City of Keyser Backs Green Mountain Wind Farm

After a unanimous vote of approval, Keyser City Councilman Dave Sowers said of a proposed Green Mountain wind farm that it would generate county tax revenues, create more jobs, and help expand national renewable energy production.

Pinnacle Wind Force plans to spend $131 million to create the facility on the mountaintops above Keyser.

This puts the Keyser City Council potentially at odds with some members of the county commission who have expressed reservations about wind energy. Some concerns cited include the altering of aesthetics, damage to wildlife, and questions about what would happen if wind power was not profitable in the long run.

However Mineral County will gain benefits for years from the farm. Property tax revenues will bolster school budgets. The ripple effect from a $131 million investment will boost Keyser's flagging economy. Also it will promote the perception that Keyser and Mineral County embrace new technologies and ideas. Windmills are a symbol of clean energy independence.

Words Fail Us

Words failed us.

Not four months after Obama took office, his diplomacy of apologies starts to bear fruit. He and his secretary of state felt compelled to apologize for the United States so bluntly and brutally enforcing international law and ruffling the feathers of Europeans that traded with murderous monsters such as Saddam Hussein.

Now Iran has weapons grade materials. North Korea has exploded nuclear devices and launched more test missiles.

These developments drastically increase the chance that terrorists will get a device to explode in Tel Aviv, Madrid, or New York City. They also heighten the possibility that Iran or North Korea will try to bully their neighbors or even launch against the United States.

Obama will talk and try to get at the real problem through negotiation. I remember that Bush talked too. Then he acted. Bush's actions convinced Libya to abandon their nuclear program and join the community of peaceful nations. We didn't even threaten them. Bush leaves office and now the kiddies can come out and play with reckless abandon. Of course also on Obama's watch a known nuclear power is falling dangerously close to collapsing in the face of the Taliban.

The issue is bigger than just nukes. If Pakistan goes Taliban, India will be frightened and may take action. We can rest assured that Israel will act against Iran. North Korean belligerence scares Japan. If Japan rearms that provokes China, which could cause a chain reaction of fear and arming throughout Asia. American power and firm resolve have kept a lid on all of this for some time. Now that we have a president who does not even have the resolve to fill the jobs in the Executive Branch, the world is in a little more peril.

Chairman Steele Addresses WV YR’s

PRESS RELEASE

Tuesday, May 26, 2009 Contact: Lisa Peana

For Immediate Release (304) 730-4599

Chairman Steele Addresses WV YR’s

YR’s Accept Challange

Charleston, WV – RNC Chairman Friday night spoke to nearly 250 Republicans and in his remarks he addressed the WV Young Republicans to take action.

“We are determined not to live in the past, but to look forward to a prosperous future,” said Kevin Noe, National Committeeman for the WV YR, “It’s time we stand up, with a clear voice and let our state leaders know that we are going to take charge of our state's future. Realizing that the status quo is no longer acceptable in West Virginia, the Young Republicans are prepared to bring much needed change to Mountain State government.”

The Young Republicans are prepared to lead the way into next year’s election to let the voters of WV know where their representatives stand on key issues.

“We have representatives in Charleston and Washington that are not working for the people of West Virginia, and it’s time we let them know we are not happy with them. It's time to tell them that the radical Cap and Trade laws will kill West Virginia's coal industry. It’s time we stand up and let them know that we support the sanctity of life and traditional marriage.

“It’s time that we start making our voice heard. This is our state and our nation, we need to start acting like it and get involved,” added Noe.

For more information about the WV Young Republicans, please visit www.wvyr.org

Sidewalks Connect and Reflect a Community

I have been trying to get more exercise, so I have been walking several miles along the streets of Keyser most every evening. If you haven't taken the time to wander around your community, then I invite you to do so, because the sidewalk is a great way to meet your community. The sidewalks are your connection to your neighbors.

One of the first things you will notice is most of the sidewalks in Keyser were built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and that they were build in 1940 and 1941. The quality of the work and craftsmanship represents a time when we built things to last. After nearly 70 years in the ground they still bare the mark of the WPA (See right). This was a time when many were out of work, but they didn't just take money from the government. They took a job with government and gave something back to the community. A quality product that is still in use today as many of these sidewalks are still in great shape like the one to top and left left. The home owners take care of them and take pride in their community.

Unfortunately in some areas the sidewalks get abused. Not just in Keyser, but in other communities. Sidewalks were never built to be parking lots and as a result of being parked on many get destroyed. This reflects a change in attitude of people over the years. At one time most people had a respect for their community and the things it provides, like side walks. They didn't abuse the things that their own tax dollars provide.

Sometimes it is mother nature that destroys the sidewalks of a town making them hard to walk on. Tree roots are one of the hardest of mother natures tools for destroying a nice level sidewalk. Although the trees are now gone, their roots caused the damage to the side walk on the left. On the right below mother nature is reclaiming the the sidewalk with top soil and grass. There is a complete side walk under that grass although it is broken. Probably from being driven over or parked on through the years as it is now lower than the street next to it.

As the sidewalks are destroyed in our community, so are the connections to our neighbors. Gone is the smooth path where we greet and become neighbors. One of the judges of a neighborhood or a town for that matter is the condition of the sidewalks. Sidewalks are more than mere paths to walk on. They are a reflection of a community and the pride it takes in itself.

Imagine the sight of Keyser in 1941 when all the sidewalks were fresh and new. The community was fully connected and it reflected community pride and a strong work ethic. Perhaps Keyser should embark on a program of repairing and extending sidewalks into new areas of town. Let visitors know, no matter what part of Keyser they are in, it is a good section of town. Reconnect our community and reflect the pride we all feel of claiming Keyser as our hometown.

Blast from the Past: Elbow Room