Gundovald Speaks

F is For Fat Redux

2006-09-06T18:05:00.000-04:00

Here's some perspective for a couple commentators in the other piece. I am quoting below from a May 22, 2006 article, "The Search for Sweet - Building a Better Sugar Substitute" published in The New Yorker. For what it's worth.

When Columbus introduced [sugar] cane to the New World, the antropologist Sidney Mintz has noted, sugar was an exotic luxury. Most Europeans had never eaten sugar, but they quickly developed a taste for it. By 1700, the Americas had become a vast sugar mill and the English were eating four pounds per person per year. By 1800, they were eating eighteen pounds; by 1900, ninety pounds. But nowhere was the rise of sugar as dramatic as in the New World. Last year, the average American consumed about a hundred and forty pounds of cane sugar, corn syrup, and other natural sugars - fifty per cent more than the Germans or the French and nine times as much as the Chinese.

F is for FAT

2006-08-31T01:02:00.000-04:00

WV ranks Third Fatest in the Nation. Remember the War on Hunger? We have a Winner!

2006-08-31T00:54:00.000-04:00

The creation of West Virginia — Once upon a time in the Kingdom of Heaven, God was missing for six days. Eventually, Michael the Archangel found Him, resting on the seventh day. He inquired of God, “Where have You been?” God sighed a deep sigh of satisfaction and proudly pointed downwards through the clouds, “Look Michael, look what I’ve made!” Archangel Michael looked puzzled and said, “What is it?” “It’s a planet,” replied God, and I’ve put life on it. I’m going to call it Earth, and it’s going to be a great place of balance.” “Balance?” inquired Michael, still confused. God explained, pointing to different parts of Earth, “For example, northern Europe will be a place of great opportunity and wealth, while southern Europe is going to be poor.” God continued, pointing to different countries. “This one will be extremely hot and arid while this one will be very cold and covered in ice.” Michael, impressed by God’s work, then pointed to a large land mass and said, “What’s that one?” “Ah,” said God. “That’s West Virginia, the most glorious place on earth. There are beautiful lakes, rivers, sunsets and mountains. “The people from West Virginia are going to be modest, intelligent and humorous and they are going to be found traveling the world. They will be extremely sociable, hard working and high achieving, and they will be known throughout the world as diplomats and carriers of peace.” Michael gasped in wonder and admiration but then proclaimed, “What about balance, God? You said there would be balance!” God replied wisely, “Wait until you see the idiots I’m putting around them in Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland!”

2006-08-18T00:49:00.000-04:00

What's your Theory of the Crime?

Theory 1: The proponents of keeping the picture up had it stolen so that they wouldn't lose in court. It will be anonymously returned after the legal case is disposed with.

Theory 2: The proponents of taking down the picture had it stolen because they knew that they wouldn't win in court and were hoping to end the issue

Theory 3: A BHS student or recent graduate removed the picture because he was tired of seeing all those T-shirts proclaiming that "You can't take my Jesus Down", and thought, "Oh yea, watch me!"

Theory 4: The friends of the federal judge had it removed so that she wouldn't have to make a decision that would alienate one side of the community in which she lives.

Theory 5: There was a Multi-county Emergency Communication Anti-terrorism Swat Team Drill the same day. This was a bogus Terrorist Act played by the participants who were just having fun. Ransom note to follow.

Theory 6: This was an inside job. The window was broke and a chair left outside to confuse the investigators. The picture is hid in the ceiling

Theory 7: This was an outside job. Someone just got tired of hearing otherwise intelligent adults carrying on and on about something stupid and thought he'd punish everyone by denying them a continued good time by removing the picture.

Theory 8: This is my favorite. The Resurrection Theory. Guess how this one plays out?

Theory 9: They'll wait three days; put it back on the wall and proclaim a miracle. More money will come flowing-in for the lawyers.

Theory 10: Some weary citizen doesn't care one way or another about the picture; he just got fed up listening to the media everyday when a certain self-righteous member of the Board of Education would just go on and on and on and on.

2006-08-16T22:23:00.000-04:00

Let us Now Praise Famous Men

Alan Mollohan will attend the Clarksburg City Council on Thursday so he can be praised for all that he has done to Clarksburg. Let's hope the Mayor proclaims that the Waldo building shall hence forth be known as the "Mollohans" and the old Palace building might be called the , "Alan did it for the People" building. His earmarks bought those buildings through Vandalia and it would be very Byrd-like to reap the public acclaim for this progressive use of down town real estate.

How nice it would be if his protege, ex-employee and beach home neighbor would acompany him to Clarksburg to finally reveal what their development plans are for their City properties, including their downtown garage off Washington. Ms Kuhns has been out of the lime-light of late and we miss her insight on all the fine work Vandalia has been doing for Clarksburg.

Al and Laura were the inspiration for the new parking facility on Pike Street. With assured parking there was no stopping the future of the Waldo Building. So the City moved ahead. They're still waiting at the alter.

Hopefully, other owners of vacant property will receive equal recognition from the City Council. This would be a good time to kick around that Wilmington, DE idea of charging property owners exorbitant fees for not having tenants. If it was to be $500 fine for an empty house, just think of what revenue could be reaped for Mollohan's buildings. But that committee is still working on their proposal.

On the other hand, maybe it is just the political season and the good Dems in City Council believe they better do a PR version of greasing the palm in the hope of getting something out of Mollohan that would be actually useful later on. You know, paying the public relations piper. $23 Million is estimated for the road from Rt 19 to US RT 50 - RT 98. Wouldn't it have been nice to have received 10% of the Federal dollars that went to the new Faimont connector from I-79 to down-town? That has yet to be finished. It is good that Mollohan has got around to thinking about Clarksburg.

2006-08-14T12:53:00.000-04:00

Blankenship's hit list fires back

The West Virginia Democratic Party -- and even a few Republicans and Independents -- plan to counterattack Massey Energy Chief Don Blankenship's attempts to influence this year's election.

2006-08-11T10:35:00.000-04:00

Watch for the Perseid Meteors Aug. 11-13

A 'Shooting Star' Every Few Minutes

This chart shows how the Perseids might appear to a person looking northeast at 11PM local time in mid-August. The meteors will appear to radiate from the constellation Perseus, from which they get their name.

2006-08-11T10:09:00.000-04:00

New Indiana License Plate will cause a Stir

I like it.

2006-08-06T17:07:00.000-04:00

Contribute to the Legal Defense of Official Petulance Since I was emailed this, I assume it is an invitation to publish the same, regardless of my opposition to the notion that a government employee (principal) is expressing his personal religious preference and is attempting to turn it into public policy in a venue where children of all backgrounds are mandated by law to spend part of their life. And neither the Board of Education or the Supervisors have the leadership to remind a subordinate that in the secular world we are all subordinate to the law.

Learning about the First Amendment from a Federal Court can be an expensive choice in advancing one's education. The tuition is excessive and can be learned with less trouble by picking up a few books. The information you need to contribute is on Gundovald's Annex, here. Good Luck and God Bless!

2006-08-02T21:35:00.000-04:00

Here's Don Blankenship's latest Email with Video Link
Video uses footage of Dems Rally at Harrison-Marion Airport

Dear supporter of West Virginia's kids, Thanks to the thousands of visitors we have had on our www.andforthesakeofthekids.com website in only two weeks. Our message of protecting our children and providing them an education and opportunities to live and work in West Virginia is being received even better than we had hoped.

An extra special thanks to all of the volunteers that have helped us reach thousands of homes across the state. We will be coming to your neighborhood soon, so please let us know if you can volunteer to help us spread the word in your community.

The announcement of our campaign received a great deal of attention and even a response from the West Virginia Democrat Party Chairman (which we fortunately captured on video with our AFTSOTK Freedom Camera). Please click here to view our first web commercial highlighting the goals of the And for the Sake of the Kids effort and the truth about what the politicians don't want you to know.

Thanks again and please visit our website again soon as we will be constantly adding more information and new items.

Don Blankenship Sprigg, West Virginia don@andforthesakeofthekids.com

2006-08-01T19:15:00.000-04:00

Wakim Responds to Democratic Smear Campaign

“For those of you who are not aware, over the last few days, Alan Mollohan and his Democratic cronies have launched a despicable attack on my honor and on my integrity. He has called into question whether or not I have a Master’s Degree from Harvard (which I do) and my military service record. I am making the records for both my education and my military service available for any and all to see.

“Alan Mollohan’s campaign tactics match his finances: dishonorable and underhanded. For a politician like Alan Mollohan, who has spent his time as a public servant lining his pockets with laundered taxpayer money, to question my integrity is beyond the pale.

“I earned my Master’s Degree from Harvard University at night while serving my country as an active duty infantry officer during the day, and any attempt by Alan Mollohan or his cronies to discredit that achievement is disgraceful. Anyone who would like to come to Wheeling and take a picture of me with the diploma that I received from Harvard is cordially invited to do so.

