MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release:  October 13, 20009
Contact:  Pamela Holstein-Wallace  304-279-3819

The Annual Jefferson County NAACP  Freedom Fund Banquet

The Annual Jefferson County NAACP Freedom Fund  Banquet will be held on
Saturday, October 24, 2009 at 6 PM at the Clarion Hotel  in  Shepherdstown, WV.

The speaker will be The Rev. Lewis Anthony  from Washington, DC.

Tickets are $35 and may be purchased by contacting  Antoinette Ringgold at
304-728-6576; Velma Twyman at 304-535-6827; Harold E.  Stewart at 304-725-7164.

There will be a Silent Auction.  Items will  be on display at 6 PM. Please
reserve your tickets by Tuesday, October 20,  2009.

Vote NO on the New Zoning Ordinance

Saturday Nov 7, 6:30am-7:30pm at your polling place OR

Vote Early Oct 16-Nov 4, 9am-5pm at the County Courthouse

New Ordinance Puts Impossible Burdens on Traffic, Water and Emergency Services

Jefferson County has 16,000 homes now outside the towns (and 5,000 in towns, which are not controlled by county ordinance).

The new ordinance provides for 40,000 more homes outside the towns (estimate by county staff). This means 3˝ times as much traffic as now, 3˝ times the water use, 3˝ times as many calls for emergency services. We can't handle it. Wells already go dry, and fire departments lack volunteers. The old ordinance provides for 35,000, not quite as bad, and is more likely to be amended down than a new ordinance.

Besides those 40,000 extra homes, the new ordinance allows 100,000 more homes in farming areas when the developers provide bus stops and a weekly shopping bus (p.60 "transit access" or "subdivision with a bus"–SWAB). By contrast the old ordinance rarely allows big new subdivisions in farming areas any more (LESA, tightened in 2005).

The ordinance has no time limits or phasing, so the new traffic and demands for water and emergency services would happen whenever developers can sell homes again. The new ordinance allows thousands of homes scattered throughout the county, so there is no predictability.

In the new ordinance's density table, the gray headings show zoning districts. Expect many developers to build the maximum homes allowed per acre, shown on the last line of each district, in the column, "Density, Max. Gross."

Power Grab

The new ordinance says you need permission for any new use or expanded use of your property (p.3). The old ordinance only requires permission for "major additions," including "substantial change of use" (3.2(a)). The old is intrusive too, but better than the new ordinance.

New Ordinance Is Misleading and Inept

Supporters say homes will be in "clusters," but they define cluster as anything which is not "spread evenly throughout a parcel." Their diagram gerrymanders a cluster over most of the land (pp.237-8).

For a historic site or structure the new ordinance "protects" a 400-600-foot radius from the center, but it allows all types of non-residential buildings in the protected area, which is not much protection (pp.120-121). There is no protection for views to and from historic sites, and the ordinance encourages more housing around historic sites than elsewhere (p.123).

The new ordinance calls subdivisions with bus service "Hamlets" and requires 40-55% of the land to be left open. This is very theatrical, but Hamlet was famous for indecision, and the "open space" turns out to mean little when it can be gerrymandered like the cluster diagram above (pp.60, 178).

The ordinance pretends to protect land with "easements," but doesn't require easements to last long or have specific wording.

The ordinance requires buffers along streams, 100' wide, with a tree every 30' and a 3' shrub every 8'. That's not enough to protect from erosion and pollution (pp. 87, 101, 158, 266).

The new ordinance has rules about "opacity" of buffers, but the trees are widely spaced and mostly deciduous (pp.158, 167). Earth mounds "may be used" (p.168) and vary in height. Buffers are not opaque at any season, especially for half the year when leaves are off the trees.

The ordinance says 10-15% of homes will be "affordable" for people in the "work force", but there is no rule for how long they stay affordable, or what that means, until some future date when an unknown future group will define it (pp.114, 118). Retirees and welfare recipients may or may not be included.

I've seen developers push the limits, and courts make surprising decisions, even with precise rules. Above are examples of new ordinance "rules" which are inept and unusable. I've pointed out many of these and other problems for two years, so don't believe promises that they'll ever be fixed.

Prepared 10/20/09 by Paul Burke, Retired Analyst for US Dept. of Housing & Urban Development, ex-President of Jefferson County Planning Commission. Texts of 292-page new ordinance & 90-page old ordinance are at listeners.homestead.com. and http://www.jeffersoncountywv.org/Planning%20and%20Zoning.html $40 for a set.

NO to 140,000 Homes, Falsehood & Power Grab!

From : Joyce Fisher <obxdreamn@...>
Date  :  Tue, Oct 20, 2009 09:39 PM

Help support After School programs across the nation, including Project ISAAC
and other Charles Town Middle School afterschool programs by wearing yellow on
Thursday, October 22nd.  Also, turn on your porch lights from 6-6:30 to show
your support too!
-----------------
from moderator:
Oct 22 efforts are described at
http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/loa.cfm

SOURCE: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09291/1006432-84.stm

John Brown's legacy divides

150 years after his death, abolitionist still a hero to some, lunatic to others

Sunday, October 18, 2009
By Dennis B. Roddy, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Portrait of John Brown
HARPERS FERRY, W.Va. -- John Brown has spent 150 years locked in our national
attic, the mad uncle no one wanted to acknowledge but over whose corpse soldiers
would sing praises during the war he triggered.
...

[from moderator: Listener can't run copyrighted articles without permission; you
can read the full article at the link jackgin gave above.]

From : lynn welsh <welsharch@...>
Date  :  Mon, Oct 26, 2009 03:15 PM

Just a reminder if you have not early voted for zoning-  The actual election is
Nov 7, but you can vote early until Nov 4.  Jefferson County is having the last
forum to explain the difference between the old zoning & the new zoning tomorrow
(10/27) in the basement of the Charles Town Library form 4:30 - 6:30 pm.  Please
vote!

Lynn
------------------
From : Joyce Fisher <obxdreamn@...>
Date  :  Tue, Oct 20, 2009 09:22 PM

Everyone in Shannondale should agree!  VOTE NO! We have only one way out of
here. Between 4:00pm  6:30 the wait to take your child to a doctor’s appointment
or  an extracurricular activity is a hair pulling experience. Yes the Bypass is
coming that’s true. Soon the speculation of the bypass becoming a toll road will
be a reality.

The old RT9 will be the best shortcut and we will be back to where we started.
Let’s not grow beyond our means. We don’t want to be the next Montgomery County

That’s why we moved here.

Mon Nov 2-TABLE GAMES FORUM
From: PamHWallace@...
Date: Mon Oct 26, 2009 11:19 am
Contact:  Pamela Holstein-Wallace  304-279-3819

NEWS RELEASE

Jefferson County Branch of NAACP hosts Town Hall on Table Games Issue

The Jefferson County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of
Colored People (NAACP) will host a Town Hall Meeting Monday, November 2, 2009 at
7pm in the Charles Town Library regarding the table games referendum slated for
December 5 in Jefferson County. The NAACP is the nation's oldest, largest and
most widely recognized grassroots-based civil rights organization.  George
Rutherford, President of the Jefferson County Branch of the NAACP said "The
NAACP is not supporting a yes or a no vote but we do support conversation to
help the community make an informed decision when they vote."  For more
information contact George Rutherford at (304) 725-9610 or Warren Stewart
304-229-7248
----------------------
Thu Nov 5-TABLE GAMES FORUM
League of Women Voters Forum at Shepherdstown Men's Club, 7pm, 102 East German
Street, Shepherdstown, with a speaker from Charles Town Races, and a speaker
from VoteNoTableGames.org
------------------------------
From moderator:

The track did not choose to comment on Pennington's & Cheezum's notes below.

In 2007 the track said they'd hire a small number of senior supervisors, but
most new jobs would go to applicants among their 1300 current employees who want
to move up, and then they'd fill those old jobs with new hires. Typical starting
salary in 2007 for these old jobs/new hires was $8.75/hour plus benefits and
retirement (less for jobs with tip income, since tips supplement the official
pay).
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/listener/message/2435
------------------------
From: Sharon Pennington <sharonp25425@...>
Date: Sat Oct 17, 2009 12:07 pm
Subject: FW: [listener] Casinos promise jobs; deliver layoffs

Nor do any of them address the problems with the traffic and the additional
issues that come with table games. That comes at the expense of us Jefferson
county taxpayers.  Apparently there was a comment made on the radio just
recently where CTRS was noted as saying that the average salary for these 500
jobs will be $45000 a year.  Yeah right.  Almost no jobs there now pay that
unless you are the elite few at the top.  I know quite a few people who have
applied for jobs there and most have not received any viable offes.  There is
one who did accept as he had no other choice and his big salary is $8.50 an hour
which amounts to less than $18M as year.  Try and support a family on that in
this county.

Regardless of whether table games come in or not, the slots will always be
there.  Yes you are going to lose some business because of the other states
getting slots, but you will still have business.  Who knows, maybe if CTRS were
to be a little more competitive with their comps and playtime on machines, they
could draw more business.   They have had the advantage in this area for a long
time, it will be nice to see some competition.
-------------------------------
From: "Judy Cheezum" <jcca@...>
Date: Sat Oct 17, 2009 12:20 pm

I wish someone could explain how table games will create 500 new jobs with
benefits as described in the "Eric Lewis" brochure.   If table games are passed
will there be a way to determine exactly how many new jobs are created and if
so, what type of jobs they are.  Will local individuals be given priority or
will we have 500 new people driving on the already congested route 340.  Also,
what is the assurance that all of these 500 new positions include benefits as
stated in the Lewis information.  These words sound great and are easy to say
but let's see some facts.  I would be interested in knowing how many people are
currently employed by the track, what is the average hourly wage and what type
of benefits do the current employees have.  It is my understanding that the
majority of current employees are part time, working for minimum wage and do not
have benefits. If I am wrong then please show some facts.

