Bar, Driver Ordered to Pay Damages in Fatal Wreck
Bar, Driver Ordered to Pay Damages in Fatal Wreck Save Email Print
Posted: 2:34 PM Oct 7, 2008
 Last Updated: 2:34 PM Oct 7, 2008
 Reporter: Associated Press
Email Address: anna.baxter@wsaz.com
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- A Kanawha County jury has ordered a bar owner and a man convicted of drunken driving to pay nearly $400,000 in damages in a fatal highway accident.

The circuit court jury's verdict came Tuesday in a lawsuit filed in 2002 by Michael Landers of South Charleston against Frank's Place owner James Frank Jarrett and Robert A. Lanham.

Landers' mother was one of three people killed when a car driven by Lanham collided with another vehicle on State Route 21 in February 2000. The accident occurred after Lanham left the bar.

He later pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and causing death while driving under the influence.

Jurors ordered Lanham to pay $128,179 in compensatory damages and $50,000 in punitive damages. The bar was ordered to pay $220,000 in compensatory damages.
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Posted by: stuart on Oct 10, 2008 at 10:11 AM
I understand where nancy is coming from. The drunks in kenova are annoying but you have that anywhere you live. Which I think was nancy's point-what happened in Charleston bar can very well happen in kenova because of all the drunks. unfortanutlely, not much you can do about other peoples actions. shame
Posted by: Good bartender on Oct 9, 2008 at 08:18 PM
A good bartender knows when the person has had too much and not to let them drive. WV state laws that the bartender,the owner as well as the driver can be find for the DUI charges. The bartender should of took the keys of the driver. Or stop serving the alcohol.
Posted by: Pablo on Oct 9, 2008 at 07:49 PM
The bar owner has to accept responsibility. If the bar owner is more concerned with profit than their cumstomers driving drunk and killing people on the highway, they deserve to be sued. And no bartender is going to know when someone is legally drunk. We have the size of the person drinking, age, how fast they drink, when they last ate, etc. all contributing to how fast one becomes drunk. But the average person knows when someone is drunk. I can be on the street and see someone walk by and with reason say if that person is obviously drunk or not. Of course, there will be some who are legally drunk but won't be detectable by the average person. But this killer was obviously drunk as the bartender continued to sell him alcohol. In my opinion, the drunk driver causing death should be executed. The bartender should get a lenghty prison term for selling a drunk alcohol and the bar owner should be sued for big bucks. And if you drunks in here don't like it... too bad.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 9, 2008 at 06:35 PM
I read the story, I read the comments, what does this story have to do with Kenova? The story says Franks Place in K A N A W H A not Kenova... am I the only person who read the story before I commented about it?
Posted by: nancy on Oct 9, 2008 at 02:58 PM
Does anyone know who we should call if we see someone driving wrecklessly through the streets? Is this a 911 issue since it's not really an emergency, just a potential hazzard. Would we be taken seriously? I think the cops in Kevova tend to overlook the bars because of all the out-of-state business it brings in.
Posted by: booger on Oct 9, 2008 at 02:45 PM
So can a fat person sue Wendy's? Can a skinny person sue the YMCA? How about sue Coca-Cola for rotting teeth? If I get a gallon of milk from Kroger, and it goes bad, then can I sue the cow?
Posted by: To Nancy on Oct 9, 2008 at 02:12 PM
Well Nance, as you have repeated posted bad comments about Kenova...I have your solution............MOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 9, 2008 at 01:24 PM
Pablo.......You're not near as smart as you think you are! Hurry up, switch on your headset, someone just pulled up in the drive-through.
Posted by: Ashley on Oct 9, 2008 at 10:58 AM
I understand that a bartender should stop serving someone who clearly does not need another drink. However, I fail to see how this is the responsibility of the bar. I think this man, and only this man should be held accountable for HIS actions. I understand how angry and hurt the family is, and my heart and prayers go out to them. However, there is no excuse for drunk driving, the "devil made me do it" is not an excuse. We see continually see accidents happening involving death and alcohal. It seems tome that there is only one logical solution, increase penalties for DUI offenses and give judges less power in determining the severity of the sentence. In this day and age, there is no reason for anyone to drive drunk. We have Taxi's, cell phones, and even services you can call that will pick you up, take you home, and have someone follow in your car so you have it the next day.