“Alan Mollohan has also attempted to claim that I have lied about my military service and that I am not a veteran. I am not a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and I have never claimed to be. During the Persian Gulf War, I served as an active duty infantry officer and according to the law, that makes me a Veteran of the Persian Gulf War.

“Along with so many of my brothers-in-arms, I served our country honorably for 11 years as an active duty infantry officer, and as a result of that service I suffered a broken back, crushed elbow and a reconstructed knee. For him to attack my honor in such a despicable way is an attack on the honor of all who served our country in uniform.

“Alan Mollohan’s attempt to discredit my record is nothing but a dirty political smoke screen to try to cover up the fact that he has spent years in public office lining his pockets with taxpayer dollars and that he is under investigation by the FBI.”

2006-07-28T00:47:00.000-04:00

He is his own lawyer .....?

The Harrison County Commissioners have been advertising for a county Administrator. They seek someone who has a degree in Masters of Public Administration and also prefers the candidate to have a law degree.

Why the law degree? Some of the commissioners know arithmetic. The outgoing Administrator had been appointed from the Prosecutor's office. And wasn't it handy that they could exploit his law degree to also provide them with legal advice and to have him draw up legal documents rather than farming out the work to some local law firm or keeping some lawyer around on retainer?

The sense of thrift among the Commissioners is admirable. But when we get through admiring them let's do some analysis and begin by recalling to mind the adage that ends in the phrase, "has a fool for a client".

What is the reason for legal counsel, anyway? The Commissioners need a detached, unbiased legal view on some matters that may be at odds with what an Administrator would like them to hear. The Administrator also needs access to legal advice, even if he, himself, is a lawyer because given the daily flux, chaos, confusion and fog of the job, a dispassionate legal view may provide a much needed pellucid perspective on some hot topics to restore the Administrator's confidence, control and business sense when things seem to be getting beyond his daily reach. There is an honest broker point of view that will be denied to the next Administrator and the Commissioners if they pursue this false economy. Keep in mind that they also want this guy to be a Strategic Planner. When does he do this if he is also the guy in charge overseeing daily events, personnel matters, budget issues, preparing for the next commissioners meeting, and doing his and the commissioners legal work? There is not enough time in the day for the Administrator to get good at anything based upon the criteria of the job announcement. Was there a strategic plan produced from the last person holding the job? The next guy won't be producing one either. Here's an idea for the Commissioners. The Board of Education has legal counsel giving advice which they then promptly ignore. Have the Board of Education loan you their guy.

2006-07-28T00:15:00.000-04:00

IF I had a Vote Bridgeport's Doug McKinney would Get It!

The race for the Chairmanship of the State GOP has been heating up. Some Bloggers have been having a field day with who loves Reagan or Lincoln more between the two candidates. The other candidate is the County Chairman of Randolph County, Mark Scott. The GOP meets this weekend in Charleston. Saturday at 6 P.M., we should have an answer.

Big issue for the Republicans is how to pay a large debt that got out of control during the last race for Governor.

Doug's big sin is that he gave a few bucks to some local Democratic candidates. This is WV. Who hasn't? At least he's willing to talk to and influence the other side. Pragmatism and reasonableness should be a virtue.

2006-07-26T22:10:00.000-04:00

Jobs in and around C'Burg: Tell your lazy-a*s Friends to Apply

Electrical Worker

Clarksburg	Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center	07/18/2006 to 08/07/2006
Duties: The incumbent is responsible for installing, modification, troubleshooting, repairing, and the maintenance of all electrical systems and equipments at the Medical Center. This includes the primary and secondary distribution systems, all emergency generators, transfer switches, transformers, high and low voltage switchgear, AC and DC motors, all lighting in the buildings and outside, all battery powered equipment and related battery charges. He/she plans and layouts complete electrical installations using all established codes and ordinance for this locale. He/she will work from bu...
Click here for more information...

Food Service Worker
Clarksburg	Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center	07/21/2006 to 08/10/2006
Duties: The incumbent serves patients by placing food items on trays on tray assembly line. On tray line works as assembler, beverage server, or loader at any meal, or as a server on milk/juice station at breakfast. Sets up and replenishes serving stations with necessary supplies, food and beverage items, dish ware, and serving utensils. Participates in daily tray line conference to discuss food items and portion sizes. Thoroughly cleans station after each serving period. Reads and comprehends menus, diet cards, and established procedures to serve correct food items and beverages.&nb...
Click here for more information...

Laundry Machine Operator
Clarksburg	Department Of Veterans Affairs	07/21/2006 to 07/28/2006
Duties: Runs laundry machines used for a variety of special purposes. Treats laundry articles with special solvents such as water repellent and flame retardant. Adjusts amounts used for effect of differences in water temperatures, timing cycles and types of fabric. Loads machines based on capacity of equipment, type of laundry treatment and type of fabric. Weighs load. Adjusts loads or equipment for load weights. Operates different types of laundry equipment. Sets a number of machine controls for a variety of cleaning purposes, including laundering, dying, starching, or trea...
Click here for more information...

MEDICAL TECHNICIAN
Clarksburg, WV	Delegated Examining Unit WV	07/19/2006 to 07/27/2006
Duties: Incumbent is responsible for independently performing a variety of difficult and complex laboratory procedures and examinations within various disciplines of clinical laboratory. Additional duties include accessioning of patient specimens into the laboratory information system, instruction of patients in the collection of blood, urine and stool samples, and the collection of blood specimens by venipuncture and/or finger-stick techniques. Testing methodologies are employed by the incumbent within the disciplines of: Chemistry - Protein electroph...
Click here for more information...

ASSISTANT CHIEF, PHARMACY SERVICE
Clarksburg	Department Of Veterans Affairs	07/21/2006 to 07/28/2006
Duties: Assistant Chief, Pharmacy Service for Veteran Clientele.Clarksburg, approximate population of 18,000 citizens, is located at the center of West Virginia’s I-79 High Tech Corridor which is anchored on the north by Morgantown, Home of West Virginia University, a Carnegie Foundation Research Institution Morgantown was recently rated the best small city in America. Other regional high technolo...
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AUTOPSY ASSISTANT
Clarksburg, WV	Delegated Examining Unit WV	07/21/2006 to 07/31/2006
Duties: The Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg, West Virginia is an acute and intermediate secondary care facility offering medical, surgical and psychiatric services. The Center provides a wide range of primary care medical services, including outpatient care, preventive services and acute hospitalization....
Click here for more information...
Autopsy Assistant
Clarksburg	Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center/05	07/14/2006 to 08/03/2006
Duties: This position is organizationally placed in the Laboratory Department, Diagnostic Services. The incumbent is responsible for assisting the pathologist in the performance of autopsies, and to collect blood specimens from both inpatients and outpatients by venipuncture. The incumbent is expected to cover a weekend rotation.Incumbent performs the full variety of technical autopsy procedures involved in typical autopsy examinations. In addition, he/she typically performs preparatory and miscellaneous duties necessary to the autopsy procedure and maintenance of the autopsy area....
Click here for more information...

County Executive Director
Northern West Virginia	West Virginia State FSA Office	07/17/2006 to 08/04/2006
Duties: Responsible for directing and managing program and administrative operations of the County Farm Service Agency (FSA) Office as required to carry out authorized commodity production, price support, conservation, administration, common program provisions, GIS (geographic Information Systems), SCIMS (Service Center Information management System), compliance, outreach activities, program eligibility and environmental quality, indemnity, disaster, emergency, defense and related programs as well as crop insurance operations under policies established by Risk Management Agency (RMA). Duties include performing offi...

2006-07-24T01:19:00.000-04:00

Wolfe: Rahall's vote on Israel a 'slap in the face' Cabell County Sheriff Kim Wolfe, a Republican who faces 15-term incumbent Nick Joe Rahall, a Democrat from Raleigh County, in the fall responded to Rahall's vote on Thursday in the House.

Rahall, one of four Lebanese-American House members, was one of eight members of the House of Representatives to vote against a resolution backing Israel's military drive into Lebanon against the terrorist group Hezbollah.p

The resolution passed 410-8.

Wolfe said southern West Virginians need to bring Rahall to accountability for voting against Thursday's resolution.

2006-07-24T00:58:00.000-04:00

Federal Judge in Clarksburg Allows Muslin Couple's Lawsuit to Proceed

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — A federal judge decided on Wednesday that a Muslim couple's civil rights lawsuit may proceed but without two of the four claims. The two remaining counts claim the couple's civil rights and First Amendment right to associate with whomever they choose were violated.

The American Civil Liberties Union filed suit in December 2004 on behalf of Aliakbar and Shahla Afshari, who claim that they were illegally fired from their jobs with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's facility in Morgantown.

The Afsharis, who are Shiite Muslims and natives of Iran, were fired May 5, 2004, because they failed to pass a secret background investigation that was conducted on employees from countries considered a threat to the United States, including Iran, according to the lawsuit. Click on Headline Link for the entire story.

2006-07-20T02:20:00.000-04:00

"Our State and Our Votes Are Not For Sale"

That's the message from the WV Democratic Headquarters in their press release. Wonder if they are over-reacting to the desire of Blankenship to fund opposition candidates in the Fall election?