Thank you.
Judy Cheezum
----------------------------
From: Vote NO Table Games <votenotablegames@...>
Date: Sun Oct 25, 2009 10:37 pm

Press Release, October 26, 2009
for further information contact Joe Brand, 304-433-1424

“VOTE NO TABLE GAMES” OPENS HEADQUARTERS IN CHARLES TOWN

             A local organization opposed to casino gambling being legalized in
Jefferson County has set up an office at 115 W. Washington St. in Charles Town,
WV and plans presentations for the public. “Vote No Table Games” (VNTG) is a
non-profit group of private citizens that conducts research and distributes
information on the impact of large-scale gambling.

             Janene Watson, a researcher for the organization, will conduct Power
Point Presentations at its headquarters.  The group has set up a website:
www.VoteNoTableGames.ORG, and also plans to present public forums.

“If you want to see the actual facts as legislated on what table games will mean
to Jefferson County,” Watson said, “look for the Table Games Facts Presentation
sign five doors down from the post office.  The presentation takes only a few
minutes and the doors are open from 3-5pm, Monday through Friday, and 9am until
noon on Saturdays.  “Have Facts, will travel” she said.  Contact
jadiwatson@...  for an appointment outside the times listed above.

             “The Big Money backers of table games can afford the classy TV ads
that overstate the benefits and understate the adverse effects of a casino in a
small, historic town because gambling interests stand to make tens of millions
of dollar off of us,” Watson continued.  “We, as just local citizens who love
our community, can offer reality.

             “A simple pie-chart reveals the miniscule funding allocated to
Jefferson County and the actual money that will go to schools and municipalities
for capital improvements only.   And evidence from other areas that have
embraced table gaming shows the low-scale jobs offered local citizens, and the
impact on local businesses and on all residents’ personal lives.”

             A table games referendum will be conducted Dec. 5th, with early
voting beginning Nov. 13th.  Slot machines are presently offered at the Charles
Town Races and a previous referendum to add table games failed to pass by a wide
margin in 2007.

              According to VNTG vice president and spokesman for the group, Joe
Brand, the county could lose money because of the impact on the slots and the
horse industry.

             “Table games cannibalize slots play,” he said. “Where table games
have been introduced, slot play goes down. Jefferson County could lose 8 to 13%
of its revenue from slots, which will not be made up by the increase in table
gaming revenue.   And since horsemen get only a tiny percentage of table games
revenue, many will go out of business, and many of the 3,600 local jobs
associated with the horse industry, from hot walkers to veterinarians, will be
lost.”

From : Jennifer Maggio <jmaggio@...>
Date  :  Tue, Oct 27, 2009 03:29 PM

For Immediate Release: October 26, 2009
Contact: Jennifer D. Maggio (304) 724-8914

The H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Comes To Jefferson County Schools

As you may have heard, a new influenza virus, called the 2009 H1N1 influenza
virus, was first identified in the United States in late April 2009. Many
children have gotten 2009 H1N1 infection and there have been large outbreaks in
some schools across the country. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recommended
that children and young adults aged 6 months through 24 years be vaccinated
against 2009 H1N1 when the vaccine is available.

Vaccination is the best way to protect your child from this potentially serious
disease. The Jefferson County Health Department is working with your child’s
school to give the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine to children at school. Jefferson
County Schools will hold vaccination clinics for the elementary schools
beginning November 10, 2009. Elementary children are expected to need two doses
of vaccine spaced about 4 weeks apart. There will be no cost to you for this
vaccine. The schedule for the Vaccine Clinics is listed below:

Early Childhood  November 10, 2009  9:00a.m.-11:00a.m.

T.A. Lowery Elementary & Afternoon Head Start  November 10, 2009 
1:00p.m.-3:00p.m.
Head Start- Morning (T.A. Lowery)  November 16, 2009  9:00a.m.-11:00a.m.

Blue Ridge Elementary School  November 12, 2009  9:00a.m.-11:00a.m.

North Jefferson Elementary School  November 12, 2009  1:00p.m.-3:00p.m.

Page Jackson Elementary School  November 13, 2009  9:00a.m.-11:00a.m.

Ranson Elementary School  November 13, 2009  1:00p.m.-3:00p.m.

C.W. Shipley Elementary School  November 20, 2009  1:00p.m.-3:00p.m.

Shepherdstown Elementary School  November 20, 2009  9:00a.m.-11:00a.m.

South Jefferson Elementary School  December 8, 2009  9:00a.m.-11:00a.m.

Wright Denny Intermediate School  December 8, 2009  1:00p.m.-3:00p.m.

Wildwood Middle School  December 9, 2009  9:00a.m.-12:30p.m.

Harpers Ferry Middle School  December 9, 2009  12:30p.m.-2:30p.m.

Charles Town Middle School  December 10, 2009  9:00a.m-11:00a.m.

Shepherdstown Middle School  December 10, 2009  12:30p.m.-2:30p.m.

Jefferson High School  December 11, 2009  9:00a.m.-2:45p.m.

Washington High School  December 18, 2009  9:00a.m.-2:45p.m.

Please remember to complete the “2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Consent Form” that
is taken home by the students. Please complete this form and return it to your
child’s school by October 30, 2009. This form includes options allowing you to
either accept or refuse the vaccination for your child. Only students who return
the consent forms granting permission will be vaccinated. Please note that the
information above is subject to change, due to availability of the vaccine.

If you have any questions about the vaccine or the vaccination clinics, please
call the Jefferson County Health Department at 304-728-8416 from 9:00 AM to 4:00
PM.  Please visit the CDC’s 2009 H1N1 influenza web site at
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ and also http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/parents for
information especially for parents. Your child’s health care provider can answer
your questions about the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus and will be able to give your
child the seasonal influenza vaccine and may be able to give your child the 2009
H1N1 vaccine.

With the two upcoming Special Elections, there are a plethora of
pro/against/yes/no signs popping up all over Jefferson County.  Most of these
signs appear to be on resident's private property.  Now it is the individual's
choice and right to vote yes or no, be pro or against.  It is also an
individual's right to post signs in their yards and/or on their private
properties.  I believe this is called Freedom of Speech.  What is very
unfortunate are the brazen acts, the contemptuous boldness, of some individuals
who feel it is their right to unlawfully enter one's property, remove or destroy
or steal these signs thus taking away one's rights.  This is most unacceptable
behavior for our neighbors to be displaying against one another and should cease
and desist!  This happened just yesterday to our property where "someone"
entered our property, removed two signs and then sped off.  This unfortunate act
happened within just 5 hours after the signs were posted and was subsequently
reported to local authorities, the individual who posted these signs as well as
the local news media.  Also, billboard-style signs on Shepherdstown Pike are
being rammed into and plowed down.  What is going on here?  Residents need be
aware and look out for these illegal acts of trespassing, vandalism and need I
say, terrorism.  Respect the opinions and rights of others and not take try and
take them away.  Anita and Bruce Fleshman, Shenandoah Junction

http://www.jeffersoncountywv.org/general%20job%20announcements.html

RECRUITMENT ANNOUNCEMENT
County Administrator
Jefferson County Commission Office
$90,000 FULL-TIME w/BENEFITS

QUALIFIED APPLICANTS SHOULD RESPOND TO:
JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSION,
PO BOX 250, 124 E. WASHINGTON STREET,
CHARLES TOWN, WV, 25414
Attn: Sandy McDonald, Acting County Administrator

APPLICATIONS AND RESUMES WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL THE POSITION IS FILLED.

GENERAL DEFINITION OF WORK:
Serves as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Jefferson County, West Virginia.
Position is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations and
administration of those departments under the jurisdiction of the County
Commission. Direction is provided by the Jefferson County Commission.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/TYPICAL TASKS:
(These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work
performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the
position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the
position.)

•Responsible for administrative oversight over all operations of the County
government under the jurisdiction of the County Commission.

•Administer, implement and enforce administrative policies and procedures to
meet Commission goals and objectives.

•Responsible for all aspects of the supervision of the department heads of those
departments under the jurisdiction of the County Commission, including but not
limited to the selection, direction and evaluation of department heads and other
staff and the development of staff to enhance their capabilities and improve the
delivery of services.

•Oversee the activities of the various County Commission departments to ensure
timely, efficient and effective delivery of programs and services and the
implementation of the County Commission’s programs and directive.

•Responsible for financial oversight of the County government, including but not
limited to: developing operating and capital budget estimates and targets to
guide departments; recommending budgets and staffing levels to the County
Commission based on proposed goals, objectives, work programs and projects
developed by the various department heads; estimating budget needs; reviewing
and advising on justifications for funding requests; establishing budget control
systems; monitoring expenditures to assure compliance with budgets; accounting
for variances between projected and actual expenditures.

•Negotiate and/or supervises the negotiation of all County contractual
agreements subject to the limitations of law and Commission direction and
administers and enforces such agreements.

•Analyze proposals and develops recommendations to the County Commission
regarding policies and programs; analyze information pertaining to County
services and operations, including policies, programs, methods, budgets,
staffing, organization and capital needs.

•Serve as the County Commission as its agent in administrative matters,
including but not limited to administering the preparation of County Commission
meeting minutes and agendas and County Commission correspondence.

•Represent the County with other government agencies and in meetings with the
public.

•Ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.

•Provide direction and support to staff including investigation and resolution
of complaints and concerns regarding county programs, services and facilities.

•Develop and maintain working relationships with the County Commission,
employees, members of the public, local and state legislators, representatives
of other government agencies, board and commissions, and industry.

•Act as liaison with other Jefferson County and municipal elected officials,
with other counties and with regional, state and federal agencies on a broad
range of matters.

•Oversee the process of appointments to the County’s Boards, Commission and
Authorities.

•Serve as the head of the County Commission’s management team.

•Prepare, secure and administer grants.

•Investigate and resolve complaints and concerns regarding county programs,
services and facilities.

•Responsible for procurement and oversees the purchasing of commodities,
services, supplies, materials, equipment on behalf of the County Commission.

•Serve in an advisory role to the County Commissioners.

•All other duties as assigned by the County Commission.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge: Common policies, practices and procedures of all county department
operations; laws and regulations pertinent to county operations; finance and
budget administration; human resources management; writing and administering
grants; and procurement.

Abilities: Ability effectively and efficiently direct the overall operation of
the county; establish and maintain effective working relationships with county
officials, outside organizations, the public and other personnel; resolve
problems or conflicts; perform multiple tasks under tight deadlines; maintain
confidential information.

