Bayer can't be trusted with MIC

Editor:

I understand B.J. Midkiff's loyalty to his employer. That said, his letter, "If Bayer leaves Valley, so will hundreds of jobs" was ridiculous.

First of all, to my knowledge, no one is asking Bayer to leave, but rather to stop storing MIC like every other plant in the United States has done. Are we to believe that Bayer will leave the Valley unless it can continue to store huge amounts of MIC? If so, how is Bayer different from all those other plants that make MIC on an as-needed basis, and apparently do so in a way that allows them to remain profitable?

It's the same old tired argument made by the coal industry -- that the dangers posed and the damage inflicted should be allowed because the industry provides jobs. By that logic, we should legalize and allow the manufacture of, say, heroin? Cocaine? That would provide jobs, too.

This "jobs at any cost" mentality has cost West Virginia dearly, and continues to do so.

Bayer officials have said they want a "new day" with Kanawha Valley residents.

Bayer doesn't deserve a "new day." The Chemical Safety Board's investigation brought to light many things that were not as they should have been on the night of the August explosion. Bayer thus demonstrated that it cannot be trusted to safely store such a deadly chemical. Bayer -- and thousands of other people -- were very, very lucky that "only" two people died as a result of Bayer's irresponsibility.

Vickie Wolfe

South Charleston

Thank you, for Guard plane crash story

Editor:

I just read the article about the Air National Guard plane crash in 1951. My brother was killed in that crash and another brother was on the second plane.

Thank you for the story Sandy Wells wrote. Well done.

It brought back memories and tears for all those wonderful young men. I think it would be nice to list all the boys that were killed in that crash. It was a terrible day for our family as for all the families. (My brother was William H. Shelton. He was 27 years old.)

Shirley Shelton Scholl

Vienna

Congress hurts business for political gain

Editor:

In adopting a zero-tolerance policy toward suspected corporate excess, policymakers have been demonizing companies for legitimate travel to meetings and events and for rewarding high-performing employees with travel. Handicapping businesses to score political points is shortsighted and erects barriers to recovery.

Business travel helps companies build relationships, retain and develop employee talent, generate ideas and facilitate knowledge sharing that drives business growth. In a weak economy, doesn't every company in America need more opportunities to promote recovery and plan for better days?

Trips have also been mischaracterized as CEO junkets, but attendees of incentive-program travel, for example, are typically middle-class Americans who have earned travel to reward exceptional work.

Bayer can't be trusted with MIC

Editor:

I understand B.J. Midkiff's loyalty to his employer. That said, his letter, "If Bayer leaves Valley, so will hundreds of jobs" was ridiculous.

First of all, to my knowledge, no one is asking Bayer to leave, but rather to stop storing MIC like every other plant in the United States has done. Are we to believe that Bayer will leave the Valley unless it can continue to store huge amounts of MIC? If so, how is Bayer different from all those other plants that make MIC on an as-needed basis, and apparently do so in a way that allows them to remain profitable?

It's the same old tired argument made by the coal industry -- that the dangers posed and the damage inflicted should be allowed because the industry provides jobs. By that logic, we should legalize and allow the manufacture of, say, heroin? Cocaine? That would provide jobs, too.

This "jobs at any cost" mentality has cost West Virginia dearly, and continues to do so.

Bayer officials have said they want a "new day" with Kanawha Valley residents.

Bayer doesn't deserve a "new day." The Chemical Safety Board's investigation brought to light many things that were not as they should have been on the night of the August explosion. Bayer thus demonstrated that it cannot be trusted to safely store such a deadly chemical. Bayer -- and thousands of other people -- were very, very lucky that "only" two people died as a result of Bayer's irresponsibility.

Vickie Wolfe

South Charleston

Thank you, for Guard plane crash story

Editor:

I just read the article about the Air National Guard plane crash in 1951. My brother was killed in that crash and another brother was on the second plane.

Thank you for the story Sandy Wells wrote. Well done.

It brought back memories and tears for all those wonderful young men. I think it would be nice to list all the boys that were killed in that crash. It was a terrible day for our family as for all the families. (My brother was William H. Shelton. He was 27 years old.)

Shirley Shelton Scholl

Vienna

Congress hurts business for political gain

Editor:

In adopting a zero-tolerance policy toward suspected corporate excess, policymakers have been demonizing companies for legitimate travel to meetings and events and for rewarding high-performing employees with travel. Handicapping businesses to score political points is shortsighted and erects barriers to recovery.

Business travel helps companies build relationships, retain and develop employee talent, generate ideas and facilitate knowledge sharing that drives business growth. In a weak economy, doesn't every company in America need more opportunities to promote recovery and plan for better days?

Trips have also been mischaracterized as CEO junkets, but attendees of incentive-program travel, for example, are typically middle-class Americans who have earned travel to reward exceptional work.

Members of Congress who attack corporate meetings and events -- yet attend their own yearly retreats -- should remember that good public policy addresses reality, not rhetoric.

Courtney Russell

Hurricane

Bridge should be red, white and blue

Editor:

I have sent the following message to the West Virginia Department of Transportation:

The Fort Hill Bridge should be red, white and blue. There are three arches, hence the three colors. The center arch being painted white.

Horizontal members would also be white. Vertical members would match the color of the arch they are attached to.

I would like to hear what the DOT thinks of this proposal.

Paul R. Ostand

Sissonville

Reforms would position city for growth

Editor:

Charleston's designation as one of the "10 Fastest Dying Cities in America" by Forbes Magazine is justifiably a sore spot for many of us who live here.

Whether you read about our "dying" cities or our "judicial hellholes," it is only natural for West Virginians to be defensive. After all, there are many positive qualities about our city and state, and countless individuals working to make this a better place. 

However, we must be careful that in our rush to defend ourselves from national critics, we don't lose sight of the important message they might be imparting. One important message is that West Virginia needs to reform its legal system to bring fairness and predictability to our courtrooms and more business and well-paying jobs to our cities.  

Since Forbes Magazine unveiled its controversial list last August, Chesapeake Energy has announced that it is drastically cutting operations in West Virginia, costing our city hundreds of jobs and millions in revenue. A major factor cited in Chesapeake's decision was our state's legal system. 

Once we get beyond the rhetoric, we can start looking at the real solutions that will help bring jobs back to our city and state. 

Richie Heath, executive director,

West Virginia Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse

Charleston