NWS: FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING 12.02.10
Issued by The National Weather Service
Charleston, WV
6:29 PM EST, Tuesday, November 30, 2010
... FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING…
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHARLESTON HAS EXPANDED THE:
* FLOOD WATCH TO INCLUDE PORTIONS OF CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA... NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA AND SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA… INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA:
BRAXTON... CALHOUN... CLAY… GILMER AND ROANE.
IN NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA:
DODDRIDGE... RITCHIE AND TYLER.
IN SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA:
BOONE… KANAWHA… LOGAN AND MINGO.
* THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING
* A STRONG STORM SYSTEM WITH ABUNDANT RAIN WILL MOVE THROUGH THE REGION.
THE MOST SIGNIFICANT RAINFALL WILL OCCUR TONIGHT.
TOTAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS FROM THIS SYSTEM WILL RANGE BETWEEN 1.50 TO 3.00 INCHES.
THIS MAY BE ENOUGH TO CAUSE FLOODING ON SMALL STREAMS AND CREEKS IN THE WATCH AREA.
ALSO… SHARP RISES ON AREA RIVERS MAY OCCUR.
THE MOST VULNERABLE RIVERS ARE THE WEST FORK… THE TYGART VALLEY RIVER BASIN… THE GREENBRIER… AND THE HEADWATERS OF THE CHEAT RIVER.
DESPITE SUCH COLDER AIR AND SNOW SHOWERS ON WEDNESDAY… THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT RIVER LEVELS WOULD STILL BE RISING ON WEDNESDAY AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS:
A FLOOD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING BASED ON CURRENT FORECASTS.
HEIGHTEN YOUR MONITORING OF THE WEATHER AND FORECASTS. COUNTY OFFICIAL AND THOSE LIVING ALONG FLOOD PRONE STREAMS AND RIVERS SHOULD CHECK RAIN AMOUNTS AND WATER LEVELS PERIODICALLY.
BE PREPARED TO TAKE QUICK ACTION SHOULD FLOODING DEVELOP OR A WARNING IS POSTED.
Judge Richard A. Facemire presided over a 3 page motion day on Monday, November 29, 2010.
Three fugitives waived extradition to their respective states as follows:
Jeremy Brannum was wanted in Tennessee
Eric Ripplinger was wanted in Nevada
Tracey Lee Lane was wanted in New Jersey
All three fugitives were represented by R. Russell Stobbs of Weston.
• One juvenile was heard and reset for Monday, February 28, 2011 at 9:15 AM.
• Another was heard and reset for Monday, February 28, 2011 at 9:25 AM.
• Another juvenile was set for further hearing for Friday, January 07, 2011 at 9:00 AM.
• One juvenile was ill and the case was reset for Friday, December 10, 2010 at 9:00 AM.
• Another juvenile was heard and reset for Monday, February 28, 2011 at 9:45 AM.
• Another was heard and reset for Monday, February 28, 2011 at 9:50 AM.
• Another juvenile was continued to Friday, December 10, 2010 at 9:00 AM.
• A civil case involving wrongful death was before the Court and the insurance company paid and it will be completed upon entry of order.
• The civil case of Eddie Anderson vs. Gilmer County Board of Education, et al
It was before the Court on a motion to dismiss, which the Judge denied.
After a hearing before the board of education it will be rescheduled in Circuit Court.
• The bound over case of State of WV vs. James Michael McClure was before the Court on a motion to dismiss for not having been presented to the Grand Jury in a timely fashion.
There being no objection by the prosecuting attorney the Judge dismissed the case without prejudice.
• A magistrate case of State of WV vs. David Michael McEntire was before the Court for recusal of prosecutor.
However, the Judge ordered it be referred to the prosecuting attorney institute for a new one to be appointed (as is usually the case).
• A damages hearing in the case of State of WV vs. Billy Tomblin was heard.
After the probation officer determines the amount of damages the amount will be assessed by the Clerk as restitution and Tomblin has 4 years to pay it.
He was also ordered to pay at least $50.00 per month toward court costs and restitution, which Tomblin has already made 2 payments, including one on Monday to the Circuit Clerk.
He was represented by David Karickhoff of Sutton, WV.
• State of WV vs. Stephanie Smarr was before the Court for sentencing upon her former plea.
Judge Facemire sentenced her to 1-10 in the penitentiary but suspended the execution of the sentence and placed her on 5 years probation.
She was fined $100.00 and must pay court costs and $150.00 restitution to the victim within 6 months.
She also must perform 100 hours of community service per year of probation.
She was represented by Christina Flanigan of Buckhannon.
• A magistrate appeal involving John Zsigray and Gilmer PSD was before the Court and Zsigray asked for a continuance which was denied by the Court as not being properly filed and not complying with the rules.
The Judge also dismissed the case and ordered Zsigray to pay the costs.
Family Court Judge Larry Whited appeared and heard a domestic violence case on Monday.
City of Glenville Logo and Slogan Contest - Deadline Approaching
City of Glenville Logo and Slogan Contest
Official Rules:
1. Logo - Flexibility is a key requirement, including the need to resize easily and to look good in black and white and as well as color (if logo is done in color). The final version of the logo will need to be suitable for high quality printing.
2. Slogan – What is Glenville to you? What is Glenville known for? How would you describe Glenville to others? Entrants must coin a slogan, 10 words or less, that captures the essence of the City of Glenville.
3. Designs must be original ideas. Logos or slogans found elsewhere will be disqualified.
4. The City of Glenville reserves the right not to select a winner if, in its sole discretion, no suitable entries are received.
5. The City of Glenville reserves the right to disqualify any Entrant or Entry at its sole discretion. No correspondence shall be entered into.
6. The Entrant with the winning design must give permission for the City of Glenville to make public and otherwise use the winner’s name for publicity purposes.
7. To guarantee anonymity during the selection process, personal information will be removed from all eligible entries and they will be viewed and voted on at the December City Council meeting on Monday, December 13, 2010.
8. Entrants may have multiple entries but they must be done by an individual. No group submissions will be accepted.
9. If two or more people come up with identical designs or very similar slogans, the earliest entry will be deemed the winning entry.
10. Entrants can submit a design for the logo, a slogan, or both.
11. Entries must include the entrants- name, address, telephone number, and age.
12. Entries can be submitted by mail, e-mail, or dropped off in person at City Hall during regular business hours- Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM:
City of Glenville
Logo/Slogan Contest
20 North Court Street
Glenville, WV 26351
Or “allman.tashuam@hotmail.com”
13. Entries must be received by 4:00pm on Friday, December 10, 2010. No late entries will be accepted. All entries become property of the City of Glenville. The City of Glenville is not responsible for lost, late, stolen, misdirected, damaged, incomplete, or illegible entries; or entries that are lost due to computer, internet, or electronic malfunction.
Questions can be directed to: Mayor Allman 304.462.8040 or “allman.tashuam@hotmail.com”
The eye care bill was one of the most contentious issues of this year’s legislative session.
It allows optometrists to do injections and other procedures only ophthalmologists could do before now.
But nearly six months after then-Governor Joe Manchin signed the bill into law, optometrists have yet to get the green light to conduct those procedures.
Chad Robinson with the West Virginia Optometric Association says the state Board of Optometry drafted and proposed ten rules to regulate the procedures.
First, they had to be put out for public comment, and then they went before the legislative Ruling Making Committee.
“Eight of those 10 rules have been passed by the committee. The two remaining rules will be taken up during the December interims. I assume those will go through,“ he said.
Robinson says the rule-making process has been very thorough because the WVOA wanted it that way.
“It’s a detailed law. It makes West Virginia more competitive. It allows the doctor of optometry to practice more of what they’re being taught in the accredited schools of optometry across the country.“
Robinson says the WVOA and its members knew this wouldn’t be a law that took effect as soon as it had the Governor’s signature.
