manner possible, consistent with your concerns. One very handy tool we have been able to use is the mediation process, which is handled by the Commission’s Division of Administrative Law Judges. The dedicated lawyers who populate this office handle any number of cases that are referred to them by the three-member Commission. The cases before the judges involve many different issues and are often complex. The Division also resolves cases through mediation. In Mediation, ...

Guest column: Tax credit program will be good for all West Virginians

I am proud to be the Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) District Council 53, representing construction workers in the finishing trades in parts of Ohio, Maryland, Kentucky, Virginia, and right here in West Virginia. Workers in our state have a long and storied history of working hard, organizing for our rights, and contributing to the entire nation’s energy stores and economy. We are also no stranger to changing industries and, unfortunately, to job loss. But our state’s workers are some of the most determined and ...