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Perhaps itâs just the advent of springtime or the acknowledgment that the COVID-19 virus is behind me, but for the first time in a long while there is a feeling of optimism within my beleaguered soul. I finally can say, âThere is hope for Logan County,â particularly the town of Logan.
No, I donât mean that there are 10 new coal mines opening throughout the county, nor am I writing to announce the plans for some manufacturing plant that will employ hundreds of our countyâs young citizens. However, things seem to be looking a bit better.
Before delving into the present, it always pays to appreciate the past, both the good and the bad. Take, for instance, the year of 1953 as I drew my first breath of air and screamed when my mother gave birth to me at the old Holden Hospital. For younger folks, I realize it has to be difficult to envision, but even as many people were leaving southern West Virginia at the time because of automation that led to fewer employees
âLetâs talk trash.â
Trash was indeed the subject addressed by some county officials at a recent public meeting hosted by Logan County Commissioner Diana Barnette in which the subject of littering and illegal garbage disposal in Logan County were the issues.
Present for the discussion were representatives of the Department of Natural Resources, the Logan County Commission, Logan Prosecuting Attorney David Wandling, two Logan County House of Delegates members, a state Department of Highways official, a Waste Management representative, State Sen. Rupie Phillips, and all three Logan County magistrates.
In the audience were at least two Logan County mayors, Logan County Clerk John Turner, several businessmen, teachers and other concerned citizens who either posed questions or presented their ideas as to how to address the littering and trash problem in the county.
LOGAN â A host of county officials, state representatives for the area and law enforcement participated in a public forum at the Fountain Place Cinema 8 on Thursday, April 15, to discuss the litter and garbage dumping problem in Logan County.
The forum was hosted by Logan County Commission Diana Barnette, who owns the Cinema 8. The informal event, which Barnette called âLetâs Talk Trash,â lasted nearly two hours.
âSpringtime is when we see all the trash,â Barnette said. âSummertime, things grow up and hides a bunch of the trash, we donât hear much about it. But, we all know itâs a problem, and itâs a shame that, after all these years, litter is still a problem. So, what I wanted to do is put together a panel of the smartest people I know, and you guys, so we could all work on some kind of a collaborative, comprehensive litter control program.â
Iâm fairly certain that nearly everyone who has traveled much in West Virginia or even in many other states has at some point noticed the trio of crosses that are visible from many roads or interstate highways. Perhaps, though, you may not know the story behind the beginning of the crosses â one gold cross in the center and two blue ones on each side that are intended to signify the crucifixion of Jesus Christ as portrayed in the Bible.
What I would like to do today is to relate the story behind the existence of the crosses and connect them to all COVID-19 victims in a memorable way that might forever serve to honor the lives of those who succumbed to the terrible virus, just as the crosses are intended to remind us of the death of Jesus. It is my hope that upon each future sighting of the crosses, families and friends of the deceased will be reminded of their loved ones and perhaps reflect upon their lives.