Posted by: american on Oct 9, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Well, Pablo, why don't you just go back to your country if you don't like it here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: nancy on Oct 9, 2008 at 08:57 AM
I agree that bartenders cannot be held responsible in every instance. If you have a hundred people in one bar and only one or two bartenders, they cannot see who comes and goes and when. Besides, just because one goes outside, he may be going out to smoke. A bartender doesn't have time to babysit and ultimately we are all responsible for our own actions. HOWEVER, as I said before, there are some blatant repeat offenders that continually get served in Kenova bars - but what can you do? Nothing until they kill innocent people .....
Posted by: TIM on Oct 9, 2008 at 08:27 AM
I DONT AGREE WITH THE BAR OWNER HAVING TO PAY OUT TONS OF MONEY, HE PROBABLY DIDNT HAVE A CLUE WHAT WAS GOING ON AND DIDNT EVEN KNOW THE GUY WAS DRUNK OR DRIVING FOR THAT MATTER. THE DRIVER AND HIS INSURANCE SHOULD BE LIABLE FOR SHELLING OUT ALL THIS MONEY.
Posted by: TO TG on Oct 9, 2008 at 07:48 AM
Well if you are at home drunk and decide to drive then the obvious person to blame is yourself. I'm sure you can't sue yourself for getting yourself another beer. Get real! Sounds like a bunch of drunks on here trying to defend their own reasons when there should NEVER be a reason to drink and drive...NEVER!
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 9, 2008 at 06:44 AM
Frankly if the bars cut off everyone as soon as they reached the .08 level they would all go out of business. I have seen numerous bartenders refuse service to overly drunk patrons, but to hold the bar accountable for the actions of their patrons after they leave is a little crazy. For one how are the bars supposed to know who is driving and who is not? Secondly, this man and this man alone is the only one responsible for his own actions and should be held accountable for them.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 8, 2008 at 10:03 PM
I am with you on most of what you said Pablo, but for the bartender doing time I disagree w/. Maybe a fine, but not jailtime.
Posted by: Pablo on Oct 8, 2008 at 09:00 PM
Well, this is like beating a dead horse. Like I've said in previous posts; I see why this state and this country has so many problems when I read some of the comments in here. I truly don't know how some of you have lived as long as you have with your logic (if one can call it logic). I wish you luck in life because I really feel you need it.
Posted by: bartender on Oct 8, 2008 at 08:27 PM
Hi bar, there are several signs to look for when someone is getting drunk. First is the most obvious and that is when someone starts getting loud, I as a bartender would start taking my time getting to this guy to serve them. I would make myself busy w/ other stuff and maybe "forget" to serve him. Another thing to watch for (well this applied when you could smoke) watch someone w/ their cigerettes. If they start playing w/ the cigerettes. They just keep messing w/ it flipping the ashes when there are no ashes, missing the ash trays. things like that. When they start paying close attention to where they are setting their drink. If they are slow to set it down, like they are unsure if they are going to miss the edge of the bar or not. If other customers start avoiding the guy. These are all signs of intoxification and you should observe them closely.
Posted by: Where do you get all your information? on Oct 8, 2008 at 08:17 PM
Where do you get all the info - the guy being passed out, bartending selling the intoxicated man the drinks? Was a waitress involved or someone else ordering drinks? How do you know he was going to drive? I lost my mom in a car wreck and I was driving when someone hit us so I know how it feels. If you say the bartender cannot serve customers that are intoxicated, then they should be only able to serve one drink, period. Technically after just a drink or two, you are legally drunk. So how does someone know this. I understand the owner is responsible for employees but ya'll are on the bartender - you should be talking about the owner. There's too many what if's & could be's & everyone is always trying to blame someone else for everything that goes wrong in their lives. It's time to wake up and realize you are born with a wind up clock and once it's done, it's done, there is no more time, no matter where you are. And for the coffee - has anyone checked the temp of the office coffee lately?
