1. United States
2. W.V.
3. Letter

Preserve Spruce Knob's historic name, reject partisan renaming Renaming a geographical landmark is a significant decision that requires careful consideration and broad public support. The proposal to rename Spruce Knob as "Trump Mountain" appears to be a politically motivated effort to honor a controversial former president. While President Trump has had a notable impact on the nation, his legacy remains divisive, and such a renaming could be seen as partisan and alienating to many West Virginians who hold different political views. It is important to preserve the historical and cultural significance of place names, which often reflect the natural heritage and indigenous peoples of a region. Spruce Knob is a distinctive natural feature that predates any political figure or movement. Renaming it risks erasing part of West Virginia's environmental identity in favor of a transient political agenda. Furthermore, the stated rationale for the proposed renaming seems disproportionate to the honor it would bestow. While President Trump garnered substantial support in West Virginia, equating his presidency to the enduring symbolism of the state's highest peak may be an overreach. Such a commemoration could be perceived as excessive adulation rather than a measured recognition of his influence. Instead of pursuing this renaming, it would be more appropriate to consider other ways to acknowledge President Trump's connection to West Virginia, if deemed necessary, that are more proportional and inclusive of diverse perspectives. Preserving the name Spruce Knob would respect the state's natural and cultural heritage while avoiding the appearance of partisan favoritism. I urge you to focus on critical challenges for West Virginians such as infrastructure, jobs, & healthcare. Directing attention and resources towards addressing critical challenges facing West Virginians - such as upgrading infrastructure, ensuring access to clean drinking water, creating jobs, improving healthcare and education systems - would be a more prudent use of time and effort than pursuing non-essential initiatives like renaming geographical features. The people of this state have made it clear that substantive progress on these pressing issues should be the priority for their elected representatives. We are depending on you to make better choices. Refer to: HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 33