The plan: Get a plane; make a 5 city stop around the state; get a motivational speaker to say the state is not for sale; this results in an aroused and high motivated populus to take the party to Victory in the general election.

Nick Casey, I take it, is a motivational speaker. Don't know him. Others might have drawn a larger crowd. They should have got Jay Rockefeller as speaker. He has convinced many West Virginians that the State is not For Sale. Or, Alan B. Mollohan could provide some insight into the way money may corrupt politics. (I don't recall if the Manchin family is better off than I - Ok, they live in a better house). There are lessons to be learned; both by the would-be-teachers as well as the prospective students. So, come out to the airport Thursday at noon and have some fun. Oh, and if you have any Warner Sallmans' around ... take a portrait with you to Bridgeport so everyone will know that God has adopted your cause.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 18, 2006 Contact Nick Casey: 304-345-2000 (Charleston) Democratic Party Chairman Nick Casey announced that he will launch a 5 city fly-around tour to show Don Blankenship that our state and our votes are not for sale. Chairman Casey announced the tour following published remarks by Don Blankenship promising to spend millions or "whatever it takes" to defeat legislators that he doesn't like. The tour has three main purposes according to Chairman Casey. "We'll be delivering post cards at each stop so that West Virginians of all parties can send a message directly to Don Blankenship," said Casey. "That message is simply, you can't by our votes, our integrity or our legislators. West Virginia is not for sale, Don." "Second, we'll be delivering a little 'truth serum' as the antidote for Mr. Blankenship's distortions and misrepresentations about members of the legislature." "And finally, since many people don't know much about who Mr. Blankenship is or what he stands for, we'll be letting people know who the real Don Blankenship is," said Chairman Casey. For example, "In October of 2004, in response to criticism that he was using the plight of poor hungry children to advance his political causes, Mr. Blankenship said "he will start a foundation also called 'And for the Sake of the Kids' to 'provide needed clothing and other necessities to the most needy children of West Virginia.' (Charleston Gazette, October 15, 2004). In that article he pledged to raise an amount 'similar' to what he spent in the 2004 election. At last count that was about $3.1 million," said Casey. "Our question to Dan Blankenship is simple. Where you serious about that pledge or did you just use the image of suffering children to advance your political empire?" said Casey. "If hungry children can't take Don Blankenship at his word," said Casey, how can we? The tour schedule is as follows: Martinsburg 10:00 413 South Raleigh Street Clarksburg 12:15 Clarksburg Airport Wheeling 2:00 Independence Hall Beckley 4:15 Beckley Airport Charleston 5:15 Capital Steps Where: KCI Aviation at the Harrison Marion Airport 2100 Aviation Way Bridgeport, WV (Enter at the first blue building on the left at the sign that reads "Learn Flying Here") WHY: Because WEST VIRGINIA IS NOT FOR SALE

2006-07-18T09:59:00.000-04:00

No Lack of Case Law as it Applies to Government Employees

Is there a lack of case law on the rights of government employees with respect to the First Amendment? Mike Queen says on the Tim Brady Show this morning that there is a lack of case law. He heard it from the organization's lawyers who are offering to argue the Board's position in Sklar v Harrison County (read it here) for "free". Aside from the agenda that these organizations have, one wonders about their understanding of case law.

There is a complimentary and inverse relationship between the rights of the individual and the claimed rights of government employees acting in an official capacity. As the individual rights are enumerated in case law it implicitly limits the claimed rights (privileges) of the government employee who would otherwise interfere with the exercise of that individual's rights.

In other words, if the court says that I have a constitutional right, then it also means that you, as employed by the government, do not have a privilege to violate that right. The balance shifted. The individual's rights increased. The claimed rights of the government were diminished. So, for instance, if I have a right as a parent to provide religious guidance to my child, you, as the local government manager in a school, do not have the privilege of doing an end run around my religious preference to impose your personal view on my child.

2006-07-18T03:08:00.000-04:00

Clinton says he would have died for Israel

WASHINGTON: Former US President Bill Clinton who many Arab thoughts was more even-handed on the Palestine question than his predecessors shocked many when he asserted in Toronto last week that had Israel been attacked by Iraq or Iran during his presidency, he would have been ready to “grab a rifle, get in a ditch and fight and die.” “The Israelis know that if the Iraqi or the Iranian army came across the Jordan River, I would personally grab a rifle, get in a ditch, and fight and die,” Clinton told the crowd at a fund-raising event for a Toronto Jewish charity Monday.

Old Bill is shocking a lot of us. Where was he in '67 - '72? Turns out that Bill always wanted to be a veteran - just not of the US Army.

2006-07-17T01:57:00.000-04:00

French Plan to Save Earth

Thank You, Lord! I'll be able to sleep tonight!

2006-07-17T01:46:00.000-04:00

Ain't Science Wonderful?

In a new study, 13 mothers were asked to sniff soiled diapers belonging to both their own child and others from an unrelated baby. The women consistently ranked the smell of their own child's feces as less revolting than that of other babies.

But, on the other hand, isn't this the same thing we do with our politicians? You think yours is OK and it is the other guy's politician who stinks.

2006-07-17T00:41:00.000-04:00

Senator Byrd gets another Honor and Plaque after securing $3.6M to refurbish the B&O Martinsburg Railroad Center.

The Senator's Greatness is compared to Cicero, Daniel Webster and Sir Thomas Moore. Thankfully, someone read the First Amendment just before he arrived and an exaggerated comparison with the deity was avoided.

2006-07-16T23:16:00.000-04:00

What's Jim Hunt Ashamed of?

Ever since Jim became the president of the National League of Cities he's been saying it's not about him, it's all about the City of Clarksburg and Harrison County. It is the tradition of past presidents of the NLC to hold the summer conference in their home town.

Is Jim holding his conference in his home town? NO. Is he holding it in Harrison County? NO. Where's he holding it? Southern Lewis County!!

President Jim's theme for the year is "Inclusive Communities". Hey! How about "INCLUDING" your home County and City? Jim, have you ever heard of the Greater Clarksburg Convention and Visitor's Bureau? Use them! Why haven't they set this whole package up? Should we guess that you think it is not a good idea to show off the town that you have helped govern for over 20 years?

But here's Jim's clever idea. Flood the city streets with city equipment for an hour and half on Friday night. Bus the attendees into Clarksburg to look at equipment and then drive them back out to Stonewall Jackson.

Do you think they'll notice that we are all white people? What about the inclusiveness piece that Jim thinks will make him famous? Oops! The minority community of Harrison County is only about 2%. They are easy to include if you can find them. It is unclear if any will be bussed in Friday to serve as a backdrop to Jim's international self-made claim to fame.

2006-07-14T15:25:00.000-04:00

Blankenship Launches new effort to Target Legislators this Election

Article in the Charleston Daily Mail.

2006-07-13T12:08:00.000-04:00

Help Wanted

Raese fires second campaign manager

Tom Hamm, Raese’s campaign manager since May, was told to turn in his keys and campaign credit card and leave the campaign’s downtown Charleston headquarters Tuesday.

2006-07-12T13:18:00.000-04:00

Just when we thought it was about the Constitution we realize it is just about Mike Queen

Ol' Mike sends out an email on July 2 to his many score of closest friends and supporters, including members of an Marshall Alum organization and representatives of the media. The subject line is, "Update on the ACLU & the Portrait of Jesus". The local newspaper and TV station picks up Mike's argument and quotes from his email liberally over the next couple of days. Anyone interested in the subject would have received adequate exposure to Queen's argument that the issue is really about the rights of government employees.

But that isn't enough for Mike. Ten days later he morphs his email into an article in the Charleston Daily Mail with his own byline. Mike asserts that this matter of the Portrait of Christ hanging in the school is not a matter for the Board of Education but it is rather a matter for the Courts to decide. Given Mike's belief, one might wonder why he is on a publicity campaign to accomplish in the media what he abdicates as a member of the Board and claims is a Federal Judiciary responsibility. Namely, to set personnel policy for goverment school employees.

Queen writes,

The real question that needs to be answered is what limitations need to be in place for school employees (principals, teachers, counselors and school service personnel) to be able to freely express themselves without doing so at the expense of the rights of others.
That question needs to be answered, and the rights of our school employees need to be clearly defined by the court system -- not by the Harrison County Board of Education, and certainly not by the ACLU.

Mike continues towards the end of the email ...

The Harrison County Board of Education needs to look to the court system to establish guidelines to protect the rights of 1,200 local employees and more than 30,000 school employees throughout West Virginia.

Here's a problem. The law suit against the school board has nothing to do with what Mike Queen decides the lawsuit is about. Or, what he can convince the general population of what he would like the law suit to be about. The law suit is about the specific complaints in this; Harold Sklar & Jacqueline McKenzie v. Board of Education of the County of Harrison; Carl Friebel Jr., and Lindy Bennett.

The purpose of the court is to vindicate the assertion of an individual's rights, not to set a broad personnel management policy for the Board of Education.

