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Money Matters

Elections are never over until they are over. As the old saying goes, the only poll that matters is the poll voters take on Election Day. But fundraising is important. Sure, an argument can be made that there is too much money in politics. I have never really subscribed to that. If that panhandler is allowed to sit outside my car window at the local stoplight and that be protected by the 1st Amendment, then money donated to political candidates should be every bit as protected. The only thing I ask is that I have full transparency in who donates. I enjoy going through campaign ...

‘Bidenomics’ Bad Economics for W.Va. and Nation

Americans across the country have heard President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, as well as many other administration officials highlight the supposed success of “Bidenomics.” They have told the American public that these policies will lift the country out of the economic downturn resulting from our nation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, West Virginians know better than anyone how Bidenomics has failed us, and how out of touch the claims of this administration have been. Throughout Biden’s first year in office, we were assured that drastic price ...

Marshall Memo: School Board News, Storytelling and Fun Activities

For those having items they would like included in this weekly column, information can be emailed to bugs52@comcast.net. If you would like to mail information to me, I have a new mailing address. This past week, I moved to a new community in Hurricane, W.Va., called Celebration Villa. The staff and other residents are very friendly, and it just so happens that two individuals with ties to Moundsville also reside here. The address is 4000 Outlook Drive #145, Hurricane, WV 25526. --- John Miller was re-elected as president of the Marshall County Board of Education this past Tuesday. ...

West Virginia’s Tax Cut Dilemma

Gov. Jim Justice put West Virginia legislators and even the two candidates for governor in a pickle when he challenged lawmakers last week to give him an additional 5% cut in personal income tax rates on top of a likely smaller income tax cut trigger. I’ve attended every end-of-fiscal-year tax revenue report given by Justice. At one of those events, they handed out Hawaiian leis following revenue numbers for the governor’s second year in office. That was the year following the big budget hole, the fight with the Legislature and the silver platter of cow dung. Since then, the ...

Wheeling Symphony Important to Community’s Future

I’m writing this piece on June 30, 2024 — 95 years to the day since the Wheeling Symphony Society played its first concert at Oglebay Park, back in 1929. I have lived out a dream after taking up the baton of the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra in 2019. As the WSO’s 95th-anniversary season approaches, I’ve been reflecting deeply on a remarkable feat: our city has been the home of a community-driven classical music institution for nine and a half decades. And as I write, I’m filled with gratitude to you, our community, for your support of the WSO’s mission. Even before I moved to ...

Marshall Memo: Cruising to Moundsville; Back to School; and Golf

The initial arrival of the American Cruise Lines ship to Moundsville will occur Thursday, July 11th at 6 a.m. Guests will be leaving the ship named the American Melody beginning at approximately 9 a.m. The visitors have pre-registered, and there are currently 28 taking a tour of the former Penitentiary in the morning, 35 taking the bus to the downtown loop for shopping in the morning, and 45 in the afternoon. The next stop will be Sunday, and more stops will occur over the next month. They have already increased the stops for 2025. City Manager Rick Healy asks that if any residents ...