04-30-2013 redone.pdf - Braxton Citizens' News

Page 2 Braxton Citizens’ News•April 30, 2013OPINIONOur views • Your views • Their views•Editorials•Letters•ColumnsAs ISee ItBy Ed GivenThe extra mile…Well, things are somewhat back to normalhere at the office. I hope I have all the letters tothe editor and other items in this issue that Ipromised. If not, I’m sure our loyal readers willlet us know.I noticed something very interesting recently,while reviewing information concerningthe activities of Braxton County Circuit Court. Ihave long admired Judge Rick Facemire’s strongstance on criminals, particularly drug offenders.It is not unusual for him to send a defendant fora drug test when they come before him forsentencing. History will show it certainly is notin the accused’s best interest to fail that test.Most of the time, it has resulted in a tripstraight to jail.While reviewing the most recent activities, Isaw that Judge Facemire has added some newweapons to his arsenal of deterrents for criminals.Obviously, it is expensive for the taxpayersto put people in jail. It is also obvious thatthis reality doesn’t stop the Judge from administeringpunishment when it is warranted. Itwould appear to me, however, that he is awareof the circumstance and often considers, homeconfinement and/or probation for those whodeserve such a break. He has always implementeda long list of rules and regulations forsuch alternative sentencing. That’s also good,As I See It... after all this is a punishment forsome type of offense against society. In thislatest review, I saw some things I hadn’t noticedpreviously. There has always been the drug andalcohol testing… but now I see a curfew forthose on probation. I see requirements forpublic service, maintaining employment, even arequirement for a GED. I really like that approach.Our Judge has the right idea. Criminalsmust pay for their offenses. He obviously, istrying to instill tools that will help keep themfrom being repeat offenders and become moreproductive members of society. I applaud theinitiative. Great job Judge!Also helping to make alternative sentencingwork, is Sheriff Eddie Williams’ stiffer enforcementand monitoring of home confinement rules.I can’t say enough positive things about suchactivities. Judge Rick Facemire and SheriffEddie Williams… keep up the good work.Our policyWe would like to remind readers that wewelcome letters to the editor.We would like also reiterate our policy... thatwe do not publish letters that do not contain theauthor’s identification. If you mail or email yourletter to our office you must enclose a phonenumber for verification purposes. The number willnot be published except at the author’s request.We reserve the right to edit and/or refuse anyletter deemed to contain libelous, inaccurate ormisleading information. We do not accept lettersendorsing or refuting candidates for any upcomingelection.Letters should be mailed to: Editor, BraxtonCitizens’ News, P.O. Box 516, Sutton, WV 26601.Those wishing to email should send themto: editor@bcn-news.comFromourreadersJust look at this!A weekly photo of opinion in Braxton County...sometimes good and sometimes not so good.A worthy project...Braxton CountyCommissionDear Commissioners:The presence of commissionersRon Facemireand Gary Ellison at thepublic meeting on March23, 2013 was greatly appreciated.We believe thatthe attendance of so manycitizens of Burnsville,along with the people fromRoute 5 and Route 1 Orlando,indicated the overwhelmingsupport for upgradesand extension ofwater service to individualswho live daily withoutthe benefit of potable water.The expressed supportof Senators Facemireand Cann, along with thatof Delegate Boggs, demonstratedtheir understandingof the importance ofwater to these people. ThisCouncil applauds theirpublic commitment to pursuinga successful conclusionto the efforts of theBurnsville Public UtilityBoard and the Town ofBurnsville for the fundingof the proposed expansion.The Council and theUtility Board wish to expressits appreciation tothe Commission for the$5,000.00 contributionthat you gave last year towardthe costs of the preliminaryengineering studies.Moreover, we stronglyrecommend the approval ofour $25,000 applicationfor funds in your new fiscalyear budget. You mayrecall that over 90 householdsare impacted by thisneed for good potable waterand have unacceptablelevels of e-coliform andformalahyde in their wellwater. These contaminantscontinue to pose serioushealth risks to thecitizenry.We earnestly requestthat you reconsider thisextension project withinthe context of other usesof county revenue, demonstratingto the citizens ofRoute 5 and Route 1 Orlando,the priority that thisproject deserves. We havefaith in your abilities torecognize this muchneededproject as worthyand that it deserves yourutmost attention. Pleasefeel free to contact us ifyou need additional information.Sincerely,BurnsvilleTown CouncilSutton Lake Marina is painting and sprucing up as they prepare to open forthe 2013 Season. The Lake is now at summer pool and seasonal slip holdershave already begun putting their boats in. The Marina Store and Boat Rentalswill be available beginning May 17. Thanks to the installation of a new docklast year, slips are available for the 2013 Season. For additional information,contact the Marina at 304-765-2401 Email: info@suttonlakemarina.com. Checkthem out on Facebook and at www.SuttonLakeMarina.comLooking backat 2012...Dear Editor:As I reflect back onthe past year of 2012, Ihave many thoughts and“Thanks” to spreadaround.Foremost in my mindis the “Derecho” stormthat passed throughBraxton County and thesurrounding area on June29, 2012. What a disaster!I am proud to say thatmy business was neverclosed down even with nopower for 10 days. Ofcourse, this would nothave been possible withoutthe help of my friends,my family and my“adopted WV family”.Many, many “Thanks” andappreciation go out to allwho helped me during thismost horrific event.We were up and runningthe whole time on agenerator. We were sellinggas, ice, groceries andother needed items to thelocal community who werein need during the poweroutage. We remainedopen all day Saturdayuntil 12:30 am Sunday –mostly providing gasolinefor generators. I also appreciatethe patience bythe many customers whowaited in line for gas and/or left their gas cans to befilled and picked them uplater, as we had many!The Snak Shak andMarina (inside G. R. FreemanCampground) wasalso without power for 11days. We had unaccountedfor employees(trying to get home), wehad broken anchor lines tothe dock, which displacedthe whole dock andcaused damage to boarsand the dock. Again, withhelp, we located employeesand we ran a generatorto try and save foodinventory. I did have toclose this business as thecampground was forced toevacuate.The main point isthat no one was hurt orinjured. “Things” are replaceable– people are not.I know my friends are notreplaceable.Since both of mybusinesses are seasonal,this could not have happenedat a worse time.This exact 10 day period(July 4 th holiday) is whatgenerates ½ of my totalincome at the Snak Shakand Marina, and a goodpercentage of my businessat Kanawha Run TradingPost. It was very unfortunatethat the storm hitexactly when it did.However, I could notask for any better friendsand family that helped meto get through this situation;physically and emotionally.They were therefor me at my most neededtime. But, that’s what Ihave found since movingto Braxton County andWV. The people here areso genuine and alwayswilling to help anyone inneed. I am so proud to bea resident of this countyand WV.This same group offriends, and many others,have helped me withmany other things overthe years ... from store remodeling,cutting andsplitting wood, picking upneeded items, painting,electrical work, to really aPlease turn to LETTERSpage 3Read the Citizens’ News onthe World Wide Webwww.bcn-news.comBraxtonCitizens’NEWSPUBLISHER/EDITOREd GivenASSOCIATE PUBLISHERADVERTISING MANAGERAllison Given-NettlesSPORTS EDITORShirley ShumanREPORTER/LAYOUT DESIGNStevie Ann ShinglerOFFICE MANAGEMENTJeanine GivenCIRCULATIONKaren LingerPRINTINGMike McElwain(SSN 393130)A Weekly PublicationEstablished February 9, 1976P.O. Box 516 / 501 Main St.Sutton, West Virginia 26601E-mail: quality@rtol.net(304)765-5193Entered as periodic rate atthe Sutton, WV Post OfficePostmaster:Send address change to:Braxton Citizens’ NewsP.O. Box 516, Sutton, WV 26601Subscription rates:$17.50 in county, $25.50 instate, $41.00 out-of-stateE-subscription, $20.00Senior Citizens may deduct $1It’s always difficult totransition back from thelegislative session to a regularwork schedule, although onthe railroad there seems to beno such thing as regular hoursor schedule. However, I useda vacation day last week totake Carson and Kenzie to thecircus. They had a barrel offun and it was a great eveningfor Jean and me to enjoy thegrandkids.Earlier that day, I spendat the Capitol for some postsessionwork and planning forMay interim meetings. Houseand Senate clerks and legislativestaff continue to preparebills for enrollment, obtain therequired signatures anddeliver them to the Governorfor his review and action.Other than the three billsvetoed for minor errors and repassedduring the extendedsession, the Governor has yetto use his veto power since weadjourned. Last week, GovernorTomblin has signedtwenty-two additional bills intolaw. They are:SB 208 - Making supplementaryappropriation fromState Fund, General Revenue,to Department of Commerce,News fromour Capitolby Delegate Brent BoggsDivision of Labor, and DHHR,Division of Human ServicesSB 523 - Making supplementaryappropriation ofunappropriated moneys tovarious accountsSB 524 - Supplementing,amending, decreasing andincreasing appropriations fromState Road Fund to DOTSB 525 - Making supplementaryappropriation offederal funds to various accountsSB 526 - Making supplementaryappropriation offederal funds to DHHR, Divisionof Human Services-Temporary Assistance forNeedy FamiliesSB 664 - Decreasingappropriations of public moneysin State Fund, GeneralRevenueHB 2108 - Making theoffense of failure to wear safetybelts a primary offenseHB 2361 - Relating to thedefinition of “eligible veteran”for certain state training andemployment preference benefitsHB 2463 - Repealing thearticle that permits the sterilizationof persons deemed tobe mentally incompetentHB 2521 - Relating to theWest Virginia ContrabandForfeiture ActHB 2538 - Expiring,supplementing, amending,increasing, and adding items ofappropriation in variousaccountsHB 2541 - Making asupplementary appropriationfrom the State Fund, StateExcess Lottery Revenue Fund,to the Department of Healthand Human Resources, Divisionof Human ServicesHB 2553 - Authorizingthe Secretary of State toadministratively dissolvecertain business entitiesHB 2729 - Allowingschools to voluntarily maintainand use epinephrine autoinjectorsHB 2815 - Clarifying andmodifying the process ofappointing and terminatingguardians for minorsHB 2858 - Relatinggenerally to consumer raterelief bondsHB 2923 - Relating todirectors of state-charteredbanking institutionsHB 2992 - Eliminatingduplicative reporting requirementsimposed on distributorsof imported cigarettesHB 3003 - Facilitatingcompliance with the TobaccoMaster Settlement AgreementHB 3028 - Expanding thenumber of hours temporarystate personnel may work in acalendar yearHB 3086 - Relating tojuvenile services and criminaljustice institutionsHB 3159 - Grantingexceptions from certain compulsoryattendance statutes tothe Monroe and NicholasCounty school systems (localbill)Finally, Governor Tomblinannounced last week that hisChief-of-Staff, Rob Alsop, isstepping down soon after anextremely successful tenure.I’ve known Rob for many yearsand he has performed admirablyfor the Governor and alsoin his many other prominentroles on the state and federallevel. I’ve worked closely withRob in my role as MajorityLeader and his professionalism,work ethic and ability tobuild consensus on difficultissues has resulted in extremelysuccessful legislativeinitiatives for our State. Hehas also helped forge a greatworking relationship betweenthe Legislature and theTomblin Administration.Please send your inquiriesto the Capitol Office at:Building 1, Room 224-M,Charleston, WV 25305. Or,call the Capitol office at 340-3220; Assistant to the MajorityLeader, Jennifer McPherson at340-3942 or fax to 340-3213.If you have an interest in anyparticular bill or issue, pleaselet me know. For those withInternet access, my e-mailaddress is:Brent.Boggs@WVhouse.govYou may also obtainPlease turn to CAPITOLon page 3