First, doctors were going to have to increase their education level to include injections and then be certified by the WVOA to do the procedures. Add on the ten rules that still need full legislative approval in the upcoming legislative session and Robinson says optometrists are still months away from doing the procedures.
“Sometime in 2011, you’ll see some of the doctors will begin to use some of the new procedures they’re allowed to do,“ he told MetroNews.
Once that happens, Robinson says eye care will become more accessible and affordable for all West Virginians.
The First Baptist Church Cancer Fund for Gilmer County will be selling (by donation) soup, sandwiches and cookies at The Farmer’s Market on Saturday, December 04, 2010.
Quarts of soup will be for sale at a nominal fee and orders will be taken for Christmas cookies.
Samples will be available.
Proceeds from these fundraisers will aid people of Gilmer County who are fighting cancer.
To date, the FBCCF has helped three individuals.
If you have any questions, please call 304.462.4374.
As of November 7th, the total U.S. public debt outstanding reached an astonishing $13.7 trillion. This means that although Congress just raised the debt ceiling to $14.3 trillion back in February, the new Congress will face another debt ceiling vote almost immediately next year. Otherwise, the Treasury will not be able to continue issuing debt to fund government operations.
The upcoming vote will provide an interesting litmus test for the new Republican congressional majority, especially those new members closely identified with Tea Party voters. The debt ceiling law, passed in 1917, enables Congress to place a statutory cap on the total amount of government debt rather than having to approve each individual Treasury bond offering. It also, however, forces Congress into an open and presumably somewhat shameful vote to approve more borrowing.
If the new Congress gives in to establishment pressure and media alarmism about “shutting down the government” by voting to increase the debt ceiling once again, you will know that the status quo has prevailed. You will know that Congress, despite the rhetoric of the midterm elections, is doing business as usual. You will know that the simple notion of balancing the budget, by limiting federal spending to federal revenue, remains a shallow and laughable campaign platitude.
Of course congressional leaders—now Republicans—will tell America that they plan on balancing the budget soon, but they just need some time. After all, we have to keep the government open, right? We can’t have an “emergency” shutdown of vital government services. But somehow Congress always finds money for emergency spending, in the form of supplemental appropriations bills for TARP bailouts, troop surges, and the like. Why is there never an emergency that justifies less spending???
Surely we are facing an emergency debt spiral, as evidenced by the Federal Reserve’s recent commitment to buy another round of Treasury debt. It’s now quite obvious that the U.S. government plans to inflate its way out of debt, and the world is fleeing our dollar in response. Just 7 years ago Congress raised the debt ceiling to $6.4 trillion, which means the federal government had doubled its indebtedness in less than a decade. Annual deficits for 2011 and beyond are projected to be at least $1 trillion. By contrast, the entire federal debt amassed from the founding of our nation until President Reagan took office in 1981—a period of roughly 200 years—was $1 trillion. So it’s no exaggeration to state that federal debt is growing exponentially.
I have two simple proposals when the new Congress convenes in January. First, refuse to raise the debt ceiling. Find a way, month by month, for Congress to spend only what the Treasury raises in revenue. Second, start over from scratch with the 13 appropriations bills that fund the federal government. Reject any talk of baseline budgets or discretionary spending. It is all discretionary, and members of both parties should vote against any 2012 appropriation bill that is not at least 10% smaller—in nominal dollars—than its 2011 counterpart.
A motivated Congress could begin to slow the tide of debt by taking the simple step of cutting federal spending by 10% across the board for the next few years. Let’s hope it does not take the complete collapse of the U.S. dollar to provide this motivation.
Directions:
Lay the tenders on a work surface.
With a smooth scaloppine pounder or a rolling pin covered in plastic wrap, flatten to 1/4” thickness.
Dredge the cutlets lightly in the flour.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the oil to the skillet and heat until sizzling.
Place the chicken in the skillet.
Cook for 2 minutes per side or until lightly browned and cooked through.
Add the lemon juice, parsley, and capers.
Bring the mixture to a boil.
Reduce the heat and simmer for 2 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
Season to taste with the pepper.
Serve the chicken with the pan juices.
Note: Pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness is an important step because it allows the chicken to cook evenly so both ends are moist and delicious.
The readings today are a beautiful reflection of the invitational call to mission, to which St Andrew responded so generously that he gave his life.
The gospel tells the story of Jesus’ invitation to two sets of brothers—Andrew and his brother Peter, James and his brother John—and their unhesitating response.
St Paul reminds the Roman community that faith comes from hearing the word of Christ.
He also reminds the community that ‘Not everyone, of course, listens to the Good News.’
Today, on this feast of St Andrew, one of the first to be called by Jesus, let us remind ourselves of our own invitational calling from God.
Do we respond unhesitatingly? Do we respond generously? Do we hear the Good News?
Romans 10:9-18. Their message goes out through all the earth—Ps 18(19):2-5. Matthew 4:18-22.
Elder Darrill Hashman
Age 81, of Mt. Zion, WV, passed away on November 28, 2010 at Minnie Hamilton Health System following a four month illness.
He was born at Little Otter, Braxton County, the son of the late Lon and Hettie Keener Hashman on February 08, 1929.
He served his country in Germany during the Korean Conflict.
Darrill married Phyllis Deulley October 25, 1954 at Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, who survives at their Mt. Zion home. He is also survived by one son, Dale Leon (Cindy) Hashman; one daughter, Monica (Edwin) White; four grandchildren, Dallas (Nok) and Dillon Hashman of WV, Heather (Kelland) Garland of Simpsonville KY, and Amanda White of WV. Pap Paw enjoyed his four great grandchildren, Emma, Ethan and Addison Garland and Brianna Hashman. He is also survived by a sister, Joy Livermore of Williamsport PA; one brother, Norman “Sonny” Hashman of Elyria OH; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two sisters, Dolleta Burns and Ilene Allen; one brother, Gerald; and an infant son, Gary lee Hashman.
Darrill was baptized on November 17, 1963 into the Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church of Grafton OH by the late Elder Harlan Alltop. He was ordained by his church on June 27, 1971 and served as a pastor to churches in Ohio and West Virginia. He retired from Lorain Ford Assembly Plant in Lorain Ohio in June 1989, after 30 years.
After moving back to West Virginia in 1989, he was a volunteer ambulance driver for Calhoun EMS for 11 years. He served as Chaplain at Minnie Hamilton Health Care and was a member of the CCCOA Choir. He was a member of the Liberty Missionary Baptist Church on Beech Road, Arnoldsburg. He was serving as the 1st vice-president of the WV State Gospel Singing Convention at Mt. Nebo WV.
Funeral services will be held 1:00 PM on Thursday, December 02, 2010 at Stump Funeral Home, Arnoldsburg, where friends may call from 4:00-8:00 PM on Wednesday.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Friends of Minnie Hamilton Auxiliary, 186 Hospital Drive, Grantsville, WV 26147 or make checks payable to West Virginia State Gospel Singing Convention, c/o Verena Haga, Box 302, Richwood WV 26261.
Today is Tuesday, Nov. 30, the 334th day of 2010. There are 31 days left in the year.
Thought for Today: “The real problem is what to do with the problem solvers after the problems are solved.“ - Gay Talese, American author and journalist.
Today’s Highlight in History:
On Nov. 30, 1782, the United States and Britain signed preliminary peace articles in Paris, ending the Revolutionary War.
On this date:
In 1803, Spain completed the process of ceding Louisiana to France, which had sold it to the United States.
In 1835, Samuel Langhorne Clemens - better known as Mark Twain - was born in Florida, Mo.
In 1874, British statesman Sir Winston Churchill was born at Blenheim Palace.
