Gilmer Free Press

G-Eye™: Truck Rollover – 02.22.12

2012-02-22T17:26:02Z

Truck rolled over while dumping stone at the new construction site adjacent to Glenville Auto in Glenville

G.S.C. Report: Meeting with Deputy State Superintendent of Schools – 02.22.12

2012-02-22T08:39:29Z

On Wednesday, February 15, 2012 Dr. Carl Armour, a member of the Gilmer Schools Coalition, and I met with Deputy State Superintendent of Schools, Charles Heinlein and his attorney to discuss the State’s takeover of Gilmer County Schools and to seek clarification on some of the most frequently asked questions.

Most will remember the listing of those questions in a January 05, 2012 letter to State Superintendent Marple.

Dr. Armour and I both found the meeting to be informative and productive.

One of the questions members of the Coalition had early on was whether Gilmer County had an approved facilities plan. Deputy State Superintendent Heinlein assured us that the County has a facilities plan and that it is public information and it is available in the County Board Office. As of now, the plan has a shared elementary school with Troy and Alum Bridge at Linn and one additional elementary school that may be sited at one of three locations.

In our discussion the question concerning the usability of Normantown School came up ; however, Dr. Armour and I were not well enough informed on the condition of Normantown School to discuss the issue. Perhaps the Coalition should seek information on the question.

The County’s plan has not been approved by the School Building Authority as yet and the level of funding available is uncertain. The location and configuration of facilities for elementary schools remains a topic of great interest to parents and taxpayers in the county.

The specific reasons for the State takeover have been included in the Audit Report of October 11, 2011. While many would disagree with some of the cited deficiencies, there were some issues of concern which had existed for some period of time.

A complete listing of the deficiencies that have been submitted to the County Superintendent for addressing is in a document entitled Gilmer County Required Revisions to the County Electronic Strategic Plan and like the facilities plan, it is public information. As the specific items are addressed, the list will grow shorter.

We all agreed that the public should be kept abreast of the progress that is being made toward meeting the completion of the charge given by the State Board of Education.

Many have asked the question about when we can expect the State to return the administration of the County schools back to the duly elected members of the Gilmer County Board of Education and the taxpayers of the county.

Dr. Armour and I learned about the process that the State utilizes in such cases. As explained the return is not instantaneous but rather a gradual process. AS the local school board addresses specific issues, an audit of the progress is done, sometimes in a very short time, to determine what responsibilities can be returned to the local level. Progress may be in finance, personnel, certification, technology or other areas on a gradual basis until it is thought that the county is ready to assume full responsibility.

How soon this occurs depends upon how the local board and the superintendent come together to satisfy the requirements of the audit. What is apparent is that after a takeover happens, it is in the best interests of the local board to assess the steps that need to be taken to move forward and begin to return responsibility to the local level.

As spokesperson for the Coalition, I was encouraged at the sense of willingness on the part of State officials to work with the county to restore ownership of the schools to the local board. I believe that while there were some very real problems with the way the takeover was done, our challenge now is to understand how we move forward to get our county schools back and achieve improvements technology, academics, personnel practices, and facilities planning.

The long-term goals will require concessions and compromises but also open the door to improved educational opportunity for the students of Gilmer County.

There is one great area of agreement with both local citizens and State Officials and that is the need to have open lines of communication and complete transparency with the public’s interests.

All in all I believe that Dr. Armour and I came away from the meeting better informed and optimistic about the prospects for the future.

Deputy State Superintendent Charles Heinlein and Gilmer County Superintendent Blankenship are expected at our next Coalition meeting.

An announcement of the meeting date, time and place will be forthcoming and the public will have a chance to hear from these officials and ask questions.

This week I am to meet with Dr. Gus Penix who is in charge of performance audits.

