Letters to the Editor

Beware of Energy Vampires

Editor, News-Register: There are vampires in my house! I’ll bet there are some in yours, too. These vampires feed on your electricity, drive up your power bill and drain your wallet. That’s pretty scary! No tricks here, the West Virginia Public Service Commission wants to treat you to some ideas that will help you save money. Vampire energy, also known as ghost energy or phantom load, is consumed by electric appliances that draw power even when turned off. This power drain is pretty easy to eliminate once you find it. Turn off the lights tonight. You can tell ghost ...

Standing Against Amendment 2

Editor, News-Register: We wish to respond to your editorial of Oct 29 that advocates passage of Amendment 2. We applaud the “proviso” you entreat the Legislature: upon passage they “begin a broader discussion on creating a modern tax system … that gives more control to cities and counties on how to raise revenue instead of the current, one-size-fits-all approach coming from Charleston.” Bravo. The West Virginia Association of Counties welcomes that discussion if Amendment 2 fails. That is a major reason why we voted to oppose Amendment 2 on Nov. 8. These discussions ...

Former Delegate Calls Out WVEA

Editor, News-Register: The teachers’ union flyers/ads keep arriving in the mail and many of us who have dealt with the West Virginia Education Association (and NEA) know to vote the opposite way. In this case vote FOR both Amendments 2 and 4. Both flyers we have received have so many inaccuracies that it is embarrassing for the teaching profession or at least those who support WVEA. Both my wife and I are former teachers, she a 30-year language arts teacher, me a former chemistry teacher. I would be embarrassed to be identified as a member of either NEA or WVEA. These unions do ...

Praise for All To Do in Wheeling

Editor, News-Register: I’ve lived in Wheeling since 1978 and can say that, without a doubt, Wheeling is an amazing city! How many cities our size can boast of a symphony orchestra that consistently puts on wonderful concerts to please a variety of musical tastes, from classical to pops, not to mention their amazing July 4th concerts with guest artists? We have a Broadway at the Capitol series that has amazed me with the quality of shows that are brought in. I’ve seen shows on Broadway, and shows in Pittsburgh, and the ones at the Capitol match them in every way, in my ...

Chapman Right Choice for Senate

Editor, News-Register: As we approach Election Day this Nov. 8, I urge readers to support Laura Wakim Chapman for West Virginia Senate to represent the Northern Panhandle. Recently, Laura’s opponent has started running ads attacking her on several issues, including issues affecting women. I cannot believe that a 62-year-old man would ever feel that he has the authority to attack a woman like this and try to claim the high ground on women’s issues, but that’s exactly what he’s attempting to do. I guess that after he spent nearly 20 years in office, her opponent is now ...

Warning on W.Va. Amendment 2

Editor, News-Register: On Nov. 8, West Virginia voters will decide whether to approve Amendment 2, which if approved, will allow the state Legislature to eliminate tangible personal property taxes for businesses as well as the personal property tax for vehicles, without an agreed upon plan to make up at least $500 million a year in lost revenue for counties, cities and schools. This is the definition of fiscal irresponsibility. What will happen if our state budget surplus turns into a deficit? Where do you think the money will come from to make up the deficit? I have a bad feeling ...