Published: May 01, 2008 12:08 pm         

Degree scandal indicator of business practices

As a former teacher, I find the scandal involving the improper awarding of a West Virginia degree to a member of Gov. Manchin's family offensive. What is alarming as a father and property owner in West Virginia, however, is that this scandal reveals the governor's office openness to engaging in dishonest business.

The proposed Trans-Allegheny Transmission Line has been terrorizing my family and thousands of others for over a year now. If completed as proposed, the project would increase the risk of leukemia in my children, decrease our property value, and degrade our quality of life.

Protest letters on the Public Service Commission Web site written by families, farmers, religious groups, Native Americans, conservation groups, and others illuminate the fact that this project is a civic evil.

Earlier this year I learned from Jay Ruberto, route engineer for the line, that agents of this project had trespassed and taken photos of my property and home. Mr. Ruberto and officials at the Louis Berger Group characterized the incident as an honest mistake.

Byron Harris, consumer advocate of the West Virginia PSC, however, informed me that such trespasses were a pattern of behavior discussed at the PSC hearings. This week a neighbor observed and confronted project representatives on his property. Trespassing and lying to West Virginia residents are unacceptable business practices.

The cancerous relationship between Massey Energy and the West Virginia Supreme Court, the tragedy of the Marsh Fork Elementary School, and the recent deal struck between Allegheny Energy and the PSC occurred under Governor Manchin's administration. In 2006 the governor wrote a letter to the Department of Energy supporting the project and National Interest Energy Corridor designation in West Virginia.

In past elections he has accepted substantial contributions from the energy industry. West Virginians deserve to know the governor's current stand on the project and the role he is playing in its advancement.

Ralph Wojtowicz
Yellow Spring, W.Va.