Voice of the people

Defense of Wright filled with venom

In response to a recent letter regarding the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, I would like to address the writer's comments.

It is a free country, and the writer can protect and promote Rev. Wright all he pleases. However, I must say I am appalled at his abrasive language toward Americans and this is the way America is spelled. The writer overstepped boundaries speaking so harshly against "mostly whites," as he called us.

He can challenge me all he wants about investigating foreign policy; however, I don't want to hear anything he has spewed. I am proud to be an American and am happy I am afforded the opportunity to feel the freedom to worship a God that is displeased with the filth that came from Mr. Wright's mouth.

May I suggest the letter writer find another venue to vent his venom, perhaps in another country, because a person with such animosity doesn't belong in our America.

Flora Carter

Greensboro, N.C.

Vote new people onto City Council

I can remember Huntington with its red brick streets where people could sit on their porches without the fear of being shot. A time of naivete, a time we didn't have to lock our doors, a time of security, trust, prosperity and hope.

Now I see no middle class, but merely low-paying service industry jobs, and our streets are sites for daylight purse snatching and drive-by shootings.

I've watched for years as our present city council, some of whom have served for the best part of a decade, have tried to find solutions but produce the same results every year: nothing but more rules, more regulations and of course, more taxes.

Look at how our present mayor has tried for years to bring about some of these changes but has been met and stopped short by the present council. These "good ol' boys" worry about ATVs and Parking Board responsibilities. Don't get me wrong, these issues are important, but where are the big solutions we so keenly need?

So I ask you, why do these incumbents have the nerve to expect to be re-elected when they've failed so miserably over the years? Huntington's survival rests upon change, and voting for new people with new ideas is the answer.

James "Rocky" Frazier

Huntington

Eliminate state taxes on food, gas

Ohio and Kentucky have no food tax. Why can't West Virginia go that route, too?

I e-mailed Gov. Joe Manchin and told him that West Virginia taxes everything from money orders to money wire transfers. The only way to bypass the 4 percent food tax is to use the food stamp card, WIC vouchers or church food vouchers. Gov. Manchin did bring down the food tax from 6 percent to 4 percent during his term, and he is commended on a job well done. He will get my vote this fall to continue to serve West Virginia as governor.

Why not take the 4 percent food tax and the 40-cent to 50-cent gasoline tax somewhere else, such as lottery, cigarette or alcohol taxes? Increase the sales tax to 7 or 8 percent. West Virginia families should not have to depend on food pantries to feed their families. Increase real estate taxes, property taxes, refuse fees or 911 taxes, but please eliminate the food and gas taxes.

Don't send West Virginians to Ohio and Kentucky to save on food and gas.

Brian Canter

Kenova

Vote for Wilds, Lusher for Wayne County offices

I would like to ask the voters of Wayne County to vote for two very capable candidates running for office for the first time, as far as I know. First, Randy Wilds has 25-plus years of law enforcement and is running for magistrate. Randy is a person who if you have problem, you can talk to him.

The second person is Greg Lusher, who is running for the school board. Greg also is a person who if you ask to talk to him, he would make himself available to talk to you.

I personally encourage the voters of Wayne County to select these two fine men in the primary election.

Steven L. Thompson

Huntington

Select Wolfe, Beckett and Beckett-White

I believe the greatest problem we have in this area is the increase in crime. Huntington has a excellent police force with a top-notch chief, but he needs all of the help that he can get. We have an opportunity to elect a good team that will make a difference. I also believe with Kim Wolfe, a man who has served the people of this area with dedication and integrity his entire adult life, as mayor, he will get that help.

We need a sheriff with a vast amount of intelligence and law enforcement experience. We are fortunate to have Herman Beckett willing to take on that job. I met Mr. Beckett on U.S. 60 several years ago. In the split second as he passed, with the sharp eye of an experienced law enforcement officer, he determined that my wife and I needed help. He is a compassionate person who doesn't mind getting his hands dirty to help people in trouble.

We have the opportunity to elect the most experienced and educated person for magistrate to come along as far back as I can remember. Laura Beckett-White will establish a high degree of fairness and professionalism that the people will be proud of. She also will make a big difference in the way that office is run.

H. F. Wilmer

Huntington

Hustead is best candidate for Cabell circuit judge

I worked for many years as a social service worker in a job that often required attending court hearings for juvenile and other family-related cases. Those cases are rarely simple or clear-cut, but fortunately, the lawyer from the prosecutor's office always had a good grasp of the issues and options in every case. Whenever Jane Hustead was the prosecutor, I knew that my case would be handled fairly and ethically and that all parties would be treated with dignity.

Jane Hustead is now running for circuit court judge. After 31 years as a prosecutor, she has handled every kind of case on the docket with competence, fairness and professionalism. She is well-qualified to be judge.

Because she's too ethical to solicit campaign contributions, you probably won't be seeing television commercials for Jane Hustead. But vote for her anyway. She is by far the best candidate for circuit court judge.

Linda Gottlieb

Huntington

Mayor, council helped save Barnett Hospital

I wish to thank Mayor David Felinton and members of the City Council (Francis Jackson, Teresa Loudermilk, Cal Kent, Paul Farrell, Sandra Clements, Scott Caserta, Mary Neely, Jim Ritter and P.D. Adkins) for their support of the historic Barnett (Black) Hospital rehabilitation project. The nation would have lost a very significant landmark without their understanding of the need to preserve it and tell its story.

They also comprehended that such a project is good for local economic development and that the project would provide much-needed housing in the city that is losing housing at an alarming rate.

Mayor Felinton, as he does with all projects that will bring jobs and improve the city, supported the project from day one and worked closely with us on developing a plan to save the historic building. The above City Council members, when told the story of the historic building, bent over backward to make sure that we had what we needed to save the building.

