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This scandal is an example of what happens when checks and balances are removed after a school board is stripped of authority. When elite people at the top have absolute control they always ensure that their interests are served first and if they can get by with it there is never any trickle down money left. Our school system is comprised of dedicated employees including custodians, maintenance people, school bus drivers, cooks, secretaries, aids, teachers, and others. All of them working together make the school system function. Elitists don’t understand it, but even a few hundred dollars more a year would have meant lots to the left out employees. Worst of all the scandal sends a distinct message that merit has nothing to do with monetary rewards. If the principal at Normantown with its highest achievement rating in the County had been singled out for a pay increase citizens would have been glad for her, but when the GCHS principal gets an equal sum with all the turmoil over there citizens exhibit stark disbelief. We can’t blame all the scandal on Blankenship because his decision had to be approved and maybe ordered from Dr. Phares’ office. What do you say Dr. Phares?

By Champion for Fairness on 06.19.2013

From the entry: 'CommunityConcerns™: Fairness of Mr. Ron Blankenship’s Pay Raises For Top Administrators Onl'.

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This issue of raises simply indicates the “dictator mindset” of Ronald Blankenship that has permeated since his first day on the job?
It is also a move to “own employees”?

By Al C. on 06.19.2013

From the entry: 'CommunityConcerns™: Fairness of Mr. Ron Blankenship’s Pay Raises For Top Administrators Onl'.

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o Mr. Phares was blindsided? You think? Or was it just show?
If that truly was the case, it would indicate clearly that feedback from Blankenship, Mattern, and Heinline has been:
(1) Lacking (2) Incomplete (3) With held (4) Dishonest OR all of these.
If Mr. Phares and Mr. Linger have been taken across by these employees of theirs, then it is past time to clean house of the incompetent and inept employees.
We now >know< that Mr. Phares >knows< there is something emitting a foul odor in this whole Gilmer County saga.
Mr. Phares we appreciate your presence here in Gilmer. Thank you. Now maybe you are getting a better picture of
the inadequacies of your underlings. We are waiting for you to do something now.

By thanks for the visit on 06.19.2013

From the entry: 'CommunityConcerns™: Fairness of Mr. Ron Blankenship’s Pay Raises For Top Administrators Onl'.

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It has never made a bit of sense to pay “administrators” top salaries when teachers get much, much less and are the ones responsible for the education of the children. In a world run by common sense, schools should be run by the teachers who teach the children, not “administrators”. Parents and teachers together would do a much more effective job of making sure children were receiving the best possible education for each individual child.
This “one size fits all” nonsense has gone far beyond ridiculous. Paying administrators and directors to sit in offices and run the schools is tantamount to putting a tractor trailer on the highway and sitting in a dark room with a joy stick to run it.

By Karen Pennebaker on 06.19.2013

From the entry: 'CommunityConcerns™: Fairness of Mr. Ron Blankenship’s Pay Raises For Top Administrators Onl'.

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You can’t make this stuff up.
Dr. Unphares travels from Oz to speak to the stupid little people.
He obviously had no clue what is going on in this county. Praise for Blankenstein? What has improved under the fuhrer? Did Blankenstein rudely ignore everyone and pretend to be doing something important on his cell phone as he normally does? Does anyone have any ideas what he is doing on that phone? Simmons must have been about ready to burst with pride. He brought a biggy into the county. If the county could buy Bill for what he is worth and sell him for what he thinks he is worth, our money problems would be solved.
I’m going to print this story out and date it. I just can’t figure out whether to file it under “lies” or “humor”.
Y’all will have to excuse me now. I’m headed for the vomitorium.

By Burnt Weiney on 06.19.2013

From the entry: 'Breaking News: Dr. Phares’ New Beginning Commitments to Gilmer County'.

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Dr. Phares permitted himself to be blind sided by assuming that all he had heard from his State operatives told the full story. After delivering his carefully drafted talking points everything went down hill from there and Ted Matterin was there to mouth what he thought Dr. Phares should say next. Dr. Phares was astute enough to realize what had happened to the County and he used his good judgement to do what was right. What we need to do now is to keep a close watch to ensure that there is no backtracking by the State. Let’s not forget that credit for getting Dr. Phares to attend the meeting goes to Bill Simmons.

