Wake Up West Virginia!
Letter to the editor from Sue Ellen Shrout

January 9, 2002

Dear Editor,

I had the privilege to attend the recent State of the State Address as a personal guest of Senator Sarah Minear. Senator Minear represents the 14th District, which includes Tucker County. I am a Tucker County native, was raised in Parsons, and my entire family still lives there. I left Tucker County as a young woman, earning my degree from Marshall University and molding my career in Huntington.

I am now to a point in my life where I would like to be able to go home. I would like to have a retirement home in my hometown.

During the State of the State Address, Governor Bob Wise made an enthusiastic announcement regarding 250 acres of land in Tucker County that was donated by Allegany Power Company, and an additional 250 acres sold. This land was donated and sold with supposed good intensions by Allegany Power Company, not realizing the devastating effects on the citizens of Tucker County.
This “donation” and sale is on the heels of a transaction where 12,000 acres of Tucker County land was sold to the National Wildlife Refuge. At last count, the Government owns more than 65% of the land in Tucker County. It is long past time for this bleeding to stop.

In his speech, Governor Wise said he wanted us to work to build our communities. At this rate, will the people of Tucker County have a place to come home to? With 65% of our land tied up and unavailable, where do we go to build industry and communities? Where is the tax base going to be to run our communities, to fund our school system?

I asked these hard questions of Senator Minear. She was just as surprised as the rest of the listening public about this latest land donation and sale. I also questioned our “other” State Senator, Jon Hunter, of Monongalia County, who knew this was coming and seemed quite pleased.

What would Senator Hunter be doing if 65% of Monongalia County were now unavailable for industry, homes, and schools? So much for your tax base, Jon!

I guess he would be enjoying the Wildlife Refuge…. unless of course it is like what we have in Tucker County, where only the wildlife is allowed to enjoy it and the public is discouraged from even responsible usage.

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Wake up, West Virginia! Today the environmentalists are taking my county away. Tomorrow, will yours be next?

Sincerely,
Sue Ellen Shrout
Charleston, West Virginia