Published: May 05, 2008 05:26 pm            

Virginia municipal elections today

Today, our friends on the Virginia side will be going to the polls. Bluefield, Virginia, residents will choose the next mayor. The incumbent mayor James H. “Jimmy” Jones is being challenged by former mayor Don R. Harris and Charles Edward Presley Jr. Bluefield Town Council candidates include Donald Scott Linkous and Anglis Trigg Jr.

Cedar Bluff, Pocahontas, Richlands, and Tazewell will also elect town officers.

Please make it a point to vote today!

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A few weeks ago, we sent letters to the three leading candidates for president: Obama, Clinton and McCain. Those letters asked about their views, position, opinions, and interests on several items that are of concern to our area, including economic problems, drug problems, child abuse, fuel costs, healthcare, community revitalization, gun control, and soaring inflation.

Of the three candidates, only Sen. Barack Obama’s office bothered to answer. Obama’s correspondent, “Darcy”, sent a form letter diverting the questions to canned answers on Obama’s website.

The conclusion? The candidates simply did not wish to answer the questions. I’d bet that if the postmark on the letters came from “billionaire’s row” in San Francisco someone would be answering the mail. I’ll pass on the beans and cornbread this time. I really did not expect a personal reply from any of the three. However, give credit where credit is due. Obama’s staff did answer.

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West Virginians have buckled up. Vice Admiral Thomas J. Barrett, the U.S. Department of Transportation deputy secretary, presented a $5 million grant award to Gov. Joe Manchin and the Governor’s Highway Safety Program for the state’s “elite” seatbelt usage level. West Virginia was one of only five states to achieve that high of a level of seat belt usage among its residents.

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It’s Public Service Recognition Week. It is a time to honor and remember those workers for the contributions that federal, state and local government employees make to the nation our states, our counties, our cities and our towns. It is a time to honor the people that plow our snow, haul our garbage, protect our streets, protect our homes, teach in our schools, work in our schools and help our friends in some way each and every day.

Many public employees remain behind the scenes and rarely ever get a thank you. They sometimes work under the worst possible conditions imaginable during storms and emergencies. With pride and dignity they chose to serve the people of our communities every day.

Here is a thank-you.

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Some recent endorsements include:

• The West Virginia State Farm Agents: Joe Manchin III, Elliott “Spike” Maynard, Margaret Workman, John Pat Fanning, Donald T. Caruth, Morgan “Mike” Davis, Bruce Williams, Marshall C. Long, Gerald L. Crosier.

• The West Virginia Citizens Defense League: Elliott “Spike” Maynard, Beth Walker, Daniel Hall, Harold Wolfe, III, Marshall Long, Mike Porter

• The West Virginia Education Association: Joe Delong

• The West Virginia Business & Industry Council: John Shott, Marshall Long

• West Virginia Hospital Association: Elliott E. Maynard, Elizabeth D. Walker, Mennis E. Ketchum, John Pat Fanning, Don T. Caruth, Bruce O. Williams, Clif Moore, Mike Vinciguerria Jr., Marshall Long, Thomas Mike Porter, Gerald L. Crosier.

• The West Virginia Progressive Alliance: Joe DeLong, John Perdue, Darrell McGraw, Mike Burdiss, Clif Moore, John R. Frazier.

• The West Virginia Troopers Association: Margaret Workman.

• The West Virginia Bankers Association: Mennis Ketchum.

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And one more thing… Joshua Trautmann is graduating from Bluefield College with honors. Joshua has earned a scholarship to attend Union Theological Seminary in Richmond.

Joshua will be moving to Richmond with his wife Missy and two young sons, Nate and Gabe. Bluefield will be proud of this adopted son who came to us via Texas — boots and all.

This country could use another Billy Graham. You might recall that Joshua has been quoted in this column. Josh gave this community more than a dime.

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There you have it, a few words on politics and items of interest to the Virginias. The skies clouded up a bit, but will soon clear above the mountains. I hope you have a great blue sky day.

Wilson Butt, a Bluefield resident, is a retired Department of Highways official.

        

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