William K. Simmons
Gilmer Schools Coalition

GCPR: Thank You, Chicken Dinner A Success

2012-02-22T08:38:48Z

The Gilmer County Parks & Recreation Board would like to thank everyone
who attended our Chicken Dinner on Sunday, February 05, 2012 to make it such a success.

We would also like to thank all the volunteers, the wonderful band,
and everyone who donated desserts and time.

Thanks again for your continued support of the Recreation Center.

Lisa K Smarr
Director, Gilmer County Parks and Recreation

GSC JASON Project Has New Leader

2012-02-22T08:38:02Z

Glenville State College has chosen a professional educator with extensive science credentials to head the GSC JASON Project.

GSC is proud to announce that Tamie Shiplett has been named the new JASON K-12 Science Education Coordinator.

Glenville State College has partnered with the JASON Project to enhance the efforts of GSC’s Hidden Promise Consortium goal of unlocking the ‘hidden promise’ of K-12 students. The partnership strives to create highly qualified teachers by increasing their knowledge of science and preparing them to inspire and motivate their students through use of the JASON Curriculum. Through this partnership, teachers are receiving special training in science that they will utilize in their classrooms.

Shiplett has twenty years of experience as a high school science teacher that should prove invaluable in promoting the Jason project curriculum to teachers and students across West Virginia. Her background in the science field makes her a perfect fit to take over the reigns of the expanding JASON program at GSC.

“We are extremely pleased to have someone with Tamie’s knowledge and experience join the GSC JASON Project. Under her leadership, Glenville State College will continue to reach out to K-12 teachers and students across the state in an effort to increase their interest in Science” said James Spears GSC Senior Vice President for External Relations.

Shiplett holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Comprehensive Science from Walsh University and a Master’s Degree in Science Curriculum and Technology from the University of Phoenix. She also has earned an additional twenty-seven graduate credit hours of science course work.

“I am looking forward to promoting interest in science content through the hands-on experience that JASON offers teachers and students. I love science and hope to pass my passion on to others,” said Shiplett.

Since 2009, approximately one-hundred and ninety-six teachers have learned the JASON curriculum at teacher workshops at Glenville State College. These JASON trained teachers have incorporated the JASON curriculum into their classrooms bringing the excitement of the world of science to over six-thousand West Virginia students. Additional JASON curriculum teacher workshops and summer camps for students will be held again this summer at Glenville State College.

Shiplett says that the GSC JASON project is expected to continue to grow. “Our goal is to expand JASON training to teachers throughout West Virginia. We want to make the JASON curriculum available to as many students as possible. Eventually, we would like to have our program be a model that other states will follow,” said Shiplett.

Prior to accepting her position at GSC, Shiplett was a curriculum writer for Wheeling Jesuit University. She and her husband Jerry reside in Glenville. “We have only been here a short time, but so far we love living in small college town atmosphere. The people here are friendly, and the area is beautiful,” said Shiplett.

For more information about the JASON Project visit www.jason.org.

For more information about Glenville State College’s partnership with the JASON Project, contact Tamie Shiplett, GSC JASON K-12 Science Education Coordinator at “tamie.shiplett@glenville.edu” or 304.462.6025.

GSC Theatre Presents ‘Tartuffe’ - February 23, 24, 25, 2012

2012-02-22T08:37:41Z

The next Glenville State College Theatre production will be ‘Tartuffe’ on February 23rd, 24th, and 25th, 2012, at 7:00 PM in the GSC Administration Building Presidents Auditorium.

This comedy was written by Jean Baptiste Poquelin and originally performed in Paris, France in 1664 but was recently adapted by Jeffrey Hoeper into modern English.

“This play has been considered both controversial and relevant by every generation that has seen it. Come expecting clowning, conning, and carousing,“ said GSC Theatre Director Dennis Wemm.

‘Tartuffe’ follows a comically traditional family that is tricked out of money by a drifter posing as a man of religion. The family consists of a gullible war hero father, an independent mother, a hot-headed son, a boy-crazy daughter, an immature grandmother, a wise-cracking sister-in-law, and a maid that can’t be quiet.

