Find a way to keep HHS band teacher
By now, everyone knows about our plight at the Huntington High School band department. Keeping Mr. Richardson as our assistant band director seems like a lost cause.
I have a little more to add for consideration. Mrs. Ash is an excellent band director. She has been able to manage
90-plus students on her own. However, not all band students enter the band program at the same level; not even senior band members are at the same level. Some struggle to learn some of the high notes, and some struggle with a particular musical selection, while others may have problems in different areas. Mrs. Ash can teach our kids as a group and do a fine job. She cannot do any individual training while maintaining attention and control of 90-plus students.
Mr. Richardson's dedication to our band surpasses any I've seen. He comes early and stays late. He accompanies our children on trips and is a confidante among the students. How can a board that is supposedly dedicated to our children's learning be blindsided by numbers on paper? We are talking about the future of our children and our band!
I say, find a way, Cabell County. Keep Mr. Richardson.
Linda Wolfe
Huntington
Average people need gas price relief
I don't know how we, the average people, are going to make ends meet with ridiculously high gasoline costs and food prices rising daily. What about our young people working at minimum wage, adults stuck in low-paying jobs and those like me, living on a fixed monthly income -- how do we survive?
We're on the edge of $4 per gallon with no end in sight. Why is it that gasoline costs soar like clockwork at the onset of travel season? How can prices vary as much as 25 cents per gallon in a 30-mile radius? Who can answer these questions for us?
I must come to Huntington several times weekly for therapy, lab work and doctor's appointments, plus to shop, visit friends and my family. My little disability check does not change to reflect the rising gasoline/grocery prices. Gasoline cost has moved to the top of my monthly expenses with rent and utilities and makes up a high percentage of my monthly expenses. It cannot continue like this. Something needs to be done for us, the average people.
Donna J. Adkins
Lavalette
Young people must fight for change
This is my first time writing my opinion, but young people need to voice their opinions, since we are the future. Every young person knows they have a responsibility to help out and make the best of any situation. But with America in ruins, how can you?
I work and pay bills, and it is hard to pay for gas, food and insurance and to be young. Our government says they are helping, but where's the help? Gas is $3.75, wages start at $5.85. Wow, we are already on a bad start. Add food and insurance, and it's not only young people who feel that strain. Look at all the people who have worked all their lives, unlike our fearless leader who had his daddy get him everything. I'm tired of sitting back; people need to express themselves. We need to rebuild our country, not Iraq.
I'm 19 years old, and my future looks low, not because of my choices but because of the choices our government makes. I know people don't agree with me and they think America is perfect, but they have their voices and I have mine. So let's rebuild now before our children or grandchildren live in a world unimaginable.
Timothy Hart
Huntington
Clinton is a proven advocate for veterans
Hillary Clinton is the most likely candidate to get the United States out of Iraq, but she will do it in a manner that won't endanger our soldiers or weaken our country. She's a member of the Armed Services Committee who understands the impact of the war on our troops and their families and how best to help them.
My son-in-law is a Marine who was a Republican until recently. Now he supports Hillary. She was instrumental in passing legislation to increase the military survivor benefit from $12,000 to $100,000. She is committed to providing adequate health care to every veteran and his or her family. Hillary plans to enact a GI Bill of Rights that will "resurrect the spirit of the original 1944 GI Bill." In short, she is the best person for the job.
Linda Wilson
Scott Depot, W.Va.
Clinton is making presidential history
A number of years ago, I had a chance to visit Washington, D.C. I truly enjoyed visiting many of the historical places and government buildings. Like every other tourist, I wanted to buy a T-shirt as a souvenir. Of course, there were many to choose from. The one I finally decided to buy said, "Washington D.C., History in the making!"
In this election year, history is being made by Sen. Hillary Clinton, who is running to become the first female president in the history of the United States. I fully support her nomination and encourage every eligible registered voter to vote for her in the West Virginia Democratic presidential primary on May 13.
Monika Rowe
Huntington
Clinton isn't afraid to step on some toes
I was alarmed to hear one of Barack Obama's prominent supporters say on the night of the Pennsylvania primary that the reason he can't be any tougher in his campaign is he doesn't want to step on anyone's toes. With all the challenges that face young and old West Virginians alike, do we really need a president who can't step on anyone's toes?
To be able to stand up to the predatory student loan companies and make sure that they loan money adjusted to what students can afford, and cut their million-dollar profit making, someone is going to have to step on some toes.
To provide quality, affordable universal health care and take the health care industry away from the CEOs and major insurance companies and put it into the hands of the people, someone is going to have to step on some toes.
To crack down on the major oil companies and OPEC from price gouging and making it tough for students to commute to classes and work, and push us away from dependency on foreign oil to a clean, green future, someone is going to have to step on some toes.
That someone is Hillary Clinton. She had been reining in the special interests and elite bureaucracy in Washington for 35 years. She will continue to do so as our president .
Kevin Scott Robertson
Huntington
What's behind Obama's charming facade?
"Bitter small town Americans who want to hold onto their guns and religion." Did Obama really say that? Did he think he'd still have a chance to win Pennsylvania making that statement?
His wolf hair is so thinly disguised that sheep's clothing isn't sufficient to cover his true identity. Honestly, I believe he's arrogant enough to believe Oprah's endorsement would make him a shoo-in for his party's nomination.
Get real, Barack. Ms. O's not powerful enough to negate your unwise remarks. They call your condition "hoof in mouth disease" Your kind of change we could do without. What is your real agenda and platform?
You talk eloquently. You say nothing substantial. Your smile is broad and winsome. You ooze charisma. But what is behind that smile?
You, sir, could be an extremely dangerous man for our country. Your facade looks good. What is really lurking just beneath your surface? Could it be thinly disguised hatred for white folks?
Middle class Americans just might be your "Waterloo." You played the guns and religion card too soon. You trumped yourself.
This is one small town American who gladly holds onto her God and her guns. And I'm stickin' to 'em. Obviously, you're not getting my vote.
"Hoof and mouth disease" does not a good president make.
Barbara Lynn Spurlock
Huntington
Consolidated schools hurt Huntington
Ask any real estate agent, and they will tell you the two main factors considered by folks in buying homes are price and location. As part of the location, the desirability of good neighborhood schools is a major consideration. Most parents detest large schools and busing of their children to school.
If they would admit it, Realtors would also tell you that Huntington, because of school consolidations, is no longer a family-friendly place to live. When you have large consolidated schools and high crime in a community, you can kiss families good-bye. These two things are the biggest reasons for flight to the suburbs.
Jerry Brewster is running for the Cabell County Board of Education. Brewster was superintendent, I am fairly sure, when the board was making the decisions to begin consolidating Huntington schools, and in so doing, effectively issued a "death sentence" for Huntington as a place for families to live.
The present board of education, led by Ted Barr, has continued Brewster's plan by consolidating West and Cammack middle schools. Now Barr and his school board want to consolidate Enslow and Beverly Hills middle schools. With the possible exception of Suzanne McGinnis Oxley, Huntington voters who oppose busing and large consolidated schools for their children should vote against all present board members. Vote for Oxley only on May 13. She cares.
Robert Hamlin
Huntington
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