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West Virginia editorial roundup

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Associated Press

Recent editorials from West Virginia newspapers:

April 15:

The Intelligencer Wheeling News-Register on keeping WVU president:

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Some of the best news Mountain State residents could have received came from Wheeling attorney Bill Wilmoth, in his post as chairman of the West Virginia University Board of Governors.

On Friday, Wilmoth issued a press release noting, in part, that WVU President E. Gordon Gee “has indicated he would be interested in extending his time with West Virginia University .” By that, Wilmoth meant Gee is interested in extending his current contract past June 30, 2021.

Board of governors members are looking into the possibility of doing that. Let us hope all share Wilmoth’s opinion that “it would be in this institution’s best interest to explore that option.”

Gee has used his time at WVU steering the university on a steady course of service to West Virginia.

One excellent and most welcome evidence of Gee’s leadership came last week when the board approved increasing tuition for the coming year. The boost, by just $120 a year for in-state undergraduate students, was at the lowest rate in 20 years.

In many ways, WVU has become much more valuable to West Virginians during Gee’s tenure. In education, research, health care, outreach programs and many other ways, our state university is providing invaluable service and leadership. Keeping Gee at the helm as long as possible would be wise.

Online: www.theintelligencer.net

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April 14:

The Register Herald on governor’s behavior at chamber dinner:

Turns out that Gov. Jim Justice, the featured speaker at the Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce annual dinner on Friday night, was the source of all entertainment, too, though no one was laughing, other than derisively, or applauding, other than politely.

The governor hosted a pity party for the image of a guy he sees when he looks in a mirror - a benevolent, tireless worker who goes out of his way at every turn for the good of everyone in the state, someone who does not get the credit he is due. (How many times have we heard him talk about the state’s financial mess that he found when he took the reins of governance?) What we saw, however, was a small, petty man, a thin-skinned, mean-spirited, self-absorbed, narcissistic billionaire whose only care in the world is his own welfare. After an abbreviated appearance at the front-end of the evening before quickly departing, Justice bemoaned a rather hefty bag of problems that he, himself, brought to the party.

Our city and our state deserve better - and he owes the chamber an apology.

The governor, you may have read, is having some business problems - to say nothing about how his administration is sitting on $139 million in federal flood dollars. He, too, is receiving a healthy dose of bad press for the way in which he runs his many businesses.

An article in the April 9 edition of Forbes magazine characterized the governor as a “deadbeat billionaire” who ducks taxes and slow-pays his bills.

Since 2016, the story says, courts have ordered Justice and his companies to pay $10 million to more than a dozen suppliers, workers and government entities.

At the same time, according to the story, Justice companies have accumulated more than $13 million in tax liens. There is another $60 million in potential damages in a civil case awaiting final judgment.

There’s more - including estimates that Justice’s coal companies face $200 million in reclamation liabilities.

So, yes, that’s bound to grab your attention and distract you from matters of state - to say nothing of an address to the hometown crowd.

There is also this: The governor has been slapped with a federal subpoena by the Southern District of West Virginia. Prosecutors are seeking all records the state’s Commerce Department has involving The Greenbrier, The Greenbrier Classic, A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier and Old White Charities - all owned or run by the governor.

And, yes, Sen. Joe Manchin is thinking of returning to the state to run for governor - against the incumbent.

Regardless, Justice - preparing to address a local chamber of commerce - should have set aside personal misfortune and political poison even though pressure was building. In Friday’s night’s chamber address, Justice could have simply focused on people other than himself. He could have used the moment to praise local business men and women for their years of hard work, faith in the home state, investments, enterprise, risk-taking courage and resourcefulness in keeping the local economy chugging along despite a declining coal industry. He could have applauded the local fundraising campaign to get a new YMCA built and the effort to rejuvenate downtown. Instead, Justice threw political invective towards both Manchin and his wife, Gayle, and reminded everyone in the room that he had appointed three conservative judges to the state’s Supreme Court, a court that is supposed to be nonpartisan.

Justice could have pointed to the Carter Family Foundation, which was honored with the chamber’s Community Service Award, highlighting the value of civic generosity and goodwill.

There was much for Justice to address in this state where childhood poverty runs at more than 25 percent, where people in Wyoming County still have to haul in drinking water, where the population is in steady decline and teacher positions are being eliminated.

The governor could have acknowledged there is much work to do.

Gov. Justice could have done a lot this past Friday night to lift spirits in the room, to foster a positive outlook and lay out a plan for the future.

He could have done a lot - a lot more than feel sorry for himself.

Online: https://www.register-herald.com

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April 16

The Exponent Telegram on battling obesity:

About 10 years after earning the designation, “fattest city in America,” Huntington has shown what can happen when you face a challenge and are willing to work to fix it.

While the city now finds itself in the epicenter of a war on opioid addiction, it can take pride in its approach to battling the bulge — and in fact can learn from its approach in tackling other issues as well.

The entire state should consider the same game plan.

As The Washington Post reported, and we shared in our Sunday edition, Huntington has emerged from its blight with obesity, dropping the rate of adults considered obese from 45.5 percent to 32.6 percent.

But it took time. And effort. And a unified approach.

And it all starts with small changes that grow as they develop.

One facet of the change included how people eat, with more emphasis now being placed on healthy, fresh, local food.

Farmers markets and small co-ops are more visible and accessible. Instead of once-a-week farmers markets, co-ops that are open five or six days a week make the food more available.

And there is a clear message that produce — vegetables and fruits — are an integral part of any plan to address obesity.

The messaging of the effort has been clear and concise, starting with school-age children, where the nutrition supervisor took her role seriously.

Implementing new menus and cooking procedures, the school system worked to train cooks how to provide nutritious — but still tasty — meals for the masses.

The schools offer plenty of fresh produce and make every effort to buy local, including from the students themselves who are engaged in agricultural endeavors.

Providing that sense of ownership of the problem — both in terms of cause and solution — goes a long way towards implementing a successful strategy to solving it.

The school effort includes grab-and-go fruit stations, where students can pick up a banana or apple to snack on while heading to their next class.

The need to change bad food and exercise habits has also been championed by the bully pulpit of politics as well as the pulpit in church.

The mayor gets out to host “Walks with the Mayor” events to encourage residents to get out and about. And ministers have rallied their congregations with a message, no doubt reminding that the body is the temple given by their Creator to do His work.

“We aren’t the healthiest city yet, but we are moving in the right direction,” said Gail Patton, the leader of a group that championed efforts to promote locally grown fresh produce.

“And we are moving in that direction as a result of intentional actions by an army of people, businesses, local government and institutions who want to see things improve.”

All of this effort is paying off for Huntington and would pay off for others as well. It is a great example of the positive changes that can be made when a group of people join forces for a common cause.

Imagine what could happen if the effort is taken statewide.

Online: https://www.wvnews.com

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