Dear Editor: I’m writing to let everyone know what a great hospital we have in Pocahontas County. I recently spent 30 days as a patient at Pocahontas Memorial Hospital for a problem with my foot. I could not have received better care. Over the years, I’ve spent time in several hospitals. In 1942, I spent five days at the hospital in downtown Marlinton, where I had a hernia operation performed by Dr. Kenneth Hamrick. The total cost for the operation and hospital stay was $60. Since then, I’ve been hospitalized at Cleveland Clinic - a top-rated cardiology hospital, two large hospitals in Kentucky, Ruby Memorial, and United Hospital Center in Clarksburg. By far, PMH is where I received the best treatment. The nurses were absolutely wonderful and the entire staff did a great job. I’d like to thank all the hard working people at PMH for the care that I received. I would especially like to thank Barbara Lay for her hard work and the long hours she has put in as the hospital CEO. She has done an an amazing job. I hope everyone in this area knows about the quality of our local hospital and considers PMH for their medical treatment. If we support our local hospital, it will only get better. PMH offers a wide variety of treatments that were unavailable in the past. Please check with PMH before going out of town for your medical care. Amon Tracey Mace Shared letter from Congressman Nick J. Rahall, II to Alice M. Arbuckle Dear Ms. Arbuckle: Thank you for contacting me to express your opposition to the establishment of a “Birthplace of Rivers National Monument” in West Virginia. I appreciate hearing from you. There is currently no legislation in Congress aimed at establishing such a national monument in our State, and I certainly have no plans to introduce such legislation. Although a handful of groups are advocating this proposed monument, I have made clear my position that any such designation must first have the broad support of local residents. It may interest you to know that the designation of national monuments does not necessarily require Congressional action. In fact, many of our Nation’s existing national monuments have been established by Presidential declaration. That said, I urge you to express your views to your local officials and to make your opposition known to the individuals who are leading this effort through the following website: birthplaceofrivers.org/about.html Again, I appreciate knowing of your opposition to the concept of a national monument in West Virginia. With warm regards, I am Sincerely, NickJ. Rahall, II member of Congress