In 1900, Irish writer Oscar Wilde died in Paris at age 46.
In 1936, London’s famed Crystal Palace, constructed for the Great Exhibition of 1851, was destroyed in a fire.
In 1939, the Winter War began as Soviet troops invaded Finland. (The conflict ended the following March with a Soviet victory.)
In 1960, the last DeSoto was built by Chrysler, which had decided to retire the brand after 32 years.
In 1962, U Thant of Burma, who had been acting secretary-general of the United Nations following the death of Dag Hammarskjold the year before, was elected to a four-year term.
In 1966, the former British colony of Barbados became independent.
In 1981, the United States and the Soviet Union opened negotiations in Geneva aimed at reducing nuclear weapons in Europe.
Ten years ago:
• Al Gore’s lawyers battled for his political survival in the Florida and U.S. Supreme Courts; meanwhile, GOP lawmakers in Tallahassee moved to award the presidency to George W. Bush in case the courts did not by appointing their own slate of electors.
Five years ago:
• President George W. Bush gave an unflinching defense of his Iraq war strategy in a speech at the U.S. Naval Academy, refusing to set a timetable for troop withdrawals and asserting that once-shaky Iraqi troops were proving increasingly capable.
• Shimon Peres quit Israel’s Labor Party, his political home of six decades, to campaign for Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s new organization.
• Actress Jean Parker died in Woodland Hills, Calif. at age 90.
One year ago:
• Retired Ohio auto worker John Demjanjuk went on trial in Munich, Germany, accused of helping to kill 27,900 Jews as a Nazi death camp guard.
• In Geneva, the Large Hadron Collider, the world’s largest atom smasher, broke a world record for proton acceleration.
• Serena Williams was fined a record $82,500 for her tirade at a U.S. Open line judge.
• Tiger Woods withdrew from his own golf tournament, citing injuries from a car crash near his Florida home.
Today’s Birthdays:
Historian Jacques Barzun is 103
Actor Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. is 92
Actor Robert Guillaume is 83
TV personality and producer Dick Clark is 81
Radio talk show host G. Gordon Liddy is 80
Country singer-recording executive Jimmy Bowen is 73
Movie director Ridley Scott is 73
Singer Rob Grill (The Grassroots) is 67
Movie writer-director Terrence Malick is 67
Rock musician Roger Glover (Deep Purple) is 65
Playwright David Mamet (MA’-meht) is 63
Actress Margaret Whitton is 60
Actor Mandy Patinkin is 58
Musician Shuggie Otis is 57
Country singer Jeannie Kendall is 56
Singer Billy Idol is 55
Historian Michael Beschloss is 55
Rock musician John Ashton (The Psychedelic Furs) is 53
Comedian Colin Mochrie is 53
Former football and baseball player Bo Jackson is 48
Rapper Jalil (Whodini) is 47
Actor-director Ben Stiller is 45
Rock musician Mike Stone is 41
Actress Sandra Oh is 40
Country singer Mindy McCready is 35
Singer Clay Aiken is 32
Actress Elisha Cuthbert is 28
Actress Kaley Cuoco (KWOH’-koh) is 25
Cyber Monday: Another Chance at Holiday Deals if You Missed Big Brother Black Friday
The realm of holiday shopping can get pretty nasty, especially its kickoff day Black Friday. On the hunt for the perfect gifts that are sought after by millions, this holiday shopping madness has led to injury and even death in recent years due to anxious, competitive shoppers.
But, there is a new trend that has taken hold: Cyber Monday. Coined by the National Retail Federation’s online division www.shop.org in 2005 in response to millions of consumers spending hundreds of millions of dollars on online holiday shopping the first Monday after Thanksgiving, Cyber Monday has become as anticipated by retailers as its big brother, Black Friday.
To shop efficiently on Cyber Monday, it is crucial to be up on online shopping knowledge.
Beginner online shoppers will probably go to the online versions of the stores they know.
However, what online shopping pros know is that there are many more options to choose from that offer more unique merchandise and much better deals.
In order to best take advantage of both the time and money aspects, shoppers should keep a list of who they need to buy for near the computer and sign up to get sale alerts from various sites.
Shoppers should create an e-mail account specifically for the alerts they sign up for, and to check it at the same time each day. Noon is the best time because that is when many alerts come out.
An issue some consumers may see with online shopping is credit card safety.
Of course security and technology has evolved to make online shopping safer than in a mall now.
Consumers should always check out the comments and feedback sections on shopping websites.
Shipping is often seen as the Devil in the world of online shopping, for it is a double whammy in that it costs money and can take time.
Although many sites will undoubtedly offer free shipping this holiday season, keep in mind that the term is just a “magic word” to get consumers in, and is sometimes not as beneficial as it sounds.
Most retailers subsidize the shipping cost by inflating the cost of goods. People should look at the whole basket.
One should always look at the combined price of the product and shipping fees.
It is not surprising that some people would probably buy the $20 item with free shipping over the $14 item with $6 shipping.
Also, it is vital to know how long it will take the product to ship to ensure that it will arrive in time.
To learn more about online shopping or Cyber Monday, visit www.shop.org.
Top Gifts for All Ages
It can be hard to find the perfect gift for everyone on your holiday shopping list.
Here are is a compilation of some of this year’s top gifts, according to various websites.
The lists are organized by age, and some gifts are unisex while others are intended for either males or females.
Top Gift the Whole Family Will Enjoy:
XBOX Kinect and PlayStation Move
Adults:
• Apple iPad
• Kyros B90 Beertender-Home Beer Tap System
• iPod Touch
• Celestron SkyScout Personal Planetarium
• Vinturi Wine Aerator
• Weber Performer Charcoal Grill Green
• Oxygenics TriSpa Shower
• Keurig Gourmet Single-cup Home Brewing System
• Workday Recovery Kit
• Flip Ultra HD Video Camera
Teens/Older Kids:
• Bananagrams Word Game
• Mindflex Brainwaves Game
• Loops Interactive Memory Game
• Polaroid PoGo Instant Digital Camera
• Justin Bieber Singing Doll
• Nerf Lazer Tag
• Spy Gear Video Tracker
• Nintendo DSi
• Glee Karaoke System
• Razor Electric-Powered Ground Force Drifter
• Lomography Spinner 360-degree Camera
Little Tots:
• Pillow Pets
• Sing-A-Ma-Jigs
• Legos (various sets)
• Toy Story 3 DVD
• Twilight Turtle Constellation Night Light
• Stinky the Garbage Truck
• Leapfrog learning systems
• Buzz Lightyear Deluxe Action Wing Pack
• Multi-voice changers
• VTech MobiGo
CommunityConcerns™: A Week Has Passed, But the Concerns Remain as Well as Secrecy
As it was reported on Monday, October 18, 2010 by the Gilmer Free Press, a lawsuit was filed on 10.18.2010 in The United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia against multiple parties including the Office of the Gilmer County Clerk.
In addition to Gilmer County Clerk’s Office, the local Gilmer Housing Partners, LLC, a West Virginia limited liability company is also named in the lawsuit. Summit Community Bank, New Horizon Home Sales, and others are also involved in the lawsuit.
The lawsuit claims The Gilmer County Clerk’s Office willfully and negligently breached its statutory duty by failing to file the Fixture Filing under New Horizon’s name.
The Gilmer County Clerk’s Office claims their practice of filing method of documents has always been the same. However, those who use the documents in the Clerk’s Office disagree. They state the practice under previous Gilmer County Clerk Luella Stalnaker was not like it is now.
The Gilmer Housing Partners, LLC is the entity which owns the River View development on WV Highway 5 East behind the Otterbein Church on Otterbein Drive in Glenville.
Citizens have often questioned the Gilmer Housing Partners and its ties with Glenville State College.