Posted by: Aunt of Family on Oct 8, 2008 at 07:35 PM
Not all the facts are stated in this story. Mr. Landers and his brother and sister lost both their mother and grandmother in this accident. Robert Lanham was driving on the wrong side of the road without headlights on at night and crashed headon into the car carry their mother, grandmother and a family friend. All three were killed, they didn't know what hit them.This accident could have been prevented if the bartender had taken the keys away from this man and called him a cab. If you had witnessed first hand what these three young people have been thru you would understand.
Posted by: Pablo on Oct 8, 2008 at 07:18 PM
Eric, you are not understanding the point I'm trying to make. If I sell you a hammer and you hit your thumb, no you cannot sue me for your mistake. But if I sell you a hammer and I know you are going to use it to commit a crime or I know there is a possiblity of you commiting a crime with it, then I should be sued by the victim. A bartender serving alcohol to customers is okay as long as the customers aren't obviously drunk. But this bartender keep selling alcohol to a guy who was obviously drunk. Then this bartender let this guy leave, knowing he was going to drive on the road. That is wrong. If an ex-spouse comes and picks up your kids for the weekend, that is okay. But if an ex-spouse comes to pick up those kids, and is drunk, would you let your ex have them? No, because of the potential danger to your children. This is what I'm trying to make clear. The bartender knew the customer was drunk and continued selling him alcohol. I also think the bartender should do prison time.
Posted by: OMG!!! on Oct 8, 2008 at 06:49 PM
OMG do you people know what intoxicated is? If you get in your car after having one or two beers you are intoxicated. I can't even think after reading Pablos rant about coffee and exploding cars WHAT does that have to do with anything anyway, and this Charleston poster who basically kidnapped his friends by not allowing them to leave does he realize KIDNAPPING is not legal either? LOL I wonder if people think before they post things? If the bartender didn't serve people who were intoxicated, he/she would not be doing much bartending. It SHOULD be the responsibility of the IDIOT who chooses to drive drunk, not the bar.
Posted by: TG on Oct 8, 2008 at 06:39 PM
Hey Pablo or whatever your name is. I have read some STUPID things you've posted before and kept my mouth shut but this one just pushed me too far. No one should ever be allowed to buy more than a half a beer in a bar under your logic. If you go into a bar and drink one entire beer or drink whatever your drink of choice is, YOU ARE LEGALLY DRUNK! So I suppose we need to limit the amount sold in one hour or less to each individual under the amount that will give you a BAC of equal to or more than .08. Perhaps you should make bartenders have a breathalizer right there and make them blow in it before they get their next drink? This is personal responsibility not the business. They have no idea who is driving and who is not and they shouldn't have to be the ones worried about it because the person who drinks and is intoxicated should not be driving. You oould be drinking at home and decide to drive just as easiy as from a bar. Then who's to blame???????
Posted by: Milton area on Oct 8, 2008 at 03:59 PM
I think the pay out should have been the other way around. Sure everyone should take responsibility for their own actions, however; when a bartender sees that a bar patron is getting out of hand with their drinking then he should have sense enough to cut the drinks off and call a cab for him. After all the bartender has the right to not serve someone he thinks has had enough. If he has his eye on the almighty dollar more then the safety of his patrons and the unsuspecting public and continues to serve when he knows the patron has had to much then yes he deserves to pay up. I do think the bartender should have had the lesser of the settlement to pay though, because the driver should be held at a higher degree of responsibility then the bartender, after all he knew what he was doing was wrong too.
Posted by: bar on Oct 8, 2008 at 02:50 PM
I don't understand how a bar tender knows when someone has had too much to drink. Someone can be functioning and still be legally drunk. How is the bar responsible?
