Dear Editor:
This week I attended a meeting in Summers County about proposed natural gas pipelines that may pass through our area. Regardless of my or anyone else’s opinions about the need for pipelines, I would like to express a concern and issue a request to our elected officials and community. If there’s one thing I know about us West Virginians it’s that we value and take care of our old folks, whether they’re kin or neighbors. I am concerned that survey crews and gas companies will take advantage of the good natures of older folks in our community.
I want to ask that you, reader, look out for your neighbor. Surveyors are sending letters to landowners to survey properties. At some point they’ll be offering folks money for the rights to cross properties. No one has the right to come onto your property without your permission and you don’t have to sign anything without consulting a lawyer. My request of our elected officials is this – please try to make sure out of state interests don’t harm our elderly. Let’s protect the best interests of one of our most treasured resources, the folks who hold our history and heritage in their hearts and minds.
Deya Terrafranca
Hinton, WV