Questions were raised about this entity during the New Dormitory Bond hearings and meetings at the Gilmer County Commission. However, the GSC officials who were present always refused to respond.
The following is the information reported by multiple concerned citizens to the Gilmer Free Press about this property named in the lawsuit:
• The property was owned by Joe Putnam former Glenville Mayor and businessman with a lien on the property to ILM.
• Damage and Slip was caused to WV Highway 5 E (East bound lane) while doing excavating work on the property resulting in purchase of additional property by WVDOH to move and fix the highway.
• The Bureau Of Prisons filled in the property at a reported cost of $1,000,000.00 at no expense to Putnam to elevate it in the flood plain.
• ILM took possession of the property.
• GSC President Dr. Barr got involved to push the housing development as a great example of progress for Gilmer County.
• There was an artist’s rendition of what the completed project would look like and Dr. Barr showed it at a Business after 5 meeting.
• ILM sponsored a fund raiser at his house. Members of the elite attended and reportedly five of them put up $25K each for the project.
• The report in local media listed donors to include R. Terry Butcher from Glenville, Bob Jones from Sand Fork and others.
• At first it seemed that the project was sponsored by the GSC Housing Corporation. Then, there was supposedly a change to put it under another non-profit entity.
• Whether the Gilmer Housing Partners, LLC is still part of GSC is unknown. However, Dr. Barr has been involved in the transaction.
• The status of this entity as well as many other organizations under GSC’s umbrella such as the Foundation, Housing Corporation, Pioneer Athletics, supposedly a research corporation and who knows what else including names of individuals who serve on the entities has always been a mystery.
Following are the printable Court documents involving this lawsuit:
Applications Still Being Taken for American Scholar
The December 01, 2010 application deadline for the fifth annual American Scholar is fast approaching.
The scholarship program, a partnership between West Virginia Wesleyan and West Virginia Radio Corporation, provides one full scholarship and two runner-up scholarships of $20,000 and $17,500 each for students to attend the college.
The competition is open to students from Barbour, Braxton, Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison, Lewis, Marion, Monongalia, Preston, Randolph, Ritchie, Taylor, Tucker, Wetzel and Upshur counties in West Virginia.
The American Scholar Program is sponsored by Magic 106.5 FM, 101.3 FM, The Bear, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Exit 132 Pontiac, Buick, GMC in Fairmont and Wesleyan. Students can apply online at www.wvmagic.com.
Transcripts and ACT or SAT scores should be sent to the Office of Admission, West Virginia Wesleyan, 59 College Avenue, Buckhannon, WV 26201.
In five years, this program has given dozens of students the opportunity to change their futures and the futures of their families. The American Scholar Program has awarded more than $500,000 in scholarship aid since the program began.
“The American Scholar Program provides opportunities for every student who applies for the scholarship,“ said Dr. Pamela Balch, president of Wesleyan. “Our admission staff ensures that every competitor receives information about every scholarship offered at the college. The program is designed to be a life-changing opportunity, not just for the winner, but also for every applicant. Our partnership with Magic 106.5 and our other sponsors have created one of the most unique scholarship programs in the nation.“
The Gilmer County Family Resource Network is currently seeking applicants to fill a Substance Abuse Prevention, Project Coordinator contract position that includes over 500 hours of project coordination and project implementation criteria, and ends June 30, 2011.
The criterion for the contract position includes:
• Coalition building
• Attendance at substance abuse prevention training sessions/meetings
• Data collection
• Development of a county strategic plan
• Implementation of evidence based curriculum practice
• 20 one on one interviews
• And other criteria as defined in the statement of work and memorandum of understanding of the Substance Abuse Prevention – United in Prevention project.
Interested applicants should send a letter of interest and resume to: “gilmercountyfrn@gmail.com “ or GCFRN, PO Box 115, Glenville, WV 26351 no later than 4:00 PM on December 02, 2010.
Legislative Update – by – Delegate Brent Boggs - House Majority Leader - 11.29.10
I hope everyone enjoyed a happy Thanksgiving holiday. Our family had two gatherings, as it’s often difficult to get everyone together at once. However, the day after Thanksgiving we did manage to do just that. It was a great day to count our blessings with family, good food and the added bonus of WVU football.
Opening day of deer season week one was a strange mix of unseasonably warm on opening day, pouring rain on day two, with conditions getting better throughout the week. I’m looking forward to seeing the first week stats for the harvest and hopefully hunters will get more favorable weather for week 2.
The final interim meetings of 2010 are scheduled for December 13 – 15 at the State Capitol. All meetings, with the exception of Committee on Special Investigations, are open to the public. In order to keep you informed, here is the upcoming schedule:
Monday, December 13, 2010
9:00 AM
Legislative Oversight Commission on Workforce Investment for Economic DeveloPM ent
9:00 AM
Legislative Oversight Committee on Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority
9:00 AM
Select Committee on Veterans' Affairs
10:00 AM
Finance Subcommittee B
10:00 AM
Joint Committee on Government Operations - JOINT MEETING
10:00 AM
Joint Standing Committee on Government Organization - JOINT MEETING
11:00 AM
Finance Subcommittee C
11:00 AM
Select Committee on Minority Issues
1:00 PM
Commission on Special Investigations
1:00 PM
Education Subcommittee C - Public Education
1:00 PM
Legislative Rule-Making Review Committee
2:00 PM
Legislative Intern Committee
2:00 PM
Select Committee on PEIA, Seniors and Long Term Care
3:00 PM
Commission on Interstate Cooperation
3:00 PM
Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Subcommittee
5:00 PM
Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability
5:00 PM
Select Committee on Infrastructure
7:00 PM
Judiciary Subcommittee A
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
9:00 AM
Joint Committee on Technology
9:00 AM
Select Committee on Health
10:00 AM
Employee Suggestion Award Board - JOINT COMMITTEE CONFERENCE ROOM
10:00 AM
Joint Commission on Economic DeveloPM ent
10:00 AM
Joint Legislative Oversight Commission on State Water Resources
11:00 AM
Select Committee on Veterans' Affairs
1:00 PM
Education Subcommittee B
1:00 PM
Post Audits Subcommittee
1:00 PM
Select Committee on Children, Juveniles and Other Issues
2:00 PM
Judiciary Subcommittee A
2:00 PM
Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability
3:00 PM
Finance Subcommittee A
4:00 PM
Equal Pay Commission
4:00 PM
Joint Committee on Government Operations - JOINT MEETING
4:00 PM
Joint Standing Committee on Government Organization - JOINT MEETING
5:00 PM
Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability
5:00 PM
Judiciary Subcommittee C
5:00 PM
Legislative Rule-Making Review Committee
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
9:00 AM
Education Subcommittee A - Public Education
9:00 AM
Judiciary Subcommittee B
11:00 AM
Forest Management Review Commission
11:00 AM
Joint Standing Committee on Pensions and Retirement
12:00 PM
Joint Committee on Government Operations - JOINT MEETING
12:00 PM
Joint Standing Committee on Government Organization - JOINT MEETING
1:00 PM
Agriculture and Agri-business Committee
1:00 PM
Joint Committee on Government and Finance
2:00 PM
Joint Standing Committee on Finance
2:00 PM
Joint Standing Committee on the Judiciary
3:00 PM
Joint Standing Committee on Education
How to Contact
Please send address your inquiries to the Capitol Office at: Building 1, Room 226-M, Charleston, WV 25305. Or, call the Capitol office at 304.340.3220 or my Assistant to the Majority Leader, Mr. Tom Bennett at 304.340.3262 or fax to 304.340.3213. If you have an interest in any particular bill or issue, please let me know.