By R. D. Haskell on 06.19.2013

From the entry: 'CommunityConcerns™: Fairness of Mr. Ron Blankenship’s Pay Raises For Top Administrators Onl'.

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West Virginia is famous again. Maybe Mr. Phares should also visit the school and board in Logan. The student who wore the NRA t-shirt to school, now threatened with a year in jail. It put West Virginia on national satellite radio news.

By go NRA! on 06.19.2013

From the entry: 'WV State School Superintendent Visting Gilmer County on Monday, June 17, 2012'.

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Quit blaming poor Mr Blankenship. He is reportedly only being paid 127k per year for his 3 day week.
He great at performing the “The Charleston” dance for us.
Turn up the speed. Turn up the volume. Watch and enjoy.

By go ron go on 06.19.2013

From the entry: 'WV State School Superintendent Visting Gilmer County on Monday, June 17, 2012'.

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Folks. Go read the original OEPA audit when the school was taken over without any warning or any period of time to remedy issues that were found. You will find that one of the ‘points’ it made was to only ‘move/reassign’ any employee who was not preforming as required. Well, Blankenship has done that deed. The person who was to be ‘protected’ and kept on the job is still there. The complaints continue around the high school. Elite power brokers wanted to keep someone employed. That has been successful to date. So the complaints will roll on. We all know locally what its all about and the Charleston gang has been a slow education. The CUBES and what they were/are about has slowly come to the surface in Charleston too. They have been slow to catch on but they are coming.

By anonymous on 06.19.2013

From the entry: 'WV State School Superintendent Visting Gilmer County on Monday, June 17, 2012'.

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As to the school situation. R.F.Ronson, you are wondering why the purchase agreement for the Crooked Run Property has not been disclosed? Well, well, well. Do you expect that to happen since Blankenship has kept the Gilmer citizens and school board in the dark now…...which will be 2 years comes July 1 ? If you keep all information secret, you have to make fewer lies and answer fewer questions? That is the Gilmer County standard operating procedure, you know. Well, it was, until Gilmer Free Press came along and gave the citizens a voice.

By following state orders? on 06.18.2013

From the entry: 'WV State School Superintendent Visting Gilmer County on Monday, June 17, 2012'.

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Wasn’t Jim Phares hired as a “temporary” state superintendent? Marple was sent home last November right after the election. Has that job been advertised yet?
Remember, the job requirements have now been “dumbed down” for the position. Ol’ boy system at work?

By who's lined up ? on 06.18.2013

From the entry: 'WV State School Superintendent Visting Gilmer County on Monday, June 17, 2012'.

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Dr. Phares, will you explain why information for the purchase agreement for the Crooked Run school is not disclosed to the public? Tax money will be used to purchase the land and it is bad government when details are withheld. Citizens understand that Ron Blankenship committed to pay an exorbitant price per acre for the land that far exceeds land value prices in the area and 75 acres will be purchased when that much land is not needed. When asked about financial details about the land purchase Mr. Blankenship has said that they will be disclosed at the proper time. Why the carefully guarded secrecy? Is the State fearful of the truth coming out?

By R. F. Ronson on 06.18.2013

From the entry: 'WV State School Superintendent Visting Gilmer County on Monday, June 17, 2012'.

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This the funniest thing that I read in some time. To even think about impeaching president Bush after 5 years of Obamaama. I do not think that Obamaama should be impeached either, he should be tried for treason.
We all know that Obaama will be reading this too.

By JIM [1] on 06.18.2013

From the entry: 'G-Comm™: Not Impeaching Bush Is Sure Paying Off!'.

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The great fact manipulators can spin absolutely anything to support their chosen position. That doesn’t mean it’s correct. For instance, 100% of students taking a test becomes a 100% attendance rate.

By Believe It on 06.18.2013

From the entry: 'WV State School Superintendent Visting Gilmer County on Monday, June 17, 2012'.

