'Republican nutcases' right on the mark

Editor:

I have to say Perry Mann has completely articulated the angst that I have felt for years at the state of the "white man's party" ("Republican Party full of nutcases," Nov. 4). His article rings truer than the Liberty Bell itself. I wish it could be printed and dropped in leaflets all over the country!

Thanks to him so much for writing that. He has inspired me to keep trying to get others to see the raw truth and to allow parity for all men in this great nation. He makes me proud to be a (displaced) native West Virginian!

Greg Stewart

Faribault, Minn.

W.Va. should be leading in energy efficiency

Editor:

West Virginia is a leader in energy production, but there are few policies in place for wise use of the energy we create.

Recently, the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy released their Energy Efficiency Scorecard, where West Virginia dropped from 46th place in 2011 to 49th place in 2012. West Virginians deserve better. Not only should our state be a leader in energy production, but we should also be a leader in energy efficiency.

The ACEEE report, found at aceee.org, highlights key strategies for states aiming to improve energy efficiency. Most of the top-ranked states have an adequately funded Energy Efficiency Resource Standard, which sets energy savings targets for utility companies.

As in the past two years, an EERS bill will be introduced to the 2013 Legislature. The state Division of Energy recommended the state adopt an Energy Efficiency Resource Standard in their five-year Energy Draft Plan. Passing the EERS would improve West Virginia's ranking on the scorecard, will save ratepayers money and create local jobs that cannot be outsourced. A similar bill in Pennsylvania saved ratepayers $8 for every $1 invested in the program. Our legislators should act and implement this policy for West Virginia.

Molly McLaughlin

Rock Creek

DNA exoneration not enough for inmate?

Editor:

I'm writing about Robert C. Shrout. He is my fiancé and he is an inmate at Northern Regional Correctional Facility at Moundsville. His conviction date was January 1984. He has been in prison since then on a murder charge. He has been fighting for his innocence for a number of years.

Part of his defense is concerning the Fred Zain cases of 1993, 1999 and 2006. There were three investigations concerning these cases. He had a new DNA test in 2008. They found that the DNA from 1984 was not his. He has the evidence in black and white to prove it, but the courts do not want to look at this report. They found none of his fingerprints at the scene of the crime. The hair sample that they tested was of animal origin.

The problems they were having at the serology department were from 1979 to 1999. He will be going to the parole board in November for the 15th time. The parole board is using public sentiment every time, so they refuse him parole, even though the public has been sending letters to the parole board for his freedom.

He has fought in circuit court and state Supreme Court to get his charges overturned, even with the evidence that he was not there at the time of the crime.

No one wants to help us with this problem. I am a firm believer that everyone should have a second chance at normal life. You know God gives everyone a second chance.

Mary Caltrider

Mill Creek