Oops. I apparently forgot the words to Sheryl Crow’s song and the lyrics about a beer buzz on Santa Monica Boulevard. I have seen Santa Monica Boulevard and it isn’t anything particularly special, other than the monument at the end honoring the late Will Rogers and marking the western termini of US Route 66 that John Steinbeck labeled the “Mother Road.” Crow is a supporter of “Music Saves Mountains” (at the expense of jobs).
If “Music Saves Mountains” is against mountaintop mining, one would wonder what position these do-gooders would take on the wind turbine issue. We could certainly expect the mountain ridges to be disturbed by the construction of the windmills. It’s all in how you spin the issues. Wind power, we have plenty of it — indoors and behind microphones.
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The Mercer County Courthouse is expecting to receive several filings for a seat on the County Commission. Karen Disibbio, presently a member of the Mercer County Commission, is expected to file her candidacy for the post on the Democratic ticket. Several Republicans may file candidacy seeking that party’s nomination for member of the county commission. Gene Buckner has expressed an interest and rumors have it that Buddy Warden may be willing to throw his hat in the ring. Another person of interest mentioned in some Republican circles is Jack Stafford.
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Judge John Frazier, retired and now a member of the West Virginia house of Delegates, was “roasted” a few days ago at a fundraiser for the Children’s Home Society.
Many of Frazier’s friends showed up to give their version and accounts of bloopers, messes and twists on the truth. Mack Hatfield emceed the show. All was in fun and Frazier played the role well. We probably could have printed some of the tales, but then we better not — better left in the catacombs at Concord U. But we did hear that he has spent a lot of time since his retirement learning how to use the phone book. We also heard that people were even calling the State Police looking for “evidence” for the roast. This may have been the second or third time Frazier has found himself on the barbecue spit. He should be well done by now.
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A race to watch will be that for the 6th District Senate seat in the West Virginia Legislature. Greg “Hootie” Smith, an attorney and member of the Mingo County Commission, plans to run against Senate Majority Leader H. Truman Chafin. Chafin barely squeaked by in the 2006 primary race. In that race Chafin received 7,617 votes while Smith received 7,487. Chafin won the race by only 130 votes.
Chafin carried Mercer County while losing Mingo, his home county. Chafin is pro coal. His barb, “The Lord did not create many things without a purpose, but mosquitoes and the EPA come close, I think,” strikes a chord with many people.
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Senator Robert C. Byrd’s remarks that “substance abuse and its byproducts overwhelm the state’s criminal justice, health, child welfare, workforce and education systems, and threaten West Virginia’s economic well being. Unless we take action to address the growing cancer of substance abuse, it may poison West Virginia’s potential … At stake are the futures of our children, the vitality of our families, the strength of our workforce, the health of our people, and, in my view, the soul and spirituality of our citizenry” are right on the mark. Gov. Joe Manchin has declared war on drugs in the Mountain State. That may be the best thing, even beyond his many other accomplishments, that he will ever do for this state.
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It seems that we no sooner get through one election until another is in the wings. The candidate filing period for the upcoming West Virginia primary election is Jan. 11, 2010. The last day to file in person at the appropriate filing office is midnight Jan. 30. Secretary of State Natalie Tennant’s office will be open until midnight on Jan. 30 to receive candidate filings. Mail-in filings are required to have a U.S. postmark showing that the papers were mailed before midnight.
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There you have it, a few comments on items of interest to the area. I hope that you have been enjoying the good weather and that you have another blue sky today.
Wilson Butt, a resident of Bluefield, is a retired Department of Highways official.
Columns
November 17, 2009
Commission race draws interest
- Columns
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Memorial Day held special meaning for everyone in my family
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Appalachian culture respects the legacy of honoring life — and death
- You will find no irony here
- A little fuss and feathers started 50-year admiration of the old reliable chicken egg
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Congratulations to the Class of 2012
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Day at the gun range brings excitement and renewed respect for safety
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True story of the Rocket Boys of McDowell County will live on in Raleigh
- More business-like habits in Washington might rescue the country
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Doppler Effect puts proper prospective on the changes that come with age
- Drive-ins, baby names, snakes, more
- More Columns Headlines
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