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So I am reading that State Board of Education newly hired replacement is coming to Gilmer County. Thats great. Are we going to hear that Normantown is being closed? Thats been speculated. Or will he tell us in five or ten years Gilmer will get control back. Guess we only have until Monday evening to wait.
With luck, the children’s champion, Mrs Starkey, will ask relevant questions. Don’t hear much out of the other four. Cat got their tongue? The rest must have been either bought off or told to be quiet. Both?
One thing is for sure. The State Board of Education cannot brag about what a great job they are doing with the intervention counties. There are NO statistics that would support a statement to that effect.

By anonymously on 06.17.2013

From the entry: 'WV State School Superintendent Visting Gilmer County on Monday, June 17, 2012'.

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You want to stop DC and the Feds from saying schools and Teachers are failing. Whose going to stop Charleston. They do it and take them over.

By Riddle Me This on 06.17.2013

From the entry: 'Senate Republicans: No Child Left Behind Should Give Governors More Say'.

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From appearances the 911 Center is dead. Or is it? Its been reported that the Commissioners have been having secret meetings with the GSC Power Brokers. GSC wants that 911 Center. Capture that revenue stream. Takes a lot of green to feed the pig you know. When the Commissioners get what they think is a good deal personally, the College will get the 911 Center….and the Commissioners will have no extra work or responsibility. Its always whats best for them, not whats best for Gilmer County.

By just watch on 06.16.2013

From the entry: 'G-OB™: Administrative Assistant to The Director of Office of Emergency Management-Gilmer Co'.

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It’s about things they have no clue about and the lack of people skills. This underscores the county commission’s lack of attention to detail and inability to get things done when things get technical.
This isn’t the only situation coming to a head. I predict a major falling out that’s going to cost the county commission. I hope they have several hundred thousand dollars set aside.

By Anon on 06.15.2013

From the entry: 'G-OB™: Administrative Assistant to The Director of Office of Emergency Management-Gilmer Co'.

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What was the real reason the Administrative Assistant for OEM quit? It had to be more than just cutting hours. I have heard so many negative things about the Director and how she does things. When will the County Commission do something about her? She seems to think she is a one-woman show and she runs everything. Oh, I forgot, she is friends with one commissioner and he gets her anything she wants. It makes you wonder what will happen when another emergency happens and she can’t be found.

By Fairness in GC on 06.14.2013

From the entry: 'G-OB™: Administrative Assistant to The Director of Office of Emergency Management-Gilmer Co'.

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This is another example of the county commission not taking care of their responsibilities. The OES is obviously an ongoing “That’s how we do it in Gilmer County” semi-disaster. The OES positions are critical to this county when we face our most difficult times. Yet the county commission seems to be content with kicking another can down he road. Instead they need to kick something else down the road.

Will the commission wake up and take care of business? Maybe when they get bit in the posterior. What they don’t know is that is coming fast. You can only push people so long.

By Anon on 06.14.2013

From the entry: 'G-OB™: Administrative Assistant to The Director of Office of Emergency Management-Gilmer Co'.

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3 to 5 minutes?...you kidding me?
I called the city police one morning regarding a window of my vehicle being shot out and the response I got was “the Chief is in the shower right now, he can be there in about 45 minutes.“
They are not even on duty 24/7 so how could they respond that fast???

By Anon. on 06.14.2013

From the entry: 'West Virginia School Building Authority Moves Towards Safer Schools'.

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I pray Ms. Starkey attempts to ask her usual questions and then see if Blankenship ignores or turns his back on her in front of his boss.
Please call him out on this Phyllis, better yet ask Phares why Blankenship acts this way!

By Anon. on 06.14.2013

From the entry: 'WV State School Superintendent Visting Gilmer County on Monday, June 17, 2012'.

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Is there some announcement coming at this meeting?
Anything of substance, anything positive?
Many have the “Missouri attitude”. Its called “show me”.

By anonymous on 06.14.2013

From the entry: 'WV State School Superintendent Visting Gilmer County on Monday, June 17, 2012'.