Queen's article sets out all kinds of hypotheticals that will go unaddressed because they are irrelevant to the complaint before the court. Queen thinks this will turn into a case about 'wearing a crucifix', or a St. Christopher's statue on a dashboard or Congress opening a session with a prayer. Queen's reasoning is sophomoric. A reasonable and reflective new member to the board should take advantage of the Boards pre-paid legal counsel and get a tutorial. But Mike is having too much fun promoting himself as a champion of a cause that he believes as a member of an impotent Board of Education he cannot decide. If Queen really thought this should be in the hands of the court he ought to sit down, be quiet, and see if he can learn something. On the other hand ...

< Perhaps, like George Wallace standing in the schoolhouse door, Queen sees his popularity enhanced by his defiance of the Constitution for cheap political gain. Ask him.

2006-07-04T12:31:00.000-04:00

Taken unashamedly from Don Surber's Blog Also see great photos from Tom Hindman

Why the ACLU wins in court

Photo by Tom Hindman. For 10 years, Harold Sklar, an attorney for the FBI, has politely asked officials to remove the portrait of Jesus from the hallway of Bridgeport High. I blogged about it in March. Finally, this week, the ACLU and another group have sued to get it taken down. Why does the ACLU win so many cases? Take a good look at that picture. Public officials are too pig-headed, that's why.

2006-07-04T03:10:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to Mike Queen

Yesterday he began his term of office as a member of the Harrison County Board of Education. Mike needs all the help and support we can give him.

Let's help by providing him the background on the First Amendment to the U.S Constitution as it relates to religion and public schools. Here is a 1999 letter from the head of the U.S. Department of Education written to Principals.

Mike should read this and understand the full freedoms available to all students and the restrictions on government. And let's not forget, Mike, that you is now that government. This letter was approved by Bill Clinton and Al Gore.

This letter is also reflective of Federal law which is why your pursuit of more arbitrary local government power in matters of religion in the life of Harrison County children is going to be an expensive embarrassing failure.

Feel free to distribute this to all school personnel. The Government wants you to know your limitations. Government Letter

2006-07-03T02:57:00.000-04:00

Just when you wanted to (in your own Christian sort of way) Hate the ACLU ...

ACLU of New Jersey Defends Second Grader's Right to Sing Religious Songs NEWARK, NJ -- The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey today filed a friend-of-the-court brief in a case seeking to uphold an elementary school student's right to religious expression.

The Frenchtown Elementary School student, whose initials are O.T., wanted to sing the song "Awesome God" in a voluntary, after-school talent show. School officials refused to allow the student to sing her song, saying it would give the impression that the school favored religion. ÂO.T.Â remains anonymous to protect her privacy.

"There is a distinction between religious expression initiated or endorsed by school personnel, and speech initiated by individual students," said ACLU of New Jersey cooperating attorney Jennifer Klear of Drinker, Biddle & Reath in New York. "The Constitution protects a student's individual right to express herself, including religious expression."

In its brief, the ACLU argued that no reasonable observer would have believed that the school endorsed the religious message behind the student's song, and that the school therefore had no right to deny her choice of song.

The talent show was open for anyone from the 1st through 8th grades who wished to play a solo instrument, dance, perform a skit or sing karaoke. Students were permitted to select their own songs or skits.

"We are dedicated to protecting the right of individual religious expression," said ACLU of New Jersey Legal Director Ed Barocas. "O.T. has our full support in defense of her right to sing a religious song in the talent show."

The ACLU of New Jersey has participated in other cases involving the right of individual religious expression, including recently helping to ensure that jurors are not removed from jury pools for wearing religious clothing and that prisoners are able to obtain religious literature.

The case, O.T. v. Frenchtown Elementary School, was filed in federal court in Trenton.

For more information on the ACLUÂs defense of religious expression, go to www.aclu.org/religion

Is Mike Queen educable? Is there any chance that Mike Queen can tell the difference between the above situation and the example set in Bridgeport High School where the government employee determined what religious object of veneration would be displayed? Reaser and Bennett could NOT tell the difference. Gray doesn't care to comment. Carl Friebel doesn't seem to have the management interest to discipline his principals who deviate from the law. Or he is ignorant of the law and should be held accountable for not having solved this long ago within the central ofice without leading us into an expensive legal wrangle.

When the government representative (principal) makes the religious determination it is wrong. Government run Public schools must be neutral in matters of religion.

2006-07-03T01:02:00.000-04:00

Does this come out to a 50 cent Tax on every 10 pounds of explosives?

Ok, the proposal was defeated as if the end of the world was near. The mining industry wins. Percentage wise, you still pay more taxes on your food and autos than the mining industry pays on their purchases. Dems and Republicans both come to industry defense in game of who loves mining more. Mollohan lauded; Wakim excoriated after his campaign manager confuses vote. Someone ought to be paying the user fees for the BTAF to administer laws concerning explosives. Both candidates agree it should be you the public and not the mining industry.

2006-06-30T20:10:00.000-04:00

Time for Doug Gray to Get off the Fence and Take a Stand!

WBOY-TV reporter, Gabe Gutierrez talked to the missing Board of Education member, Doug Gray, yesterday. His absence for a critical meeting ensured a tie vote in favor of the status quo about the portrait in BHS. Here is what he writes,

12 News spoke with him Thursday and asked him how he would have voted.
"Either way, it doesn't matter now," Gray said, adding that he preferred not to comment further.

He prefers, "Not to comment further?" !!! "It doesn't matter now"???

Presumably some people voted Doug Gray into office as a member of the Board of Education because they trusted his judgment or business acumen or his leadership or for some other qualities. He wasn't elected to office by promising to keep his opinions to himself.

A van doesn't have to fall on you to let you know that Leadership is needed by members of the Board. Doug, Where Do You Stand??

Sally, Wilson. You need to re-introduce the motion to remove the picture and let Doug Gray participate.

True, Jim Reaser and Bennett just about crawled under the desk when you made the motion and they both were too chicken to make any comment to defend their votes, like little boys caught doing something wrong; they let the moment pass, kind of mumbling that they had no comment. Pontius Pilot would have been proud of their hand-washing away the constitution and give in to the crowd.

Don't let Gray off the hook. Force him to take a stand.

2006-06-29T11:15:00.000-04:00

Sample Legal Fees

$1 million was given to the ACLU by the Dover, Pa., School Board in the "Dover Design Theory Case" when the ACLU claimed that teaching "intelligent design" alongside Darwinian Theory violated the Establishment Clause. Another involved a Ten Commandments monument that was ordered removed from Alabama's state judicial building in 2003. The ACLU and sister organizations received $500,000 in attorney fees.

2006-06-29T03:12:00.000-04:00

'Ah....We ain't got no Jesus here.'

Charleston Gazette reports that BHS school administrators actually, over the years appearently, have hid the portrait from investigators.

What great role models these Educators are!!! Can't we find a way to give them more money?

2006-06-29T01:55:00.000-04:00

HOME WORK ASSIGNMENT: DEBATE AND DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING
Just because you are Stupid about the Bill of Rights doesn't mean that you Love Jesus More!

The certainty of my Religious beliefs requires that a Public School officially validates my beliefs while trumping the beliefs of those who think differently

Keep answers to 700 words max.

2006-06-29T01:19:00.000-04:00

West Virginia School District Sued Over Religious Display
Civil Liberties Groups Say Portrait Of Jesus Outside Principal's Office Is An Unconstitutional Government Endorsement Of Religion

All this because of lack of leadership, poor B of Ed management, and ego. The picture is not even owned by the Board of Education . It is not owned by the principal. But no one in the central office, including the superintendent has the leadership to quell the insubordinate arrogance of the principal who refuses to obey the law. What an embarrassment!

Why should High School students obey the law or school policy when their principal is allowed to pick and chose what rules he will follow?
What is the written county policy that spells out what objects of religious veneration a principal may place in school hallways?

Many non-Bridgeportians support the continuation of the picture in the public school. Why are they not demanding that all other principals make an equally arbitrary decision to hang portraits of the Virgin Mary, or John Smith, or prophecies from the Watch Tower, or the Book of Order, or the Book of Common prayer? Mike Queen said that we should take this to the Supreme Court. Get all of the schools to walk on the First Amendment and Mike's dreams will come true sooner. Spare no expense. Get the Board of Education to sponsor a special levy to support this.

2006-06-29T01:15:00.000-04:00

Culture of Corruption
Mollohan got $179 million in government contracts for West Virginia companies that in turn gave $225,000 to his family charity. This amounted to nearly half the charity’s revenue.

2006-06-20T14:39:00.000-04:00

Folger Coffee's Buzz on the Internet
Ok, someone somewhere is going to like this. Just not me if you dare jingle this in my ear to wake me up. "Wake up, wake up you sleepy head, you can sleep when you're dead." Well it is the cheerful sureal approach that might get my nerves in a tangle. See it here. Don't wait for the big screen.

