Dear Editor: Last Sunday I spent a very enjoyable afternoon working the phones for the Terry Richardson Memorial Fundraiser at WVMR. I had an excellent phone buddy in Alan Gibson, a Green Bank Middle School student, and the music was just wonderful. I was so pleased with the number of community members who called in and made pledges to assist with keeping our radio station operating. I’ve been a resident of Pocahontas County for 34 years, and I love living in such a beautiful place. I am very appreciative of Allegheny Mountain Radio (AMR) and the services and programming they broadcast. I’ve experienced the devastating effects of the 1985 and 1996 floods and spent days without power during the derecho. The constant during all of these natural disasters was the radio station delivering news of relief services, news regarding power outages, and messages regarding the safety of our neighbors, family and friends. Allegheny Mountain Radio is a valuable asset and it is imperative that it continues its wonderful mission of serving the communities of Pocahontas, Highland, and Bath counties. As we are faced with the uncertainty of our state and federal budgets, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) is being scrutinized at both levels and may be considered for reduced funding or for no funding at all. The CPB helps with operating expenses and support for public programming for our unique radio station. With the possible reduced funding or no funding a possibility, I cannot imagine what our community would do without the services of AMR. I certainly hope that our elected officials understand the need for public radio and will consider maintaining the current funding. I enjoy volunteering for WVMR and will continue to do so no matter what may transpire with the funding uncertainty. I do hope that other community members appreciate the work of AMR and will step forward to write a letter to our officials imploring the preservation of funding and will also consider volunteering time. Ruth A. Bland Green Bank Dear Editor: A couple of weeks ago, I had a Letter to the Editor published in your newspaper. It said that I was doing a state report on West Virginia and asked for information. Soon I started to get mail from the wonderful people in West Virginia. Thank you so much for all the things you sent me. They will all really help me with my state report and presentation. For my report, I have to create a trifold poster with all the information I am learning about your state, including things like the state symbols, natural resources, tourist attractions and famous people. In May, we are going to have a big “State Fair” where we get to display all the information and items we received. Sincerely, Wells Ryan Charlotte, North Carolina