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I will not call these comments from the power company outright lies.
I will say they created this problem all by them self.
They tried to cut meter reading expenses, and now that it did not work out,
they are doing the two-step dance trying to get around it all. This problem
started when Allegheny Power sold out. Was then continued forward.
They did admit to having meter reader “positions” not filled.
This is a clear statement as to what they were up too. We all know there
is NO shortage of people looking for jobs.
I hope the public service commission are able to see through the
“smoke” that Mon Power is making.

By just saying on 06.14.2013

From the entry: 'First Energy Got Behind on Meter Readings'.

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Does America sponsor wars? The Syrian Rebels are sworn supporters of Al-Quadia.
We are helping them with weapons, ammunition and now military support.
Al-Quadia has clearly stated they are at war with America? Skip B., you are correct.

By can anyone explain on 06.14.2013

From the entry: 'G-Comm™: An American Awakening to the Addiction of War'.

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Why not just put up a “War-Free Zone” sign like they do with “Drug-Free” signs at schools? A Constitutional amendment will have about as much impact. Does ANYBODY think that because we withdraw from wars that they will stop?

By Skip Beyer on 06.14.2013

From the entry: 'G-Comm™: An American Awakening to the Addiction of War'.

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No doubt that the OEM director has the commissioners buffaloed.
But then would that be very hard to do? Think not.

By watching the CCC dogs and pony gang on 06.13.2013

From the entry: 'G-OB™: Administrative Assistant to The Director of Office of Emergency Management-Gilmer Co'.

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Does this court reversal sort of makes me wonder if the PA and Judge BOTH were out of bounds? As well as the welfare office?
Do they receive any punishment other than we now know about what is going on?

By anonymous on 06.13.2013

From the entry: 'IN RE: LILITH H.: Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia Reverses Gilmer Circuit Court Decision'.

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Think all of Gilmer County would wish the solution of repairing our dysfunctional state run school system would be as simple as the County Commission issues. Maybe Mr Jones and some other could fix both the school problems and the Commission problems. Most who are up to date, would say it is all egos causing both problems.

By just saying on 06.13.2013

From the entry: 'G-OB™: Administrative Assistant to The Director of Office of Emergency Management-Gilmer Co'.

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Now we know WHO YOU ARE Roy Jones! Yeah, we would like to have our COUNTY BACK, INSTEAD of the give back to the county blah blah blah. Sometimes you can see a wolf in sheeps clothing if you look at their feet, and your feet need a good washin…

By Anon B anon on 06.13.2013

From the entry: 'Daily G-Eye™ : 06.13.13'.

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The OEM Director needs to be accountable for work that is not being done in the county. She keeps information to herself and never shares with her staff. The CC just lets her do what she pleases because they are not NIMS trained and they believe everything she says. When will she be accountable for how she runs Emergency Management? The firemen in Gilmer County do not want to work with her after she made an A** of herself during the June 2012 storm. Does that not show that most of the volunteers in the county have not confidence in her ability to do her job?

By Fairness in GC on 06.13.2013

From the entry: 'G-OB™: Administrative Assistant to The Director of Office of Emergency Management-Gilmer Co'.

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I am so excited about this construction and the facilities that are coming. I appreciate those who have the resources to give back to Gilmer County. Thank you.

By Roy Jones on 06.13.2013

From the entry: 'Daily G-Eye™ : 06.13.13'.

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We have had negative rumors mentioning CPS/ DHHS and our local court system for sometime now. This rather confirms that wouldn’t you think?

By anonymous on 06.12.2013

From the entry: 'IN RE: LILITH H.: Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia Reverses Gilmer Circuit Court Decision'.

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Looks like the Director and the CC were looking for a clean sweep of the office. Remember how they tried to terminate the Asst. Director. Maybe the CC should call and ask the previous Admin Assistant to reapply.

By Roy Jones on 06.12.2013

From the entry: 'G-OB™: Administrative Assistant to The Director of Office of Emergency Management-Gilmer Co'.

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There is a lot more to this story than is in print here. The individual who was previously employed in this position, according to reliable sources, had their work hours reduced from 15 weekly to only 6 hours. So…....how come now the county is advertising for a 10 to 15 hour position?

By something smells on 06.12.2013

From the entry: 'G-OB™: Administrative Assistant to The Director of Office of Emergency Management-Gilmer Co'.

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