ÿþ<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> <html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> <head> <meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /> <title>FBSolutions - Jefferson WV Government Issues</title> <style type="text/css"> /*div#wrap{margin:auto;border-style:ridge;border-width:5px;border-color:#DC9000;padding:5px;}*/ h1,h2,h3{font-family:Times;position:relative;left:5px;text-align:left} p{font-family:Garamond;margin-top:15px;} div#toc{align:right;float:right;} div#main{text-align:justify;margin:5px;width:85%;} div#main2{text-align:justify;margin:5px;position:absolute;left:350px;width:450px;} div#dyk{position:absolute;top:30px;right:30px;width:400px;border-style:solid;border-width:3px; border-color:#744A00;} div#main_pic{position:absolute;top:30px;left:30px;} div#title{position:absolute;top:200px;left:280px;margin-bottom:50px;} .horizborder{position:absolute;top:100px;left:300px;padding:15px;} .border2{position:absolute;top:315px;left:30px;} .nav a{display:block;padding:5px;text-decoration:none;width:200px;margin:2px;color:#fffbc6;font-family:Garamond;color:black;text-align:center;} .navtop a{display:block;padding:5px;position:relative;left:75%;text-decoration:none;width:140px;margin:2px;text-align:center;color:#fffbc6;font-family:Garamond;color:black;} .toc a{display:block;padding:5px;text-decoration:none;width:160px;margin:2px;text-align:center;color:#fffbc6;font-family:Garamond;color:black;} a:link, a:visited{background:#fffbc6;border:2px outset #efb57c;} a:focus, a:hover{background:#DAA670;border:2px outset #DAA670;color:black;} a:active{background: #BB8E60;border:2px outset #BB8E60;} div#sidebar{position:relative;top:100px;z-index:1;float:left;width:20%;padding:10px; margin:10px;border-style:solid;border-color:#744A00;} div#sidebarright{float:right;width:180px;padding:10px;margin:10px;position:relative;top:100px; border-style:solid;border-color:#744A00;} .entries{text-align:justify;margin:5px;position:relative;top:20px;} .std a{background:none;border:none} </style> </head> <body> <div> <h1><a name="Editorials">Editorials</a></h1> </div> <br>&nbsp</br> <img src="border1a.JPG" align ="right" /> <br>&nbsp</br> <hr width="75%" size="5" noshade="noshade" align="left" /> <br>&nbsp</br> <div id="main"> <div class="nav"> <a href="../index.html#Welcome to the Archives">Back to Archives Home</a> </div> <div class="entries"> <h3>September 28, 2009</h3> <h2><a name=""The Troubles" have come to Jefferson">"The Troubles" have come to Jefferson</a></h2> <p>Use of the term "The Troubles" has been used in Northern Ireland to describe political unrest. It covers a period when extreme views escalated to polarization of an entire community. Political rhetoric and a lack of willingness to compromise rose to a point of government gridlock. Citizens lost confidence in their government. Elections were based on extremist platforms. Shouting and violence became the norm. Individual rights and respect were set aside. The rule of law could no longer be counted on. Some people considered this period of conflict a war.</p> <p>Sound familiar?</p> <p>War might be a little extreme to describe Jefferson's current condition. The other descriptors are definitely in play. The past ten years have been hard on this community. Pitting people and groups against each other through baseless information and personal attacks has become the norm. Public debate has been shifted from issues and opinions to deamonization of individuals. The political process has been shifted from a consensus review to voting block agendas carried out by elected officials. Campaign promises of "open government" have been drowned out by motions for "executive session". Public policy is now more likely to be discussed and written in private meetings.</p> <p>The most recent example involves a simple employee evaluation. It is the county's top administrator but still simply an annual evaluation. Certain public officials have taken this opportunity to strengthen their political advantage. A group of county commissioners are in the process of terminating the administrator. This is being done through private meetings, hiring of outside lawyers and unfounded claims. Anyone who dares to even witness the public portion of this action is publicly deamonized. </p> <p>So what's the problem?</p> <p>Some locally elected officials seem to believe their powers are unlimited. They believe using public funds, a bully pulpit, attacking private businesses and defaming individuals for their own personal agenda is acceptable. They trade in fear instead of respect. So what is the agenda of these elected officials? How will this termination of a 20 year career public servant benefit the public? They have never said.</p> <p>Something is terribly wrong when residents and private businesses feel intimidated by local government. Requesting that local government lead by respect and the rule of law should not be something controlled by fear of reprisal. "The Troubles" have arrived...