For those with Internet access, my e-mail address is “Boggs34@aol.com”. You also may obtain additional legislative information, including the copies of bills, conference reports, daily summaries, interim highlights, and other information from the Legislature’s web site atwww.legis.state.wv.us/. If you write or leave a message, please remember to include your phone number with your inquiry and any details you can provide. Additional information, including agency links and state government phone directory may be found atwww.wv.gov and on the Facebook site of the West Virginia Legislature.
Conclusion
Remember to thank a veteran for their service to our nation and continue to remember our troops - at home and abroad - and keep them and their families in your thoughts and prayers. Until next week – take care.
Less than a year later, the old house would be toppled to make way for one of many enormous concrete supports needed to hold a high bridge that would span a valley with strip mines on one side, woods and farmland on the other.
Folks who knew about such things would call the bridge a “vital’“part of an even more vital highway.
But during that holiday season of 1959, the white, wooden house in western Pennsylvania that might have often wished to be imploded (rather than having to deal with our constant commotion and big mouths) held us all.
By all, I mean my entire family. Although two older sisters had by that time married, they’d returned home with their spouses to celebrate the season, so that all eight children and both parents were present and accounted for.
The youngest of the family, I’d spent the last weeks and months anticipating Christmas, when I knew I’d find him beside the tree. I don’t remember exactly where I first saw him (memory does fade, although feelings don’t), but it was probably in the Wish Book. Children, after all, want things. Regardless, I fell immediately in love with him. I knew we were meant to travel together.
It didn’t matter that the Wonder Horse had handles to hold onto growing from the sides of his head or that springs made his legs seem suspended in an eternal gallop. He wasn’t just any horse. He was destined to be mine—and we would ride the ranges and traverse the mountain paths, just like the cowboys did on the TV shows I watched with my dad.
Dad was a steel worker in the fullest interpretation of that phrase. And the steel workers had gone on strike in July. Years later, I’d read in a book written by folks who knew about such things that differences of opinion about wage increases and work rules lead the union members to walk off the job, and that by the time the long-standing labor dispute ended, the steel industry in the United States was in big trouble.
But back then all I understood was that my dad’s silver lunch pail—the one the youngest of us were allowed to open every couple of weeks when payday rolled around, to find a candy bar or a small box of pretzels—started staying in the cupboard. And instead of leaving before I even woke up, Dad stayed home.
That wasn’t the only thing that changed. Mom baked (and we ate) a lot more bread. The big garden was bigger that year, and even the youngest of us helped to preserve its harvest; Dad started working for the landlord to pay rent; my older siblings took on jobs.
Me? I remained ever on the lookout for the Wonder Horse, and as the holiday drew near, I made sure Santa Claus knew what was at the top of my list.
So I wasn’t at all surprised when Christmas morning came and there he stood beside the tree, a homemade red ribbon around his shiny neck. I rode him all Christmas day and probably all that night in my dreams. It was the beginning of a relationship that only children can know. I learned later that my older siblings’ labors had helped to pay for him.
There’s a risk, I suppose, in falling into the trap of narrating the trite when we’re in the holiday season. Still, I fear the greater risk for all of us is in failing to remember and recount the things that, over time, make us who we are and who we are becoming.
These words from poet Philip Levine’s, “The Simple Truth,“ come to mind:
Some things
you know all your life. They are so simple and true
they must be said without elegance, meter and rhyme,
they must be laid on the table beside the salt shaker,
the glass of water, the absence of light gathering
in the shadows of picture frames, they must be
naked and alone, they must stand for themselves.
The Wonder Horse that rode me and most of my 30 nieces and nephews and even my own four children to myriad adventures now stands in our barn, ready to be resurrected and refurbished yet again if and when any grandchildren come along who need to ride him.
My memory may fade when it comes to the specific details of that holiday, but what I felt that day never will. It’s something I’ve known all my life. The things that weren’t under the tree that lean year are long forgotten.
But I remember the sense of warmth that didn’t come just from flying back and forth on my Wonder Horse or from my flannel pajamas. I remember watching as Dad, who’d been separated from Mom by the remains of that Christmas morning and all of us, navigated the mess so he could kiss her. Their language was one I didn’t then understand; years would pass before I would even realize the language was one I’d hope one day to learn. I remember all of us—together. These are the things that remain—simple and true—reminders in these tough times that where we live and what we have are less significant than those with whom we share them.
Poll Result: Gilmer County Clerk’s Office - 11.28.10
~~ Comments ~~
• It’s just a simple indexing mistake.
• It is simply an indexing error which occurs in every courthouse.
• This is nothing more than a simple indexing error and nothing more.
• It was not intentional, but was a mistake made by someone working in the Clerk’s office.
• It took both to pull it off. Shame on them!
• The problem is rooted at the top of wv govt.
• It is simply an error.
• Anybody can make a mistake..It’s a simple mistake..That’s all.
• It’s just a mistake.
• What a crock…changing the results to suit you…a true a**!!
• There needs to be an outside investigation to set the facts straight. Nothing will be done locally.
• What about looking into reports of M. Butcher’s political giving while dead and living at Box 100?
• Is Box 100 that of a local law firm?
• Since when $150,000.00 is just a simple mistake?
Does Former GSC and WVU Coach Rodriguez Deserves One More Year?
As Michigan’s Michael Shaw walked off the dais in the postgame press conference Saturday, he patted his coach Rich Rodriguez on the shoulder.
It was if to say, “Coach, I support you. I’m behind you. But I don’t envy you.“
And who would?
The embattled football coach was coming off a 37-7 beating at the hands of bitter rival Ohio State and now faced a firing squad of recorders, microphones and cameras.
Sure, there were some questions about the game but in between long gaps in silence, with everyone in the room wondering who was going to ask the question.
Then it was asked.
“Rich, do you know you’re going to be back next year, or are you hoping you’ll be back next year?“ a reporter asked.
“I’m going to work tomorrow as always,“ Rodriguez said.
Then the firing of questions began.
With his new boss, recently hired athletic director Dave Brandon, in the back of the room, Rodriguez handled each question with honesty.
“I worry about my future every day,“ the third-year coach said. “Before I (took) the job. After I (took) the job. But that’s not going to change how we work. I took this job to make us the best program in America. And sometimes it takes a little longer to mold the program the way you want to mold it. Sometimes you get more obstacles in your way when you’re trying to mold the program the way you want to mold it.“
Obstacles like getting sued by the school you left to come to here. Obstacles like NCAA violations for excessive practice.
“I’m not deterred one bit,“ he said. “I think the worst is behind us. I know it is. But everybody is going to have their own opinion on that and that’s fine. Everyone’s welcome to. But I feel as confident today, and I think there’s 100 players, coaches and people who truly follow our program closely, feel as confident as I do.“
But really, the only person that matters in this conversation is Brandon. Does he believe? Does he see the progress that Rodriguez said he’s seen?
In three seasons under Rodriguez, Michigan has gone 3-9 (2008), 5-7 (2009) and now 7-5 and bowl eligible.
“We’ve made progress but not as much as a lot of folks want. Not as much as I want. I mean, are you kidding me? I’m not used to this either,“ Rodriguez said. “These coaches are not used to this.
We’re used to playing for championships and BCS Bowls too. It’s been frustrating as heck. But I’m not deterred because I know where I’m at. I know what we’re doing. I know what we have in the program and I know what we need to do to fix it.“
After the press conference, Brandon was asked by a reporter on his way out of the room about the football program and Brandon said his answer hasn’t changed, which has been that he wouldn’t evaluate the program until after the season was over.
On his Twitter account Wednesday, Brandon shot down a rumor there was going to be a big announcement regarding Michigan football on Monday.
“Add it to the rumor rubbish pile,“ Brandon said via Twitter.