They are all good souls who everyone in Huntington should be proud to say that they represented them.

Johnny G. Nance

Barboursville

Maynard lacks integrity needed on Supreme Court

To say that I was disgusted with your endorsement of Spike Maynard would be an understatement. Let's be clear. Maynard did not "do the right thing" in my case against Massey Energy. Maynard cast the deciding vote that reversed a jury's verdict that awarded me and my company $50 million plus interest.

After that vote, pictures of him and Don Blankenship, the CEO of Massey, and their girlfriends frolicking on the French Riviera surfaced. It was only then that he "did the right thing" and recused himself.

Failing to disclose his relationship and vacation with Blankenship was in violation of Canon 3E of the Code of Judicial Conduct. Accepting gifts, such as a dinner, which he admitted he did, is a violation of Canon 4D(5) of the code. As a state employee, he failed to report gifts that he received, as he is required to do.

Instead of endorsing Maynard, who has clearly violated the rules that govern justices, maybe this paper should be calling for his resignation. I hope that your readers and the voters of West Virginia will cast their votes elsewhere so that we can rid the court of this type of unethical behavior.

Hugh M. Caperton

President

Harman Mining Corp.

Daniels, W.Va.

McCallister twists truth about previous elections

On March 29, The Herald- Dispatch ran a profile on Cabell County Magistrate Johnny McCallister. McCallister said that he had been magistrate for 11 years and that he wanted to thank the citizens for their continual support of him. I was appalled at the crafty way that McCallister is deceiving the voters into thinking that he is an elected incumbent running for re-election.

The word that he used was "continual," meaning happening over and over again. The real story is that McCallister was appointed to the office by one of the circuit judges. Brenda Chapman had retired from office, and McCallister was put back into the position of magistrate to give McCallister an advantage in the upcoming May primary.

The facts are that McCallister was voted out of office four years ago by the voters of Cabell County, then the will of the people was overturned by one of McCallister's friends in a smoke-filled room. The deal was made knowing that this would make him look good running for re-election. McCallister owes the citizens of Cabell County an apology for his crafty deceits. If McCallister can't be honest in all things, does McCallister deserve our vote?

Dee Crawford

Huntington

Hustead has experience, integrity to be good judge

The time has come to elect a female circuit court judge in Cabell County, and that female is Jane Hustead. Jane is most qualified for this position. She has 31 years experience as a prosecutor, having spent thousands of hours in the courtroom. She has handled both civil and criminal jury trials, as well as hearings, motions -- in short, every type of courtroom proceeding.

Jane has signed the Code of Fair Campaign Practices by which she has limited her spending on this election to $50,000. Unlike her opponent, Jane is not accepting any donations from anyone. She feels that a judge should be unbiased and should not be beholden to any person who might appear before her -- as a defendant, or as a plaintiff, or as a lawyer. Jane is an attorney of the highest integrity. She is honest. She is experienced.

As there is no Republican running for this seat, the primary will decide this race. Please vote for Jane Hustead for Cabell County Circuit Court judge on May 13.

Carolyn J. Bagby

Huntington

Adams has plans to improve sheriff office

As sheriff, I will restructure the way things are being done in the department to improve our abilities under the current budget.

First, I'll add a warrants unit to serve the current outstanding warrants, gaining nearly $350,000 in revenue, which will be redirected into the department to fund more deputies, laptop computers and better bulletproof vests, which are initiatives I've been pushing for since Day One. I will also work diligently with the appropriate officials to obtain new sources of revenue for the department.

To aggressively tackle the drug problem, I will add more deputies, restructure existing schedules, improve communications between all bodies of law enforcement, conduct an in-depth analysis of crime patterns, implement new strategic patrolling tactics, increase the amount of undercover work and open new lines of communication for citizens to anonymously report drug activity.

My business checkpoint plan, which requires deputies to make scheduled check ups on local businesses, will allow business owners to operate in a safe and prosperous environment. This will also stop those who ruin buildings with graffiti, which hinders the attraction of new businesses to our county.

These plans only represent a small portion of the changes I will make as sheriff. To read more about my proven solutions, along with my 32 years of law enforcement experience, please visit www.caadams forsheriff.com.

C.A. Adams

Huntington

Nelson will work hard for area in state House

I am encouraging everyone to vote for Bobby Nelson for the House of Delegates. His previous experience includes serving in the House of Delegates for six years, the Senate for several years and as mayor of Huntington for eight years. He was instrumental in the 6th Street Bridge replacement and renovation of the St. Cloud baseball field and supported building the Marshall University stadium. He has always worked for our district and will continue to make things happen in Huntington.

Michael Hines

Huntington

Hustead will serve public well as judge

Let's have a real change in the judicial landscape of Cabell County. This letter is in support of the candidacy of Ms. Jane Hustead for circuit judge. I have known Ms. Hustead for more than 30 years and know her to be an honest, forthright and compassionate person. As demonstrated by her refusal to accept outside campaign contributions, especially from the very people who will present cases in her court (mainly trial lawyers), she has shown that her only "special interest group" is the people of Cabell County.

Ms. Hustead's 31 years of experience in the Cabell County prosecutor's office and her general civil practice illustrate not only her commitment to public service and her deep ties to our community, but also a thorough understanding of Cabell County's legal system.

She is a person who is progressive, passionate, impartial, firm and fair. Ms. Hustead is personable and approachable and is open to new methods of addressing the adjudication of crime. It is for all these reasons that I strongly endorse Ms. Jane Hustead for Cabell County Circuit Court judge. If you want a judge who will be tough on crime and fair with people, then join me in voting for Ms. Jane Hustead, an experienced legal professional, on May 13.

To learn more about her, please go to www.husteadforjudge.com.

Dr. Bill Webb

Huntington