2006-06-14T07:20:00.000-04:00

Mollohan restates filings and reveals he borrowed 35K from Laura Kuhns

Rep. Alan B. Mollohan (D-W.Va.), under federal investigation for blending his commercial investments with his duties as a congressional appropriator, acknowledged yesterday that he misstated more than a dozen transactions on his financial disclosure forms.

The 12-term lawmaker said he recently discovered "a limited number of inadvertent errors" in his public reports from 1999 through 2004. He said he has amended those forms "to correct any inaccurate impressions about my finances." He also released a chronology to explain how his assets grew from no more than $565,000 in 2000 to at least $6.3 million in 2004, primarily through heavily leveraged real estate transactions.

2006-06-13T22:01:00.000-04:00

Congress Gives Itself 7th Straight Pay Raise WASHINGTON -- Despite record low approval ratings, House lawmakers Tuesday embraced a $3,300 pay raise that will increase their salaries to $168,500.The 2 percent cost-of-living raise would be the seventh straight for members of the House and Senate.Lawmakers easily squelched a bid by Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, to get a direct vote to block the COLA, which is automatically awarded unless lawmakers vote to block it.In the early days of GOP control of Congress, lawmakers routinely denied themselves the annual COLA. Last year, the Senate voted 92-6 to deny the raise but quietly surrendered the position in House-Senate talks.

2006-06-13T21:58:00.000-04:00

Man fights DNR over dead deer
A Parkersburg man who thought he was helping a needy family by donating deer meat harvested from road kill now faces charges of illegal possession of wildlife.

2006-06-13T21:44:00.000-04:00

In W.Va., a new air of optimism Coal industry's comeback, tourism, construction spark resurgence in jobs By Jamie Smith Hopkins from the Baltimore-Sun Coal, which built McDowell County, nearly destroyed it. As technology mechanized the work, jobs were cut. As mineral prices fell, jobs were cut. As easily worked seams disappeared, jobs were cut. Companies left, and the people did too. McDowell County, once one of the largest coal producers in the nation, lost three-quarters of its population in the past 50 years. Now, in this poorest corner of the poorest state in the nation, something remarkable is happening: Jobs are coming back. Much More ...

2006-06-13T18:18:00.000-04:00

17 beers a day keep prostate cancer away

Theoretically, anyway, especially when taken with pizza with tomato sauce

PORTLAND, Ore. - For many men, a finding by Oregon researchers sounds too good to be true: An ingredient in beer seems to help prevent prostate cancer, at least in lab experiments.The trouble is you'd theoretically have to drink about 17 beers a day for any potential benefit. And no one's advising that.

2006-06-13T16:31:00.000-04:00

Most Grant Money is Spent State officials told legislators Monday that they still believe most of the recipients of more than $200 million in economic development grants will come up with definitive plans for completing those projects by June 30.

“Our anticipation is everybody with free money on the table will step up and make these projects happen, or at least make commitments to make these projects happen,” said Brian Helmick, deputy secretary of commerce.

In 2003, the Economic Development Grant Committee approved nearly $225 million of grants for 47 development projects statewide. To date, 34 of those projects have yet to be completed — some have yet to begin construction — leaving $85 million of grants unspent. ...MORE

2006-06-13T15:55:00.000-04:00

Report: Congressional Pet Projects May Be Keeping NASA On Ground Tue, 13 Jun '06 Ah, Pork... Money earmarked to be used by NASA to send scientific probes to distant planets and return astronauts to the moon, may be used instead for projects closer to home that have little to nothing to do with exploring space. In short, it's called pork... as in "pork barrel projects" that politicians have authorized for their districts, and that NASA will be footing the bill for. USA Today reports that list includes construction or renovation of dozens of museums, planetariums and science labs for colleges... a website and laboratory for the Gulf of Maine Aquarium in Portland... and construction of the headquarters building for a West Virginia non-profit research group created by congressman Alan Mollohan, who is currently the subject of a congressional ethics probe. Since 2001, Congress has directed NASA to spend more than $3 billion on special projects -- most of them sought by individual lawmakers, for the benefit of their home districts. ....MORE

2006-06-11T00:47:00.000-04:00

If you haven't been to Valley Falls in a while ...it still looks like this. Below is a common watersnake (Nerodia s. Sipedon) frequently confused with a Water Moccasin (or worse by certain Bridgeport fundalmentalists)

2006-06-09T12:29:00.000-04:00

C'Burg's Ex-Telegram Editorial, "School board ought to do the Math"

The thrust of the editorial is that the the Board made an instantaneous decision to increase the PEIA medical supplement $50 beyond the $100 plus-up under consideration in the agenda and that is a lot of money and the education of our children could be in jeopardy. The editorial endorses Jim Reaser's comment, "Over a period of time, that's a lot of money."

Ok, let's help out here and do some math. The school board budget is about $90,000,000 per year? An increase county wide for 1400 employees times $50 per employee equals $74,000 per year. What is the percentage increase cost for this added $50? 74,000 divided by 90,000,000 = .0008% increase in the yearly budget for this benefit.

Does our paper have different math? How about Tim Langer helping Jim Reaser think through some of the other math problems that will be caused by a lengthy law suit over a portrait (that is neither owned by the school system nor the principal) hanging in BHS? Why would that cost not equally affect "students or their education...because of Tuesday's night decision." And while we're at it, this whole portrait thing comes down to a discussion of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. One might think that a newspaper would have strong feelings about the meaning of that specific amendment and use their pages to educate the community on its many facets. For the newspaper to remain silent in its editorial pages on the portrait controversy is to promote ignorance. Perhaps their motto is, "Ignorance is our most important Customer."

Vandalia Clarksburg Parking Lot

2006-06-09T11:04:00.000-04:00

Miss Clarksburg said...

Gundovald, I wish you'd find out about the PARKING LOTS that Vandalia bought at South 2nd and Washington Avenue. They've been referred to in the paper as both the "City Lots" and the "County Lots". Vandalia Redevelopment pays the taxes. If they were bought w/ taxpayer money, where are the revenue's going? They probably pull down about 5 grand per month. Their property taxes are about 8K per annum. What's the deal here?

6/08/2006 10:34:02 AM

Gundovald said...

Yes, Vandalia owns the steel parking structure on Washington and South 2nd. I believe that the County owns the lot on the opposite corner where the county vehicles park. That is the area that the County commission offered to the Italian Heritage Festival Committee as an alternative Main Stage area when there was still some question as to the construction schedule and availability for the front of the courthouse. Vandalia keeps whatever money they make from that parking garage. It has been postulated that V. bought the garage as a bargaining chip to use as trade, barter, or as a way to better negotiate (blackmail?) with either the city or county for other possible development properties. Rumor has it that even within the last year, but prior to the recent Mollohan troubles, V. attempted to use that property as a leverage to get the city to yield certain advantages to V. The city refused to play. As for any confusion about the Clarksburg newspaper variously refering to different parking areas as being City, or County .... well, we're still talking about the C'Burg paper right? ... and your question is for me to explain their confusion?

6/09/2006 11:02:59 AM

2006-05-29T22:40:00.000-04:00

Earmarks and Landmarks
Here's a good puff piece on Vandalia and all the wondful things earmarks have done. What's missing from the Gazette reporter is a series of questions that would explain the real estate transactions. Were the Kuhns' receiving the 100K salary from Vandalia and were they also ringing up the real estate commissions on the other end? I'm not claiming that it would be illegal. I just wonder if others might think it to be a conflict of interest given one's stewardship of the taxpayer dollars that funded Vandalia.

Responding to what they believe are unwarranted attacks in recent weeks, two intertwined nonprofit groups created by Rep. Alan Mollohan are defending their projects.

Officials with the Vandalia Heritage Foundation and Vandalia Development Corp. say they work with local groups to preserve historical structures — mostly in downtowns — and make them economically sustainable, while trying to preserve local history by teaching groups how to do such things as maintain oral histories.

“We tend to have small victories and successes,” said Laura Kuhns, who heads both groups from an old mansion the group refurbished in Fairmont. ....much more

2006-05-27T13:18:00.000-04:00

Changing Attitudes of WV Juries may affect Coal and Timber CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The jury verdict in the first trial to determine liability for severe 2001 floods in southern West Virginia might be the opening scene of a nightmare for the state's logging and mining industries. Neither is used to being found liable for damages linked to cutting timber or unearthing coal, but that's precisely what happened in the first of a series of lawsuits stemming from floods that hit southern West Virginia on July 8, 2001. Now the likes of coal giants Peabody Energy Corp. and Massey Energy Co., as well as timber owners and logging companies, face a potential shift in West Virginia's attitude toward once all-powerful industries. Some see the decision reached earlier this month by a Raleigh County jury as an omen. The jury decided that improper logging practices allowed by two timberland owners contributed to severe flooding. Another jury will determine actual damages later. More here.

2006-05-26T16:39:00.000-04:00

State Party Leaders want Earlier Voice in Presidential Selection Process

West Virginia Republicans want to hold a state convention to choose a presidential nominee on the same day as New Hampshire's presidential primary.