Brandon stood with a scowl on his face during Rodriguez’s press conference. Whether that was a reflection of the loss or his thoughts of Rodriguez remains to be seen.
Brandon is a former Michigan football player under Bo Schembechler. And in college football more than any other sport, the emphasis tends to be on where you’re from, like it’s a right of passage if you were already player or coach within the program before.
Brandon is a Michigan guy and as it was pointed out when he was hired, Rodriguez is not. The offense he runs is not “Michigan football,“ at least as it’s been traditionally known.
But what this offense has done is been very fun and exciting to watch. Quarterback Denard Robinson is one of the top five most exciting players to watch in the country. He has a bevy of weapons at wide receiver and running back.
But the guys they have there are not your traditional Michigan athletes. Like the rest of the Big Ten, the Wolverines had never been built on speed. Like the rest of the league, they had one or two burners, like a Desmond Howard or Charles Woodson. But Big Ten teams are built on brute strength and power. Rodriguez’s teams have been known for speed and precision.
It seems once Rodriguez gets his guys, he starts to see success.
At Glenville State College in the NAIA, he went 1-7-1, then 4-5-1 but two years later was playing in the NAIA’s national championship game. It was his spread attack that led Tulane to a 12-0 record in 1998. When he was hired by West Virginia in 2001, he was 3-8 in his first year. After three more four and five loss seasons, Rodriguez took the Mountaineers BCS Bowling two of the final three seasons he was there, while compiling a 31-5 record.
He believes it will happen in Ann Arbor as well, if Brandon gives him the chance.
“It’s going to happen. It’s been a lot slower than I wanted. A lot slower than our fans wanted and I don’t blame them for that. But I’m not deterred by that,“ Rodriguez said. “I see the attitude, how that’s been transformed. I like how recruiting has gone the two recruiting classes I’ve been able to have. I like the way recruiting is going now.“
And that may be the biggest reason Brandon needs to keep Rodriguez one more season. Four years would give Rodriguez his team. The team would be primarily players that he recruited. And some of those better come on the defensive side this season. While the offense has been the pretty girlfriend, the defense has been the ugly relative you hope doesn’t come to the family reunion.
If Rodriguez stays, it seems improbable defensive coordinator Greg Robinson will. Michigan’s defense has ranked in low 100s in the country this season. And it may not get much better. If Robinson is fired, the Wolverines will be employing their fifth different defensive scheme in as many years.
Rodriguez looked like a tired and frustrated man Saturday afternoon.
He’s tired of the beatings.
He’s tired of the losing.
And he’s tired of the questions of whether he’ll have a job after the season.
“I’m ticked. What do you want me (to do)? Jump out there and hold hands with all the Buckeyes’ fans and sing ‘Kumbaya’? I mean I wish we’d have played better. Our guys played hard and that’s to be expected but I wish we would have executed better. We’re going to be mad for a while and then we’re going to move to the next one. This will sting a little bit, which it should. You’ll think about it for a little bit, which you should. But you can’t replay it, unfortunately.“
But he could get one more chance.
If he does, it could be just enough to push Michigan back into the upper echelon of the Big Ten again.
On the other hand, firing means rebuilding and likely with a Michigan man, like Stanford’s Jim Harbaugh. That means starting over and getting Harbaugh’s own players there.
The tailgates rolled on outside The Horseshoe after the Buckeyes victory against Michigan because as cousin Eddie once told Clark Griswold, “That’s the gift that keeps on giving the whole year.“
If Brandon decides to can Rodriguez after this season, that will be the kind of gift Buckeyes’ fans can enjoy for years to come.
Mass Layoffs
In October, employers took 1,651 mass layoff actions involving 148,059 workers.
Events increased by 121 from the prior month, and initial claims increased by 9,839.
Manufacturing accounted for 356 mass layoff events, resulting in 37,438 initial claims; both figures increased over the month.
Regional and State Employment and Unemployment
In October, 19 states and the District of Columbia registered over-the-month unemployment rate decreases, 14 states recorded increases, and 17 states had no change.
Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 41 states and the District of Columbia, decreased in 6 states, and was unchanged in 3 states.
Personal Income and Outlays, October 2010
Personal income increased $57.6 billion, or 0.5%, and disposable personal income (DPI) increased $48.3 billion, or 0.4%, in October, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Personal consumption expenditures (PCE) increased $44.0 billion, or 0.4%.
Directions:
Rub pork with oil and sprinkle evenly with red pepper and garlic powder.
Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Press parsley and rosemary evenly over pork to coat and place in 4-quart or larger slow cooker.
Cover.
Cook on low 4 to 6 hours or on high 3 to 4 hours, or until thermometer inserted into center of pork reads 155°F.
Let stand 10 minutes before slicing.
‘Just give the word and my servant will be healed.’
The people of humble faith whom Matthew presents for our admiration and imitation are often outsiders scorned by the religious establishment—a leper (8:2), two blind men (9:28), an importunate Canaanite woman (15:28) and, in today’s gospel reading, a compassionate unnamed centurion whose words we recall every time we celebrate the Eucharist.
We would do well to take account of these examples, especially if we are given to passing judgment on the perceived lack of faith of others.
Like the Roman soldier’s servant, all of us without exception stand in need of the Lord’s healing touch, whether our ailments are physical, mental or spiritual.
‘Lord, I am not worthy’ is a very suitable prayer to make our own as we combine joyful hope with sincere repentance in this Advent season.
Isaiah 4:2-6. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord—Ps 121(122):1-2, 4-5, 6-9. Matthew 8:5-11.
Mary J. Nicholas
Age 83, of Orma, WV, passed away November 25, 2010 at her home.
She was born in Calhoun County, a daughter of the late Peter and Sarah E. Cottrell Schoolcraft.
She was a member of the Ebenezer Baptist Church at Orma.
Surviving are her husband of 58 years, Ronzel Nicholas; a son, Denver P. McCumbers of Orrville OH; one daughter, Helen Lenet Parsons of Edgewater FL; two brothers, Melvin Schoolcraft of Dalton OH and Willard Schoolcraft of of Wooster OH; three sisters, Dolly King of Newton Falls OH, Molly Cain and Audrey McCumbers of Orma; four grandchildren, Kim McCumbers, Keith McCumbers, Lisa Summers and Vicki Major; one great grandson, Jimmy Hudson.
A memorial service will be held 1:00 PM on Thursday, December 02, 2010 at the Ebenezer Baptist Church at Orma.
Elder George Rose will officiate. Interment will be in the church cemetery.
Stump Funeral Home of Arnoldsburg is in charge of the arrangements.
Today is Monday, Nov. 29, the 333rd day of 2010. There are 32 days left in the year.
Thought for Today: “Superstition is the religion of feeble minds.“ - Edmund Burke, British statesman (1729-1797).
Today’s Highlight in History:
On Nov. 29, 1910, British explorer Robert F. Scott’s ship Terra Nova set sail from New Zealand, carrying Scott’s expedition toward Antarctica on what turned out to be a futile - as well as fatal - race to reach the South Pole first.
On this date:
In 1530, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey (WOOL’-zee), onetime adviser to England’s King Henry VIII, died.
In 1864, a Colorado militia killed at least 150 peaceful Cheyenne Indians in the Sand Creek Massacre.
In 1924, Italian composer Giacomo Puccini died in Brussels before he could complete his opera “Turandot.“ (It was finished by Franco Alfano.)
In 1929, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Richard E. Byrd, pilot Bernt Balchen, radio operator Harold June and photographer Ashley McKinney made the first airplane flight over the South Pole.
In 1947, the U.N. General Assembly passed a resolution calling for the partitioning of Palestine between Arabs and Jews.
In 1961, Enos the chimp was launched from Cape Canaveral aboard the Mercury-Atlas 5 spacecraft, which orbited earth twice before returning.