Posted by: way to go on Oct 8, 2008 at 02:35 PM
The reason I said that I was glad the bar owner is responsible.....it because it's against the law for a bartender to serve someone who is intoxicated. The bar broke the law and now they should pay. The bars are suppose to DECLINE you if you are DRUNK... duh!!!!!
Posted by: Eric on Oct 8, 2008 at 01:54 PM
Pablo you are one of the people that give this area a bad name So if my house burns down and my wife dies ur saying i should sue the people and the bank that sold it to me.. the people who built it should be sued to?? its people like u that r looking for the easy road to wealth...maybe i should sue the people that made the hammer that i smashed my thumb with,make them pay my bills for me..not because i was careless but just because they made it!!!
Posted by: Charleston on Oct 8, 2008 at 12:52 PM
It is the responsibility for the bars to cut the customer off when they have too much to drink. It is the same senario if you would have a party at your house and someone wrecks or is killed. You are held responsible due to the function being at your house. If the guy passed out, the bar should have called him a cab. They should have not let him leave. I know I had a party and I made everyone give me the keys. I had blankets and pillows ready. They were not permitted to leave my property until the next day. I locked the keys in a safe and they got them the next day. They were alittle upset, but they knew they could have a good time and sleep where ever they stopped. The bar needs to make more of an incenative to know when to cut someone off. Why couldn't the mother drive? Was she just as bad off? Bless her and the family.
Posted by: Barry on Oct 8, 2008 at 12:48 PM
If this is'nt a misuse of the court system I don't know what is!!! Yeah,make the guy pay for driving under the influence,but fining the bar is going too far! Why not also get the manufactuer of the car he was driving for selling him the car? Or the gas station who sold him the gas for the car? See where I'm going with this? Its ridiculous! Its should be called "The No Justice System"!
Posted by: Sarah on Oct 8, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Close all the makers of alcohol they are the ones guilty.
Posted by: Pablo on Oct 8, 2008 at 10:20 AM
I believe some of you are missing the point. A store sells alcohol to someone and nothing is wrong with that as long as that person isn't drunk. The clerk there would assume the alcohol was for later. Same thing in a bar. As long as the drinker isn't drunk, not problem. But to continue to sell alcohol to someone that is drunk is wrong. No one lives at the bar and anyone should realized that the drinker has to get home. And not many people walk home from a bar. If I sell a gun to someone, no problem. But if I suspect that person is going to murder someone, then it is wrong for me to sell them that gun. The bar clerk knew the drunk had to get home and that he'd be driving drunk. So therefore, its only fair that he be sued. He should get prison time too.
Posted by: Thinkaboutit on Oct 8, 2008 at 09:28 AM
The whole world is prone to lawsuits, not just WV. Drunkenness is one of the liabilities from the services that he provides, therefore he should be responsible. I believe the opinion on here would be alot different if the loss was one of your family members. However, I do not think it's right for somebody to trespass against him, breaking into his bar and then get bit by his dog and turn around and sue him. Holding him liable for the actions of the would be thief, that would be frivolous.
Posted by: Lauren on Oct 8, 2008 at 09:00 AM
To:Pablo Cont. But money won't bring her back! The guy who hit and killed her is fully responsible for her death NO ONE ELSE!!! Did he get Jail or prison time or did he just have to pay the money? I mean I really hope her family takes some of this $400,000 and helps on a drunken driving campain or something wonderful like that. But first and foremost lets make sure this guy don't drink and drive again, and being ordered to pay someone money (which I am sure he can't just pull out of his butt it will probaly take him several years to pay it) is Not going to work. This man needs rehab and prison time to sit and think about his actions and the pain he has cused by them. The Bar Owner Should Not Have To Pay One Red Cent!!! I work in resturaunt and we serve fat and obese people all the time. THEY ARE KILLING THEM SELVES SLOWLY WITH FOOD! And I am helping but if we don't serve them THEY MAY SUE US FOR DISCRIMINATION!! So what choice do we have!! LOL!
