There were red flags after red flags going up in the various Counties by some more attentive Governmental Entities and even just individuals. As far back as 2013, I was starting to sound the alarm and I am about as dumb as one can get. I live a very quiet and attempted laid back life style versus years gone by. But I was alarmed at the openness of what was going on in my little corner of the World. Sadly as is too often the case on 29th Street, it was hushed up and glossed over by both Mr. Rapp and the Police Department.
Than the sad demise by the neighbor who was found dead on his couch with a needle in his arm and the makings of a Meth Lab in his home. City was all over that one white washing and in a case of denial. This is where Mr. Skogstad got all involved with City not saying anything because of possible embarrassment to the Family. A perfect chance for a lessons learned, but instead hidden in a cloud of Political Bull S**t. Yet again an example who he is representing? The City of Vienna or Mr. Rapp in a personal defense status?
Finally when I guess it could no longer be readily hidden, a new Police Chief and an attempt to clean up a cesspool that could have/ should have been emptied years earlier. Vienna is full of very decent, hard working people. All well fed with Kool Aid and cookies as required. And sadly the Daily Blat would not print my letter in the day because it pointed out the dishonesty that was said to be going on in Vienna?
The one sad fact that WVU has gotten right is that we have yet to peak the epidemic that is still increasing in our State. I am not a big proponent of Naloxone after about the second time around. We are now enabling too many Addicts and exposing the First Responders to the effects of ever more deadly drugs such as the Fentanyl mixtures coming onto the market.
The addicts want ever higher highs and know they have a blank check to chase them. They cannot in most if any case help themselves because of the addiction, but must be held to some accountability for their actions. I have endorsed/ espoused the Education in the Schools to try and stop newer and newer recruits into a life of misery.
I saw where some of the Millennials were questioned on drinking and driving. They to a person said they had been hammered in School for years to not do that and it seems has had some good success for them So WHY are we not doing the same "Just say NO", that works for them with the other Drug epidemic amongst us?
We have to put people in jail without a "Free get out of Jail" card when caught distributing any amount to another person. And if one dies because of that, the Distributor needs a very long sentence as a punishment. Murder spelled in many ways, but is still Murder.
I have heard that the Police in Wood County are disgusted with the slaps on the wrists that so many have and are receiving for drug offenses. Well, you the Voters put these Judges into office and can remove them if they are not doing the job. It is the problem of the State to provide the facilities to house these people who have freely done so much too so many.
The State has began to go after the Pharmaceutical/ Distribution Companies that used West Virginia as a Money Pit where they dug up millions and millions at the expense of the undeserving. And there have been a few convictions on Doctors and Pharmacists who made their money off the backs of the unknowing and mostly undeserving. But so few, so Damn few have gone to jail. Put these clowns away and it will not take long to show the rest who may be considering the "easy money", that it is not the road to financial success.
If there is anything we need to do is not keep building Schools as much as Prisons. We could and should be more aggressive in those three magic words "Maintenance, Maintenance and more Maintenance". Buildings will last for decades and decades if cared for; look at all the old homes that people live in that have been around for a hundred plus years. A Public Building is no different if maintained and updated periodically. Expensive in the short term- YES, but very, very cheap when stood side by side with the mayhem and chaos in our Society over an even longer period of time.
Many of these addicts will never be able to stay away from drugs for the rest of their lives and that is sad. But by removing as rapidly as possible those who make a very lucrative living from their addiction, we will hopefully stop a new crop every day and every year. 'nuff said'.