(The following was written when the oldest governor in the history of our state, Cecil Underwood -- and ex-coal man and rabid Republican -- wanted to cut down a beautiful stand of trees behind the Holley Mansion in Charleston to create a bus turn-around so tourists wouldn't have to walk so far. Cecil defeated Charlotte Pritt - a wonderful, thoughtful, intellectual woman who could have been the salvation of our state - in one of the dirtiest, most dishonest campaigns I have ever witnessed.)
Please excuse the poor Dr. Seuss imitation:
My name is the Lorax, I speak for the trees, but Governor Oncelor thinks it’s buses we need.
The Legislature parking is too sacred to touch. To drive around the corner is just asking too much.
Who wants the bus turn-around? No people I know. "The State," they’re all saying, "The State wants it so."
If Charlotte had made it, now please don’t deny, we people would have much less reason to cry.
From treetops to mountains our Governor will chop. Oh when, please tell me, oh when will it stop?
You’re old now, dear Governor, you’re old now we know, but please leave some nature behind when you go...
Elliot M. Namay, Jr.
September, 1999