In 1967, Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara announced he was leaving the Johnson administration to become president of the World Bank.
In 1981, actress Natalie Wood drowned in a boating accident off Santa Catalina Island, Calif., at age 43.
In 1986, actor Cary Grant died in Davenport, Iowa, at age 82.
In 1990, the U.N. Security Council voted to authorize military action to free Kuwait if Iraq did not withdraw its occupying troops and release all foreign hostages by Jan. 15, 1991.
Ten years ago:
• Bracing the public for more legal wrangling, Vice President Al Gore said in a series of TV interviews that he was prepared to contest the Florida presidential vote until “the middle of December.“
• Lou Groza, the Cleveland Browns’ Hall of Fame kicker and lineman affectionately known as “The Toe,“ died at age 76.
Five years ago:
• Al-Jazeera broadcast video of four Western peace activists taken hostage in Iraq by a previously unknown group, the Swords of Righteousness Brigade. (Three of the hostages were later released, but one of them, American Tom Fox, was killed.)
• The Vatican issued a document defending a policy designed to keep men with “deep-seated” homosexual tendencies from becoming priests, but said there would be no crackdown on gays who were already ordained.
• Actress Wendie Jo Sperber died in Sherman Oaks, Calif. at age 47.
One year ago:
• A gunman shot and killed four Lakewood, Wash. police officers at a coffee shop (Maurice Clemmons, the accused gunman, was shot to death by a Seattle police officer two days later).
• Iran approved plans to build 10 industrial scale uranium enrichment facilities in defiance of U.N. demands it halt enrichment.
• Swiss voters approved a constitutional ban on minarets, barring construction of the iconic mosque towers.
• Tiger Woods canceled yet another meeting with Florida state troopers but, for the first time, talked about his car crash on his Web site, saying it was his fault, that his wife acted courageously and that remaining details were private.
• Francesco and Edoardo Molinari of Italy became the first brother combination to win the World Cup of Golf.
Today’s Birthdays:
Hall-of-Fame sportscaster Vin Scully is 83
Former French President Jacques Chirac is 78
Blues singer-musician John Mayall is 77
Actress Diane Ladd is 75
Composer-musician Chuck Mangione is 70
Country singer Jody Miller is 69
Pop singer-musician Felix Cavaliere (The Rascals) is 68
Olympic skier Suzy Chaffee is 64
Comedian Garry Shandling is 61
Actor Jeff Fahey is 58
Movie director Joel Coen is 56
Actor-comedian-game show host Howie Mandel is 55
Homeland Security Director Janet Napolitano is 53
Former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel is 51
Actress Cathy Moriarty is 50
Actress Kim Delaney is 49
Actor Tom Sizemore is 49
Actor Andrew McCarthy is 48
Actor Don Cheadle is 46
Actor-producer Neill Barry is 45
Musician Wallis Buchanan is 45
Pop singer Jonathan Knight (New Kids on the Block) is 42
Rock musician Martin Carr (Boo Radleys) is 42
Actress Jennifer Elise Cox is 41
Actor Larry Joe Campbell is 40
Rock musician Frank Delgado (Deftones) is 40
Actress Gena Lee Nolin is 39
Actor Brian Baumgartner is 38
Actress Anna Faris is 34
Actor Julian Ovenden is 34
Rapper The Game is 31
Rock musician Ringo Garza is 29
Actor Lucas Black is 28
It is the job of the Principal to make sure the drinking fountains are covered, water to the sinks turned off while providing hand-sanitizer and drinking water plus make sure any water used for meals or dishes has been boiled. Did they do it? Last time someone was too busy looking down their nose with a do what I want attitude. Last time they had no water at all.
Can we be certain that the children at Sand Fork are NOT drinking and washing their hands in the bad water?
By the way—-
What is the status/outcome of Superintendent Blankenship standing in defiance of the Health Department Order to close the Sand Fork School in April when there was not water, and the unsanitary conditions that resulted?
Has there been any testing of students and staff to determine if any hepatitis or other disease issues have resulted in the defiance of Health Department Order?
Next Generation CSO Crosswalk to 21st Century CSOs.
You can find this link on the WVDE web site.
“The Crosswalks Documents were created by the work groups in English Language Arts and Mathematics who studied the Common Core State Standards and then placed these standards into the West Virginia Framework for Next Generation Standards.“
WV does not plan to comply with Common Core.That was revealed from RESA at the last Gilmer County BOE meeting. They will institute Next Generation standards. RESA now has their own consortium. We are aware WV has joined multiple consortia that were funded by federal grant monies.
When all is said and done, the WV BOE must be the ones held accountable for passing or failing to meet national standards. Right now deferral from meeting NCLB requirements another year is pending. Nothing shows it will ever happen.
Does any of this improve the educational future of WV children? Westest results in Gilmer County declined during the past two years ofintervention.
You can spend a lifetime following the political money trail,never be bored and often upset.That can only be changed at the ballot box. One of the most fundamentally important questions on the table right now should be, are the children getting true value for tax dollars spent on education today?
Norma, are Blankenship and Matterin double dipping to receive their regular State retirement benefits plus full compensation for their school system work too This is information WV taxpayers should know. Thank you.
Earl B. So sorry to be late responding, had some down time. Last year’s BOE financial statement showed Mr. Blankenship receiving $123,000 and a little over $4,000 in travel. As to Mr. Mattern, I will try to find who issues his contract and if we would be provided that info or will a Freedom of Information request necessary.
I know that Gilmer County BOE did not hire W&S. There was no bid.The state issued that contract. It is my understanding the state has a list of “approved vendors”. I believed those were vendors that meet state criteria such as insurance, bonding, product specs. etc. I have found no evidence that being included on that list exempts a company or an entity from the laws regarding public improvements and bidding whether education or no.
Dear Burnt. I can’t wait until our IRS gets their hands on your med records to go with the financial records. We will be able to have more scandal with all that good stuff. thanks, ‘J’
Shipley is correct. As Karen P. has pointed out on here many times, smaller is better.
Home schools do better.
Amish schools do better.
Catholic schools do better.
Voucher systems do better.
Local control and local responsibility work. Thousands of tiny systems are custom built for the students they serve. Thousands of small experiments discover what works in education, and what doesn’t. These schools can spend more time chasing excellent teachers and less time chasing grants and they don’t have layer on layer of administrators looking out for administrators.
The U.S. Dept. of Education is a failure and the State Dept of Education is not much better, but don’t worry, they will take care of themselves!
I would like to try and summarize this article.
I am Jay Rockefeller and I just helped spend another 2.4 million of your tax dollars on more government that you didn’t even need or want.
He neglected to mention that you will also be getting thousands of new IRS agents to enforce the law.
Good point Earl Batson. Remember, the ‘education budget’ portion of state expenses, is over 50% of the entire state budget. Mark Manchin is son of A.J., former treasurer. Remember that deal? If our new AG ever starts investigating corruption, he will need to at least double his staff.
Great that the Feds FINALLY prosecuted somebody who actually violated this law. One out of HOW MANY? They don’t need new laws until the really start enforcing the ones they already have,
Mrs. Hurley, could the Coalition get us information for the compensation for Ron Blankenship and Ted Matterin for a GFP posting? Citizens have a right to know. This school mess raises serious questions about who profits from funds being spent and the treatment of Williamson and Shriver is one of many issues needing to be looked into. Why does the firm get what is believed to be no-bid contacts to have a monopoly on school building projects? Is any of Mark Manchin’s SBA money to W & S from federal sources to give the feds justification for investigating?
