FAIRMONT —
If West Virginians want to write a dynamic next chapter in our history, we must make our state a place where the future is brighter than the past.
No one can question West Virginia’s natural beauty. Whether it’s the coursing New River, the lush, verdant splendor of the Potomac Highlands or the awe-inspiring vistas of Pocahontas County, this state is truly and uniquely beautiful. The Mountain State has a number of wonderful qualities, but if we’re going to make our state better, we have to examine our setbacks as well as what makes us great. One of our main limitations is our graying population. We have the highest number of elderly residents per capita of any state in the country. While that certainly has its benefits, it makes for a rather bleak future.
Experience is vital for growth, but we must never underestimate the value of youthful energy and dynamism. We all mellow with age, and we gain a certain amount of much-needed perspective, but we’re also less likely to take risks.
Those risks often kindle the fire of innovation. Opening a café, developing a Web-based business, starting an art gallery, experimenting with new methods of natural gas extraction — those are mainly the province of young minds who, despite what statistics might say, are willing to forge ahead in the face of overwhelming odds.
Quite frankly, failure at 21 has fewer ramifications than failure at 60.
For this state to thrive, we need the proper mix of youth and experience. Right now, and for the foreseeable future, we only have one part of that equation. That is why it is vital our elected leaders take their collective heads out of the sand and make this state a place where prosperity isn’t something we only hear about in phone calls, emails, texts, Tweets and Facebook updates from those who live beyond our borders.
Labor and capital are mobile. Companies go where they think they have the best return on their investment, and workers go where they can find good-paying jobs. If West Virginia would just make the kinds of changes we need to make, our potential would be unmatched. From that growth, we would be able to reap the rewards of a diverse, energized society.
Prosperity allows for world-class restaurants, museums, great music, retail opportunities and all the other cultural and artistic endeavors that we often are forced to seek in places far from home. It does not have to be that way.
West Virginia is rich on tradition, but if we want to write a vibrant and dynamic next chapter in our history, we must make our state a place where the future is brighter than the past.
— The State Journal
This editorial does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Times West Virginian editorial board.
Opinion
To have a vibrant state, W.Va. must retain youth
- Opinion
-
-
Bill Stewart was indeed ‘special person’ as coach and off the field
Bill Stewart enjoyed the highest of highs during his time as West Virginia University’s head football coach.
Stewart, who died at age 59 on Monday of an apparent heart attack while participating in a golf tournament at Stonewall Resort, coached the Mountaineers to a 48-28 win over heavily favored Oklahoma in the 2008 Fiesta Bowl. -
State economy being altered by booming natural gas era
A new horizontal well in Tyler County produced an amazing 7 million cubic feet of natural gas in a single day, along with 650 barrels of valuable liquids: ethane, propane, butane and pentane.
-
‘Operation Blue Haze’ is example of cooperation in war on drugs
Amazing things happen when agencies pool their resources and work together.
And a shining example of that is “Operation Blue Haze,” which targeted street-level, mid-level and upper-level drug dealers and resulted in arrest warrants filed for 53 people on drug, trafficking and weapons charges. -
How can an inmate run for president?
Anyone can grow up to be president.
A boy who lived in a one-room log cabin with his family in Kentucky — Abraham Lincoln. -
County Project Graduation must have support and volunteers
Certainly Fairmont will be having another of its famous all-night student parties following graduation this year.Well, it will, won’t it?We hope so.
-
Exercise control over ballot access to make elections serious business
Elections are serious business.Candidates make their best pitch to voters, who have the power to hire and fire government leaders.
-
Marion County school system shows that it’s getting stronger
The accolades keep coming for schools within the Marion County system.
Last week, U.S. News and World Report released its annual list of best high schools in the nation and then a state-by-state report with even more details. -
Mothers are the family glue that always holds everything together
Our country is truly indebted to Anna Jarvis from our neighboring Taylor County for her inspiration and dedication in founding an annual Mother’s Day. Of all our national celebrations, Mother’s Day allows us an opportunity to honor and celebrate the role of motherhood.
-
Trip to Afghanistan ‘excessive celebration’?
Membership has its privileges.
And so does being an incumbent running for office. -
It’s weekend to celebrate for college grads in area
The last exams have been taken. The final projects have been evaluated. Books and notes have been shoved to the side, and students around the region are wrapping up the last few requirements of their college careers.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
Bill Stewart was indeed ‘special person’ as coach and off the field