Skills: Outstanding interpersonal skills, presentation skills, oral and written
communication skills, negotiation skills, management skills, and attention to
detail required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Master’s Degree in business, public administration or related field and at least
seven (7) years of county or other public agency administrative experience
including responsibility for management of staff and programs; or any equivalent
combination of education, training and experience which provides the required
knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met
by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to
perform the position’s essential functions.

Physical Demands: Little or no physical demands are required to perform the
work. Work effort principally involves sitting to perform work tasks, with
intermittent periods of stooping, walking, and standing. There may also be some
occasional lifting of objects such as books, office equipment and computer paper
(up to 30 lbs.)

Motor Skills: Duties are largely mental rather than physical, but the job may
occasionally require minimal motor skills for activities such as moving objects,
operating a telephone system, computer and/or most other office equipment,
typing and/or word processing.

Visual Demands: Visual demands include constantly reading documents for general
understanding and for analytical purposes.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Possession of an appropriate driver’s license valid.

This year's Conservation Film Festival in Shepherdstown Nov 5-8 touches several
local issues. Past festivals have been excellent. Films are inexpensive or free.

Full program with many national & international topics is at
http://conservationfilm.org/

40-minute film on the Shenandoah River

29-minute film on commuting in Washington, by car, train and bike

17-minute film on NCTC's bald eagle family

Staunton VA farmer Joel Salatin will speak about several films on the food
industry which are being shown too.

Remember Wednesday Nov 4 9-5 is the last day for early voting at the COURTHOUSE
on the proposed ZONING ORDINANCE
Or vote Saturday Nov 7 6:30am-7:30pm at your POLLING PLACE, listed here:
http://www.jeffersoncountyclerkwv.com/Election%20Spec%20Zoning%202009/PollingPla\
ces2009ZoningSpecialElection.pdf

I hope you will vote NO, for the reasons listed here:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/listener/message/2973
-----------------------
Wednesday Nov 4 New WATER QUALITY Rules
From: "Aadland, Christopher" <caadland@...>
Subject: FW: Bay TMDL Meetings Begin This Week
Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 11:02:40 -0500

The U.S. EPA is holding 15 public meetings on the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum
Daily Load (TMDL) throughout the watershed's six states and the District of
Columbia from early November through mid-December 2009. The TMDL is a strict
"pollution diet" that will drive actions to restore local waters and the
Chesapeake Bay. A full list of the meetings, along with driving directions to
each location, is available at http://www.epa.gov/chesapeakebaytmdl .

The meetings begin this week on Wednesday, Nov. 4 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the
Robert C. Byrd Health Science, 2500 Foundation Way, Martinsburg, W.Va., and
Thursday, Nov. 5 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Moorefield High School, 401 N. Main
St., Moorefield, W.Va.

The presentations and audio from the Martinsburg public meeting will be
available live via webinar. To register go to:
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/283614531

Tom Damm
Office of Program Support
Water Protection Division
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Mid-Atlantic Region
215-814-5560
damm.thomas@...
www.epa.gov/region03
www.epa.gov/chesapeakebaytmdl
---------------------
From moderator:
EPA says:

EPA requests that the public provide to EPA any water quality related data and
information that may be relevant to the development and calculation of the
Chesapeake Bay TMDL by December 18, 2009. EPA will review all data and
information submitted during the public comment period and will consider them in
the development of the TMDL as appropriate.

Q. Why are upstream states included in the Bay TMDL?
A. The Bay Program’s extensive monitoring, assessment and modeling data have
established that about one-half of the nitrogen and more than one-quarter of the
phosphorus loads entering the Bay’s tidal waters come from sources in upstream
states (Pennsylvania, New York and West Virginia). Because these upstream states
are significant contributors of nutrients and sediment to these impairments they
are included in the Bay TMDL.

Q. Will the upstream states benefit from the TMDL?
A. Actions under the TMDL will have benefits far beyond the Bay itself, helping
to clean local rivers that support fishing and swimming and often serve as a
source of local drinking water.

Q. What will be included in the Bay TMDL?
A. The Bay TMDL will include reductions in nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment
sufficient to achieve the state’s Chesapeake Bay clean water standards for
dissolved oxygen, water clarity and chlorophyll a – which is a measure of algae.

Q. Will the public and affected parties have a chance to comment on the TMDL?
A. There will be two rounds of public comment, the first in late 2009 and the
second during the summer of 2010 after the draft TMDL and the draft Watershed
Implementation Plans are completed. There will be a number of other
opportunities for the public to have input during the TMDL process.

A. During both public comment periods, EPA will request input from the public
regarding the design and establishment of the Chesapeake Bay TMDL as well as any
water quality-related data and information that may be relevant to the
development and calculation of these TMDLs. EPA will review all data and
information submitted during the public comment periods and will incorporate
them into the TMDLs where appropriate.

Q. What is the deadline for submitting comments?
A. December 18, 2009 is the deadline for submitting comments during the initial
public comment period. The deadline for the second public comment period will be
determined at a later date.

If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but find it difficult to
do so within the period of time allowed by this notice, you should advise the
contact listed below as soon as possible.

To submit your comments by e-mail, send them to sincock.jennifer@...
----------------------
Thurs Nov 5
From: Effie Kallas <effiemou@...>
Date: Thu Oct 29, 2009 7:22 pm

TABLE GAMES FORUM

The League of Women Voters of Jefferson County, in conjunction with the
Shepherdstown MenŐs Club, will host a Table Games Forum on Thursday, November 5
at 7:00 p.m., at the War Memorial Building, intersection of German and King
Streets, in Shepherdstown. The purpose of this public forum is to give the
public an opportunity to hear, and ask questions of, representatives for and
against the December 5 referendum vote.

Al Britton, General Manager of Charles Town Races and Slots, will speak in favor
of the upcoming referendum and Joe Brand, President of the Vote No Table Games
organization, will speak in opposition. Jefferson County Sheriff Bobbie Shirley
will also be on hand to answer law enforcement questions.

This event is free and open to the public.

The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan, political organization dedicated
to the education and civic participation of men and women of voting age in
Jefferson County. For more information call 304-876-2775.
----------------------
Sat Nov 7
From: cmasonwhf@...
Date: Mon Nov 2, 2009 8:02 am
Subject: Press Release: Jeff Cty Historical Society Meeting November 7- Public
Invited

The  Jefferson County Historical Society’s fall meeting will be held on
Saturday,  November 7 at 2:00 p.m. in the meeting room on the lower level of
the Old  Charles Town Library at the corner of Washington and Samuel Streets
(use the  Museum entrance on Samuel Street).  Members of the Society are
encouraged  to attend.  The public is also invited and membership forms will be
available for those wishing to join the Society.

Local author and  Jefferson County Historical Society Board member Bob
O'Connor will discuss  "Charlestown's role in the John Brown events of  1859".
Whereas most people think of Harper’s Ferry when they  think of John Brown --
Harper’s Ferry's events lasted from October 16 to October  18 --
Charlestown's involvement lasted from October 18, 1859 until March 16.  1860 --
a
total of six months. Bob, author of the historical novel "The Perfect  Steel
Trap Harper’s Ferry 1859," will discuss the affect of the events on
Charlestown
’s residents as they were caught up in the quartering of soldiers in  their
homes, the trials, the seven executions, marshal law and other aspects of
the raid’s aftermath.
------------------------
Monday, November 9th
From: cmasonwhf@...
Date: Sun Oct 25, 2009 10:56 am
Subject: Presentation by Dr. Bill Theriault: A Geohistory Network for Jefferson
County

Between September 2009 and May 2010, the Jefferson County Historical Society and
the Men's Club of Shepherdstown are hosting a series of presentations by local
experts on aspects of Jefferson County History. In the third of the series, on
Monday, November 9th, Dr. Bill Theriault will discuss a Jefferson County
GeoHistory network he has recently developed. Dr. Theriault’s presentation is
free and open to the public and will begin at 7:00 p.m. at War Memorial
Building, 102 N. German Street, Shepherdstown, WV. It will be preceded at 6:00
p.m. by a social hour at the same location for members of the Society and the
Men's Club.

Dr. Theriault, a former Jefferson County resident now living in Hagerstown,
earned his Ph.D. in American literature at George Washington University in
Washington, D.C. Between 1989 and 2002 he served as Chairman of the Jefferson
County Historic Landmarks Commission. He founded the Peter Burr Living History
Farm and continues to be involved with the farm, baking artisan bread in a
reproduction brick oven, teaching classes, and developing interpretative
programs. He has written numerous books and articles on West Virginia history,
including:

· How and Where To Look It Up: A guide to researching Jefferson County History

· History of Eastern Jefferson County

· West Virginia Wordcrafter: The Biography of Julia Davis

· History of Shannondale Springs

· Explorer: the West Virginia History Database


The network developed by Dr. Theriault is a geographically-based web resource
for exploring the history, culture, and architecture of Jefferson County, WV.
Using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, digital imaging, and the
rich concentration of local original source materials, such as wills, maps,
deeds, newspapers, and books, it will be a freely-available resource for
scholars, students, professionals, and laymen, such as home-owners, lawyers, and
others interested in learning more about the history and ownership of local
properties. Other potential uses range from a digital archive of the primary
materials to a research and educational tool, to an integral part of the
community's planning and development process. Consisting of a web-based GIS
linked to a series of databases, the network will be the cooperative effort of
interested institutions and individuals. The project will be structured so that
the number of participants and the geographic scope can be expanded as needed to
include other institutions and other counties. During his presentation, Dr.
Theriault will demonstrate how the use of GeoHistory (geography + history) has
yielded some interesting results in Jefferson County, focusing on the
Shepherdstown area

Watch for monthly reminders and descriptions of the following historical
presentations:

· December 8 Doug Perks All Quiet Along the Potomac--The Impacts of the War
Between the States on Jefferson County.