The Assistant Director and Stage Manager for this production is Rose Johnson, a GSC junior psychology and Sociology Major from Glen, West Virginia (Clay County).

The cast includes GSC students, faculty and staff as well as local residents:

• The thief, Tartuffe, is being played by Jace Parker, a GSC sophomore English Education 5-9 major from Weston, West Virginia (Lewis County).

• The father, Orgon, is being played by Dr. Gary Morris, GSC Department of Science and Mathematics Chair, who resides in Glenville, West Virginia (Gilmer County).

• The mother, Elmire, is being played by Whitney Stalnaker, Interim GSC Land Resources Department Administrative Secretary and 2011 GSC graduate, who resides in Glenville, West Virginia (Gilmer County).

• The son, Damis, is being played by Brandon Nelson, a GSC sophomore Computer and Information Systems major from Glenville, West Virginia (Gilmer County).

• The daughter, Mariane, is being played by Brittany Ferguson, a GSC sophomore Forest Technology major from Glenville, West Virginia (Gilmer County).

• The grandmother, Madame Pernelle, is being played by Ryan Konarske, a GSC junior English major from Gandeeville, West Virginia (Roane County).

• The sister-in-law, Cleanthe, is being played by Jamie Stanley, a GSC sophomore English major from Point Pleasant, West Virginia (Mason County).

• The maid, Dorine, is being played by Samantha Wolford, a GSC sophomore Education Math 5-Adult major from Buckhannon, West Virginia (Upshur County).

• Mariane’s fiancé, Valere, is being played by theatre volunteer Patrick Montgomery, a resident of Sand Fork, West Virginia (Gilmer County).

• The bailiff/police officer, M. Loyal, is being played by Lois Miller, GSC Dining Services Office Manager and GSC alum ‘83, who resides in Glenville, West Virginia (Gilmer County).

• Madame Pernelle’s servant, Flipote, is being played by Rose Johnson, a GSC junior psychology and Sociology Major from Shaker Heights, West Virginia (Clay County).

• Tartuffe’s servant, Laurent, is being played by Jesse King, a GSC sophomore Forest Technology major from Frametown, West Virginia (Braxton County).

Wemm says the play may not be suitable for children due to some adult situations.

General admission is $3.00 and free for GSC students with IDs.

For more information, contact Wemm at “Dennis.Wemm@glenville.edu” or call 304.462.6323.

Winter Waterfowl Survey Results - 2012

2012-02-22T08:37:35Z

Wildlife biologists counted 3,716 ducks and 3,904 Canada geese during the annual mid-winter waterfowl survey in early January, according to Steve Wilson, waterfowl biologist for the Wildlife Resources Section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. Compared to 2011, the number of ducks and geese counted decreased 26% and 36%, respectively, for the 2012 survey.

“These numbers are actually higher than I expected considering the extremely mild weather before and during the survey,” Wilson said. “When the ground is not snow covered and small streams and ponds are not frozen over, waterfowl are scattered across the landscape instead of being congregated on large water bodies where they are easily surveyed. The 2012 numbers are actually above the 10-year average for ducks by 23%, and goose numbers were only 10% below the 10-year average.”

Canada geese, mallards and black ducks, as usual, were the most commonly observed species in the 2012 survey. Other waterfowl observed include: scoters, scaup, ring-necked duck, redhead, bufflehead, mergansers and snow geese.

Twenty-one bald eagles and one golden eagle were also observed.

The survey was conducted on January 04, 06 and 10, 2012, and included portions of the Kanawha, Ohio, Shenandoah and New River as well as Tygart and Bluestone lakes.

