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An oldie but not-so-goody column from the past

I was going through my old columns recently. The ones I had written when I first worked for the paper several years ago. My mother keeps insisting that I repost them. Apparently, they cracked her up. I have no idea as to why. Whenever I reread them, I don’t think they are very funny at all. As a matter of fact, I can’t believe some of the things I used to say. Aloud. Let alone for the entire world to read. Well, not the world. That would be a lot of people. Just a few hundred. Or a couple of thousand. Depending on how many people felt like reading what I ...

Something or nothing on tax reductions

After a five-day timeout, both to avoid spending $35,000 per day and to allow negotiations between lawmakers and representatives of the governor’s office toward a 5% personal income tax cut to continue, the Legislature resumed the special session Sunday. Based on some of the rhetoric I heard last week on various talk radio programs, I don’t get the sense we’re any closer to lawmakers giving Gov. Jim Justice what he wants. During his weekly administration briefing last week, it sounds like Justice may be willing to accept a cut of less than 5%. In my opinion, that is the ...

Exploring West Virginia’s haunted hideaways

October has begun, which means the season of ghosts, goblins and other spooky creatures is officially under way. Of course, there are those of us who have been observing that time of year since mid- to late-August, but celebrate as you will. West Virginia has opted to mark the time of year as it has with many other things in recent years, by turning it into a marketing campaign. West Virginia is pretty well known for its haunted locations, legendary spots and native cryptids. From Mothman to Sheepsquatch, the West Virginia Penetentiary and spots on just about every college or ...

A rational look at renewables

The Public Service Commission of West Virginia welcomes all forms of energy production. The idea of electricity powered by alternative fuels is popular across the United States and resonates across the globe. These fuels include gas, solar, wind, coal, and even nuclear energy. In line with that, the Commission is seeing an increased number of applications to approve alternative fuel developments in the Mountain State. Our record shows we have welcomed every alternative fuel application we have received. A quick review of what has happened recently will give you an idea of the ...

Our stories shape the stories that matter most

It seems like about every time I am out in the public, no matter what the occasion, once someone realizes I own the local paper they seem anxious to tell me something. And in more cases than not, it is how something someone has read impacts their lives. For example, the man that caught me in the local grocery store and proceeded to tell me he knows exactly when we deliver our paper there. He picks it up each week as soon as he can to see the public notices. In many cases it is the first notice he gets of something new coming to town or the streets in his neighborhood are up for ...

I would like to discuss politics … but I cannot

I learned from a very early age there are two things you should never discuss with anyone. One is religion. And the second is politics. Most of you already know this. But for any younger people who may not have heard, you might be wondering why. These are the two forbidden topics of conversation. When you get older, you’ll understand better. Religion and politics always seem to cause an argument whenever either issue comes up. If I were to talk about religion and my perspective on what I believe, many of you probably wouldn’t read this column anymore. If I ...