Don't ruin North Mountain

To the editor:

A pile of bricks does not a mountain make.

Only God can make a mountain. He gave us a lovely North Mountain, W.Va. Why ruin it? It is about money, money, money. What a legacy to leave our children.

I want to know who will buy all those houses going up on Apple Pie Ridge when the picturesque view of North Mountain has disappeared? Do Richmond Homes and Ryan Home Builders know about this? I am sure it will not help the sale of those homes.

The dust, noise and air pollution are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the environment. How do you replace a National Historic District?

Money cannot do that. Will visitors and local people come to see this eyesore? I think not. Who would want to live here? Does anyone on the Berkeley County (W.Va.) County Commission or the planning commission hear the citizens? I don't think so.

When visitors come to Gerrardstown, they tell us how fortunate we are to have such a lovely village and that the view is just breathtaking. Can't the powers that be save this village for posterity? It is one, if not the only, historic village still left in West Virginia that tells a story of our past. Zoning, if passed, will not prevent quarries from going in wherever they choose.

Zoning will make it possible to have builders of homes and industry pay for schools, roads, etc., instead of the current, local, tax-paying citizens who have been paying for our growth. I wonder what exceptions will be made.

I am not against industry or business. I think there is a right way and a wrong way of developing growth. It appears our governing bodies have a runaway horse and can't get control.

We the people find it hard to trust our leaders when we watch the big show of make-believe.

Please keep Garrardstown "green" and prove to the people that they do count and have a voice. Gerrardstown would remain a lasting symbol for the future that our leaders did care to save what is good.

Trudy Slater
Gerrardstown, W.Va.

Best to avoid meat, for several reasons

To the editor:

Think a small serving of meat each day is harmless? Think again. A new study from the National Cancer Institute showed that the more red and processed meat you eat, the greater your risk of developing a variety of cancers becomes.

In the study, the average red meat consumption was about 2.5 ounces of red meat per day for a person consuming the average 2,000-calorie diet. This study found an association between high consumption of red and processed meat and an increased risk for myeloma and colon, esophageal, liver, bladder and lung cancer.

The good news is that scientific studies also show that fruits, vegetables and other vegetarian foods can help prevent cancer. In addition, following a plant-based diet can help people trim their waistlines and maintain a healthy weight - another key factor in preventing cancer.

Jennifer K. Reilly
Washington, D.C.

4-H program is great

To the editor:

My name is Chuck Highbarger. I am the proud father of Makenzie Highbarger, a third-grade student at Fountaindale Elementary School. My wife and I want to express our sincere appreciation for Mrs. Beth Bubacz and her efforts with the 4-H program that she currently runs at Fountaindale.

My wife and I both feel very fortunate to have such a worthwhile program at Makenzie's school, especially since a scheduling conflict prevented us from enrolling Makenzie in Girl Scouts this year. This program is certainly filling a void not only for our daughter, but for the countless of other children who need programs like these for their own personal growth and enrichment.

Our only hope is that others continue to see this program's worth and continue to support and fund it for future years to come. We must always remember that our children are this community's future.

Chuck Highbarger
Hagerstown

Thanks to those who contributed

To the editor:

To everyone who helped us in our time of need:

Your help was greatly appreciated. You helped us in so many ways. You helped us to start over again. We can never express enough how much we appreciated what you did for us. The Clear Spring Fire Hall showed us what a little community can do. They also gave up their Christmas with family for our family. They showed us a new meaning of a firefighter.

Also, much thanks to 25 Alive, The Herald-Mail and that special neighbor. We also met a lot of new people with big hearts.

And our daughter also met a new friend. I just wish they could have met under different circumstances. We are starting a new year with a new house and a new look at life. Thanks to all who contributed to our time of need. And for all of our donations.

The Chapman Family
Theresa, Samuel (Skip) and Samantha