Area	2012		2011		2010		2009		2008
Area	Ducks	Geese	Ducks	Geese	Ducks	Geese	Ducks	Geese	Ducks	Geese
Kanawha River (Upper	243	421	121	673	160	465	253	326	299	683
Kanawha River (Lower)	245	59	102	182	66	483	123	304	74	151
Ohio River (Lower)	1,342	1,017	1,195	764	849	1,321	290	501	318	824
Ohio River (Middle)	1,134	2,067	2,712	3,536	1,424	4,915	975	1,365	808	1,514
Tygart Lake/Pleasant Creek	254	16	82	15	212	170	72	128	37	70
Shenandoah River	81	57	136	588	18	154	102	422	68	180
Bluestone Lake/New River	417	267	696	389	139	281	218	229	110	44
Total	3,716	3,904	5,044	6,147	2,868	7,789	2,033	3,275	1,714	3,466
10-Year Average	3,036	4,352	3,333	4,729	4,905	5,154	5,012	4,764	5,505	4,881

G-Fin™: West Virginia Leads the Nation in Export Growth

2012-02-22T08:37:17Z

Export GrowthUp 39.5% in 2011

West Virginia exports reached a record $9 billion in 2011. With an increase of 39.5% over 2010’s level of $6.4 billion, West Virginia led the nation in the percentage of growth. Overall, U.S. exports grew 15.8% during this period.

“Exports contribute greatly to West Virginia’s growing and increasingly diverse economy. I commend the exporters of West Virginia for this incredible accomplishment,” said Governor Tomblin. “West Virginia companies continue to successfully compete in world markets by delivering high quality coal, chemicals, plastics, machinery and other products. Our forward-thinking business men and women, skilled workforce, natural resources and innovative technology were important factors in achieving this success.”

The increase of coal exports from $2.8 billion to $5.3 billion accounted for much of the growth. Also, non-coal exports reached a record level of more than $3.6 billion. Plastics, the second largest product sector, exceeded the $1 billion level for the first time in the state’s history.

West Virginia’s top 10 product sectors for 2011 are:

Coal $5,362,295,786
Plastics $1,039,961,474
Machinery $780,598,704
Optical/Medical products $230,014,611
Organic Chemicals $225,240,701
Aerospace Components $183,110,185
Automotive Components $145,774,019
Misc. Chemicals $122,816,931
Organic cleaning preparations $114,397,548
Aluminum $95,852,054

West Virginia products were sold to 139 countries in 2011. The top 10 markets are listed below.

Canada $1,532,164,406
Brazil $694,896,933
Netherlands $689,101,101
India $643,620,038
Italy $613,836,034
Ukraine $500,281,483
Japan $449,191,951
China $419,477,748
South Korea $376,572,386
United Kingdom $356,687,637

The International Division of the West Virginia Development Office (WVDO) facilitates international trade development by providing consulting and helping build international business relationships. For more information on WVDO international services, visit www.worldtradewv.com or contact Debra Martin at 304.957.2042 or Caitlin Ashley at 304.957.2014.

Gilmer – Calhoun Counties: West Virginia Master Gardener Program Accepting Applications - 2012

2012-02-22T08:37:08Z

West Virginia University Extension in Gilmer and Calhoun County is now accepting applications for the 2012 West Virginia Master Gardener Program.

This program consists of a volunteer training course designed to provide experienced home gardeners with the information and skills necessary to share their experience and knowledge with others.

Weekly classes will be held in the month of April.

In exchange for 30 hours of indoor and outdoor instruction, candidates must agree to donate 30 hours of volunteer service to West Virginia University Extension.

Volunteer activities include but are on limited to demonstration and community gardens, public beautification projects, helping with farmers market, community gardening education, plant pest problem solving and many more.

There is a program fee of $70 to cover the cost of the training manual and other materials.

Applications are being accepted through March 15, 2012.

For more information, please contact the Gilmer and Calhoun County West Virginia Extension offices. Gilmer County 304.462.7061, Calhoun County 304.354.6332.