· January 11 Keith Alexander 18th century waterfront commerce near
Shepherdstown

· February 8 Jim Taylor Black History of Jefferson County

· March 8 Walter Washington and Betsy Wells The Washington Family in Jefferson
County

· April 12 Doug Estep The Mine Wars’ Impacts on Jefferson County

· May 10 To be announced

For more information about the Men’s Club and the Historical Society, please
visit their respective web sites at http://www.smc25443.org/ and
www.jeffersonhistoricalwv.org.

Thank you!
Cheers
Curt Mason

The Public Service District meeting 7pm tonight may be hot:

Piping water from the center of the county to the Blue Ridge Mountain

Policy to require people on septic systems to connect to new sewers where
available within 300', close their systems at their expense, and pay monthly
fees thereafter. There is some discussion of exceptions.

Monthly sewer charges (higher) if new Flowing Springs Sewer Plant is built.

http://www.jcpsd.com/agendas/2009_Agendas/November%202,%202009%20Agenda.pdf

340 Edmond Rd,Kearneysville

Surrealism reigns in Jefferson County as the November 7 vote on zoning approaches. The County Commission, which has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars and over eight years of effort on the new ordinance, has refused to work for its approval.  If that isn't enough, the most hard-over, anti-regulation land developer in the county is joining influential anti-growth leaders in the active "vote NO" effort!

I have been sharply critical of the new zoning ordinance, particularly its over-reaching into the fine details of every land use.  It is probably 200 pages too long.  That said, I think the responsible course for Jefferson County voters is to approve the new ordinance and put it into force.  Here's why:

·        The current ordinance has been a dismal failure in shaping development in the county to preserve our quality of life.  Coupled with a well-written Transfer of Development Rights ordinance (which we have the authority to implement), the new ordinance would give land-owners in the county a predictable framework for realizing their life's investment while protecting open space.

·        Anti-growth activists don't like the new ordinance because they say it would theoretically permit too much growth in the county.  They have discovered that simply by adjusting the required LESA score downward in 2005, the County Commission effectively blocked any development beyond the current Residential Growth area, so they now like the status quo.

·        Residents need not fear that county bureaucrats will suddenly turn up to determine whether they have used the right species of trees in their landscaping, or some other niggling requirement.  The burden of the extra 200 pages of rules will fall on developers, who will quickly develop boiler-plate to satisfy these requirements.

·        Once the new ordinance is in place, there will be a well-defined process for amending it.  The alternative is starting over, which nobody should want.

Whatever way you vote on zoning, don't abdicate your responsibility by staying home.  That will ensure that the nay-sayers win.  I hope you'll vote "YES" – I know I will.

Pete Smith

Yesterday, I thoroughly read through the proposed zoning ordinance and I
highly recommend that before anyone votes that they do the same.
Determining your vote on what other people tell you could be a decision you
will regret later.

Look for yourself. If your property was rural on the old map, you will
notice that on the proposed zoning map it will be zoned in several different
"districts", such as Agricultural, Countryside, Estate, Residential, etc.
Compare your property with other properties that are similar and see if they
are zoned differently. Then check the proposed zoning ordinance tables
2.201A and 2.201B that specify what you can and can't do with your property.
Do the same for those properties similar to your property but zoned
differently!

I was told yesterday by the Planning and Zoning office that if this zoning
ordinance passes that I could request to have my property zoned differently,
however they also said it would cost me a lot of money and an attorney.
Doesn't sound like amending it is going to be easy!

I also asked Planning & Zoning how they determined that my property should
be zoned "Estate District" and not something else. They said they took
aerial pictures and it depended on what was built around us.  That's it.
Just about all of us have Agricultural land around us and I have compared my
property with others, however I find that these proposed zoning "districts"
are inconsistent.  Please, read for yourself and then make your own
decision!

Cheryl Strider
Greentree Realty
304-671-9354

While I too have no patience for miscreant's behavior, I recognize that
such behavior occurs every election cycle and it's certainly not
"terrorism."   Perhaps if everyone would strive to keep the level of
hyperbole to a dull roar and maybe even exercise restraint in repeating
and posting commands like "VOTE [yes/no] on ______" all around the
County perhaps emotions would not run so high and thoughtful discussion
might even be discerned.

David Hammer



-----Original Message-----
From: listener@yahoogroups.com [mailto:listener@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of anitafarmin
Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 1:49 PM
To: listener@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [listener] Special Elections

With the two upcoming Special Elections, there are a plethora of
pro/against/yes/no signs popping up all over Jefferson County.  Most of
these signs appear to be on resident's private property.  Now it is the
individual's choice and right to vote yes or no, be pro or against.  It
is also an individual's right to post signs in their yards and/or on
their private properties.  I believe this is called Freedom of Speech.
What is very unfortunate are the brazen acts, the contemptuous boldness,
of some individuals who feel it is their right to unlawfully enter one's
property, remove or destroy or steal these signs thus taking away one's
rights.  This is most unacceptable behavior for our neighbors to be
displaying against one another and should cease and desist!  This
happened just yesterday to our property where "someone" entered our
property, removed two signs and then sped off.  This unfortunate act
happened within just 5 hours after the signs were posted and was
subsequently r  eported to local authorities, the individual who posted
these signs as well as the local news media.  Also, billboard-style
signs on Shepherdstown Pike are being rammed into and plowed down.  What
is going on here?  Residents need be aware and look out for these
illegal acts of trespassing, vandalism and need I say, terrorism.
Respect the opinions and rights of others and not take try and take them
away.  Anita and Bruce Fleshman, Shenandoah Junction



------------------------------------

Mail to this list: mailto:listener@yahoogroups.com
SUBSCRIBE/Leave/Change: mailto:listener-owner@yahoogroups.com

From Moderator: How to be a 2-minute activist:
1. If you have 2 minutes, forward this to people who need to know about
it.
2. If you have 20 minutes, email to newspapers your comments & concerns:
http://listener.homestead.com/files/contacts.htm
3. If you have 2 hours, invite friends to brainstorm on improving your
city or county. Send a joint email to leaders & your whole email list.
Meet again in 6 weeks. info@...,
info@..., citymanager@...,
town.council@..., towncouncil@..., HFMayor@...
4. If you have an hour more, invite commissioners/councilors to discuss
it with your friends over breakfast. Yahoo! Groups Links

The following conversation relates to Strider's note yesterday
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/listener/message/2985
----------------------
From: Pete Smith <n4zr@...>
Date: Wed Nov 4, 2009 9:44 pm

Cheryl, I would have expected you, as a real-estate professional, to be
all over the zoning map back when it was in draft.  My next-door
neighbor boards horses as a business.  When the zoning map was released, the
first thing I did was to check the zoning classification of my property.  In the
process I noticed that my neighbor's much larger property was zoned the same as
mine, and that the use table would have required her to get a variance to expand
the business in future.  She contacted the Planning and Zoning office and with
minimal hassle secured a rezoning to a category that removed the impediment.

Neither a lawyer nor a lot of money required!  Fortunately, we do not
live in Fairfax County.  While there will be somewhat more procedural
steps to be taken if the new ordinance is reaffirmed, it shouldn't be
much different.  In fact, given the likelihood that there are a lot of
people in your situation, I would not be surprised if the Planning
Commission set up a streamlined procedure for people in your shoes to
get a rezoning processed.

Pete Smith
----------------------
From: Joe Thompson <yahoo@...>
Date: Wed Nov 4, 2009 11:05 pm

On Wed, Nov 4, 2009 at 11:15 AM, Cheryl <cherylstrider@...> wrote:
> I was told yesterday by the Planning and Zoning office that if this zoning
> ordinance passes that I could request to have my property zoned differently,
> however they also said it would cost me a lot of money and an attorney.
> Doesn't sound like amending it is going to be easy!

I'm curious who told you that, and what the context was.  A request
for a zoning map change under the new ordinance requires neither money
nor an attorney.  It's detailed in 12.401C, Individual Map Amendments,
and requires nothing more from the land owners than a formal request
to the Planning Department.  The form for map change requests that was
created during the draft process can be downloaded here:

http://www.jeffersoncountywv.org/Request%20for%20Review%20-%20Zoning%20Map%20-%2\
0online.doc

I don't see why an even simpler form based on that one wouldn't do the job.

> I also asked Planning & Zoning how they determined that my property should
> be zoned "Estate District" and not something else. They said they took
> aerial pictures and it depended on what was built around us.  That's it.
> Just about all of us have Agricultural land around us and I have compared my
> property with others, however I find that these proposed zoning "districts"
> are inconsistent.  Please, read for yourself and then make your own
> decision!

In what way do you find the districts inconsistent?  In the beginning
the lines were drawn a little more simply, but during the draft
process, various changes of small areas were made.  Some of them were
requested by property owners, some were made as more information about
existing uses was gathered.  In all cases the intent was to make the
new zone line up better with the reality of the land and its current
uses.

Unfortunately the architect of the revisions, a very affable fellow
named Tony Redman, is no longer with the Planning Department since he
took a job closer to his family, and some of the staff seem not to be
as familiar with the ordinance and its history as they should be. --

Joe
----------------------
From: "Cheryl" <cherylstrider@...>
Date: Thu Nov 5, 2009 12:03 am

Mr. Smith,

I'm going to say this as kindly as I possibly can - Did you ever "think" before
you typed your reply to my post? Referencing my profession was completely
uncalled for and now I feel the need to defend myself.  I posted my own,
truthful opinion (not hearsay) which also included what the Planning and Zoning
told me.

I feel I was providing useful information for other voters that are not sure how
to vote and shouldn't just vote a certain way because "someone said so".

You don't know whether or not I was "all over" the zoning map back when it was
in draft, do you?  And, you shouldn't assume!  I was actually leaning towards
voting yes for the proposed zoning, but have changed my mind for several
reasons, inconsistency by the Planning and Zoning is one of them. The one thing
that is wrong with people posting on listener are the back and forth "attacks" I
read and the poor use of words.

Please don't ever assume, just like I'm not going to assume that the
Planning and Zoning will possibly set up a streamline procedure for people in my
situation if this zoning passes (they never mentioned this to me when I called
them either).  Again, I simply was stating exactly what Planning & Zoning told
me.