State G-O-P Chairman Rob Capehart says a convention would be held on February Fifth, 2008, a week after Iowa's caucuses. He said that would be the same day as New Hampshire's vote, however New Hampshire has not yet set its 2008 primary date.Under the plan, 13-hundred delegates to the state convention choose a presidential candidate who would win 18 of the state's 30 delegates to the Republican National Convention. The other convention slots would be chosen by party officials and based on voting in the state's presidential primary in May 2008

2006-05-26T16:27:00.000-04:00

Clarksburg, WV

EPA BROWNFIELDS PROGRAM

EPA Fact Sheet Available for $230,000 Grant

2006-05-25T20:21:00.000-04:00

So Call the Nutter Fort and West Milford VFD. Dead horse washes ashore in woman's yard (5/25/06 - RAVENSWOOD, WV) - A dead horse has washed up in Judy Roberts' backyard, and the Jackson County woman is trying to find a way to get rid of the carcass, along with the stench. Roberts discovered the horse in the Ohio River on Friday. By Sunday, it had shifted onto her property. "Somebody needs to move it," Roberts said. "It's contaminated the water. And I shouldn't have to live like this." She can only hope help comes quicker than in Harrison County, where earlier this month a rotting cow carcass was hung up on the tree for several weeks at the West Milford Dam while various government agencies debated whose responsibility it was to remove it. The cow was hauled away last week through the combined efforts of the Division of Highways and the West Milford and Nutter Fort volunteer fire departments.

2006-05-23T20:50:00.000-04:00

Candidate for BHS's Wall of Inspiration?

Honk if you love Madonna!

Didn't she convert to Judaism?

I think we could have a solution here.

2006-05-23T13:24:00.000-04:00

MINE SAFETY The overwhelming majority of mine owners are filthy rich; case in point, Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship’s reported income last year was in the neighborhood of $13 million. That was his compensation alone and you know it doesn’t touch the tip of the profit iceberg. Here’s something for you to continue chewing on while you shake your head over Blankenship’s paycheck. The estimated cost of the new MSHA rules, which by the way were spurred on and patterned after West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin’s plan, will cost the mining industry just under $19 million (new breathing equipment is projected at $10.5 million and training is tagged at $7.9 million). That’s right, $19 million nationwide. A small price for the Kings of Coal (and precious metals) to pay to help give those who toil for their companies a better chance to survive when things go wrong underground.

2006-05-23T13:07:00.000-04:00

Tough sexual predator bill taking shape for WV legislative action in June

Bluefield Daily Telegraph Some West Virginia officials who are working on a sex predator bill to be presented to the West Virginia Legislature in June predict the West Virginia law could become the toughest in the nation. The tougher the better, as long as it is written to hold up to a court challenge.

2006-05-23T00:33:00.000-04:00

French are rudest, most boring people on earth: British poll

LONDON (AFP) - The French have been voted the world's most unfriendly nation by a landslide in a new British poll published. They were also voted the most boring and most ungenerous.

A decisive 46 percent of the 6,000 people surveyed by travellers' website Where Are You Now (WAYN) said the French were the most unfriendly nation people on the planet, British newspapers reported.The Germans have no to reason to celebrate the damning verdict. They came second on all three counts.

2006-05-21T14:22:00.000-04:00

Margaret Ann Bailey Addresses Senior Citizen Issues. E-mail from Ms Bailey covers topic not in the cover story of the Clarksburg paper.

What are the issues of concern to the membership of the Harrison County Senior Citizens' Center (HCSC) and why are they asking for the Board members to resign?

The Advisory Council of the HCSC is composed of members from every satellite, club and organization. After formal attempts were made to communicate to the Board of Directors the concerns of the membership within the Advisory Council, and after no apparent response came to these problems, the Advisory Council agreed upon the following items to be presented to the 5/16 board meeting. Please keep in mind that these points are made by the Advisory council and not any specific individual (s).

1. Parking - The Advisory Council expresses their deep disappointment with the fact that the Board of Directors has failed repeatedly to successfully address the lack of available parking at the Harrison County Senior Citizens Center. The parking problems have reached a critical state.

2. Consultant - The Advisory Council will, at the present time, neither endorse nor support the further extension of a contract, memorandum of understanding, or any other written or verbal agreement involving any compensation for services, travel or work expenses, and/or compensation for reward of any future accomplishments by or for any Consultants. ($48,000 has already been paid to present consultant).

3. Board of Directors - On this issue a formal recommendation will be forthcoming which will include the following points: A. The membership on the current Board is too many in number. 11-13 people on the Board is recommended. (Currently 16 members) B. The current by-laws were originally adopted in 1984...22 years ago.... with several amendments since adoption. It is felt that these by- laws need to be reviewed and updated. C. The current by-laws that address who shall serve on the Board of Directors and how they are to be selected reflect a process which has historically excluded Senior Center member involvement and appear to contribute to the existence of a single opinion or loaded Board of Directors. Only two members are elected by the Seniors themselves.

The current By-laws (adopted in 1984) state:

The following shall be represented by one member:

Harrison County Commission, City of Clarksburg, Central West Virginia Transit Authority, Harrison County Ministerial Association, Central WV Pharmacist, Harrison County NAACP, Greater Clarksburg Associates, Consumer Representatives - a card carrying member of the HCSC, a minimum of 3, not to exceed 5, Senior Citizen Advisory Board, Harrison County Health Department, Veteran -- a member of the VFW, Satellite Council President.

D. The current Board appears to neither want nor endorse opinions or comments from Senior members and often appears to become caustic and verbally abusive to both Senior members and other Board members. The Board frequently states that the Seniors’ will not be allowed to vote on important matters (e.g. a new Senior Center!) and that Senior involvement is not needed. The rule of thumb appears to be the oft spoken statement that it is a Board decision and not a Senior decision . E. The Advisory Council will recommend that the following Board Members should remain on the Board of Directors during this transition period and help to form a new Board following state mandated guidelines and a revised set of by-laws that will be inclusive of direct Senior involvement: County Commission, Clarksburg City Council, Advisory Council President , Satellite President, NACCP, Consumer (Seat from former Senior Care). F. All other present Board members, including the current Board President, are respectfully requested to tender their resignations in a timely manner and allow the re-organization to begin. G. The Advisory Council will further recommend that the State Bureau of Senior Services be informed of this request for evaluation and action.

(End of Paper)

As a further point of clarification, I did resign my seat on the Board of Directors as I was not able to speak out for several reasons on important senior Issues as needed. (I will be happy to provide if requested) I am the Vice President of the current Advisory Council (I did not resign from this Council as previously reported in the newspaper). I am proud to stand with the Seniors and be an advocate for positive changes to improve the quality of life. When the following statement is made in an open meeting that a survey of Senior opinion regarding a new senior center should not include many of the senior population and only include "baby boomers" because the Seniors won't be around to use it, may well reflect a much greater problem.

I am determined to take these issues to the highest levels of state government in order to secure the voice of the Senior membership.

The whole issue of the seniors being able to vote on important matters is not even based on a "Yes or no" outcome or issue. It is merely giving them the right to state their opinion and let their voice be heard within their own organization. The outcome is not the issue. It is the process, the right to speak freely in a democratic process and the restoration of the Senior voice that matters.

Respectfully,

Margaret Ann Bailey

2006-05-18T17:41:00.000-04:00

High Gas Prices cause Hiram Lewis's Check to bounce to John Raese Hiram Lewis, who lost to John Raese in the GOP Senate race, bounced a check to Raese's radio company.

The Morgantown lawyer wrote the $1,227 check to West Virginia Radio Corp. for ad spots in an eleventh-hour push to reach voters before the May 9 primary. ...

Gasoline for the RV, planning a victory party and other costs depleted the campaign's bank account, he said. His treasurer didn't keep all the receipts, he said.

2006-05-18T17:17:00.000-04:00

But Mike …answer the Question

How do you swear to uphold The Constitution of the United States at the same time you are working to defeat it? ...more to come

2006-05-18T16:15:00.000-04:00

What's with the local Senior Citizen's Center Board of Directors?

The Board buys a piece of property listed at about $300,000 that extends from Main St to Traders Alley. It is bought because more parking space is needed for their current building. There is a house and a very large parking lot on the property. The Seniors get a great deal on the property.

They pay about $165,000 for the property. They pay the cost of closing, insurance,etc. Then about 4 months later they sell the property for the same amount. What's going on? Does the public have confidence that they know what they are doing?

Why was there not a public announcement that they wanted to resell the property? As a public agency, did they not have to follow public procedures and law before disposing of the property? Why was there not a public bidding process put into place to get a better price for the property?

It sounds as if a current majority of the Board is playing politics to force a failure of anyone who is trying to keep the Center a success in downtown Clarksburg. They do this by leaving the current Center in a worse off position. Rather than an open-minded approach to find the best site for a Senior Citizen's Center, the current Board is trying to stack the deck to have it leave Clarksburg.

