Local Columns

Let’s Use Moment To Truly Become ‘United’ States of America

Editor’s note: This statement from Sen. Joe Manchin was released the day after the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. Our nation stands at a critical moment in our history. I love my country and I cannot stand by and watch these events unfold without trying to use my voice. The horrible actions of yesterday are the actions of one man, but they should surprise no one in the toxic political environment we find ourselves in today. On both sides of the political spectrum, politics has become a race to the extremes. While it takes different forms on the right and ...

Marshall Memo: A Visit from Gordon Gee; SpongeBob; and the Fair

Marshall County Commissioners Mike Ferro, John Gruzinskas and Scott Varner hosted WVU President Gordon Gee Tuesday to discuss the numerous challenges West Virginians have faced over the years. Drawing on his experiences at various universities, he highlighted what it means to be a West Virginian. He stressed that collaboration, leadership and education have significantly impacted West Virginia’s economy. Although there is much work to be done, Gee believes West Virginia is poised for greatness and can become a leader in the nation. The resilience, loyalty, faith, and patriotism of ...

Election Integrity Must Be Nation’s Priority as We Head to November

Silencing election integrity advocates does not increase voter confidence. The attempted assassination of former President Trump crystalizes the extreme political division within our country. The temperature must be lowered, but that will only begin to be accomplished by an open dialogue. On July 12th, the nation’s secretaries of state concluded our final national conference prior to the 2024 election. With our country as divided as it’s been in 150 years and with concern over election integrity being at its peak, the National Association of Secretaries of State failed to discuss ...

Money Matters

Elections are never over until they are over. As the old saying goes, the only poll that matters is the poll voters take on Election Day. But fundraising is important. Sure, an argument can be made that there is too much money in politics. I have never really subscribed to that. If that panhandler is allowed to sit outside my car window at the local stoplight and that be protected by the 1st Amendment, then money donated to political candidates should be every bit as protected. The only thing I ask is that I have full transparency in who donates. I enjoy going through campaign ...

‘Bidenomics’ Bad Economics for W.Va. and Nation

Americans across the country have heard President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, as well as many other administration officials highlight the supposed success of “Bidenomics.” They have told the American public that these policies will lift the country out of the economic downturn resulting from our nation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, West Virginians know better than anyone how Bidenomics has failed us, and how out of touch the claims of this administration have been. Throughout Biden’s first year in office, we were assured that drastic price ...

Marshall Memo: School Board News, Storytelling and Fun Activities

For those having items they would like included in this weekly column, information can be emailed to bugs52@comcast.net. If you would like to mail information to me, I have a new mailing address. This past week, I moved to a new community in Hurricane, W.Va., called Celebration Villa. The staff and other residents are very friendly, and it just so happens that two individuals with ties to Moundsville also reside here. The address is 4000 Outlook Drive #145, Hurricane, WV 25526. --- John Miller was re-elected as president of the Marshall County Board of Education this past Tuesday. ...