By the way, if you want my professional opinion if this zoning ordinance does
pass?  Well, I believe it is going to be even more difficult for homeowner's to
sell their homes with all the different zoning "districts", especially homes
that will be zoned "residential". I'm not the only realtor that feels this way.
Thanks and take care!
-------------------------------
From: Pete Smith <n4zr@...>
Date: Thu Nov 5, 2009 6:23 am

Sorry you're upset, Cheryl - I certainly didn't mean to be offensive by
referring to your profession. I was surprised to see the tagline at the bottom
of your post on listener referring to your employer, because in your earlier
version of the same message, which only went directly to me, you did not make
such a reference.  I assumed your intention in the listener message was to add
credibility to your comments as coming from someone in the real estate business.

Your message sure sounded as if you were coming to the zoning map very late in
the process.  Also, I must say, scarey stuff about "money and lawyers" is no
substitute for specifics.

As for the possibility of a streamlined process, I am basing that on my
knowledge of some of the people on the Planning Commission, and the overall
perspective of that group, as demonstrated in recent years.  It would be easy to
limit the scope of such a process to people who are asking for a change in their
*initial* zoning map classification.  I intend to ask the PC to set up such a
process, and if it doesn't, to ask the County Commission to direct the PC to do
so

Pete Smith
-------------------------------
From: Cheryl Strider <cherylstrider@...>
Date: Thu Nov 5, 2009 8:27 am

All I have to say is: "Citizens of Jefferson County - Please take the time to
read the proposed zoning ordinance before you vote on Saturday!"  Your vote
should be based on Your Opinion, not some elses!

On Wed, Nov 4, 2009 at 11:05 PM, Joe Thompson <yahoo@...> wrote:
> On Wed, Nov 4, 2009 at 11:15 AM, Cheryl <cherylstrider@...> wrote:
>> I was told yesterday by the Planning and Zoning office that if this zoning
>> ordinance passes that I could request to have my property zoned differently,
>> however they also said it would cost me a lot of money and an attorney.
>> Doesn't sound like amending it is going to be easy!
>
> I'm curious who told you that, and what the context was.  A request
> for a zoning map change under the new ordinance requires neither money
> nor an attorney.  It's detailed in 12.401C, Individual Map Amendments,
> and requires nothing more from the land owners than a formal request
> to the Planning Department.

I have to amend this statement after talking to the Planning folks at
the open house tonight.  An attorney is not required, but an
administrative fee (not set by the new ordinance, but apparently by
the County Commission) is, which is currently set in the amount of
$1000 + $50 per acre -- this is a fee that already existed and has
nothing to do with whether or not the new ordinance is approved.  They
are evaluating the idea of discounting or waiving this fee for
requests made shortly after the ordinance is approved by the voters
(assuming it is), although at this point that is more of a vague idea,
probably not worth their spending much taxpayer-funded time on in the
next 2 days given the possibility it may turn out to be irrelevant.

No guarantees, but they're aware this is a significant issue for some
people and if the vote on Saturday is "yes" I intend to throw whatever
meager weight I have behind the idea.

As a side note I found all of the Planning and Zoning staff I met to
be extremely friendly and helpful, and willing to be persuaded by a
reasonable argument. -- Joe
--
Joe Thompson | joe@... | "If you made a Venn diagram, there would
be two non-overlapping circles, one of which was labeled, 'Times when I am
truly happy' and the other of which was labeled, 'Times when I am logged in
as root, holding a cable, or have the case open.'" -- jwz

Zoning Special Election Results

The ballot question was:

"Shall the County Commission of Jefferson County replace the non-traditional
Jefferson County Zoning and Development Review Ordinance with the traditional
zoning ordinance that was adopted by the County Commission of Jefferson County
on October 2, 2008?"

Total Yes:    1953

Total No:     3249

Results by precinct are at
http://jeffersoncountyclerkwv.com/voter_registration.html

The cc voted to cancel 24%  (12) of its meetings throughout the year. It was
moved Patsy Noland and seconded by Dale Manuel to cancel all future meetings
within a week containing a holiday. The motion passed. I wonder if they will
also take a 24% cut in pay?

The premise of the motion to relieve staff from the hectic schedule of a holiday
week. Many years of past commissioners and staff must be kicking themselves for
not doing this sooner?

The other happening of note was a workshop on how to spend table games money. In
my opinion this is not only premature, it assumes table games will pass. It
could also be looked at as an attempt to influence the voting at that election.
In any case, missing from the list of suggested spending was a suggestion to
save the money till the future economy becomes more stable.

Joe Coakley

Below are comments on three recent Listener postings about Zoning, County
Commisssion meetings, and the coming vote on Table Games ~moderator
--------------------
From: Fred and Millie Wells <mfwells@...>
Date: Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:32:19 -0500

The sad thing about this vote [on Zoning] is that there were so few specifics.
Aside
from Paul Burke's specific objections, everyone seemed to deal in vague
generalities; in particular, no one responded to Paul's specifics or
supplied any examples or other specifics in favor of the zoning
proposal. At one meeting I requested that the woman who heads the
County's planning staff address his points on Listener itself so we
might start an in depth discussion, but that never happened. My feeling
is that most people had no idea what was involved. It is no way to run
an election.
---------------------
From: fredblackmer@...
Date: Sun Nov 8, 2009 4:05 pm

Pay cut? They should get a raise for the action. Fewer meetings is a step in the
right direction. Maybe the additional time between meetings will allow them to
do something more than debate and argue.

Fred Blackmer
304 725 6754
www.fredblackmer.com

In a message dated 11/8/2009 1:40:13 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
jdcoakley2000@... writes:

     The cc voted to cancel 24%  (12) of its meetings throughout the year. It was
moved Patsy Noland and seconded by Dale Manuel to cancel all future meetings
within a week containing a holiday. The motion passed. I wonder if they will
also take a 24% cut in pay?
-------------------------
From: Sharon Pennington <sharonp25425@...>
Date: Tue Oct 27, 2009 2:03 pm

My issue is not with CTRS because they do not control the State or our elected
officials (I hope anyway).  They are a business and want to make more profits
and that is the american way.  I do believe that they will still make profits
and that they can continue that even with the competition from other states,
with or without the tables.  The 500 new good paying jobs to Jefferson Co
residents is a little over the top from what I know of their payscale, but that
is with any business here.

The problem that I have and so many of the people that I have discussed this
with is that Jefferson Co is not getting as much from the profits as they should
be as Jefferson Co is shouldering the burden of the costs of having table games
in the county.  We have no guarantees from Charleston that what funds we already
receive from the state will not get reduced. The money that is going to the
schools has to many restrictions on it.  We need the money for capital
improvements but we also need it to pay decent salaries to our teachers and so
that we can entice good teachers to stay in our county.  Traffic is a very big
issue with many taxpayers.  It has been for several years now and it will only
get worse if this passes. Complaints are constantly made about our police
departments and the lack of response from them.  This will only get worse if we
can learn anything from Atlantic City and their statidtics, even on a small
scale.

This is the responsibility of our elected officials to get Jefferson Co what we
truly deserve and I do not see that they have done that.

I plan on attending more of these forums between now and Dec 5th and hopefully I
can hear some clear facts that could change my mind but have not heard it as
yet.

From: Vote NO Table Games <votenotablegames@...>
Date: Mon Nov 2, 2009 3:06 pm

For your information, here is a list of upcoming forums and town halls regarding
Table Games. The Table Games referendum will take place on December 5th in
Jefferson County, WV, with early voting beginning Nov. 13th. We wanted to be
sure you knew about these events, in case you wanted to attend.
...
The next two Monday nights, November 9th and November 16th, Vote NO Table Games
is sponsoring Town Hall meetings at 7:00 p.m. at the Charles Town Library to
educate the public on the table games bill and its impact on our community.
--------------------------
From: Rennyts@...
Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 21:38:29 EST

Tuesday, November 17th at 6 P.M. at St Agnes Parish Center, 106 Duke Street,
Shepherdstown, the community is invited to a Soup/Bread Dinner & a Movie”
(“The Soloist”)

A discussion on homelessness will be lead by David Gross.

A $5 donation is requested to benefit women’s transitional housing (Bethany
House - Martinburg).

For more information contact Dan VanBelleghem at 304-876-9473.
----------------------------
From: PamHWallace@...
Date: Mon Nov 9, 2009 3:45 pm

Jefferson County Black History Society Forum

Quick Facts

Event: Jefferson County Black History Preservation Society presents forum on the
John Brown Raid and Trial
Date: Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Time: 7pm
Place: The Old Charles Town Library meeting room
Cost: FREE and open to the public
For more information contact Black History Preservation Society President, James
Taylor  at 304-725-7242

Jefferson County Black History Society Forum

(Charles Town, WV)--On Wednesday, November 18, at 7pm the Jefferson County Black
History Preservation Society presents a forum to discuss the John Brown Raid and
Trial.  David Fox, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Ranger and a John
Brown scholar, will discuss the John Brown Raid and the Honorable David Sanders
will discuss the trial.  Dr. John Hough, Associate Provost for External Affairs,
American Public University System, will moderate the forum to discuss John
Brown:  Savior or Terrorist.

During Brown’s 1859 raid on Harpers Ferry, seventeen people died. The first
was a black railroad baggage handler; others shot and killed by Brown's men
included the town's popular mayor and two townsfolk. Was Brown any different
than our modern day al Qaeda or a domestic terrorist?  Or was he one of
America’s great heroes that fought diligently for the rights of others?
One-hundred, fifty years after his execution, John Brown remains one of the most
fiercely debated figures in American history.

This will be the third of a series of four forums sponsored by the Jefferson
County Black History Preservation Society, promoting events preserving the rich
African American culture and history that exists in Jefferson County, to
commemorate the sesquicentennial of the John Brown Raid.

The last of the four scheduled forums will take place December 16 to discuss
John Copeland and Shield Green, two of the raiders that were hung.  These forums
are free and open to the public.  For more information, contact the Black
History Preservation Society President James Taylor at 304-725-7242.

My wife and I voted on Monday November 18, 2009. We both
cast no votes on the table games issue. My wife's vote was mostly for moral
and religious reasons! I voted no because I believe few of the claims
promoters are making.

