Letters, Jan. 24, 2013: Rod Run; Rockefeller's blame games
Mayor Jones' odd Rod Run proposals
Mayor Jones' odd Rod Run proposals
Editor:
On Dec. 11, Mayor Jones was in the news discussing the goal to bring new and bigger conventions to the City of Charleston. I know this is a strong desire of his and the Convention and Visitor's Bureau and I commend them for those goals.
There is another action that I do not understand. Mr. Jones has decided that the local Rod Run and Doo Wop needs to concentrate on vehicles that are 25 years old or older. He is so dedicated to that end that he has indicated that he will withdraw city funding for the event if his suggestion is not followed. He also stated that the city will charge rent for Magic Island and for every parking meter used for the festival. To his credit, he has indicated that he will provide some additional funding if his suggestion is followed.
It is difficult for me to understand why these changes are necessary. Charleston has one of the premier car events along the East Coast. The Rod Run and Doo Wop has been featured in Crusin' Times magazine as one of the best shows available and the New York Times also made mention of its quality. The show attracts more than 900 cars and people from 15 states and has repeat attendance from Canada.
The city desires to bring large events to the area to attract outside groups to spend money and boost the economy. How can you logically withdraw support for this event and still want to promote the city for larger venues?
The Rod run has been gaining the interest of the boating community. They have begun to rally around it as they did, in times past, for the Sternwheel Regatta. The City has recently expanded the docking facilities and, it seems, are now trying to eliminate one the major events that attracts a large number of boaters.
The Rod Run Doo Wop has been a success for seven years because it attracts the interest of more than 200 volunteers to make it happen. A large portion of those volunteers show interest because they have the newer-style vehicles to bring to the show. Without the support of these individuals, the Rod Run will lose more than half of the volunteers needed. It will be difficult to keep a show of the same caliber and certainly the show will diminish in size. Less attendees equals less revenue.
Bill Hilborn
Elkview
Rockefeller should stop playing blame games
Editor:West Virginians voiced their opinion of President Obama in 2008 when they voted for John McCain for president. (West Virginians were smarter than most Americans.) Also, voters across the country elected numerous candidates, referred to as the tea party, who take a position against the out-of-control government spending.
Unfortunately, officials like Sen. Rockefeller want business as usual with no accountability to the American public for spending waste, increasing debt, and lack of a plan for the future to save our children and grandchildren from the debt that awaits them.
To blame the tea party for the S&P downgrade of U.S. bonds, as Sen. Rockefeller recently did, is an insult to the intelligence of the American public. Rather, Rockefeller should be applauding the tea party, as should all Americans for initiating a debate that was long overdue. The government is now forced to look realistically at long-term finances.
Rockefeller recently said, "That gives them the freedom to walk in and destroy the fabric of government" -- a reference to the tea party. I don't think Americans and West Virginians are all that crazy about the current fabric of government.
Rockefeller should take the lead of Sen. Manchin, who is demonstrating leadership, not political name-calling and the same old rhetoric we have heard for the last 10 years.
William T. Cuppett
Morgantown
Mayor Jones' odd Rod Run proposals
Editor:
On Dec. 11, Mayor Jones was in the news discussing the goal to bring new and bigger conventions to the City of Charleston. I know this is a strong desire of his and the Convention and Visitor's Bureau and I commend them for those goals.
There is another action that I do not understand. Mr. Jones has decided that the local Rod Run and Doo Wop needs to concentrate on vehicles that are 25 years old or older. He is so dedicated to that end that he has indicated that he will withdraw city funding for the event if his suggestion is not followed. He also stated that the city will charge rent for Magic Island and for every parking meter used for the festival. To his credit, he has indicated that he will provide some additional funding if his suggestion is followed.
It is difficult for me to understand why these changes are necessary. Charleston has one of the premier car events along the East Coast. The Rod Run and Doo Wop has been featured in Crusin' Times magazine as one of the best shows available and the New York Times also made mention of its quality. The show attracts more than 900 cars and people from 15 states and has repeat attendance from Canada.
The city desires to bring large events to the area to attract outside groups to spend money and boost the economy. How can you logically withdraw support for this event and still want to promote the city for larger venues?
The Rod run has been gaining the interest of the boating community. They have begun to rally around it as they did, in times past, for the Sternwheel Regatta. The City has recently expanded the docking facilities and, it seems, are now trying to eliminate one the major events that attracts a large number of boaters.
The Rod Run Doo Wop has been a success for seven years because it attracts the interest of more than 200 volunteers to make it happen. A large portion of those volunteers show interest because they have the newer-style vehicles to bring to the show. Without the support of these individuals, the Rod Run will lose more than half of the volunteers needed. It will be difficult to keep a show of the same caliber and certainly the show will diminish in size. Less attendees equals less revenue.
Bill Hilborn
Elkview
Rockefeller should stop playing blame games
Editor:West Virginians voiced their opinion of President Obama in 2008 when they voted for John McCain for president. (West Virginians were smarter than most Americans.) Also, voters across the country elected numerous candidates, referred to as the tea party, who take a position against the out-of-control government spending.
Unfortunately, officials like Sen. Rockefeller want business as usual with no accountability to the American public for spending waste, increasing debt, and lack of a plan for the future to save our children and grandchildren from the debt that awaits them.
To blame the tea party for the S&P downgrade of U.S. bonds, as Sen. Rockefeller recently did, is an insult to the intelligence of the American public. Rather, Rockefeller should be applauding the tea party, as should all Americans for initiating a debate that was long overdue. The government is now forced to look realistically at long-term finances.
Rockefeller recently said, "That gives them the freedom to walk in and destroy the fabric of government" -- a reference to the tea party. I don't think Americans and West Virginians are all that crazy about the current fabric of government.
Rockefeller should take the lead of Sen. Manchin, who is demonstrating leadership, not political name-calling and the same old rhetoric we have heard for the last 10 years.
William T. Cuppett
Morgantown
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