Posted by: Lauren on Oct 8, 2008 at 08:48 AM
To Pablo: First of all the lady who sued Mcdonalds was ONLY in it for the $$$$ Okay and if you think otherwise your a d*** fool!!! The coffee at Mcdonalds is still just as hot as it was before the lawsuit. So she changed nothing!!!! She walked away with her money and that was that. Now that being said if you biught a new car and it exploded while driving it of the parking lot (which I would say would kill you so you wouldn't have to worry about 3rd degree burns) sure you would sue them. No one expects a brand new car to explode while driving it off the lot. On the other hand EVERYONE ,that is anyone with a brain can tell you coffee is HOT, Ya know they make it thet way anymore. Is it Mcdonalds fault that she spilled it in her lap. Well according to a judge it is. Everyone running out and crying lawsuit is part of the downfall of this country. Do you think that all these businesses can afford all the lawsuits? Look I feel bad for the loss that has occured for this guy and his family.
Posted by: Reader on Oct 8, 2008 at 08:35 AM
A bartender KNOWS when to stop serving a drunk. They DO NOT quit serving because it cuts into their profits. When it happens to a bartender and a bar owner, we DO NOT want to hear your boo hoos about your family member killed by a DRUNK DRIVER that you yourself unless on the public DAILY just for the almighty dollar.
Posted by: nancy on Oct 8, 2008 at 07:58 AM
At the Kenova bar, they no 1 woman who consistently gets drunk, pees her pants, falls off the bar stool, gets in her car and drives all over Kenova - several times a weak. They serve her anyway. Something needs to be done.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 8, 2008 at 12:50 AM
What is someone says he is going to get one of the cabs waiting outside and does not. whats with the bar having to watch what people do? the car company and car dealer should be sought out also becuase they sold a car to a guy who used it to get drunk and kill someone on his own free will and accord. whats up with this???
Posted by: yeah on Oct 8, 2008 at 12:39 AM
I think making the bar pay is going to far. People need to take responsiblity for their own actions. That would be like sueing walmart for murder after they buy a gun there and kill someone.
Posted by: MrObvious on Oct 7, 2008 at 11:50 PM
The bar owner is in no way responsible for a fool who decides to drink too much and then drive. The bar owner/tender is not the babysitter. This is wrong. You people in WV are sue happy. I know of a case where a woman lost control of her vehicle and hit a semi truck then flipped into the ditch. The evidence at the scene as well as witnesses stated to police that the truck was on his side of the road and she lost control. The family has hired lawyers and are suing. They see this as a gift because they know most trucking companies will settle because you cannot get a fair trial in WV. Businesses are seen as a piggy bank. It is wrong.
Posted by: Pablo on Oct 7, 2008 at 10:50 PM
I need to add this to my previous post. I need to try and clear up this misunderstanding concerning McDonald's and the hot coffee. McDonald's had been warned in previous lawsuits that their coffee was too hot (close to boiling) and told to cool it down before serving. They didn't learn from previous lawsuits. The lady burned suffered 3rd degree burns over a sizable area of her body which required a long stay in the hospital. An example would be you going out and purchasing a new vehicle. Driving it off the lot and it exploads and you suffer 3rd degree burns. Wouldn't you sue? You buy something and you expect it to be safe, to a reasonable extent. Your new car is to be what you'd expect to be a safe vehicle. Well, most people don't drink cold coffee and want it warm, even slightly hot. But not close to boiling. We expect coffee to be safe to drink and not burning our mouth and throat with 3rd degree burns. McDonald's got what they deserved. To hear them tell it, they are victims.