 

All of the organizations endorsing table games stand to
directly benefit if the issue passes. Many of these organizations are local
government entities or, get funding from local governments. Most of the local
business owners endorsing the issue are located within one block of the track.
They hope to benefit (or are benefitting) from track spillover. Some may even
be hoping to benefit from casino expansion by selling their abutting properties
to the casino.

 

However, few other Jefferson County
businesses stand to benefit directly or indirectly! How many casino patrons
will leave the property to travel to Bolivar, Harpers
  Ferry or Shepherdstown? How many will even venture to downtown
Charles Town or Ranson?

 

True tourists travel to this area for its rich history and
(while it is still here) its beautiful scenery. These are not people interested
in gambling and, most gamblers are not interested in local history or scenery.

 

What about the five hundred good paying jobs being touted?
The claims are for jobs paying up to $45,000/yr with tips. I wonder what the
salaries will be without tips. I have not seen a breakdown of job categories
within these claims. I have also not seen a breakdown of part time (no
benefits) versus full time jobs. How many of these jobs would disappear if
automatic dealers are installed?

 

I also wonder how the money touted for our schools would
affect collection of impact fees and/or money from the State School Building
Authority.

 

There are many claims and many unanswered questions.

 

Joe Coakley

First comment was sent after the Zoning vote. Other 2 comments reply to Coakley
on gambling at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/listener/message/2993
--------------------
From: "F Fischer" <FFISCHER@...>
Subject: Re: [listener] Comments on Zoning, Meetings, Gambling
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:42:36 -0500

Government by referendum isn't representative government.

--------------------
From: john meeker <meekerwv@...>
Date: Wed Nov 18, 2009 9:57 am

Why is voting "Yes" for something you'll benefit from somehow wrong?

All of the organizations endorsing table games stand to directly benefit if
table games passes. True. They are all Jefferson County organizations and
Jefferson County benefits.

What is your point, exactly?

John Meeker
------------------------
From: "Eric Lewis" <ejlewis51@...>
Date: Wed Nov 18, 2009 1:26 pm

Joe: you are making our Yes argument for us:  "All of the organizations
endorsing table games stand to
directly benefit if the issue passes.".  You are absolutely right!   We all
stand to benefit from adding table games.

Your assertion that the only business owners in support are those adjacent
to the track just isn't true. [Joe said "most" not "only". ~moderator]  If that
were the case, why would the owners
of the Bavarian Inn in Shepherdstown and the entire Shepherdstown Visitors
Center endorse table games?  Because they know, from experience, that they
do indeed benefit from CTR&S.  For the past 12 years Shepherdstown has
benefited from CTR&S in a huge way because of:

	  a) visitors to CTR&S absolutely do go to Shepherdstown, stay in
Shepherdstown hotels and visit Shepherdstown shops.  Who would know better
than the Bavarian Inn and the Shepherdstown Visitors Center?

	  b) the recently completed Shepherdstown streetscape project was
funded in part by Video Lottery proceeds from CTR&S.  They've also bought
garbage trucks, maintenance vehicles, etc... They are looking to build a new
town hall with money saved from video lottery proceeds...

If that were the case, why would the owners of the Anvil in Bolivar be vocal
table games supporters?  Why would the owner have just written a letter to
the editor and posted it on OJ.

Do you know more about CTR&S's effect on local tourism than two of the most
successful hospitality business owners in our county?  Do you know more than
the Shepherdstown Visitors Center about CTR&S's positive effect on
Shepherdstown?  Do you know more than the Jefferson County Convention &
Visitors Bureau (who also endorsed)?  I don't think you do.


You question the 500 jobs.  I believe there will be thousands applying for
those good new jobs.  Of the 500 jobs, 350 are dealers jobs. At Mountaineer
the average dealer does make $45,000 per year including tips.  Why does it
matter what the hourly rate is?  Tips are pooled and issued to the dealers
in their paychecks and included on their W-2. Its not hidden money.  The
average dealer will make more than a first year teacher.  Are you still
saying that's a "bad job"?  I get really frustrated with the elitist
attitude that a dealer job is not a "good job" (or that any job at CTR&S
isn't a "good job" when 10% of our neighbors are jobless)...

Al Britton of CTR&S is on record with answers to a few of your questions:

	  1> the vast majority of the jobs will be full time with benefits
	  2> job breakdown:  350 dealers, 100 supervisors 50 other

Then you throw up another smoke screen with the "automatic dealers" idea...
That defeats the purpose of the gaming experience and it doesn't make sense.
People don't want to come play those games with an automated dealer... They
can already do that now and its not a draw.  The gaming experience is real
dealers and real interaction.  That statement is just another "throw
something against the wall to see if it sticks" argument that doesn't hold
water.

Then you go onto the SBA and impact fees.  Tom Lange, a former Shepherdstown
resident and WVEA President (full disclosure: he was my 6th grade teacher -
;^)  ), was on hand at the League of Women Voters debate. He is an SBA Board
Member.  He stated that the SBA encourages local funds to match their
outlays and that the SBA would look very favorably at table games proceeds
just as it does impact fees.  We are #2 in dollars per student received from
the SBA and yet we are the only county with impact fees.  Why would the SBA
reduce our local share because of table games funds if they have already
shown they won't reduce it (and in fact have given us more than our "fair
share") with impact fees?  Again, that argument just doesn't hold water.

The FACTS certainly point to a yes on table games. I can't fault your wife
for the personal decision she made on religious or morale reasons and I
won't debate that decision.  However, the reasons you listed for your no
vote just don't make any sense, unfortunately... They are based on
conjecture, not fact.

In any event, we can't change your vote, so we can only hope to educate
folks who havn't voted so they aren't tainted by your inaccurate assertions.

Best,

=Eric Lewis
Shepherdstown

From: PritchardP@...
Date: Wed Nov 18, 2009 10:35 am
Subject: ARTISTS CO-OP EXPLORATION MEETING

Join Us
ARTISTS CO-OP EXPLORATION MEETING
Saturday, November 21 from 2-4 with a brief discussion at  3PM
235 W. Washington Street, Charles Town

Refreshments Thanks to the DISH Restaurant
Meet others interested in establishing an arts venue
View this potential  space for exhibition  and studios
Learn what others have done and what could be done

Please let us know if you plan to attend at
mailto:ArtsCoopJC@...
---------------------------
From: PamHWallace@...
Date: Wed Nov 18, 2009 10:49 pm
Subject: Media Release: 150 Year Anniversary Commemoration of John Brown
Execution

For Immediate Release:  November 19,  2009
Contact:  Lyn Widmyer (304) 279-3201.

MEDIA RELEASE

Quick Facts
Event: The Commemoration of John Brown's hanging in Charles  Town
Date: Wednesday, December 2,  2009
Time: 11am
Place:  Jefferson  County Courthouse steps located at N. George and E.
Washington St. in Charles  Town, West Virginia.
Cost: FREE and open  to the public
For more information:  please  contact The Jefferson County Branch of the
National Association for the  Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) President
George Rutherford at  (304) 725-9610

Sesquicentennial Commemoration of the Execution of John Brown

(Charles Town, WV)---On  December 2, 1859,  John Brown was hanged in
Charles Town, West  Virginia.  The 150th anniversary of  John  Brown’s
execution
will be commemorated on Wednesday, December 2, 2009 in Charles  Town.  The
commemoration will begin at 11 am on the Jefferson County  Courthouse steps
located at N. George and E. Washington Sts. in Charles Town,  West Virginia.

The verdict  from the trial will be read and an actor playing the role of
John Brown will be led to a horse drawn wagon.  He will  be seated atop a
coffin, just as John Brown was,  and  transported to the gallows site several
blocks away.

The Jefferson County Courthouse was the site of the 1859  trial of John
Brown.  Brown and his  men raided the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry  in
October of that year in an attempt to free slaves.  Seventeen people died.  A
jury  of Jefferson County  men found Brown guilty of treason and  inciting
slaves to rebellion. The trial drew great attention, especially  from northern
sympathizers who campaigned for his  acquittal.

John Brown's violent  protest against slavery set the stage for the bloody
national conflict that  would spark debate one-hundred and fifty years after
his execution.  Sentenced to death, Brown was hanged near the courthouse in
   Charles Town, West Virginia .

At the December 2nd Commemoration Visitors  will be encouraged to follow
the wagon on foot or watch the processional from  the sidewalk.  A replica of
the gallows will serve as a backdrop to the  events.

Once the wagon procession reaches the  execution site, a short program will
be presented.  Alice  Keesey Mecoy, great-great-great granddaughter of John
Brown will offer remarks  and lay a wreath at the site.

The home of John Frederick  Blessing, a local baker and confectioner who
befriended John Brown during  his imprisonment in Charles Town, will be open
for tours. Prior to his  execution, Brown inscribed and presented his
jailhouse Bible to Blessing. The  Blessing house,  located at  303 East North
Street in Charles  Town is now owned by the Jefferson County Black History
Preservation  Society.

There will also be public exhibits about  John Brown at the Jefferson
County Museum and the Jefferson County Courthouse.

The commemoration is sponsored by the  Jefferson County Branch of the NAACP
with help from the Harpers Ferry National  Historical Park, volunteer re
enactors, the Job Corps, the Jefferson County  Commission, the City of Charles
Town, the City of Ranson, the Charles Town  Police Department and Gene
Perkins, present day owner of the site where John  Brown was hanged.

For more information, please contact The  Jefferson County Branch of the
National Association for the Advancement of  Colored People (NAACP) President
George Rutherford at (304) 725-9610  .
---------------------
From: cmasonwhf@...
Date: Thu Nov 19, 2009 9:50 am
Subject: Doug Perks History Presentation I Am a Son of VA & Her Destiny Shall be
Mine

Contact:  Curt Mason
For Immediate Release

Phone:  304.724.7008  email: cmasonwhf@...                       4:00 p.m.
November 18 2009

       Between September 2009 and May 2010, the Jefferson County Historical
Society and the Men's Club of Shepherdstown are hosting a series of
presentations by local experts on aspects of Jefferson County History. In the
third of the series on Tuesday, December 8th, local historian Doug Perks will
discuss the 1860-1861 events in Jefferson County which surrounded the issue of
Virginia’s secession from the Union. Mr. Perks’ presentation is free and
open to the public and will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the War Memorial Building, 102
E. German Street, Shepherdstown, WV. It will be preceded at 6 pm by a social
hour at the same location for members of the Society and the Men's Club. Persons
interested in joining either of these organizations are welcome to arrive early
and complete membership forms.

