What D’ya Know … About County Government?
Our second Workshop on Local Government will be held Wednesday, November 6, 7-9 p.m. at the new Sheriff’s Building on the corner of Walnut and University Avenue, Room 222. (Parking is available in the parking garage on University Avenue; enter the building on Walnut Street). The first workshop last March on City Government was very well attended and sparked considerable discussion. We anticipate an even greater response to this workshop on County issues. Please make this a priority on your calendar! We need a full turnout of our members, and hope to have a good turnout from the public as well.
Workshop Program
“What d’ ya know?” – A distribution of a multiple choice “pre-test” which people can take while others are arriving, perhaps take home, and then correct themselves
Welcome and Orientation to evening
— Lyndell Millecchia
“Grab a “stool” and let’s talk together about how things operate around here!” A session on the components of Monongalia County Government, some related questions and issues
— Don Spencer and Kitty Lozier
Three Issues – A Panel Presentation
“Practical Experience on a Five Member County Commission”
– Lyn Widmyer, County Commissioner from Jefferson County
“County Finance and Budgeting in Monongalia County”
– Ora Ash, Head of Local Governmental Services Division, WV State Auditor’s Office
“Accessibility and Transparency in Monongalia County Government”
– John Sofranko, League member
Evaluation and Adjournment of Meeting
Refreshments
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Purpose of 2013 Workshops on Local Government: To give League members and other interested persons an opportunity to update their awareness of the operations of our local government, prepare for candidates forums, and consider pertinent current issues relating to both City and County government. Part I (City Government) was held in March and Part II (County Government) will be November 6.
Goal: To increase informed and active participation in local government.
If you are able to help with this workshop (handing out information, providing refreshments, or signing in participants), please contact Lyndell Millecchia at 599-0904 or Shirley Rosenbaum at 599-2370.
MEMBERSHIP MEETING – Library funding
At our Membership Meeting on October 16 we chose the subject of Library Funding because the League on a state level has embarked on a study of WV Library Funding. Our Local League consensus position from October, 1990 includes the statement that “the County Commission should provide more funding for library services; the city should not necessarily be the primary local funding body, as is now the case.” Twenty-three years later, we learn that the situation has not changed; instead we heard from Morgantown Public Library Director Sharon Turner that the city is still critical when it comes to funding and to “Please let the County Commission know how important the library is.” Currently, 45% of funding comes from the city, and only 18% comes from the county. While our county is the third richest in the state, we are at the bottom 20% in terms of funding from the county, and at the bottom 20% for all funding sources, and this is in a state where library funding ranks 48th in total operating revenue per capita and 49th in local operating revenue per capita. But the story only gets worse because there were reductions in funding this year. Like reading a good detective novel borrowed from a public library, it was hard to leave this meeting without pondering what our consensus positions may be for our upcoming study.
For more information about library funding, please visit the WV Library Commission for a A Brief History of Public Libraries in West Virginia at http://tinyurl.com/BriefHistoryPLWV and the August 2013 Public Library Funding Review at http://tinyurl.com/Library-Funding-Review-2013
League Table at Farmer’s Market
Shirley Rosenbaum Registers a Voter
On September 28, Gloria Sofranko set up a table at the Farmer’s Market with information about our league and forms for registering voters. There were many visitors to the table. Thanks to all members who helped with this effort!
NATURAL RESOURCES
The Friends of Deckers Creek are organizing a community-based action group to oppose the installation of a wastewater storage injection well for the liquid waste from hydraulic fracking. The well, proposed by Energy Corporation of America, would be 500 feet from Deckers Creek and the rail-trail head near Masontown.
An organizing meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 30, at 6:30 pm at the FODC office in Sabraton, 1451 Earl Core Rd, Suite #4, behind the US Cellular Store. Please attend if you are interested. Contact Kitty Lozier, 304-599-8233 for a ride or information.
LWV Newsletter November 2013