Where is the public scrutiny? Who has oversight? Maybe there should be some mass resignations until this gets straightened out. This is not a 'PERSONNEL' matter that should be held in Executive session. Is this a question of malfeasance, misfeasance or non-feasance? Until these questions are answered we don't know and this deserves an open airing.

2006-05-17T16:56:00.000-04:00

An Argument in favor of Term Limits? Sen Levin Casts vote 10,000 WASHINGTON -- Michigan Sen. Carl Levin reached a milestone Tuesday when he became only the 25th senator in U.S. history to cast 10,000 votes. ... Other senators now serving who have reached the 10,000-vote mark include Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, and Richard Lugar, R-Ind. Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., the record holder with 17,532 votes under his belt, shook Levin's hand and patted him on the back. In all, 1,875 people have served in the Senate since 1789, according to the Senate Historical Office.

Should a qualification test for continued service be given to these senators? Like, name 1% of the bills you voted on and state why they are important. If we insist on measuring the progress of our school children, why not our elected representatives? You know. Leave no Senator Behind!

2006-05-17T16:24:00.000-04:00

Someone with Big Money is trying to Evict Blankenship from his Position at Massey Energy Gee. It just doesn't sound fair that some rich influentials try to determine an election outcome.

Massey Energy defends work

Top executive answers criticism while facing a shareholder revolt

Massey Energy Co.'s top executive spent much of yesterday's annual meeting defending the company's corporate citizenship.

Don L. Blankenship, the Richmond-based company's chairman, president and CEO, also faced a revolt from Massey's second-largest shareholder, which offered its own slate of directors in competition with Massey's nominees.

During the meeting at The Jefferson Hotel, some shareholders quizzed Blankenship about the impact of the company's mining practices -- particularly mountain-top removal mining -- on people living near company operations.

2006-05-17T15:57:00.000-04:00

Daily Mail Article reports on Supoenas More than two dozen organizations in northcentral West Virginia with ties to Rep. Alan Mollohan reportedly have been subpoenaed, and one nonprofit has reportedly shipped 160 cartons of documents to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. .....

A source close to the north central West Virginia high tech community who would speak only on the condition of anonymity said, "I've been told there have been between 25 and 30 organizations in north central West Virginia who have received subpoenas that are extremely broad."

The source said a rental van with about 160 cartons of documents was sent from the I-79 Technology Park to the U.S. Attorney's office last week and another van full of documents is expected to be sent this week.

Both the ISR and the high technology consortium foundation are in the park.

2006-05-17T15:38:00.000-04:00

Today's New York Times Article

Congressman's Condo Deal Examined

The relative, Joseph L. Jarvis Jr., faced $1 million debts in a personal bankruptcy case when he partnered with Mr. Mollohan in 1996, a few years after his aerospace company failed to fulfill its federal contracts and also filed for bankruptcy.

The 1995 West Virginia deal in Mr. Mollohan's district eventually soured too, and Mr. Jarvis walked away owing Mr. Mollohan's nonprofit group $67,681.63 in rent.

Still, Mr. Jarvis, Mr. Mollohan and their wives enjoyed a lucrative real estate partnership managing condominium rentals at the Remington, a 52-unit building that bills itself as "Washington's best kept secret." The couples own 27 Remington condos, which have more than tripled in value, to $8 million, over the decade.

2006-05-17T14:42:00.000-04:00

NOT GOOD! Mayor of ST Albans Dies Here's the relative address link to WCHS-TV: here.

2006-05-17T13:57:00.000-04:00

SAM CANN Responds: He didn't take tickets or go to the Circus

From :	WhoCANN@
Sent :	Wednesday, May 17, 2006 10:01 AM
To :	gundovald-the-flatulent@ hotmail.com
Subject :	Circus Tickets

Recently you ran a note on an article that ran in the Gazette, and I would like to tell you the rest of the story ....

Every year All Legislators receive a form for Tickets to Ringling Brothers Circus (they have been offered 12 times to me and I have never ever received or used them) ... and the form was filled out and sent in on my behalf, HOWEVER, I did NOT, receive any tickets nor did I attend the Circus, apparently who ever sent this form out reported based on a form that was filled not on tickets given or received ... just thought you might like to know and appreciate the chance to set the record straight on my behalf ..

2006-05-17T03:53:00.000-04:00

Oh, STOP! Of course it is in Arkansas! Mayor Accused Of Discounting Water Bills For Sex

The 72-year-old mayor of Waldron has been charged with patronizing a prostitute and abusing the public trust for allegedly using his official position to obtain sex.

2006-05-17T03:01:00.000-04:00

Hints to Bloggers on the Perils of Posting Urls WCHS-TV, fine station that it is, does not use .urls that are friendly to we bloggers (or, if you are Irish and small in stature that would be 'wee bloggers' to you). Their .urls are not fixed to a specific story; it is instead, relative to a position on their web page for a lead story (I guess). Not knowing this, a few blogs below, I had merely written the word, "GOOD!" with an underlying .url that would take the reader to a weekend story about an officer of the law receiving a harsh sentence for child abuse and incest. My reaction was a simple, "GOOD!". Then you choose to read the story. Well, with a 'relative url' the story underlying my post kept changing as WCHS kept updating their web site. This can be amusing, or hurtful, I suppose to the families of victims, when the underlying story keeps changing.

Are you too young to remember Johnny Carson's character, Karnack the Magnificent? Karnack devines the answer to a question before it is asked. So, I've been playing a silent game of Karnack with the WCHS web page. I hit Gundovald's entry of

"GOOD!" and then see what the question is, based on the ever changing WCHS's headline.

Let Gundovald show you how a simple .url has worked "GOOD" or "GOOD!" or "GOOD!" And try the other "Good's" in the above text. Today they each have a relative unique url. But try again tomorrow or the next day and other stories will be assigned to their naming convention. Do you get my drift? You computer scientists and techies know all of this all ready. Know your answer before you hear the question, "Good!" Night Johnny, wherever you are!

2006-05-17T02:36:00.000-04:00

HOW TRUE! They've been the ruin of many a young Man!

King orders Saudi newspapers: Stop pics of women, will lead men astray RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - King Abdullah has told Saudi editors to stop publishing pictures of women because they could lead young men astray, newspapers reported Tuesday.

2006-05-16T22:08:00.000-04:00

Have no idea who's cartoon this is. Claim it if you wish!

2006-05-16T20:33:00.000-04:00

WV National Guard Members React to Possible Border Patrol ..... so goes the lead for this WBOY story. Gundovald held discussions of his own, in the interest of original research, last night with members of the WV National Guard. It was at place where adult beverages were being served; after all, I did want adult responses to better ascertain their reactions. Much to my surprise, they were eager to participate and indicated that there would be a lot of volunteers and this may even help recruitment. The downside was that the rotations would only last two weeks. GO Guard!

2006-05-16T20:19:00.000-04:00

Margin of Error = 4.5% Based on 500 Likely Voters

Senator Byrd Leads in West Virginia

May 17, 2006

(Angus Reid Global Scan) – Incumbent Robert Byrd could earn a new term as one of West Virginia’s representatives to the United States Senate, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 57 per cent of respondents in the Mountain State would vote for the Democratic politician, while 34 per cent would support Republican rival John Raese.

2006-05-15T14:03:00.000-04:00

Can Sam Cann and Ron Fragale put Ethics aside and Enjoy the Circus?

While the new law requires lobbyists to report every dollar they spend on legislators or other government officials, it didn’t change the $25 cap on gifts legislators may accept from lobbyists or other “interested parties.”

That would appear to put 10 legislators in violation of the ethics law, according to the disclosure filed by Thomas Albert of Feld Entertainment Inc. in Vienna, Va.

Albert reported that he gave the legislators four $20 tickets each for the Ringling Brothers Circus in Charleston on April 20.

Listed as accepting the tickets are Delegates Joe Talbott, D-Webster; Larry Border, R-Wood; Patti Schoen, R-Putnam; Carrie Webster, D-Kanawha; Larry Williams, D-Preston; D-Fayette; and Dan Foster, D-Kanawha.Sam Cann, D-Harrison; Greg Butcher, D-Logan; Ron Fragale, D-Harrison; and Sens. Shirley Love,

2006-05-15T02:20:00.000-04:00

Someone who knows nothing about WV desires to write a comedy about WV! Care to help her? If not, please provide any funny or weird things about Rhode Island to Gundovald and I'll be sure to educate the dear lady about comedy. "I am working on a script project that is set in West Virginia. It's a comedy. I have done a lot of research, but am still looking for funny or weird or interesting things about West Virginians. Short anecdotes about any quirky regional traits would be most welcome. You know, I need the stuff that doesn't get put in history books."

2006-05-15T01:20:00.000-04:00

Unfortunately, I see a Movie coming out of this! Florida marks third deadly alligator attack in less than a week
MIAMI -- The bodies of two women, both apparently killed by alligators, were found Sunday less than a week after a similar death in a state that had seen just 17 confirmed fatal attacks by the animals in the previous 57 years.