Daisy Fryman
ANR Extension Agent

Statement of Nondiscrimination

Programs and activities offered by the West Virginia University Extension Service are available to all persons without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, political beliefs, sexual orientation, national origin, and marital or family status.

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 08 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Director, Cooperative Extension Service, West Virginia University.

G-LtE™: Is Glenville’s Elementary School A Serious Health Hazard?

2012-02-22T08:37:02Z

Questions were posed for decades about effects of the plastic pipe factory on the health of children and adults at Glenville Elementary School.

There have been allegations that something unusual was occurring there because of allergies and more serious conditions, but the allegations were ignored under the guise of undue alarmism.

One outcome of the State’s takeover of our schools was that official concerns were stated about the school’s safety.

Specifically, in the State’s report entitled Initial Education Performance Audit Report For Gilmer County School System June 2011 it was stated, “The facility is located next door to an industrial site (plastic plant).”

A study should be conducted to determine how much if any the plant may have affected the health of students and adults at the school.

The emphasis should be on determining how to deal with latent health effects which may have been triggered and to provide medical treatment to those who may already have health problems from being at the school.

Even If linkage between the plant and health problems is not proven, a new elementary school should be built as soon as possible to whisk students and adults away from the existing site with its potential for a calamity including a fire.

~~ Author on File ~~

Sand Fork Elementary PTO: Bingo - March 02, 2012

2012-02-22T08:35:22Z

G-Comm™: The 10 Most Excellent Reasons to Attack Iran

2012-02-22T08:30:47Z

1. Iran has threatened to fight back if attacked, and that’s a war crime.

War crimes must be punished.

2. My television says Iran has nukes.

I’m sure it’s true this time.

Just like with North Korea.

I’m sure they’re next.

We only bomb places that really truly have nukes and are in the Axis of Evil.

Except Iraq, which was different.

3. Iraq didn’t go so badly.

Considering how lousy its government is, the place is better off with so many people having left or died.

Really, that one couldn’t have worked out better if we’d planned it.

4. When we threaten to cut off Iran’s oil, Iran threatens to cut off Iran’s oil, which is absolutely intolerable.

What would we do without that oil?

And what good is buying it if they want to sell it?

5. Iran was secretly behind 9-11.

I read it online.

And if it wasn’t, that’s worse.

Iran hasn’t attacked another nation in centuries, which means its next attack is guaranteed to be coming very soon.

6. Iranians are religious nuts, unlike Israelis and Americans.

Most Israelis don’t want to attack Iran, but the Holy Israeli government does.

To oppose that decision would be to sin against God.

7. Iranians are so stupid that when we murder their scientists they try to hire a car dealer in Texas to hire a drug gang in Mexico to murder a Saudi ambassador in Washington, and then they don’t do it—just to make us look bad for catching them.

7. b. Oh, and stupid people should be bombed.

They’re not civilized.

8. War is good for the U.S. economy, and the Iranian economy too.

Troops stationed in Iran would buy stuff.

And women who survived the war would have more rights.

Like in Virginia.

We owe Iranians this after that little mishap in 1953.

9. This is the only way to unite the region.

Either we bomb Iran and it swears its eternal love to us.

Or, if necessary, we occupy Iran to liberate it like its neighbors.

Which shouldn’t take long.

Look how well Afghanistan is going already.

10. They won’t give our drone back.

Enough said.

~~ by David Swanson ~~

WV: The Legislature Today - February 21, 2012

2012-02-22T08:27:06Z

Bon Appétit: Spicy Garlic Lime Chicken

2012-02-22T08:25:41Z

Ingredients:

3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon dried parsley
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons garlic powder
3 tablespoons lime juice

Directions:

In a small bowl, mix together salt, black pepper, cayenne, paprika, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, onion powder, thyme and parsley.

Sprinkle spice mixture generously on both sides of chicken breasts.

Heat butter and olive oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat.

Saute chicken until golden brown, about 6 minutes on each side.

