Chances are better than good that if a governmental body could steer clear of poisonous politics, special interests and self-serving considerations, if our elected leaders and appointed officers would pay less attention to status and burnishing their own résumé, if they were more concerned with results, if they could keep an open mind to ideas that were not their own nor in their comfort zone, if they could see their way through challenging times by staying focused on the end goal and pay no heed to distractions and a good-ol'-boy network that works to the benefit of a few, then progress – too long a dirty word in these hills and hollers – on a whole host of issues could be, would be, realized. Even celebrated.
Damon Cain is a journalist based in Beckley, West Virginia. He writes for The Register-Herald and Cleburne Times Review, covering local news and events in the area. With a focus on community stories and issues, Damon's articles provide insight into the lives and experiences of the people in his region.