Letters to the Editor

Speaking Truth Does Not Violate the Law

Editor, News-Register: With the recommended dismissal by the special prosecutor of some of the 22 charges related to so-called “MailerGate,” it’s important to clarify what these mailers were — and what they weren’t. They were not campaign materials. They didn’t attempt to advocate for any candidate, didn’t solicit votes, and didn’t qualify as electioneering under the law. They were public interest mailers, meant to inform residents about matters others have consistently chosen not to cover. The First Amendment protects that kind of speech. The remaining charges — ...

A Big Step Forward for a Better Wheeling

Editor, News-Register: The recent charges filed against the person responsible for the illegal election mailers are a big and necessary step forward — not just for accountability, but for Wheeling’s continued growth as a community that does things the right way. We’ve made some incredible progress lately — investing in our streets, public safety buildings, health facility developments, and more. But real progress also means reconsidering how we engage with our government and how we govern ourselves. That includes cleaning up our politics. Let me be clear: shady, ...

Government Strategy Is To Spend and Spend

Editor, News-Register: All I hear is Ohio County Schools Superintendent Kim Miller complain that woe is her that parents get to apply and receive the Hope Scholarship. As usual nothing is offered by her as a solution to improve the situation except that she needs more money to run a school system with already an $89 million budget. Let’s look at the numbers. Since 2017 Ohio County Schools has experienced an enrollment decline from 5,269 students to 4,719, a loss of 10.4% in eight years. West Virginia as a whole is down 10.7% for the same time period. The population loss during ...

Bicycle Safety Needed as We Share Road

Editor, News-Register: Hundreds of bicyclists are killed by cars each year in the U.S. Hundreds more are injured permanently. All the deaths and injuries are preventable. These should not be called accidents. They are caused by negligent drivers. West Virginia Code §17C-11-2 provides in pertinent part that “... Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle. ...” West Virginia Code §17C-11-5 provides in pertinent part that “... Any person operating a bicycle upon ...

Getting More Voices Into Future of Park

Editor, News-Register: As Wheeling Park celebrates its 100th anniversary, there’s no denying the nostalgia and civic pride it evokes in many residents. The improvements to the White Palace, the new inclusive playground, and the restoration of beloved facilities deserve recognition. But while the article in The Intelligencer paints a bright picture of progress, it also illuminates a troubling omission: the lack of authentic public engagement and community-led planning. Despite the celebratory tone, we must ask: When were the people of Wheeling asked what they wanted for their park? ...

Give Residents a Voice in City Developments

Editor, News-Register: There have been a few editorials of late in the Wheeling newspaper supporting business in Wheeling, no matter the location and how it affects the neighborhoods and residents. I am referring to the area along Mount de Chantal Road and the Morningside (near Clator) neighborhood. Wheeling suffered in the past for too long with poor leadership and lack of a concrete plan or vision for the future. As industry is difficult to be developed in our area, we have turned our attention to promoting our town as a retirement community, a great place to raise a family, or a ...