Posted by: Pablo on Oct 7, 2008 at 10:41 PM
I can't believe some of you in here are taking up for the bar owner. I bet it would be a different story if the drunk hit and killed one of your loved ones on the highway. Sure, a bar should be held accountable for continuing to sell alcohol to someone that is drunk. It would be similar to giving a loaded gun to a kid to take to school. Then when the kid kills some of the students and teachers you'd say, "I just loaded the gun and give it to him. I had no idea he would kill anyone." Well, the person at the bar who kept giving the drunk alcohol was doing the same thing. He/she set up a killer on our highways. And be honest, how many people call a taxi for a ride home from a bar? After reading some posts on WSAZ's website, I can see why we have so many problems in this state and country. I don't know how some of you function day to day. Go figure.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 7, 2008 at 10:31 PM
I tell ya why, it is the responsibility of the bartender to know when enough is enough. I'm really surprised this hasn't happened sooner.
Posted by: mike on Oct 7, 2008 at 06:33 PM
Nancy, what about convenient stores or groceries that sell alcohol? Why not sue the brewing companies in St. Louis and Milwaukee? Or the farmers that grow barley? This is a "sue happy" society. What about individual responsibility?
Posted by: Good deal... on Oct 7, 2008 at 04:34 PM
I think it is about time that the bar owners be held responsible for turning these killers out on our roads. I think the jury made an excellent decision - the guy pass out at the bar and THEN the employees gave him keys to a car. GREAT PLAN
Posted by: Scott on Oct 7, 2008 at 04:17 PM
I'm sorry, but finding the BAR liable for this tragic event is just crazy. What the heck happened to personal responsibility in this world? Apparently, there is always someone else to blame these days. Thank the hot coffee moron from McDonald's for starting this avalanche.
Posted by: nancy on Oct 7, 2008 at 04:13 PM
Seriously, people come swerving out of the bars in Kenova, sometimes hitting innocents peoples cars. Something needs to be done before someone is hurt in Kenova.
Posted by: why? on Oct 7, 2008 at 04:04 PM
why are we going to make the bar owner pay? He didn't hold a gun to the guys head and force him to drive. I guess the next time someone overdoses on drugs, the family can sue the drug company. I also guess the next time a teenager drives too fast and wrecks and kills his or her self that we can sue the auto maker because the gas pedal would allow the kid to drive too fast. I also guess that the next time someone dies of cancer that we can sue God. Come on people. The bar owner has to pay more than the person responsible for the accident. I am truly ashamed to have read such stupidity.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 7, 2008 at 03:08 PM
I am not a drinker , but I don't see where a bar is resposible for someone who has to much to drink. Are they babysitters for people over 21. They don't know who has a DD or is taking a taxi. They got the smokers out of the bars , why don't they just shut the bars down all together. I think that is so stupid to take smoking out of bars and leave the drunks. I am sorry about the man's loss , but it was not the bars fault , but at least he can take a nicer cruise and have more money to spend by sueing the bar owners
Posted by: way to go on Oct 7, 2008 at 03:06 PM
So glad to hear that finally someone is holding bars responsible. Maybe this will make other bars stop and think twice before serving another drunk!!!! Was that money the bar made off that man that night worth it in the end? I think not!!!
Posted by: nancy on Oct 7, 2008 at 02:57 PM
It's about time! The law now needs to look at the bars in Kenova
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The Yell: Comments for the Week of 1/4
  • Posted By: Ari: Cheers to Rob-I feel ya!
  • Posted By: joe: I have worked for companies all over this nation and have had to take drug tests. Why should teachers be exempt from this practice? It is now common to be randomly tested(and I have been) so what makes a teacher any different than a steel worker. I can say proudly that I passed but I have seen those who didn't. They chose to use drugs and lost their jobs I didn't.
  • Posted By: Katy: As a teacher, I have no problem being randomly drug tested...as long as you agree to drug test the parents who enter the doors of my school as well. Most teachers deal with students who are exposed to/use more drugs and alcohol than any of the teachers. If these students or parents who are using drugs (and are not drug tested) enter our schools, the safety of the teachers and students are at risk. Since children spend more time with them, let's randomly drug test PARENTS, too!!!
