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Letters to the Editor

Taking Away America’s Voice

Editor, News-Register: Americans have certain inalienable rights. Chief among these is the freedom of speech sanctioned to us under the First Amendment. What should be protected by the Constitution — the very basis of our democracy — is now under threat. Congress is attempting to pass legislation that would limit how and where Americans can share their voices. Regardless of the communication style, the First Amendment protects our right to converse with others. TikTok is a major social media platform. Banning it would strip us of our basic rights as American citizens and place ...

Caring for W.Va.’s Veterans

Editor, News-Register: As a past department commander for the American Legion in the Wheeling area, and a retired U.S. Navy chief petty officer, I’m well aware of the sacrifices made by our veterans in service to this country. That’s why it shocks me to learn that our own U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs plans to jeopardize veteran health care by reducing reimbursement rates for ground and air emergency response and transport services in West Virginia and across the country. Known as the “Change in Rates VA Pays for Special Modes of Transportation,” the rule decreases ...

Only Vote is No on Ohio Issue 1

Editor, News-Register: What is currently happening in Ohio has me and I’m sure millions of others very concerned. This November, a radical constitutional amendment will appear on your ballot. It’s called Issue 1, and it is an extreme, irreversible expansion of abortion that would outlaw existing, commonsense restrictions. It would allow abortions at any time, by any method and for any reason. Contrary to what you may have heard, Voting NO on Issue One will not ban abortion, but it will preserve the freedom to apply common-sense restrictions, which will be lost if it passes. ...

Oglebay Park — Deer Pasture or Healthy Forest Community?

Editor, News-Register: What do people want from Oglebay Park, a large deer population or a healthy forest community? We cannot have both. Many studies have shown unnaturally high deer populations harm a wide variety of native woodland species. Pioneering ecologist Aldo Leopold said “One of the penalties of an ecological education is that one lives alone in a world of wounds. Much of the damage inflicted on land is quite invisible to laymen.” These wounds become visible if you walk Oglebay’s trails with a naturalist or botanist (e.g., behind the Schraeder Center), and see the ...

Real Process Needed on Homeless

Editor, News-Register: I am writing on behalf of Catholic Charities West Virginia in response to the recent story titled “Wheeling Facing a Dilemma in Handling Homeless Issues,” which was published on Oct. 4, 2023, in The Intelligencer. Our organization is deeply concerned about the proposed ordinance that aims to address homelessness in Wheeling. Catholic Charities West Virginia recognizes the importance of addressing the complex and pressing issue of homelessness within our communities. We have been serving West Virginians living in poverty for over 100 years, and we have been ...

Follow the Data on Natural Gas

Editor, News-Register: Ohio has a long, proud history of producing American oil and natural gas. The recent opinion column, “Strengthen Our Economy” (Sept. 28), doubts the benefits of energy production to the region despite clear evidence to the contrary. The article claims that natural gas production has “deteriorated” in Appalachia since 2008, but U.S. Energy Information Administration data tells a different story. Way back in January 2008, the Appalachian region produced just under 1.5 million cubic feet per day (cf/d). But last month, it produced more than 35.8 million ...