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Airing Out Our Gripes

Once a year, I collect readers’ gripes about a host of issues and formulate them into a column. That way we can share our collective complaints and feel somewhat validated.

I’ve heard from a host of readers about the condition of roads in West Virginia, and I can commiserate. There is an online method at the state’s highways division for making road issue complaints known to those who can help.

How excited one reader was to receive a message saying the potholes on his road had been filled that day. However, a ride down his road proved otherwise. Perhaps road crews ran out of patching material as numerous holes were left untouched while others right next to them were filled.

It shouldn’t be that hard.

Another issue readers feel strongly about is drivers who do not understand the concept of yielding. One woman said she wears out her horn, especially during interstate travel, because some drivers simply do not yield to oncoming traffic. This is very dangerous. There are places in construction zones where there is no space for moving over for those drivers.

Yield signs are red. That is supposed to tell drivers that if you don’t have a clear opening to merge into traffic, then you must stop and wait until the coast is clear. It shouldn’t be that hard. Of course, it helps if the other driver gets over if he or she can do so safely.

Another reader can’t understand why certain products, i.e., batteries and kitchen tools, are packaged in nearly indestructible plastic. I personally cut my finger with a razor knife in an effort to open some plug-in products aimed at keeping pests out of our domicile. Two Band-Aids later, I wrestled the products from their package.

It shouldn’t be that hard.

On the other extreme, a reader wants cereal makers to package their products in re-sealable bags. The thinking here is to keep the products fresher longer. Doesn’t sound like that would be too out of line for Kelloggs or Post cereal makers to keep their customers coming back for $5 boxes of cereal.

Hidden fees on everything have many readers up in arms.

Whether it’s the shock of opening your cable bill or renting a room on vacation. There seems to always be those fees you knew nothing about until pay up time. That just shouldn’t be allowed.

O.K., so those are just some of the pet peeves I’ve heard lately. Sure, there are many more important things in our daily lives to worry about, but if we can change a few of the little things, we might all smile a little more.

Heather Ziegler can be reached via email at hziegler@theintelligencer.net.

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