April 28, 2010
LETTER TO EDITOR: Save the Historic Orphanage; Elect New Board Members
Unfortunately, we lost the lawsuit, but we can still try to stop the construction of the middle school at University Heights. Susan and I were told when we visited several state offices in Charleston, including the SBA, before we sued that we had a remedy, elect new board members. That is our next step to changing the site and saving the Historic Orphanage and getting a neighborhood school. Four new board members that can vote to put the school somewhere else.
As you know, we sought individuals from our group that opposed the construction of the middle school at University Heights to run for office. Jonathan Nance (my 31 year old son who has two children, an associate degree in computer design, and is working on a degree in computer forensic), Skip Parsons, and Susan Gillette stepped up. They are numbers 1, 2, and 3 on the ballot. They are members of our group and are still committed to doing whatever they can to stop the construction of the middle school at University Heights if elected. The BOE can sell the property to someone willing to rehab the residential units already existing on the site and recoup funds already expended. If all three are elected, they will have the majority vote. Thus, please vote for Jonathan, Susan, and Skip and one more new board member who may vote with the majority and support our cause such as Kenny Graybeal or Nancy Newfeld.
Everyone of the current members voted to put that school on that site including the two newest members Mary Neely and Mary Alice Freeman who voted to consolidate the two middle schools on that site in March of this year. Neither, if elected, has promised to change the site. We need to vote for new board members to insure our majority, so please do not vote for any current members.
I very much appreciate Jonathan, Susan, and Skip stepping up for us. Jonathan and Susan never intended to run for public office until this issue came up. It will be a big commitment for them that pays next to nothing and they will, if elected, propose other initiatives that will improve our school system as a whole. All three are not just one issue candidates. They are committed to having a board that is all inclusive with meetings that are truly open to the public and provide a forum for getting concerns not only voiced, but also addressed. They are all three committed to working on Cabell County Schools' dropout and graduation rate as well as providing real technology in the schools. The old members and ruling administration talk a good game about technology in the schools and improving the dropout and graduation rate, but they have had years to make improvements and have failed. Why give them more time.
I am afraid this is our last chance to stop the school from being constructed at University Heights. Even if Susan and I appeal the court's decision, the Historic building will most likely be gone and the school construction started before we can even be heard. We need a new board as soon as possible.
Again, I request that you vote for Jonathan, Susan, and Skip (the former maintenance supervisor for the school system that attended our meetings) and some other new member so we may still have a chance of a neighborhood school and of saving the National Register Historic WV "Colored" Orphans'/Children's Home. Also, if you support Jonathan, Susan, and Skip, please ask others such as the people you know who signed our petition to vote for numbers 1, 2, & 3 on the BOE ballot. Early voting has begun and the main election is May 11th.
(Editor’s Note: HNN will provide space for opposing viewpoints. Send letters to trutherford@huntingtonnews.net or stories@huntingtonnews.net. ) Karen Nance
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LETTER TO EDITOR: Save the Historic Orphanage; Elect New Board Members
Unfortunately, we lost the lawsuit, but we can still try to stop the construction of the middle school at University Heights. Susan and I were told when we visited several state offices in Charleston, including the SBA, before we sued that we had a remedy, elect new board members. That is our next step to changing the site and saving the Historic Orphanage and getting a neighborhood school. Four new board members that can vote to put the school somewhere else.
As you know, we sought individuals from our group that opposed the construction of the middle school at University Heights to run for office. Jonathan Nance (my 31 year old son who has two children, an associate degree in computer design, and is working on a degree in computer forensic), Skip Parsons, and Susan Gillette stepped up. They are numbers 1, 2, and 3 on the ballot. They are members of our group and are still committed to doing whatever they can to stop the construction of the middle school at University Heights if elected. The BOE can sell the property to someone willing to rehab the residential units already existing on the site and recoup funds already expended. If all three are elected, they will have the majority vote. Thus, please vote for Jonathan, Susan, and Skip and one more new board member who may vote with the majority and support our cause such as Kenny Graybeal or Nancy Newfeld.
Everyone of the current members voted to put that school on that site including the two newest members Mary Neely and Mary Alice Freeman who voted to consolidate the two middle schools on that site in March of this year. Neither, if elected, has promised to change the site. We need to vote for new board members to insure our majority, so please do not vote for any current members.
I very much appreciate Jonathan, Susan, and Skip stepping up for us. Jonathan and Susan never intended to run for public office until this issue came up. It will be a big commitment for them that pays next to nothing and they will, if elected, propose other initiatives that will improve our school system as a whole. All three are not just one issue candidates. They are committed to having a board that is all inclusive with meetings that are truly open to the public and provide a forum for getting concerns not only voiced, but also addressed. They are all three committed to working on Cabell County Schools' dropout and graduation rate as well as providing real technology in the schools. The old members and ruling administration talk a good game about technology in the schools and improving the dropout and graduation rate, but they have had years to make improvements and have failed. Why give them more time.
I am afraid this is our last chance to stop the school from being constructed at University Heights. Even if Susan and I appeal the court's decision, the Historic building will most likely be gone and the school construction started before we can even be heard. We need a new board as soon as possible.
Again, I request that you vote for Jonathan, Susan, and Skip (the former maintenance supervisor for the school system that attended our meetings) and some other new member so we may still have a chance of a neighborhood school and of saving the National Register Historic WV "Colored" Orphans'/Children's Home. Also, if you support Jonathan, Susan, and Skip, please ask others such as the people you know who signed our petition to vote for numbers 1, 2, & 3 on the BOE ballot. Early voting has begun and the main election is May 11th.
(Editor’s Note: HNN will provide space for opposing viewpoints. Send letters to trutherford@huntingtonnews.net or stories@huntingtonnews.net. ) Karen Nance
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