Readers' forum: Feb. 29, 2008
Outrageous prices soar at Yeager
Editor:
I have been watching airfares for the last six weeks for a trip to Houston. To my dismay, the outrageous prices out of Yeager Airport have not abated. As of Feb. 18, the cost of two round-trip tickets for the direct flight to Houston on Continental Airlines is $1,281 ($640.50 each).
Checking direct Continental flights from Lexington, Ky., the tickets are $493 ($246.50 each). Direct flights from Columbus, Ohio, are $389 ($194.50 each). As you can see, we will save $892 for a drive to Columbus, Ohio. The two and a half hour drive will be well worth our while, even with high gas prices!
What is the problem with Yeager Airport? Only business people will be flying at those prices. Maybe the Gazette's vehement opposition to a regional airport was a big mistake.
Elaine Meadows
Scott Depot
Why is McGraw a chamber target?
Editor:
One has to wonder exactly what game the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce is playing now. What is the real reason they're trying to instigate the removal of Attorney General Darrell McGraw?
If it isn't enough to have a state Supreme Court judge smoozing with the CEO of a coal company, now the Chamber of Commerce is trying to control the Attorney General's Office, all the while telling citizens that they want to create a better business climate.
Is a favorable business climate one in which a public person can simply purchase a member of the Supreme Court or two if he wishes, giving more credence to the negative images that many people already believe is true of the West Virginia political scene?
Is it a favorable business climate when the Chamber of Commerce can spend money from their coffers encouraging citizens to inundate the Legislature with demands for an investigation of Attorney General McGraw?
The chamber should take responsibility for creating a better business climate by focusing on positive public relations efforts that do not smack of underhanded attempts to control state government entities. Maybe this would change observers' impressions that West Virginia is not only "open for business," but also for sale to the highest bidder.
Outrageous prices soar at Yeager
Editor:
I have been watching airfares for the last six weeks for a trip to Houston. To my dismay, the outrageous prices out of Yeager Airport have not abated. As of Feb. 18, the cost of two round-trip tickets for the direct flight to Houston on Continental Airlines is $1,281 ($640.50 each).
Checking direct Continental flights from Lexington, Ky., the tickets are $493 ($246.50 each). Direct flights from Columbus, Ohio, are $389 ($194.50 each). As you can see, we will save $892 for a drive to Columbus, Ohio. The two and a half hour drive will be well worth our while, even with high gas prices!
What is the problem with Yeager Airport? Only business people will be flying at those prices. Maybe the Gazette's vehement opposition to a regional airport was a big mistake.
Elaine Meadows
Scott Depot
Why is McGraw a chamber target?
Editor:
One has to wonder exactly what game the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce is playing now. What is the real reason they're trying to instigate the removal of Attorney General Darrell McGraw?
If it isn't enough to have a state Supreme Court judge smoozing with the CEO of a coal company, now the Chamber of Commerce is trying to control the Attorney General's Office, all the while telling citizens that they want to create a better business climate.
Is a favorable business climate one in which a public person can simply purchase a member of the Supreme Court or two if he wishes, giving more credence to the negative images that many people already believe is true of the West Virginia political scene?
Is it a favorable business climate when the Chamber of Commerce can spend money from their coffers encouraging citizens to inundate the Legislature with demands for an investigation of Attorney General McGraw?
The chamber should take responsibility for creating a better business climate by focusing on positive public relations efforts that do not smack of underhanded attempts to control state government entities. Maybe this would change observers' impressions that West Virginia is not only "open for business," but also for sale to the highest bidder.
Barbara
Hutchison-Smith
Cross Lanes
AP students need better preparation
Editor:
In addition to expanding access to advanced-placement classes in high schools, as described in "State gives boost to AP courses" (Gazette, Feb. 16), it is equally important to improve the performance of the students who already have access.
Actual information from the College Board for West Virginia performance in 2007 shows:
15.2 percent of the public high school class of 2007 took at least one AP exam during high school. This compares to 24.9 percent for the nation. 7 percent of the high school class of 2007 earned a 3 or higher on one or more AP exams during high school. This compares with 15.2 percent for the nation.If our only action is to increase the number of students taking this test, then the proportion passing will fall even further.
Our best students deserve to be better prepared for this test and for college.
Keith Carmichael
Charleston