  • Posted By: stephen: Why the heavy emphasis ont he damage to property and life Israel is doing . Where was the media uproar for years that Hamas was rocketing Israel irespective of innocent israelis.. Hamas is actualykilling their own citizens by firing rockets from UN schools and residents. Why does UN allow Hamas to use facilities for attacking Israel, then complain when Israel responds to protect their territory and citizens. Israel targets military targets, respons to from whence rockets or gun fire comes. What would we fire at if Huntington was attacked?Why does the media not put bla,e where balame belongs, and give moral support to the aggreived.What would America do if attacked? to whom would we listen? Russia, Saudi Arabia,Iran?.Media get REAL! Who has given Hamas and the Palestinians millions with which they could buy weapons---American taxpayers money!
  • Posted By: Robert: Although I feel for the employees that lost their positions at Cabell Huntington Hospital, at least more nurses were hired. I recently had a relative in the cardiac unit at Kings Daughters, in Ashland, and I was told that the nursing staff had been cut back and that no overtime was being given. This seems to be a drastic cut in patient care for a facility that spends thousands advertising that they are in the top 5% of cardiac hospitals in the country. I would be willing to wager that the Cleveland Clinic has not cut hours of those giving patient care.
  • Posted By: Boyd: If the state's budget is doing so well, why don't we use some of this money to help towns and cities in the state who are in trouble with their budget, or will this just become another pay raise for politicians?
  • Posted By: Rob: Why does everyone have to be so into using the term "racist" and have that kind of attitude. I know what my heritage is and who my ancestors were but you want to know what I consider myself? I AM AN AMERICAN! I was born and raised in this country and that's how I feel it should be. Born here, raised here.....then by God you are an American. Not an African American, not an Asian American etc. etc. You are an AMERICAN!
  • Posted By: Chris: To Ex-Officer: I agree with you 100% about the pay of police dept and the drug testing. I was formerly involved with the BCPD and had multiple ride alongs with the BCSO. I am probably one of their biggest critics due to having watch some of the bad side of the department for a long time. I wish that I could tell everything that I have seen officers do,which would put most of them behind bars or they'll lose their sheild, But retalliation is bad in our area. To the cops that do their job and do it with the best intentions, I proud of you and don't mean any disrespect. To the ones who I personally watch being more currupt then the "badguys" here,your day will be coming.
  • Posted By: Pablo: Teachers aren't the only ones underpaid. Law enforcement officers are underpaid also. And I'd like to speak about them. For example, I'm sure any parent would sacrifice their live for thier children. And several may give thier live to save their spouse. A few individuals may even do it for a close friend. But, I only know of 3 types of beings who will sacrifice thier lives for complete strangers; indeed even for people who hate them. The first would be our men and women in our armed forces. The second would be our law enforcement officers. And of course, third would be our Savior, Jesus Christ. Others are killed in the line of their employment, but not in order to save a complete stranger. Everytime a cop puts on his/her uniform, they can be a target for anyone upset about something. Even though it doesn't involve the cop personally, that very cop will give his life to save yours when a problem arises. We need to give our cops not only a wage, but a living wage and a great big THANKS.
  • Posted By: Craig: If what I am hearing is correct that Kanawha County teachers accepted a pay raise in return for submitting to drug testing, and then sued successfully so they do not have to be subject to testing, then why shouldn't we the taxpayers demand they return the raise?
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  • Posted By: Garland: What's the difference between teachers and other workers(coal mineers, bus drivers, state employees,etc.)? Teachers aren't any better are they?
  • Posted By: : This is not a comment, but I would like comments on it please. What do you think of Poca High School? Racist or not?
  • Posted By: Robert: We the people, through our own self centeredness and apathy, have allowed our teachers and police officials to be some of the most underpaid people in the United States. We are trusting our childrens education and our public safety to the very people that are some of the most underpaid profesions in the U.S.. If I could change this, I would. However, I do believe that these people should be randomly drug tested. I work in the construction industry and I have no problem being drug tested. I have nothing to hide. I also believe that any person who is intrusted with the safety of others should have nothing to hide. This includes plitical officials up to and including the president.
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