2006-05-14T19:52:00.000-04:00

This just sounds like a Divorce! It's really just a man and his maid separating. The saga of being Blankenship continues ...

2006-05-14T02:39:00.000-04:00

Lost Creek Boy Drafted by Minors

With the 3rd overall pick, the Grizzlies selected outfielder Jerred Novotny. Novotny, a 6-5, 225-pound right-handed hitter, hails from Lost Creek, WV. He played his college baseball at Division II Alderson Broaddus College in Philippi, WV.

"It's exciting having the chance to play," Novotny said. "That's what you're here for. I had a pretty good camp. I am happy."

2006-05-13T22:51:00.000-04:00

Who is defending this Woman? She works out at the Clarksburg YMCA

I am an average-weight-and-height 45-year-old woman who blew through 400 pounds on the leg press several years ago. Despite my legs being much smaller and more “fragile”-looking than men at my gym who can’t even move half that much, I now leg press 600 pounds, 3 sets, 10 reps each, at every workout. And that is after I do at least three sets of squats with 225. My workout attracts a lot of stares, I think mostly because of the erroneous assumption (shared by your tipster) that my legs look too “fragile” to be doing such a thing.

2006-05-13T15:43:00.000-04:00

If they are doing nothing illegal, then why are they negotiating?

If they are doing something illegal, why don't they just stop?

2006-05-13T15:35:00.000-04:00

GOOD!

2006-05-13T15:20:00.000-04:00

W.Va. Nonprofit's Reimbursements 11 Times Higher Than Premiums

May 13, 2006

A Fairmont, W.Va. nonprofit group paid $47,334 in premiums to a state-run insurance agency over two years and was reimbursed more than 11 times that amount for three claims, state documents show.

The bulk of the reimbursements was $498,678 paid by the state Board of Risk and Insurance Management to the Vandalia Heritage Foundation for a fire at the B&O train station in Grafton, according to the state Auditors Office.

2006-05-12T15:36:00.000-04:00

Romney Man returns $55,000 dropped by Armored Car; Bank offers him a reward of Free Dinner! Are Banks Great or What?

2006-05-12T15:26:00.000-04:00

To: American Idol Addictees, Learn to Trick out the Voting Process START HERE

2006-05-12T14:52:00.000-04:00

Dead Cow Baffles Authorities

DEP expert confirms it is a dead cow. Holding your breath and leaving it alone may be the answer.

2006-05-12T02:01:00.000-04:00

Motherhood! It's more than what that Jarvis girl started in Grafton

There are mothers that zestily eat their young and mothers that drink their young's blood. Mothers that pit one young against the other in a fight to the death and mothers that raise one set of their babies on the flesh of their siblings.

2006-05-11T22:51:00.000-04:00

Values of Vandalia Quick profit on land deal raises questions.

Story by Beth Gorczyca FAIRMONT -- West Virginia's real estate market has lagged behind the rest of the nation in recent years.

But the value of one piece of property in Marion County jumped by nearly $400,000 in the matter of just a few hours.

In May 2005, Southland Properties LLC bought 48 acres of land behind the Middletown Mall near Fairmont for $1.25 million. Later that same day, the company sold the property for $1.6 million.

2006-05-11T11:51:00.000-04:00

Mollohan's beach front Cottage For Sale

Built for $2,600,000 in 2004; asking $3,700,000 in 2006. This current scandal could force the Mollohan's to take a $1.1 M profit before all of the air leaves the real estate market. They will keep the 4 lots owned jointly with his former employee, Laura Kuhns - The Czarina of Non-profits!

Barbara Mollohan may actually be a real estate genius! Please encourage her to now turn her attention to the Waldo Hotel (now known as the 'Mollohans') and the Palace Furniture Building in Clarksburg.

2006-05-11T04:09:00.000-04:00

Fazzini wins for County Commission

He's one of the nicest guys you could ever want to meet. So. Who's running the county? A policeman; a fireman; and a pizzaman. Can't wait to see what happens next! I love democracy. It makes my heart sing.

2006-05-11T03:41:00.000-04:00

Barbour, Braxton, Lewis and Doddridge County Students will learn Algebra better than Harrison County students.

Benedum Foundation Funds Purchase Carnegie Learning Math Curricula for 18 West Virginia Schools; Statewide Initiative Focuses on Improvements in Algebra.

2006-05-11T02:18:00.000-04:00

Mike Queen wins seat on Board of Education and immediately conspires to not take Oath of Office seriously!

Can Mike put his left hand on the Bible and his right hand up in the air and swear to God that he will uphold the laws of WV and the Constitution of the United States ? His first step, the day after the election, is to conspire with the principal of Bridgeport High School to thwart federal court decisions in regard to the decision that makes illegal the government display of Sallman's "Head of Christ"? (See Exponent-Telegram, front page, May 10 2006)

We all know that the meaning of the Constitution is determined by court interpretation. None of us like all of the decisions. But 99% of us obey the law. What will Mike do? Will he cross his fingers on the Bible, so he can continue to be part of the community that wishes to defy our civil law and constitution. Will you lie to God on that Bible so you can keep a human artist's interpretation of Jesus on display in a government building, as demanded by a government employee, a principal, with a captive audience of children from various backgrounds and beliefs?

In a surprise to Harrison County, Wood County does it without the help of Marion County, too!

2006-05-11T01:50:00.000-04:00

Wood County counts votes in 2 Hours - No Problems with Voting Machines.

Sounds as if Wood County had a plan. They put voting machines out in the shoping malls before the election to familarize the voters. They used six rovers to travel to different locations to solve problems - so there were not any problems. Preparation! What a concept. Pass it on to the County Clerk, Ms Thomas.

2006-05-11T01:41:00.000-04:00

Powerball Jack Back in Court Whittaker settles civil lawsuit

You gotta be poor if you are going to have fun like this!

2006-05-11T01:30:00.000-04:00

Former WBOY and WDTV personality wins Senate Primary, then announces that he was recalled to Active Duty. Departs today for SE Asia.

Riding name recognition built by years as a television news anchor, Erik Wells appeared headed for a big victory over challenger Dave Higgins in the Democratic primary for Kanawha County’s 8th District state Senate seat.

But in a surprise announcement, Wells said he has been called up to active duty in the Naval Reserves, and will head to Southeast Asia today. He said he would return on Labor Day.

2006-05-11T01:05:00.000-04:00

Harrion County learns computer literacy from Marion County?

Why did The County Clerk's Office of Harrison County have so much trouble using the new technoloogy and Marion County had none? I would say the irresponsible lack of preparation by the Harrison County Office. Ms Thomas should be thankful that Marion County pulled her arse out of the fire.

Ms Thomas should review her staff training, procedures and instructions to the poll workers. She should have a dry-run test of the procedures and equipment before the general election.

2006-05-09T17:16:00.000-04:00

GOP lawmakers want Pelosi to remove Mollohan By Patrick O’Connor

Republican Reps. John Carter (R-Texas) and Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) are expected to send House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) a letter tomorrow asking her to remove Rep. Alan Mollohan (W.Va.) from the Appropriations Committee.

Mollohan stepped aside as the ranking Democrat on the ethics committee late last month amid ethical questions about his financial dealings with private contractors and nonprofit organizations that received millions of dollars in federal funds.

“The allegations against Congressman Mollohan are directly related to his conduct on the Committee,” the two former judges wrote in a draft copy of the letter circulated last night.

“Not only is his continued position on that Committee in conflict with the allegations made against him, it also places him in the untenable position of exercising jurisdiction and influence over the Justice Department, the very entity that is currently investigating him,” the letter continued.

Mollohan is the ranking Democrat on the Appropriations subcommittee with oversight of the Departments of Commerce, Justice and State.

2006-05-08T21:39:00.000-04:00

Marshall Forensic Science Center to offer DNA preservation services to funeral homes

HUNTINGTON, WV - The Marshall University Forensic Science Center is now offering DNA preservation and testing services to local funeral homes, Dr. Terry Fenger, director of the center, said today.

Through the forensic science center, family members served by the participating funeral homes will have the opportunity to preserve a sample from their family members’ DNA, which can be used in the future for gene testing, inheritance, and identification purposes. Strict confidentiality of services provided to families will be maintained.

2006-05-08T20:13:00.000-04:00

WV Legislative hopefuls amass $3.2 million, spend about half Legislative candidates had amassed more than $3.2 million and spent just over half that heading into Tuesday's primary election, their latest reports to Secretary of State Betty Ireland show.

Moving On, Moving Out

2006-05-08T12:35:00.000-04:00

West Virginians are all packed up with plenty of places to go.

2006-05-07T14:19:00.000-04:00

Auto plant thrives in Buffalo (Buffalo, West Virginia, that is)

While American auto industry founders, Toyota finds formula for success

Clarksburg Man convicted in Cabella's Ammo theft

2006-05-07T14:07:00.000-04:00

Twenty-four-year-old Seth W- Doak of Clarksburg was convicted Friday in Berks County Court of robbery, simple assault and related counts. He was acquitted by the jury of making terroristic threats.