</p> <p><i>Fred</i></p> </div><!--end entries--> <div class="navtop"> <a href="#Editorials">Back to the Top</a> </div> <br>&nbsp</br> <div class="entries"> <h3>August 16, 2009</h3> <h2><a name="Jefferson County needs a...">Jefferson County needs a...</a></h2> <p>On August 13, 2009 the county commission was getting ready to address agenda item 10. Department Head Employee Evaluation. This week, the position being reviewed was county administrator. Forty seconds into the item it happened...</p> <p>We need to go back in time at this point. The date is November 9, 2006. The CC was being addressed by Ms. Birnbach. She is the management consultant hired by the CC. The draft management study and recommendations were complete. The statement from CC minutes of that meeting end her appointment with "Ms Birnbach also recommended that the commission consider hiring a Human Resources Manager." I reviewed the webcast of that meeting. Her recommendation was more than to consider. It was several minutes of reasoning for the importance and urgency of taking that action.</p> <p>Now it's April 19, 2007. The CC has an agenda item before the body. Hire Human Resources Director Discussion and also set a date of July 1, 2007. Commissioner surkamp opens the item with a motion. That motion was to advertise for and hire a Human Resources Director July 1, 2007. It was clear during the discussion following the motion that the new HR position had been approved and funded in the 07-08 county budget. This was simply the act of advertising that position.</p> <div class="std"><a href="../audio/HR final vote 07 A12.WMA"target="_blank">Click to Listen</a></div> <p>June 14, 2007. CC minutes read IN RE: Human Resources Director Work Session to Review Applicants. Again I went to the webcast for more information. It was stated that there had been sixty-nine (69) applications to date. The CC created a committee as a whole to review the applications and reduce the number to 10.</p> <p>I have no idea what happened to the HR manager hiring process after that.</p> <p>(Returning to the August 13, 2009 meeting) Forty seconds into the the item it happened. A motion by commissioner Widmyer to hire Dave Hammer as counsel for the commission on the employee review of the county administrator. It was almost instantly seconded by commissioner surkamp. After 8 or 9 minutes of discussion, the final motion and vote was approved on a split 3-2 vote. Who voted for what and the political intrigue is not my issue in this message. The way public employees are treated is the real issue here.</p> <p>This latest event simply highlights a continuing need. The most contentious issues that have been taking up county time and money for the past months or years has involved government employees. Pay equity, salaries, health benefits, management structure, department interaction and the simple lack of a place to go for information. Employees shouldn't have to be in constant fear of the next political whim of some elected official. It is time for the CC to do the right thing. Hire an HR director. </p> <p><i>Fred</i></p> </div><!--end entries--> <div class="navtop"> <a href="#Editorials">Back to the Top</a> </div> <br>&nbsp</br> <div class="entries"> <p>August 9, 2009</p> <h2><a name="Referendums on Zoning and Table Games">Referendums on Zoning and Table Games</a></h2> <p>Our community will be asked to vote on two significant items in the coming months. These issues are important because they will have lasting impact on every resident in some way.</p> <a name="Z"></a> <a name="TG"></a> <a name="V"></a> <p>The first special referendum is scheduled for November 7, 2009. The question will be what type of zoning this county will use in the future. WV Code section 8A-7-13 covers the way the vote will be conducted. It will be a simple "yes" or "no" vote on a single question. It has been determined by consensus that we currently have a "non traditional" zoning ordinance. The county commission and planning commission have recommended a "traditional" zoning ordinance to update our current regulations. Enactment of that new ordinance will be adopted or rejected based on popular vote.</p> <p>The second special referendum is requested for December 5, 2009. The single question will be "Shall West Virginia Lottery table games be permitted at Charles Town Races & Slots?" The process is identified in WV Code section 29-22C-7. </p> <p>I will be doing some "zoning 101" reports in the coming weeks. There will also be some comment related to the Table Games vote. It is important for residents to have enough basic information to draw their own conclusion on these topics. There is no plan to advocate one way or the other by manipulating information. There are plenty of advocates that will take care of that. When I'm giving my personal opinion one way or the other it will be straightforward.