This glaring example of purposely withholding information from the public extends to Mr. Ted Matterin, Mr. Charles Heinlein, Dr. Linger, Gayle Manchin, and Governor Tomblin. The problem could be resolved within days if the individuals would exhibit courage to act. An investigation needs to be done to expose how State interventions have failed, what the expenses to WV taxpayers have been, and how our public school children have suffered from the gross incompetency while the State tinkered over the years. Does anyone know if Ron Blankenship receives his 120 K salary in addition to his State retirement money, and does Ted Matterin get his consulting fees paid in addition to his regular State retirement? It is no wonder that the individuals do not want to speed up the return of our schools to County control because it is would be against their financial interests.
This is just going to prove out as superfluous, ‘put a new dress on the old problem, and no one will recognize it’ ,government styled charade.
Remember how Linger and board of education told the Governor how ‘they’ were not in agreement of the audit?
To the Board of Ed[23] employee and the 80K unnecessary, non-working phone system. The bus drivers say that their bus radios were working OK when Blankenship had them replaced. Can you tell us how much that cost the taxpayer? Do you know how much the salary was that was paid to the Troy Principal who never showed even one day for work? And people wonder why the taxpayers are hissed off with this mafia payola system?
Superintendent Blankenship. You are a *radio guy* ? How about telling where all those good used radios reside today? Tell your school board in a public meeting, so everyone knows.
If the school board, as a balanced group of elected representatives are supposed to have control of discipline, but Blankenship jumps ahead of the Board, wouldn’t the parents and students have a solid basis for a suit against both Blankenship and the State ? Parents, you need to speak out!
So how many times has this happened that the board and no one else is aware of?
What makes Blankenship think he has been appointed judge, jury and hangman for our Gilmer County children?
Mr. Manchin,
I understand your statement of over dose on drugs. But what about the people that need pain pills and you fix it till they can’t get the medicine they need. That is not the right thing to do.
The doctors know when the patience is taking to many pain pills, and then he should stop them. But to take them away from the people that are suffering will not work. A lot of people get hooked on them, but that is because they are not trying to do what they are suppose to do with the medicine.
You have to be responsible for yourself and the medicine you take. Take it the way it is suppose to be taken and you won’t over dose on it.
We have a hard enough time trying to make ends meet. Do we have to suffer along with that to?
Think about it, one day you will get older and you may have to have pain medicine to. What if the doctor looks at you and say sorry, this is what you wanted.
Sincerely yours,
Betty
Our problem is the superintendent who thinks he is knows it all. He has always does his work, if any, in secrecy. He really likes his back scratched in all of his dealing. I hope I am getting the point across. He does not want the state to communicate with people in the county. How many times the state officials have mentioned that Blankenship should have explained or been at a meeting?
By must look at the source of problem on 05.13.2013
I attended one of the levy meetings where Superintendent Blankenship and Board President Bill Simmons was actually telling all of us how desperate this levy was for the children. The levys funds would be used to buy books and tablets that were needed but there was not enough money in the budget to purchase. The Superintendent and the school board appeared to be ‘selling’ the levy to those of us attending.
Are you saying that the levy funds are and will not be used as was presented to us in the public meetings?
There are very important legal issues that need addressed in this Gilmer School debacle.
Apparently both Superintendent Blankenship and principal Butcher have stated publicly, that there have been several students expelled from school.
Expulsions from more than one school.
The elected school board was not informed nor were they involved either.
Discipline and school trips were the only two items your school board can vote on. These issues are under their control.
Seems Blankenship has taken it upon himself alone to be the “court of expulsion” without informing or involving the school board.
These students and their parents were denied their “day of court” with the school board being excluded.
How long must Gilmer County citizens be treated in this fashion?
Governor Tomblin and Delegate Boggs and Walker. Please help!
Obviously there is NO oversight of Blankenship. There is NO oversight of the State of West Virginia Board of Education.
Governor, Delegates. You have a responsibility to resolve these issues.
“If you’re a school or district leader who is considering using education technology and digital learning in your schools, STOP—and go no further—until you have a comprehensive plan that addresses your district’s specific challenges and learning goals for all students,” said Bob Wise, president of the Alliance for Excellent Education and former governor of West Virginia. “Project 24 will help districts plan for the future and fully integrate digital learning into classrooms and school systems to achieve the goal of college and career readiness for all students.”
The “24” in Project 24 represents the next twenty-four months, a time during which the nation’s education landscape will change greatly as states and districts face numerous challenges, including the need to implement college- and career-ready standards for all students; utilize online assessments to gauge comprehension and learning; push for greater system and classroom innovation; deal with shrinking budgets; and contend with demands of states’ waivers from key provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act.
Gilmer residents who voted for the levy should know their tax money is not used for students as indicated. Just to mention one, Blankenship illegally used the excess levy funds to replace the phone system for about $80,000.00.
There was not anything wrong with the phone system when he replaced them. But now we have a system, which does not work and does not function as promised. In Gilmer County under state control the kids and teachers are not first.
Taking away local oversight caused more than one problem. The Super hired a principal for Troy who was unable to work and he was paid anyway, the Super failed to secure natural gas access for the new Linn school and that blunder will cost taxpayers unnecessary money because of higher electricity costs, and we hear that the Super plans to use excess levy money to purchase the school site along Cedar Creek. Before the election he assured us that the money was needed for basic expenses to keep the school system functioning and nothing was disclosed about its use to purchase land. We were hoodwinked big time folks. What else is there that we don’t know about because of the State’s lid on information?
Wouldn’t you think that Gayle Manchin would be DEMANDING our school districts, to put in place plans to meet the bus transportation-time-limits. After all, it was Governor Manchin who signed that law.
Wondering if the board of education in Charleston is starting to come to the realization, that day to day operation of a county school system, is above their pay grade? Do they understand that local boards of education were set in place to oversee and manage the schools? That from afar, its very difficult to be effective managers? That micro-managing causes problems and has limitations?
How many generations of WV good old boy network politicians should have been held accountable for the conditions in McDowell County schools? But no, big coal was king and they were only coal miners kids after all. Even after tragic floods the state didn’t run to fix McDowell and watched it fade away but they held the line for coal.
Don’t know how they could look in the eyes of those people and take over their school board. Now G. Manchin says they found out it takes more than one group to fix the problems there and they are so proud give it back.
No kidding Gayle? After over eleven you admit what they knew all along? It takes the community, the school board, the taxpayers, the state, communities, family and business efforts pulling together?
There’s no comparison to the small problems of Gilmer County but we new that all along. You should have asked. If it wasn’t for the community Normantown Elementary wouldn’t have covers over the walkways to protect the children from the weather. That didn’t happen because of this silly intervention but in spite of it because the community cares and your state Super doesn’t give a tinkers darn about Gilmer County children so. Our board was working on buildings until you stopped them. Now nothing gets done from the BOE but pay another inflated salary and force our local board to keep their mouth shut if they don’t agree. I’m sure McDowell knows how that feels.
D. STEWART was the WV BJE State Superintendent in 2001. But MARK MANCHIN was the Superintendent they sent in to run McDowell. At the time he spewed so much public sympathy for them but gee how that changed after he got appointed the Director of the SBA. Good old boy network and ride your family coat tails is the name of that game no matter what happened in the past and they’re still in power today. Gayle still using her appointments and public offices to try and save Joe’s name but the points are dropping. Maybe people will get that some day.
Nothing monumental about McDowell schools on May 8th.
This is nothing more than political double-speak. Dog and pony show. Smoke and mirrors. Same old -hit, another day.
There is nothing monumental coming from the people who sit on that board of ed in Charleston.
If they want to do something really monumental, they should all resign. A new group with no political baggage could be effective.
WHO was the STATE Superintendent when they were taken over? lmao Does anyone remember?
Mr Phares. With all due respect. I would bet that Ms. Grimm would also say, to the effect: ‘Without an appreciated, functioning school board, schools will be in total disarray.‘
