Readers' Recent Comments

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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This I can say, I will be calling this number.  My bill at Appcon/VVV is four (4) times larger now then it was this time last year.  What’s the problem?  Well, VVV is only open in the building for 12 hours a week.  Appcon was open for almost 60 hours a week.  We are hardly there, kept the heat around 60 and have only turned the air on once this season.  Appcon was running heat at around 72 all year around.  There’s NO possible way VVV’s electric bill could be four (4) times higher than that of Appcon.  In addition, we were given a bill.  I complained and we received a new bill with the only difference being whether the read was “actual” or “estimated.“  So, thank you!  I need to call this number.  I had thought I would publicly publish my two bills just to see what would be said.  I may still attempt that avenue.  Thanks again!

By Deana J. Burke on 06.11.2013

From the entry: 'WV PSC Looking into Billing and Meter Reading Practices of Two State Power Companies'.

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I am afraid Margaret Collins you were told the official “nice” story on this.  The billing issues itself is likely a computer “glitch” which is actually a failure of proper program creation.  The BIG problem, the power company has been doing there very best to CUT COSTS by a REDUCTION in meter readings.  This actually goes back two years, probably longer, and has just now started to catch up with them.  They must have a “nice, pretty, believeable, fairy tale to present to the PSC regulators.  There will be no actual admission as to what has taken place.

By Sand Fork resident on 06.10.2013

From the entry: 'WV PSC Looking into Billing and Meter Reading Practices of Two State Power Companies'.

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Maybe with all the many complaints to the Public Service Commission, David McKinley’s office, calls made directly to the office of Mon Power and others that something will get done to force these companies to do the job that we pay for. The meeting I had with John L. Norman, Manager, External Affairs and Jay Storrick, Meter Reading Supervisor has told me that the problems of reading meters on a every other month basis should be resolved soon. Reason I was given for this mess is computer qlitch and the merging of two company computer systems takes time to merge the two into one system. We shall see.  If not, we all need to stand firm on this and demand action to correct this situation.

By Margaret Colins on 06.10.2013

From the entry: 'WV PSC Looking into Billing and Meter Reading Practices of Two State Power Companies'.

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It would be interesting to know where all the recalled items were manufactured..

By Annon on 06.09.2013

From the entry: 'Recalls - 06.07.13'.

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If you’re really considerate of time restraints and costs to students why do you FIRST start with streamlining your curriculum and make classes available to students in a sensible schedule that allows a 2-year degree student to actually graduate in 2 years rather than 4.  classes that are only offered one semester every other year is not holding down student costs, it’s holding them hostage for tuition money!  Students, you’d better think about that before you enroll.  It’s criminal how this college will deny classes to students and make them enroll year after year to finish a degree.
It’s all about numbers….up the enrollment and then weed out the upperclassmen.
Where will these people park???

By Anon. on 06.08.2013

From the entry: 'Mobile Glenville State College Enrollment Sessions Taking Place Across the State'.

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Yes, poor Fred is dead.  Apparently in a college town, with a college that has a ‘widely proclaimed’ criminal justice program,  you can ‘get away with murder’.  As well as rape and about anything else you can think of.

By anonymous on 06.08.2013

From the entry: 'Rebecca “Becky” Baldwin Running as Write-in Candidate for Mayor of Glenville'.

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Becky Baldwin a passive observer had to admire your spunk and desire to make some positive changes, but the position of Mayor of Glenville has been rigged long before even Gerry Hough was Mayor. Chances are the (blank) of (blank) and the elite of Glenville have already chosen the new Mayor. For the election process is just a ruse around here. The law enforcement is controlled also. Would you really want to try to serve in a totalitarian society, I could tell you now, you could be the next FRED HILL just for thinking it. And that is all I have to say about that. Look what these people did to Fred Hill.

By anon b non on 06.07.2013

From the entry: 'Rebecca “Becky” Baldwin Running as Write-in Candidate for Mayor of Glenville'.

