Commentary:
Steve Roberts
For
The Good Of
The Register-Herald, Feb. 9, 2005
West
Virginians
have a renewed sense of hope and optimism due to the
significant accomplishments achieved in 2004, particularly those that are
helping to improve the state's business climate. The accomplishments continue a
positive trend that has been ongoing for several years now. The year will go
down as a year of significant political change in our state, the outcome of
which may yet to be realized.
The year 2004 was the start of
"restoring balance" to our great state ... balance in the
Supreme Court, balance in the Legislature, balance in the governor's office and
greater balance across the state's entire political spectrum. When I say
balance, I am not talking about this from a political or partisan perspective.
Balance, in this case, refers to the sense that
As we
turn our attention to 2005, we should keep this in mind as we develop our plans
for success and achievement. To do this, it will be incumbent among all of us -
government officials, employers, labor representatives, educators, non-profit
executives, employees, retirees - to focus on how best to tackle the tough
issues facing us and to promote the positive aspects and great values of our
state. We must come together with a common mission, a common purpose and a
common fellowship. We must have the courage and faith to unite and work toward
making
As part of this, we must work to help achieve fundamental
measures of progress throughout our state. These include:
-- Increasing the state's per capita income and
employment opportunities.
-- Improving health habits and conditions.
-- Improving educational achievement and facilitating
life-long learning.
-- Reversing and diversifying the state's demographic
trends.
We must focus on creating progressive and visionary ideas
for our state, which will be in line with sentiments being expressed by our new
governor and by legislative leaders, particularly Senate President Earl Ray
Tomblin. Referring to the 2004 election results, Tomblin made these remarks
during an interview with a southern
"I embrace these changes, not just because it is
what our constituents voted for, but because it underscores the need to consider
new approaches, entertain new ideas and be willing to take some risks, if
necessary, to do what is best for our state. We must be willing to lay aside
personal interests, personal ambition and personal quests to achieve the dreams
of as many
We couldn't agree more. It is time for leadership and
change for the good of
Nevertheless, the West Virginia Chamber will continue to
focus on specific issues that are important to the employer community and
business climate. But we also will not let ourselves get sidetracked from the
ultimate goal - presenting solutions and programs that will help to achieve
economic, health and educational parity for
This, the state's business community believes, is the
paramount mission for all of us to achieve. This is how we all should define
success in our collective mission to make West
- Roberts is president of the West Virginia Chamber of
Commerce.