       Historian Doug Perks is the Recording Secretary for the Jefferson County
Historical Society and the new Director of the Charles Town Library.  He has
been a director of the Historic Shepherdstown Commission, president of the
Harpers Ferry Historical Association, and a member of the Jefferson County
Historic Landmarks Commission.  Doug designed the Parks As Classrooms Educator's
Guide and the Niagara Movement Educator's Guide for Harpers Ferry National
Historical Park; coordinated the J. R. Clifford Youth Discovery Tent during the
August, 2006, Niagara Movement Centennial Commemoration at Harpers Ferry
National Historical Park; and coordinated the School House Ridge Elementary
Program - a hands-on education experience in Civil War History for all Jefferson
County 5th grade students.  He has also developed and coordinated Burr Farm Days
for all Jefferson County 4th grade students and the Prepared For Success- the
History of Storer College program for Jefferson & Berkeley County 8th grade
students while serving as education coordinator for the Harpers Ferry Historical
Association. Doug presents community lectures on local history, and writes the
Mr. Jefferson's County column for the Guardian, the newsletter of the Jefferson
County Historical Society.

      “All Quiet Along the Potomac” is the title of a lecture series
developed by Mr. Perks that will examine what happened in Jefferson County,
Virginia during the American Civil War.  The first in his series, entitled “I
Am a Son of Virginia, and Her Destiny Shall be Mine,” will examine Jefferson
County as she and her citizens struggle whether to remain with the Union or
secede. “The Picket Guard - All Quiet Along the Potomac” was the title of a
poem written by Ethel Lynn Eliot Beers published in Harper’s Weekly, November
30, 1861. But at that time nothing was further from the truth for the citizens
of Jefferson County, Virginia.

      To have a more complete understanding of the American Civil War one needs
to examine not only what happened on the battlefields, but also what happened at
home. Jefferson County, Virginia’s experience during those four years wasn’t
any worse or any better than any other place in The Valley of the Shenandoah,
east of the Blue Ridge, or North of the Potomac.  By taking a look at what
happened in the county during that time and by using where possible the words of
the men and women who shared the experience, we are given an opportunity to
better understand that the American Civil War changed not only the lives of the
men who fought “The War,” but also changed the lives of the men, women, and
children who remained at home.

      For more information about the presentation, contact Curt Mason at
cmasonwhf@.... To learn more about the Men’s Club and the Historical
Society, please visit their respective web sites at http://www.smc25443.org/ and
www.jeffersonhistoricalwv.org.

More discussion of Coakley's post on gambling and Lewis' & Blackmer's replies:
--------------------
From: "kelliesboles@... " <kelliesboles@...>
Date: Fri Nov 20, 2009 5:31 pm

Why is It that the expansion of an existing company that contributes to the tax
base is a question? There is no guarantee that any company that expands is going
to stay forever. Are we going to ask these s ame questions when WalMart expands
and when WVU Hospital expands? It's about business retention and keeping the
county competitive in the marketplace.
Kelie Boles
------------------------------
From: "Ellison, Chuck" <Chuck.Ellison@...>
Date: Fri Nov 20, 2009 1:52 pm

Eric

Very well put. I also share your  rebuttal and positive feedback.

As a former President of the Chamber of Commerce I have witnessed the fantastic
financial impact CT Racing& Slots have had on all communities.   Does anybody
realize how much money has been donated to non-profit organization from this
fantastic business neighbor.  Every time one turns around somebody has their
hand out with a need. Thank-God Jefferson County is fortunate  enough to have
them because of the economic crisis we are faced with,  a lot of business have
had to cut back on donations but CTR&S have always stepped up to the plate.

Sincerely
Chuck Ellison
------------------------------
From: Sharon Pennington <sharonp25425@...>
Date: Thu Nov 19, 2009 8:16 pm

I have been asking about the money that we receive from the School Board
Authority and what guarantees do we have that they will not reduce what we are
already receiving but have not gotten a solid response yet.  And the money that
we do receive from the table games has restrictions on it.  It cannot go to
teachers saslaries and that is something this county definitely needs;  Good
teachers and that comes at a price.

I have not voted yet because I keep thinking that I am going to hear something
that is going to change my vote to a yes vote but I have still not heard it.
-----------------------------
From moderator:

Sharon you won't get a solid response. School Building Authority rules FORBID
them requiring matching money, and when they look at local effort it is just
bonds & special levies, not CTR&S or Impact fees. However the scuttlebut is that
in fact they want matching money, and maybe CTR&S counts, or maybe it reduces
the need. Like many other votes we make, we won't have perfect info.

State rule 164-02-3.3D says SBA money
"shall be allocated and expended on the basis of needs and efficient use of
resources." and 164-2-3.1 says "With exception of School Access Safety Funds, no
matching local funds shall be required to obtain SBA funds,
however, each facility plan shall address the history of efforts taken by the
county board of education to propose or adopt local school bond and/or special
levies for capital improvements."
http://apps.sos.wv.gov/csrdocs/worddocs/164-02.doc

This was discussed last March at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/listener/message/2848
--------------------------------
From: Joe Coakley <jdcoakley2000@...>
Date: Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:36 am

It is no secret that most of the proponents of table games will directly gain
from the passage of the bill. But, what about the average taxpayer/voter, what
will we gain from the issues passage?

Consider the effects on local governments, the County Commission is debating how
they will spend the money they receive from table games. Shepherdstown is
annexing students to increase their part of the pie. The cities of Charles Town
and Ranson have endorsed table games.

At the current time track money is 23% of the County's budget, for some
municipalities the numbers are greater than 60% of their budgets. The line items
of these budgets quickly become entitlements for those receiving these monies.

The one upmanship game played by gambling interests must come to an end some
time. If we approve table games, adjoining States will quickly follow suit. What
then? Will it be proposed that we become another Branson, MO? We would not get
to vote on that!

Will the gambling interests change their venue to more lucrative locals?

No matter which scenario eventually plays out, monies going to local governments
could eventually decrease or end all together.

In the advent of the above scenario, would local governments tighten their
budgets and simply eliminate their entitlements or, would they cry to us that
taxes must be increased to make up for the loses?

Joe Coakley
-------------------------------
From: "Eric Lewis" <ejlewis51@...>
Date: Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:51 am

So, are you advocating we get rid of CTR&S entirely?  How do you suggest we
then make up for the huge gaping hole that would occur in the County and
Municipal budgets?  How do you suggest we deal with the 4500 people who
would be out of work (1200 at the track and 3,300 horse related jobs, not to
mention jobs at local hotels and restaurants)?

We all benefit from having CTR&S thrive. Your tax rate hasn't increased in
the 12 years CTR&S has had slots.  You didn't contribute one dime to
construction of the e911 center.  The crime rate has gone down

[crime data go both ways, as discussed at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/listener/message/2848 ]

and more police are on the streets in better equipment because of CTR&S dollars.
Local nonprofits receive tens of thousands of dollars and thousands of
pounds of food because of CTR&S.  I'm amazed that anyone could say they are
not a tremendous addition to our area and I'm even more amazed that anyone
would want them to decline or disappear just because you are worried about
their percentage contribution to our local budgets.

Your argument gets back to my analogy about the $20 bill... What you are
saying is like saying: "I was walking down the street and saw a $20 bill on
the ground, but I didn't pick it up because I was afraid I might not spend
it wisely or I was afraid I might not find another $20 bill later"...  That
just doesn't make any sense to me.

We have a huge opportunity here and a very beneficial business in CTR&S.
Its our elected officials' jobs to "spend" that $20 wisely... We need to
hold them accountable... But the only solution to your scenario is 1)
increasing taxes to fill the void or 2) eliminating services many of us
desire.... In either case I believe you would cry foul...

We need to take advantage of the opportunity before us..and vote YES... And
we need to spend the benefits we receive wisely and focus on bringing in
other businesses.. And we absolutely can do both of those things.

-Eric Lewis
Shepherdstown
------------------------
From: Joe Coakley <jdcoakley2000@...>
Date: Fri Nov 20, 2009 3:22 pm

Eric,

No where in my posting do I advocate doing away with the track! Quite the
contrary..
I am simply putting forth a "what if" scenario and the consequences of its
occurrence.

But, you made my point better than I did..

Joe Coakley
---------------------------
From: "ejlewis51@..." <ejlewis51@...>
Date: Fri Nov 20, 2009 5:11 pm

Actually joe, I think you  are making my point for me: you don't want ctr&s to
go away but you also don't want their money because you are afraid it will go
away.. Doesn't make any sense to me.

I think you know the cc has limits as to how much it can raise taxes.

You still haven't given anyone a reason to vote no on 500 new jobs and 6 million
dollars a year in local funding.

-Eric Lewis
---------------------
From: fredblackmer@...
Date: Fri Nov 20, 2009 12:12 pm

Joe,

Here is my question to you. What specific negative impact of the addition of
table games have on you? Do ALL revenue streams for public and private sector
businesses require every single person get a direct piece of the check? Are you
taking the position that if you personally were getting a direct cut of the
revenue it would somehow be OK?

Fred
fredblackmer.com
---------------------
From: Joe Coakley <jdcoakley2000@...>
Date: Fri Nov 20, 2009 3:28 pm

Fred,

I don't expect to benefit from track money nor, do I want to benefit from it! I
am simply saying that I also do not wish to suffer the consequences if that
money should decrease or end for any reason. I would be satisfied if the County
would put out a binding resolution that they would not raise my taxes if their
track income decreases or ceases entirely..

Joe Coakley
-------------------------------
From: fredblackmer@...
Date: Fri Nov 20, 2009 5:04 pm

Joe,

That is like saying I don't want the ambulance to come because the government
revenue stream may change some day. The only way to meet your standard is to
have the county commission and school board burn all the lottery money in a
bucket every Friday. That way there will be no risk of it being used when
available to provide things people may want.

