While running for office for a complete year before May 2016, the downtown district was a big focus for many of you because that’s what the Main Street organization’s studies dictated, and voters bought in because, well, it was ugly out there then … but is way worse today.

Recently, the Trump Administration passed a proposed rule change to SNAP (formerly known as "food stamps"), and now nearly 700,000 Americans will have their food assistance taken away due to work requirements.

And I’ve been asked the same again this year, and as a 53-year-old man with a wonderful wife of 25 years and two kind kids, both of whom are adults making valuable contributions to society, what else could a husband and father want?

You caused a lot of people to struggle during your tenure here in Wheeling, and during those 13 years you drove far too many from the Church while abusing your carte blache bishopness to live a lifestyle far, far removed from 99.9 percent of your former congregation.

One day last week, as I sat here holding my cheek and popping ibuprofen like they were Tic Tacs, two other people were on my Facebook page complaining of the same thing: the dreaded toothache.

It was a quick first month, and we would like to thank our readers for visiting, sharing, and liking LEDE on social media. We are confident those numbers will grow, too, because we will hold true to our mission announced at the very beginning.

But not for you. Not for the far right, far left, and not even for the moderates at this point. We respect U.S. Rep. David McKinley and admire the battles he fights that impact his 1st Congressional District, but even he’s guilty of playing the games involved with party power.

So therefore, today I am surrounded by reindeer, several Santas, elves on shelves, lights and more lights, merry mantels, special throw pillows, seasonal art hangings and wreaths, bedspreads, decorative dish towels, garlands galore, and dog toys. Yes, it’s true. Our pet pup has special squeakers for the holiday season.

It’s true; the days of finding a one-bedroom apartment for $350 a month with garbage and water included are long gone. You can blame the oil and gas workers or you can blame the greed of landlords who want to make more profit from the properties. Regardless of the direction in which you point your finger, the reality remains: We need housing in this valley, and we needed it yesterday.