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LEWIS COUNTY COMMUNITY GUIDE
304-472-2800
Serving all of Lewis County, West Virginia
Copyright 2020
BOE hears policy change requests
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
(304) 472-2800
Levy passes with ease
KARI CONAWAY/Lewis County Community Guide
Bob Stewart presents a request for bus operator policy changes. By Kari Conaway Staff Writer
WESTON — The Lewis County Board of Education’s Policy Committee made their recommendations to the board Monday evening, but a vote was postponed once again. Each group had a representative to request the changes to their policies. The accountants asked for consistent policy hourly wages and that all policies be uniform to all personnel. Rita Barnette, who was not able to attend the meeting, wrote a letter on behalf of the Aides and it was read to the board. The letter asked for seniority rights, full-time and substitute wages, overtime pay, adequate adult workspace, and doing away with in-house moves. The bus operators asked for consistent hourly wages and extracurricular run hourly wages. The cooks asked for salary grades to be bumped up a letter, while the custodians asked for a proper chain of command and how to address specific procedures. Their representative also addressed the concern of some workers lingering after they See BOE on Page 8
TARA KENNEDY/Lewis County Community Guide
By Kari Conaway Staff Writer WESTON — The heavily debated Lewis County Education Levy passed with ease on Saturday. The unofficial results of the special election were 1,396 votes (67.6 percent) For the Levy and 669 votes (32.4 percent) Against the Levy. The
Lewis County Commission is scheduled to canvas the votes for an official tally on February 14. In a written statement, Superintendent Dr. Robin Lewis expressed her gratitude on behalf of the schools. “We as a school system are thankful. The passage of the levy shows the care of the children that
people have in Lewis County. The levy is important to the children of Lewis County. The people in this community have supported their schools and children in the levy renewals for over 50 years. We just want to say thank you to our community. We are blessed,” Lewis said. She added, “We are happy for the students of
our county who will continue to have the quality music, art, athletic and academic programs that are currently offered.” Lewis continued, “We are thankful that our teachers and staff will have added resources that will allow them to do their jobs more efficiently. We apSee Levy on Page 8
Why Smith says LC First discusses As the Rotary Turns “WV Can’t Wait” business By Kari Conaway Staff Writer
By Kari Conaway Staff Writer
JANE LEW — Lewis County First met at the Jane Lew Park Building on Thursday to discuss business. The group discussed tentative dates for upcoming activities. The Little Free Libraries work day will tentatively take place on February 22 at 9 a.m. and work on the Community Garden will be March 22 at 1 p.m. at the Jane Lew Park. They also discussed appearing in the Irish Spring Festival parade and getting security cameras for use in the glass museum.
Other events discussed were Make it Shine, Adopt-a-Spot, and Rails for Trails. Cathy Kunkle was in attendance at the meeting. Kunkle is running for Congress in the Second Congressional District and talked about her community service around healthcare and local disasters. The next meeting will convene on February 20 at the Lewis County Senior Center in Weston and everyone is welcome. Check out the Lewis County First Facebook page for more information on the group and be part of the solution – volunteer.
KARLI HAMRICK/Lewis County Community Guide
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stephen Smith explaining to the community why they should vote for him as Governor and join his movement, “WV Can’t Wait.” By Karli Hamrick Staff Writer WESTON — Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stephen Smith joined the Lewis and Upshur County communities with his series of Town Hall meetings Sunday, to discuss his plans if elected governor of the great state of West Virginia. Smith started a movement called “WV Can’t Wait,” in which 85 other candidates and constituents across the state have joined. Lewis County’s gathering, hosted by The West Fork Eatery in Weston, was Smith’s See Can’t wait on Page 8
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KARI CONAWAY/Lewis County Community Guide
Lewis County First meets at Jane Lew Park for business.
THURSDAY Rain 53/21
FRIDAY Rain/Snow 28/15
WESTON — The Rotary Club of Weston welcomed guest speaker Carol Cain Bush, Partnership Specialist from the Philadelphia Regional Census Center, to talk about the United States 2020 Census and how important it is to get the correct information from anyone. Rotary member Robert Gricewich led the meeting. After reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, reciting the four-way test, and blessing of the food, the meeting began. Gricewich introduced the speaker. Carol Cain Bush is from Elkins, WV and works as a Partnership Specialist with the United States Census Bureau. Bush works with different groups in the area, such as schools and the Family Resource Network, to get a complete and accurate count of the population. Bush also works with City Councils and County Commissions in the region. She has been targeting groups who usually do not participate in the Census to try and strengthen the outcome. Bush works to build trust, educate others on why the Census is so important, and ensure that the Census is safe and does not share information. “It’s safe, easy and important, and our goal is to count once, only once, and in the right place,” Bush emphasized. “The numbers determine how much of $675 billion SATURDAY Sunny 43/30
KARI CONAWAY/Lewis County Community Guide
US Census Partnership Specialist Carol Cain Bush each year are redistributed to the states, so the more people that we count, the more money for our communities,” Bush said. Bush explained how the Census helps determine the population, which affects housing, transportation, healthcare and education. Insurance companies even use the Census to set rates. The schools get a big portion of money for their title programs. Employers use the Census to decide whether See Rotary on Page 5 SUNDAY Mostly Sunny 48/37
Robert Harris, MD, FACOG
66 Hospital Plaza • Weston • 304-269-3108
William Hamilton, MD
66 Hospital Plaza • Weston • 304-269-3108 132 Cinema Circle • Buckhannon • 304-473-0670
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