To be quite honest, I have never supported video lottery revenue based on the
county government's share increasing. For the most part their share seems akin
to burning it in a bucket anyway. I do support the continued expansion of
private businesses. That's where the real jobs, services and support revenue
come from. CTR&S expansion is only a portion of the economic development that
benefits the entire community. CTR&S is not the only business in Jefferson that
benefits from people coming to spend money and then going back home. The more
the better.

Fred
fredblackmer.com

Note: paragraphs in blue were submitted by the author, but not printed by The Journal.

From: Fred and Millie Wells <mfwells@...
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:51:17 -0500

According to a letter in the Nov 13th Shepherdstown Chronicle (p. 5)
headed "Games Economic Impact Study ...", of the $411 million collected for the
state and local governments in 2008, only $7 million came back to Jefferson
county.  That is less than 2% of the $411 million. I always had thought that we
got at least 5%, which would be about $20 million.  What a lousy deal 2% is for
us!  I assume that table games would be just as bad, i.e., 2% for us.  We would
be far better off with a 6% sales tax on gross revenues of the track directed to
the county.

The authors of the letter mentioned above go on to state that the
county receives much more money from the School Building Authority, the Library
Commission, the Higher Education Policy Commission,and other agencies due in
part to gambling revenue but they provide no estimate of the size of these
funds.   They also point out that 90% of the CTRS payroll goes to Jefferson
county residents.  But what are the average wages for these employees?  Are
they, as I suspect, mostly low paid service jobs? Again, no data provided. 
Furthermore,if most of the employees lived outside the county rather than inside
it, the county might well be better off because it would ease the school burden
and other costs for the county. The fact that 90% of the employees live inside
the county is not necessarily any benefit at all, especially if they are mostly
low income workers.  Indeed, most of the proponents of table games simply assume
that economic growth and the accompanying population growth are great things.  I
think that is not necessarily true; just ask some of the old time residents who
have to face increasing traffic delays and the destruction of the rural
character of our county.

The authors conclude their letter by stating that: "If table games do
not pass, we stand to lose the $150 to $200 million Marylanders
currently spend at CTRS today -- that's almost half our total gaming
revenue."  They present no data to support such a wild claim.  Given the very
slow pace to approve the specific slots applications and the
locations for the Maryland slots (the closest would apparently be at the Arundel
Mills shopping mall in Howard County but the county
commission there has yet to approve it) CTRS may not lose much business at all.

In general, there are many unanswered questions as pointed out by Joe
Coakley.  Do gamblers really do attend or visit local tourism events and sites? 
Like Joe, I doubt it but who knows?  (I believe attendance at the Harpers Ferry
Park is in decline.)  Will table games lower horse race purses as some claim? 
How many additional gambling addicts will be created by table games, and what
will the track do about them?  What will the pay be for the new employees?  (A
track official did state at one forum that the 350 dealers will receive pay of
$7 to $10 per hour but that tips from gamblers would raise that significantly,
but are these all full time positions or what?)  How much added traffic would be
caused by table games?

Opponents, such as myself, can raise many questions while proponents can ake
many unfounded assertions about the benefits.  It is almost
impossible to resolve these issues so the majority of the public is left
wondering, or perhaps hoping for a good outcome.  However, there is one entity
that could give us much of the information to make our voting more informed. 
That is the Track itself, but CTRS prefers to let a front organization, which
they support to some unspecified extent, make the case for table games rather
than giving out specific useful information about wages, race purses, gambling
addiction problems, traffic problems, etc.  On this basis alone, namely, that
CTRS has hardly provided any information on these questions, I believe the
citizens should vote "no."  If the Track respected us, it would not clam up on
these important issues and hide behind a front organizations, such as 
"yesforjeffersoncounty.com," that can make all sorts of unsuported claims
without any consequences.

Fred Wells
------------------
From moderator:

The track did not choose to give a response.

From : "Judy Cheezum" <jcca@...>
Date  :  Tue, Nov 24, 2009 04:22 PM

Several weeks ago I attended a question and answer program concerning table
games at the Men’s Club in Shepherdstown.  Unfortunately I was not able to ask
my question because the time was taken up by people making “statements” rather
then letting concerned folks ask their questions.  Of course it was obvious that
these “statement makers” were “Yes Vote Plants”  At any rate my concern is to
learn what action is being taken by CTRS to prevent underage gambling.  I speak
from personal experience when I say that this past Summer I attended a high
school awards banquet at the Epic.  During the time speeches were being made a
few young girls who were in attendance with their families were seen putting
coins into the slot machines just outside of the Epic.  It was great fun!  These
young ladies range in age from 12 to 14 years old.  The person(s) who put a halt
to their activity were parents.  Is this the norm?  No CTRS employees were in
sight.  Another first hand experience was that several graduating high school
seniors had fun playing the slots one Saturday afternoon.  Some were 18 but
others were only 17.  My friend’s daughter was one of them and she is only 17. 
I understand the age for playing table games is 21.  Will there be any control
and if so will it be better than what is there now. [from moderator: the track
has answered in the past that their staff are trained to check ID, and have a
reference book of what IDs look like from across the country. Legal gambling age
seems to be 18.]

Another concern is about employment.  Wonderful to learn that there will be 500
new jobs created.  And hopefully most of these people will already live in West
Virginia; however, it is safe to assume that a large number of these new
employees will move to our community from surrounding states.  The entry-level
employment turnover rate is very high at CTRS.  Additionally, as has been the
case in other casinos I am concerned about what will happen to these folks if
they are laid off.  What will happen to our State budget when these individuals
are no longer employed.  It will be very difficult for these folks to find new
local jobs, therefore, West Virginia welfare will be responsible for their
needs.

I also ask why, if the Board of Education is going to gain financially - why, as
a senior citizen, don’t I get a school tax break?  As an individual I gain
nothing by either a yes or a no vote.  I am learning that teachers will gain,
top-level CTRS employees will gain and accounting firms and other small
businesses employed by the track will gain but what’s in it for the majority?  I
will only be having to deal with negative issues that may arise as a result of
table games.

Judy Cheezum
-----------------------
From : sutenfield@...
Date  :  Tue, Nov 24, 2009 07:20 PM

I voted today; I voted "no" to the table games. I hope people have the knowledge
and the courage to vote "no". The only people who are going to benefit from
table games are not most of the citizens of Jefferson County, but the people who
are directly involved with the proposal - There are two sayings worth
remembering; "nothing is free", and "if it sounds too good to be true, it
probably is.". The track and people associated with it have spend much money
promoting table games, but have not really convinced me that they are good for
the county. And the people, whose names I won't mention, who are strong
propondents of the games, and have written continally in favor of the games;  I
have to wonder what their take will be; their arguements  only make me think
that they, personally, will benefit.

Diana Suttenfield, Shepherdstown
-------------------------
From : Sharon Pennington <sharonp25425@...>
Date  :  Tue, Nov 24, 2009 03:00 PM

What about the "bribery" that is coming from the Vote Yes side of this.  They
have alot of money since Penn Gaming is paying for most of everything you see. 
But too offer the school teachers a free lunch at The Turf on Wednesday the 25th
sounds bad.  Then when you add the letter that went out from the Vote Yes Group
that stated that teachers will be getting a "salary supplement".  Not a pay
raise because teachers would continue to get those but a "salary supplement" 
which means a bonus and that sounds like a bribe to me.

Do you really think that if this does not pass that CTRS is going to close their
doors?  They are using it as a "threat" to scare people.  Why they are busy
wheeling and dealing in PA and MD right now.   They are a business and as with
any business if they stay competitive, the people will continue to come.  Right
now they do  not offer many incentives because they are the only facility close
by,  but open it up with other casinos nearby and maybe they will get with the
program.  Heck I get better incentives in the mail from their other facility in
PA now.

Competition is not a bad thing.
-----------------------------
From : Eric Lewis <ejlewis51@...>
Date  :  Tue, Nov 24, 2009 02:13 PM

Mr Wells should actually read the study at www.gnec.org

The study answers many of the questions Mr Wells poses in detail that a letter
to the
editor announcing the study didn't have room for.

All you need to read of Mr Wells' post to see where he comes from is this:

"Indeed, most of the proponents of table games simply assume that economic
growth
and the accompanying population growth are great things. I think that is not
necessarily
true"

That sums it up... Mr Wells is against economic growth. Table games will bring
economic
growth that Mr Wells clearly doesn't want... wonder if he'll find a way to
employ the
4,000 people that would be out of work if we didn't have CTR&S?

The proponents of table games have the facts on their side. You can see all the
facts at
www.yesforjeffersoncounty.com and www.voteyestablegames.org.  If you want to
read a bunch
of studies from areas that have nothing to do with Jefferson County or other
nonsense
scare tactics, go check out the vote no site.

Vote Yes on December 5th.

Eric Lewis
voteyestablegames.org
------------------------------
From: "ejlewis51@..." <ejlewis51@...>
Date: Tue Nov 24, 2009 2:08 pm
Subject: Re: [listener] BRIBING TEACHERS - SCRAPING THE BOTTOM OF THE MORAL
BARREL [2 Attachments]  ejlewis51
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The Vote No folks must think the voters are pretty dumb if they think a $5 lunch
is going to buy their vote... we sent that luncheon invitation to all of our
supporters including our 888 facebook group members...its certainly not an
attempt to "buy" votes (which is a very serious allegation, by the way). Its an
effort to give our supporters a venue to share information and pick up campaign
materials in a friendly environment.

The school personnel mailing was a purely factual, informational mailing that is
100% legal and above-board. It was an attempt to counter the misinformation
being put out by the Vote No folks... including that the table games money
couldn't be used for personnel salary increases.  The three of us (including two
well respected local native educators) signed it because we stand by the
content...how much of the vote no misinformation is signed? The good news is
that most folks aren't buying the misinformation campaign the vote no folks are
selling.

Its sort of funny that the Vote No folks are showing such moral indignation over
this mailing but its OK for them to put a flyer with a picture of a 6 year old
kid smoking a cigar in kids trick or treat bags and it was OK for them to place
flyers (see attached) in the mailboxes of personnel at Charles Town Middle
School...


Eric Lewis
Voteyestablegames.org