</p> <p>My purpose in this article is not to advocate or educate one way or the other on these two ballot issues. It is simply to make everyone aware of how important these voting opportunities are to the future of Jefferson County. Quality of life, Economic Development, Quality of Services, Land Value, Taxes, Infrastructure, and Local Governments will be directly affected by both of these votes. It is up to the residents to determine the net benefit of their "yes" or "no" vote. Every person in this county has a stake in the outcome. Every person eligible should vote. Again, every person eligible should vote. These items are exceptional. The result of these single issue "yes" or "no" votes will have long lasting consequences. I want to close with a quote from the movie "All the King's Men". It was spoken by "Willie Stark" (Sean Penn). The context was to impress on the general public that government, public policy and consideration are influenced by those that choose to vote. </p> <p>............. "If you don't vote, you don't matter" </p> <p><i>Fred</i></p> </div><!--end entries--> <div class="navtop"> <a href="#Editorials">Back to the Top</a> </div> <br>&nbsp</br> <div class="entries"> <p>July 30, 2009</p> <h2><a name="Historic Preservation">Historic Preservation</a></h2> <br>&nbsp</br> <p>I had the good fortune to be invited for a tour of the Allstadt house and Ordinary today. The Gibson family members were wonderful hosts. This property has been taken from crumbling buildings to wonderfully restored historic structures. The history of this property is fascinating. The Gibson family is making this property available for some of the John Brown activities. The tour today included information on how members of the Allstadt family were taken hostage by some of Brown's raiders. The actual door that was broken during that action was found in the attic during restoration. There was also a little more modern history connected with this property. The original 93 acre Gibson farm has been reduced significantly. This wasn't because the family was selling off land. It was the result of 5 different eminent domain takings or advances. Anyway, the old Allstadt house property is a restored historic site thanks to the efforts and financial commitment of the entire Gibson family.</p> <p>This year the Gibsons offered to host the Jefferson County Historical Society members picnic. The historic property is one of the best period restorations in the area. The family was proud to offer the location especially during the 150th John Brown raid anniversary. An announcement of the picnic and a short historical background of the property were posted on the county OJ email group. Today I found out that it was also posted on the listener group. Here is a portion of that announcement. </p>      <p>Allstadt's former property is owned by Jim and Barbara Gibson, who completed a major restoration of the house and ordinary in the 1980s. Come take advantage of a great opportunity to experience the sensitive re-creation and preservation of one of Jefferson County's most historical sites, which evokes the life and times of John Allstadt as well as events which ultimately led to the Civil War.</p> <p>So far, so good. The following is what prompted comments................ </p> <p>This appeared as a moderator comment following the Historical Society announcement on listener.</p> <p>--------------------</p> <p>From moderator:</p> <p>The Gibsons got unanimous approval to develop this land into duplexes and apartments, at the Planning Commission 2 weeks ago.</p> <p>The changes will also remove the flea market.</p> <p>There is a possibility that opponents will demonstrate at the picnic.</p>   <p>What is wrong? This is a blatant attempt by the listener moderator to turn an event from celebration of preservation and a family commitment of social responsibility to an anti development rally. This historic property is not part of a development project. This isn't going to become *duplexes and apartments*. The flea market has nothing to do with this property. The most offensive of all? His *suggestion* there will be an opportunity to disrupt a community activity for his own personal unrelated agenda. It is disgraceful.  His action in this matter is something that the residents of this community should remember. Anyone that needs to use these tactics for their own personal gratification should not be taken seriously.</p> <p>Those of you that are truly interested in preserving this county s heritage and sense of community should do something positive. Attend the Society picnic, bring a check for membership and a covered dish. If you can t attend the event just send a check to the Historical Society for membership. Last but not least, enjoy the wonderful historic restoration. Be sure to thank the Gibson family for their hospitality and community commitment before you leave.</p> <p><i>Fred</i></p> </div><!-- entries--> <div class="navtop"> <a href="#Editorials">Back to the Top</a> </div> <br>&nbsp</br> </div> <!-- end main--> </body> </html>