Big money, Manchin faction hurting state

Editor:

Darrell McGraw, a heroic protector of the 99 percent in W.Va. was defeated by out-of-state money representing large corporations, especially tobacco companies.

The laws allowing the wealthy few to dominate our elections must be changed before our country can be considered a democracy. For our national leaders to brag to the rest of the world about our democracy is hypocrisy.

And for the Manchin faction of our state 1 percent to remove the state Superintendent of Schools Jorea Marple, a heroine in her own right, is an act of gross arrogance. This reminds me of the Manchins' daughter's advanced degree from WVU and Gov. Joe's use of the state plane to attend WVU sports events.

These shameless acts embarrass and hurt our state but are educational tools to all who would open their eyes to changes we need.

Larry Cottrell

Orma

Door-to-door mail delivery may end

Editor:

I am a 32-year employee of the U.S. Postal Service, so I follow the articles in your paper concerning the postal service.

In the past couple of years, since the financial condition of the postal service became big news, you have had many articles focusing on the closing of post offices and the end of six-day delivery.

What your readers also need to know is that legislation has been introduced in Congress that, if passed, could possibly end the U.S. Postal Service's practice of delivering mail door to door. The plan calls for the installation of neighborhood cluster boxes where postal carriers, like myself, would deposit mail for several blocks of homes at a central location. Customers would then have to go to those locations with a key to retrieve their mail. Items too large for the receptacles may be handled with a notice to be picked up at the closest post office. If this is allowed to happen, there will be no going back. So if you don't like the idea of your 80-year-old mother trudging through the snow for several blocks to pick up her Christmas cards or Social Security check, you might want to call or write Congresswoman Capito, Sen. Rockefeller and Sen. Manchin to let them know you want them to protect door-to-door delivery.

The Republicans have claimed West Virginia as one of their red states. The Democrats have the blue states, but the U.S. Postal Service is red, white and blue and it belongs to the American people.

Mack Combs

Charleston

GOODNIGHT 2012 was a huge success

Editor:

GOODNIGHT 2012, the 18th annual New Year's Eve Celebration presented by the Community Music Association of Charleston, was a tremendous success! The weather was a blessing. We had big crowds at all 12 locations and the 29 performing groups were thoroughly enjoyed by the thousands who attended. GOODNIGHT 2012 was truly a good night for Charleston and the surrounding area.

We thank the Charleston Newspapers, Highland Hospital and the West Virginia Radio Corporation for all the terrific publicity. And we thank The Charleston Gazette for printing our flyers. Your support has helped make this outstanding evening a true celebration.

GOODNIGHT has grown into an exciting, family-friendly, safe and alcohol-free evening for all ages and with entertainment that appeals to every taste. This is possible only because of the generous support of our sponsors, The City of Charleston and Mayor Danny Jones, Charleston Newspapers, West Virginia Public Radio Corp., Highland Hospital, KRT who donated the trolleys free of charge and TSG Consulting. We also thank the downtown churches, Capitol Theater and the Civic Center for providing their facilities free of charge and to all our wonderful musicians who donate their outstanding time and talent. We sincerely thank all of you!

The work and enthusiasm for GOODNIGHT is truly and greatly appreciated!

Alice Anne Robertson

GOODNIGHT 2012 Chair

Charleston

Something is rotten in West Virginia

Editor:

John Palmer, an educator, is to be much commended for "There is something rotten in W.Va." which recently appeared in these pages. (It was A. James of blessed memory who could make four long syllables out of the word ed-u-ca-tor).

Of course, there has always been something rotten in W.Va., at least in my lifetime. I can recall when Casey Marland emerged from his alcoholic haze and took on big coal (and was destroyed by it); Jim Sprouse's victory in the 1968 Democratic primary; and the sound thrashing administered to A. James's nephew by Charlotte Pritt in 1992. That's about it since my natal year.

By the way, I like Horatio's riposte to Hamlet's "[something] is rotten in the [state] of Denmark." (Mr. Palmer was quoting the Bard from memory, always a dangerous thing).

"There needs no ghost, my Lord, come from the grave to tell us this."

H. John Rogers

New Martinsville