Feb 22, letters to the editor
Waynesburg man praises DeWeese My dad was born and raised in Wetzel County, W.Va., not much more than an hour from my Greene County home.
One of his many “West Virginia-isms” (as my siblings and I called them) was, “You need to ride a horse as long as you can.” I judge Bill DeWeese’s utility to our 50th District in the very same wise way.
Because of his longevity in the House, like a champion thoroughbred, Bill is just “reaching his stride.” I think of the many ways he directly benefited us over the past year.
He has:
Ensured $4.3 million in state funds to build a state-of-the art UMWA training school, in Ruff Creek.
Secured $1.75 million for the wonderful water park in Franklin Township that contributes to the wellness of our residents.
Procured the long-term commitment of Governor Rendell for funds to conserve our precious natural resources at Duke Lake/Ryerson State Park.
So let’s keep Bill “saddled” with the responsibility to “win the big prizes” in Harrisburg on behalf of our “stables” here in our District.
PS: For the life of me, I can’t imagine why the usually perceptive GCM would fail to mention these contributions in your Year in Review from the county of Greene in 2007.
In an equine mood for the upcoming election,
Jeff Kisner
Waynesburg
Reader gives his thoughts
on Miles Davin
It is sad to know Miles Davin is no longer with us. My sympathy goes out to the Davin family. Being a former county resident, I always enjoyed his columns. I never met Miles, but after reading his columns, long ago I came to the conclusion he was a super guy.
The excellent story written by Steve Barrett, Steve Ferris and Tara Kinsell [in the Feb. 8-14 issue] just backs up my thoughts about Miles. I know he can’t be replaced and many people will miss him.
What would it be like if suddenly everyone became a Miles Davin? Many people would be out of work. We would no longer need workers who produce fighter planes, tanks and nuclear weapons. Police, attorneys, judges and probation officers would all be looking for work. Of course, all those problems would be solved on short notice because of everyone’s complete cooperation.
There would be no need for jails, no need to lock our doors, no stolen vehicles, senior citizens could walk the streets after dark and a handshake would be as good as a signature. It’s too bad the world isn’t full of people like Miles.
I’m sure all the people who had the experience of knowing and working with Miles are all better off for that experience. Having an interest in Greene County, I will definitely miss his column.
Paul Messich
Cheswick, Pa.
Why were protestors in Greene County?
(EDITOR’S NOTE: This letter refers to a story published in the Jan. 4-10 issue of the Messenger, in which two activists representing a grassroots reformist group visited state Rep. Bill DeWeese’s office in Waynesburg to issue a symbolic “Citizens’ Indictment.” The activists – Gene Stilp and Dennis Baylor – arrived in their symbolic “Pink Pig Bus.”)
I was amused by the picture of the two gentlemen and the pink bus. What I did not understand was why they were there to discuss the problems in Greene County.
What they should have done is paint a picture of George Bush and an oil rig on the bus, then went south on I-79 to east on I-68 then headed east and parked in front of the White House.
This is where they could have discussed the problems with Republicans, which is where the problems of Greene County and other counties started.
They say we have to be patient, but I say that we don’t have the luxury of patience. By the time those religious fanatics and drug lords come around to accepting democracy, our country will be bankrupt or on the verge of it.
As an afterthought, when I became county commissioner the county was over three million dollars in debt.
The state said it was not sending any more money till the county came up with its share of the funding. I called Bill DeWeese and soon got a check that kept us from talking bankruptcy.
Kelce Mosley
Waynesburg