What an enormous
waste of $10 million
I have previously expressed my concerns about turning Green Bag Road into a truck bypass route, but the DOH has a $10 million solution.
Not only is this a waste of money but it will also screw up traffic in that area while construction is going on and in the long run will do little to ease congestion elsewhere.
The road is now pitted with two 90-degree turns on the Sabraton end and a “snake” turn on the other end; no turning lanes; non-existent berms in most places; and no sidewalks.
Now the DOH wants to spend a ton of money and repave it, add a sidewalk in one small area, berm its entire length on both sides and as a crowning jewel — two roundabouts.
One of the roundabouts would be located in a mult-use field next to the city garage (Mississippi Street) and the other in a field on the south side of the Green Bag Road at the Dorsey Avenue/Kingwood Pike intersection.
With the less than enthusiastic reception of the roundabout on the Mileground and the negative reception for proposed roundabouts on University Avenue, the DOH should look at alternatives.
That doesn’t appear to be the case though with the presentation of not one, but two roundabouts in this design. DOH representatives claim the roundabouts will solve the truck traffic problems. Supposedly the new berms will allow 18-wheelers to put the front right tire on it while the back left tire is hugging the center circle in order to maneuver around.
With all the clamor about road conditions in Monongalia County, I’m surprised the DOH is presenting this now. I propose the state solve the truck problem by widening Green Bag Road at the two 90-degree turns and the snake turn and elsewhere as needed; put in a berm on both sides of the road’s entire length; put in turning lanes at the intersection with Dorsey/Kingwood Pike; and install dedicated traffic lights on Green Bag Road that school buses from schools can turn on and off and put in a sidewalk from Mississippi Street westward as needed.
Then use the rest of that $10 million to maintain and repair the rest of the county’s roads.
Tom Talerico
Morgantown
Vote for accountability
and honesty Tuesday
I am asking that you vote for Bill Kawecki in the Morgantown City Council election. He is a proven leader serving as councilman, deputy mayor and more recently mayor of our city. He represents our city well at the West Virginia Municipal League of Cities and on various local boards and commissions.
He is thoughtful in his approach to citizens’ concerns and issues before our city, and doesn’t hesitate to reach out to others for information to make an informed decision. His ability to disagree respectfully has served him well in his leadership role.
Another side of Bill Kawecki is that of neighborhood advocate and community volunteer. He has been the president of the South Park Association of Neighbors. You may have seen him carrying vats of soup or working in the kitchen over the years at the annual Empty Bowls event, picking up trash around the city, or attending various events welcoming visitors to our city.
The paving of roads across the city, expansion of police and fire departments, the expansion of our new water reservoir, the redevelopment in our downtown, the Greenmont pedestrian bridge, are just a few of the efforts supported by Kawecki.
Integrity, honesty and accountability are why I voted for Bill Kawecki. I ask that you vote for him too.
Marti Shamberger
Morgantown
If you want a change on
council vote for Parsons
I am writing in support of Barbara Parsons, candidate for Morgantown City Council. My family and I have known her for many years and find her to be an enthusiastic supporter of good government. She has worked hard to contribute to our community by serving on the United Way Board, the MPO, The Morgantown Utility Board and most recently on the Monongalia County Board of Education where she served as president.
She was also the voluntary director of the Leadership Monongalia program for 12 years.
Parsons values family and neighborhood as evidenced by her purchase of property in her neighborhood, which she leased to BOPARC so the children in South Park would have a safe space in which to play. As a partner in Empire 2000, she and her daughters have successfully developed affordable housing in support of developing the Greenmont neighborhood and White Avenue.
She has demonstrated successful leadership in all the organizations in which she has served and would make a great contribution to the leadership of Morgantown as a City Council member. She has a long-term perspective, makes informed decisions and works well as a team member. If you want change, please vote for Barbara Parsons on April 30.
Lois Dieson
Morgantown
Take responsibility for
a better community
After many years of effort I am beginning to see some productivity toward transportation improvements in Morgantown. Cooperation between the city, Monongalia County, WVU and state Division of Highways is sometimes difficult, but recent meetings have me optimistic.
That is why I am voting for City Council incumbents Bill Kawecki, Rachel Fetty and Barry Wendell.
At this time we have an opportunity to address decades of neglect toward sidewalk construction and maintenance. This will take focus and resolve, and citizens need to consider all individuals within our transportation system.
It is up to us to take personal responsibility for the betterment of our community.
Matthew Cross
Morgantown
Integrity, leadership
make Kawecki the one
I’ve known Bill Kawecki since I first came to Morgantown in the 1970s and our sons were in Cub Scouts together. His dedicated service to building a community at all levels, from being the head of the South Park Association of Neighbors to his recent service as mayor, has made a lasting impression.
Throughout the years that I’ve known him, he has displayed the ability to bring people together and the kind of level-headed leadership and attention to detail that a complex community like Morgantown needs. These are essential skills for a member of City Council.
He recognizes that the city provides services that support the entire community — both for city residents and for those who live in Monongalia County.
During the years he’s been on the council, we’ve seen the council become increasingly effective, developing new sources of revenue dedicated to such services as a scheduled program of street paving and improved recreational facilities along the waterfront and elsewhere in the city.
And yet, as anyone who’s watched the changes of the city knows, developed areas around the city have expanded dramatically since the 1970s, producing additional demands on city services, while the city’s borders have scarcely changed.
For that reason Kawecki has advocated policies such as sensible annexation so that city residents will not bear the main burden of providing services for people who live in the county.
Because of his integrity and his skills as a community leader I am recommending that you vote for Bill Kawecki as representative of the Second Ward on the City Council.
Steve McCluskey
Morgantown
Universal preschool
program a necessity
Our government needs to establish a preschool program for all 3- and 4-year-old children. It is important free preschool is provided for children of this age group so they can attend a structured classroom setting daily.
When children are exposed to a classroom setting earlier in life, they are more likely to succeed in their education Preschool provides children with schooling and social interactions at a crucial age in their development, which will benefit them according to an article titled, “The Promise of Preschool” from the American Educator journal.
If the government were to provide universal preschool, parents would also benefit. The availability of preschool programs, including Head Start, and the cost of private preschool are all problems that parents face when their children turn 3 and 4.
If free preschool were provided to these children, parents would feel less stressed, which would in turn benefit the children by fostering a positive home environment. Additionally, the same article from the American Educator, reports that preschool curbs children’s behavioral issues, which will benefit their parents at home.
Our government must invest in a free preschool program for all 3- and 4-year-olds. This program will benefit children, their educational and social growth, and their parents.
We must advocate for children, the future leaders of our country, by contacting our Senate and House representatives and sharing why a universal program is a necessity for our country.
Eliza Jackowski
Cumberland, Md.