Sprinkle with 2 teaspoons garlic powder and lime juice.

Cook 5 minutes, stirring frequently to coat evenly with sauce.

Ask the Doctor: Strokes Need Fast Treatment

2012-02-22T08:22:49Z

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Six years ago, my father died of a stroke.
My mother tried to rouse him from bed, but he responded with confusion and was unable to speak.
She called for an ambulance.
He was in the hospital only four hours before he died.
The doctor said he would have lived if he had gotten treatment sooner.
My mother has felt guilty about this ever since.
She lives with us now.
I don’t want to miss a stroke if she has one.
How do you recognize one, and what should be done right away in an emergency? - T.B.

ANSWER: Nearly 900,000 strokes occur yearly in the United States, and of those victims, 200,000 die.
Many of the survivors are left with great disabilities.
Strokes come in two types: One is an ischemic stroke, and the other is a hemorrhagic stroke.
“Ischemic” means “deprived of blood.“
It’s the more common kind of stroke, accounting for 80% of all strokes.
The flow of blood to part of the brain is blocked by a clot in an artery.
It’s the brain’s equivalent of a heart attack.
The other 20% comes from bleeding in the brain, a hemorrhagic stroke.
Signs of either kind of stroke include slurred speech, sudden confusion, numbness of the face, arm or leg, trouble seeing, dizziness and severe headache.
Many advocate testing the person to decide if a stroke has occurred.
Asking the affected person to stick out his or her tongue and seeing if it deviates to the side is one of those tests.
Don’t waste time doing tests.
Immediately call 911.
I’m limiting what I say about treatment to strokes resulting from the obstruction of blood flow.
Brain cells begin to die within minutes.
However, there’s a three-hour window during which clot-dissolving medicines can be given.
They almost always lead to a full recovery of function.
Now the window has been opened wider, to 4.5 hours.
That doesn’t detract from the important message that the earlier the treatment, the better the result.

The booklet on strokes tells their signs and their treatments. Readers can obtain a copy by writing: Dr. Donohue - No. 902, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Can. with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow two weeks for delivery.

Flashback: What Happened on February 22, ....

2012-02-22T08:22:15Z

• 1865 The governor approved an act requiring state banks to redeem issues in United States legal tender only.

• 1869 The West Virginia Legislature amended the charter of the town of West Union, Doddridge County, defining its corporate limit.

• 1883 The West Virginia Legislature passed an act changing the boundary line between Calhoun County and Gilmer County, annexting a portion of Gilmer County to Calhoun County. It was approved by the governor on February 23.

• 1883 The West Virginia Legislature passed an act imposing a twenty-five cent tax on every $100 valuation of real and personal property. It was approved by the governor on February 24.

• 1895 The West Virginia Legislature passed an act authorizing county courts to establish schools at the places of “reception for the poor.“ It was approved by the governor on the same day.

• 1901 The West Virginia Legislature passed an act establishing the Independent School District of Flatwoods, Braxton County. It was approved by the governor on February 23.

• 1905 The West Virginia Legislature passed an act establishing the Independent School District of Burnsville, Braxton County. It was approved by the governor on February 25.

• 1905 The West Virginia Legislature passed an act establishing the Independent School District of Henry, Clay County. It was approved by the governor on February 25.

• 1909 The West Virginia Legislature passed an act creating a State Board of Control and a State Board of Regents to oversee all public institutions. It was approved by the governor on February 27.

• 1909 The West Virginia Legislature passed an act creating a state school book commission and authorizing the procurement of a uniform series of textbooks. It was approved by the governor on February 26.

• 1956 West Virginia NAACP President T. G. Nutter filed suit in the United States District Court against the McDowell County Board of Education for not properly integrating its schools.

• 1982 Democrat Alan Mollohan announced his candidacy for the First Congressional District. The seat was being left vacant due to the retirement of Mollohan’s father, Representative Robert Mollohan.