Safety concerns
about roadways
in Liberty Addition
A few weeks ago, Division of Highways District Administrator Marvin Murphy was on TV concerning the roads in Liberty Addition. The interview showed footage of a new layer of blacktop.
One of the prime concerns of roadways is proper water drainage. Rainwater is not being made to flow correctly in relation to the roads in Liberty Addition. Not enough culverts are provided. The resultant free-flowing water eats away at the foundation of the roads, as well as the edge of the pavement and shoulders.
Cracks in the edge of the pavement -- where the white line exists -- are prevalent. These cracks crumble and fall off and take the guiding white line away.
In winter, this water damage is increased by freezing and thawing. Children and vehicles in the morning go through this water or ice at the intersections with Route 50.
Vehicles have slid several yards on Pratt Avenue, trying to come to a stop at Route 50.
There have been several wrecks over the years on the western end of "Liberty Straight." Going west, vehicles come to a curve that has poor superelevation -- the way a curve is banked -- and lose control. This curve needs its superelevation corrected. A 20 mph sign is needed for it to warn drivers.
Improper guardrailing on rotten guard posts is another problem, especially on Pratt Avenue. Part of Elizabeth Street is sliding sideways downhill. Its foundation has moved 'til the road leans.
A roadway is multifaceted -- a combination of several interrelated parts and not simply a surface.
There are too many ways that the roads can be made good for them to presently receive a "good" rating.
Steve Cummings
Liberty Addition
A possible solution
to dilapidated
buildings in city?
It seems to me that the City of Clarksburg wants to get 100-plus houses torn down. Why not advertise them in your paper, as I tore one down for the Board of Education, on Ben Street. I got a small fee, plus I got all the lumber, too. I got 2-by-4's, 2-by-6's, 2-by-8's and lots of 1-by-12 pine boards to build with.
I built a 20-by-32-foot, two-story shop on the front of my home at 1522 Buckhannon Pike that the Nutter Fort Council said was a fine-looking building. That was about 1983, I think. There are lots of people in Harrison County wanting to build, but lack funds to buy material. This would supply a good start.
A waiver signed by both the city and the one doing the work would clear the city of injury claims. Even if the city had to clean up the left-over trash, it would be cheaper than trying to contract someone to totally destroy all that lumber to go to the landfill.
I seem to remember the city is trying to get $400,000 to do the job. If they paid $1,500 per house and then a $500-per-house final clean-up, that would save $200,000, plus a lot of people would be closer to being home-owners.
One man and I removed a six-room house in 27 days, including clean-up. Check this out with the board, if you like.
Robert J. Rawlings
East View
How terrible if my dream were real
(Written as if by Mary:) I had a dream, Joseph. I don't understand it, not really, but I think it was a birthday celebration for our son. People had been preparing for it for about six weeks. They decorated their houses and bought new clothes. They went shopping many times and bought elaborate gifts.
It was peculiar, though, because the presents were not for our son. They wrapped them in beautiful paper and tied them with lovely bows and put them under a tree. Yes, that's right, Joseph, a tree in their house. And can you believe they even decorated the tree? There was a figure on top of the tree -- an angel. It really was beautiful.
Everyone was laughing and happy. They were excited about the gifts. But they gave the gifts to each other, not our son. I don't think they even knew him or that it was his birthday. They didn't mention his name.
Doesn't it seem odd for people to go to all that trouble to celebrate someone's birthday if they don't know him? I had the strangest feeling that if our son had gone to this celebration, he would have been intruding.
Everything was so beautiful, Joseph, and everyone was happy. But it made me want to cry. How sad for Jesus not be recognized or wanted at His own birthday party. I am glad it was only a dream. How terrible if it had been real! THINK ABOUT IT!
Kenneth K. Howe, Th.D.
Bethel Temple Church
Bridgeport
City's Christmas
tree: Can't we
do any better?
I have been a resident of our fine city of Clarksburg almost all of my life. I am writing about our Christmas tree in front of the Harrison County Courthouse. I have been watching every year, and one thing for sure, it doesn't get any nicer looking.
Why can't we have a nice, pretty tree that looks like it is alive and with nice decorations on it? Is it that the city or county can't afford one? If that is the case, maybe we should take up donations to get a nice, pretty tree.
I was out to the town of Nutter Fort, and for the last three years, they have had a pretty tree that puts a person in the Christmas spirit and one that is not to be ashamed of.
Why can't we do better in Clarksburg? I hope whoever is in charge will do something about this matter.
Gordon Bland
Clarksburg
State Medical
Association
endorsing clean
air regulations
On Sunday, Nov. 12, 2000, the Council of the West Virginia State Medical Association endorsed the efforts of the Harrison County Medical Society Alliance in seeking the enactment of clean indoor air regulations.
The Harrison County Medical Society also endorses enactment of clean indoor air regulations.
Douglas E. McKinney, M.D.
Bridgeport