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Thank you B.B. for taking the time to explain as to why you had so many, of those pesky, punctuation, grammar, and type-o’s in your announcement for Glenville Mayor.  Yes, now we have a choice, since the former Mayor is no longer in the race, since she withdrew, and any vote for her will not be counted.  Now that we are aware, that you are aware, and that you were only sending in a ‘draft’ announcement, it will make it much easier, for us at the ballot box, to make our decision, make our choice, and then to make our ballot mark.

By Vote for the Candidate of Your Choice on 06.07.2013

From the entry: 'Rebecca “Becky” Baldwin Running as Write-in Candidate for Mayor of Glenville'.

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Good point K.P.    West Virginia DOE has all the answers to everything.  They just don’t know what the questions are?
They just need more money.  Its the lack of money that is keeping WV at the bottom of all the stats.

By we are spending too much on 06.07.2013

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

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LMAO - - - Our state government all ready spent all the stimulus money buying Cadillac Routers when there was nothing to ‘route-too’.  Maybe the President will send more money for Linger to latch onto with more no-bid contracts?

By anonymous on 06.07.2013

From the entry: 'Obama Pushes Plan for Fast Internet in U.S. Schools'.

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Don’t bother to try this program in WV.  The B of E under Phares & Linger wouldn’t listen to it any more than they listen to ERT or the Legislature.

By SOS on 06.07.2013

From the entry: 'Bill Reintroduced to Strengthen Education in Rural Communities'.

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Well, all our kids will be in town in a few years if the powers that be have their way. But they’ll be so much safer…... if they can survive 2+ hours on the bus on our curvy mountain roads five days a week….
Some have suggested teachers should be able to be armed… this might be the best idea for rural schools….

By Rose on 06.07.2013

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

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In rural areas, there is no way law enforcement will arrive in “three to five minutes.“  It would take 15 to 20 minutes, on a good day, for them to get to most rural schools in this area - I wonder if there have ever been any studies done on this or if Manchin thinks everyone lives in a city?  In some cities, law enforcement can’t get there in 5 minutes due to traffic, distances, etc.  Safety is always a good idea but expecting law enforcement to be instantly available is not rational.

By Karen Pennebaker on 06.07.2013

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

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I sent a very long free-write to the Gilmer Free Press, which was written hurriedly, and in conversational style. Those familiar with the stages of writing know about pre-writing, so this was a draft and not really a finished product. The language used in conversation is informal and different from language used in academic writing. Since this is an election and time was of the essence, it was more important to get my ideas out and what I stand for as a candidate rather than watch punctuation and grammar. Conveying ideas in writing are more important, and voters need to know what I plan to do if elected as mayor rather than any typos in a campaign document.
  If you want to see some run-on sentences, check out Charles Dickens’ novels. But the ideas contained therein are timeless. 
  When events developed where there was only one candidate on the mayoral ballot, I hurriedly decided to work on my campaign and get the word out about another candidate choice. I have nothing against the other candidate, but it is undemocratic to only have one choice in an election. So I called the Secretary of State’s office to verify, and I had missed the deadline to withdraw and was still in the race.
  But truthfully, if the only major negative criticism is about typos in a campaign press release document, that’s fine with me. But I would like to see positive discussion of issues facing the town of Glenville and read what people have to say about those issues.
  What about the intersection near Rite-Aid? What about flooding? What do you think about the outdated clause in the Glenville charter that trailers aren’t allowed in the city limits? What do you think about Glenville’s sidewalks-how should we pay for them? In the town charter, Glenville has responsibility to look after the sidewalks. If a grant is obtained, how would we pay for the matching funds-any ideas for fundraisers?
  I welcome your views on the issues mentioned in the preceding paragraph. Thank you!

By Becky Baldwin on 06.06.2013

From the entry: 'Rebecca “Becky” Baldwin Running as Write-in Candidate for Mayor of Glenville'.

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