Citizen boards are necessary

Virginia’s citizen boards are there to protect citizens. Supposedly, that is what legislators are supposed to do also. Unfortunately, the legislators are often influenced by corporate or business lobbyists (like the Chamber of Commerce) at the expense of our citizens.

Why are so many local legislators so enamored with getting citizens out of the way of air and water polluters? The questions begs for an answer.

They are not so interested in the health of our citizens or the fish in the river or the deer in the woods. They would rather see mercury and sulfur dumped from power plants on Southwest Virginia or trees felled by strip miners for a few lousy dollars of campaign contributions.

I am ashamed of our local politicians (Sen. William Wampler; Sen. Phillip Pucket, the bill’s sponsor; Delegate Terry Kilgore and Delegate Bill Carrico) who feel our health can be bargained away for so little in contributions.

Will God forgive us for our earthly stewardship? What is great about the highlands of Southwest Virginia is being destroyed in one generation.

Bernard Via
Bristol, Va.