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BY GLENN GANNAWAYNEWS EDITOR
Big Stone Gap Parks and Recreation’sHoliday Craft Show reaches a milestonethis weekend.
The annual event, held at Carnes Gym,celebrates its 30th year Saturday andSunday, with more than 20 vendors dis-playing everything from woodworking towreaths and baskets to handmade soaps.And the yummy factor will be in play:
there will be baked goods and conces-sions.
The show will be held from 10 a.m. to5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21 and from 1-5p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22.
Many old favorites are expected to beon hand, including woodworker CharlesGarreffa, glass artist Carol Ingram Moore,and Betty Fannon, who brings herscrumptious candies and baked goods.
Reunion celebratesAfrican-American schools.
● OBITUARIES Page 4 ● OPINION Page 6 ● SPORTS Page B1 ● ON THE TRAIL Page B3 ● POST SCRIPTS Page B3 ● CLASSIFIEDS Page B6
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Thursday, November 19, 2015
VOLUME 125, NUMBER 47 16 PAGES USPS 4395401 $1.00 Big Stone Gap, Virginia
‘Glad it’s back’: hospital welcomes new ICUBY GLENN GANNAWAY
NEWS EDITOR
Wellmont Health System officials,Lonesome Pine Hospital staff and mem-bers of the board of directors welcomedback a service that is considered vital foran acute-care hospital: an intensive careunit.
Following Tuesday’s ribbon cutting,officials noted that having a hospital withan ICU enhances the community’s attrac-tiveness to businesses. It also offers mem-
bers of the community a continuum ofcare that was lost when the hospital’s ICUunit was consolidated with that ofMountain View Medical Center in Nortonin July 2012.
With the consolidation decision stillfresh in many peoples’ memories, severalparticipants Tuesday stressed thatWellmont is continually evaluating serv-ices to determine how it can actively meetcommunity needs.
Wellmont President and CEO BartHove attributed the new ICU service to
recent changes in the health care land-scape.
“As care evolves, a couple of thingshave taken place in our region lately,”Hove said Wednesday in a telephoneinterview. “The payers in our region aregravitating more and more, just likeMedicare and Medicaid, to paying forquality versus paying for procedures.”
With today’s emphasis on deliveringquality services over time and keepingpeople healthy, more services are beingprovided on an outpatient basis, “but
unfortunately, when patients need to cometo the hospital, those patients are sick anda lot sicker than they used to be in days ofold,” Hove said Wednesday. That meansmore frequent use is being made of criti-cal services such as ICUs, “and some-times that entails a backlog of gettingpatients through our health system, partic-ularly at our tertiary hospitals.”
“Therefore, what we found is a greaterneed to beef up staff at referring hospitals
From left, Union High School students Brooke Vanover, Hope Phillips and Carissa Estepmake donations to Dearing Garner, executive director emeritus of Children’s EmergencyRelief International and former pastor of East Stone Gap Baptist Church. The donations willbuy shoes for orphans. ‘I felt like they needed it more than me,’ each of the girls told Garnerof the donations. (Photo courtesy of Dearing Garner.)
Students sacrifice to helporphans a world away
BY GLENN GANNAWAYNEWS EDITOR
As a longtime pastor and mission-ary to foreign lands, Dearing Garnerhas visited upwards of 25 countriesand experienced things that mostnever will.
But an experience during hisrecent visit to Union High Schoolleft the former East Stone GapBaptist Church pastor deeplyimpressed by the generosity of threegirls.
Garner, executive director emeri-tus of Children’s Emergency ReliefInternational, made a presentation toJami Crabtree’s personal financeclass. He had been invited to speakabout the financial side of running afaith-based, non-profit organizationand to tell about CERI’s mission tosupply shoes, boots and socks toorphans.
The Union students listened asGarner talked about the revenue sideof supporting services to at-riskyouth and children. They watchedhis slide presentation of the placesCERI served this past summer.
And then one of the students didsomething that blew Garner away.
One of the girls raised her handand asked a simple question thatdemonstrated a profound empathyand generosity. “Can I give now tobuy a pair of shoes?” she asked,although Garner did not solicit dona-tions during his presentation. Thegirl walked to the front of the classand placed $4.73 in Garner’s hand.Two of her classmates followed suit,giving $5 each.
And like bread cast upon thewaters, the girls’ gifts have multi-plied. This week, the Rev. LonnieBrooks, pastor of East Stone GapBaptist Church, learned from his old
friend Garner, who is currently inMoldova, that one family has donat-ed $1,000 after hearing about the stu-dents’ gift. Other people have alsotaken inspiration from the Union stu-dents’ act.
Speaking to the three students —Brooke Vanover, Carissa Estep andHope Phillips — in the school cafe-teria a couple of days later, Garnerwas impressed by the girls’ willing-ness to reach out to children on theother side of the world and makesacrifices to help make the worldbetter. One of the students gave herlunch money so that an orphanwould be able to avoid frostbite thiswinter. The gestures also make itpossible for missionaries to extendChristian love to three orphans.
“I felt like they (the orphans)needed it more than me,” each of the
Vehicle strikesGap pedestrian
BY GLENN GANNAWAYNEWS EDITOR
A Big Stone Gap pedestrian was in serious butstable condition at Holston Valley Medical CenterMonday after being struck by a vehicle Sundayevening.
Big Stone Police Investigator Mark Jones saidCharles Lee Jackson, age unknown, 501 E. 6th St.N., was struck by a van while crossing E. 5th St. N.near Dairy Queen at about 6:20 p.m. Sunday.
Jones said Jackson is thought to have stepped outin front of a vehicle. Jackson was transported fromthe scene to the Lonesome Pine Hospital emergencyroom and later airlifted to Holston Valley MedicalCenter. Jackson remained in the Holston Valleyintensive care unit Monday.
Jones said Jackson was traveling toward theDairy Queen restaurant and stepped off the curb tocross E. 5th St. “It looked like he was well into theroadway when he got hit,” Jones said. A van travel-ing south on E. 5th struck Jackson.
No charges were placed against the van’s driver,an Appalachia woman. Jones said there was no indi-cation that the driver was speeding or behaving reck-lessly.
Betty Fannon always brings plenty of baked goods and candies— and a smile — to the Big Stone Gap Parks and RecreationHoliday Craft Show. The 30th annual show will be held in CarnesGym this weekend.
PHOTO BY GLENN GANNAWAY
Honoring veterans’spouses
Haruko Akers was one of the veter-ans’ spouses honored during aVeterans Day ceremony at HeritageHall Big Stone Gap. See story andanother photo on Page A3.
Holiday Craft Showready for 30th year
POST FILE PHOTO
See CRAFT, Page A2
See ORPHANS, Page A8
See ICU, Page A2
Page A2 Thursday, November 19, 2015 The Post Big Stone Gap, Virginia
First issue published Aug. 15, 1890.
Published each Thursday by AHP of Virgin-
ia, 215 Wood Ave., Big Stone Gap, VA
24219-0250. Periodicals postage paid at
Big Stone Gap, VA, under Publication No.
4395401, Nov. 1899, under the Act of
March 3, 1879.
Publisher — Jenay Tate
Executive Editor — Jenay Tate
Subscriptions: $35 per year inside Wise
County; $53 in market area with zip codes
with first three digits 242, 376 and 408,
excluding Wise County and city of Norton;
and $64 elsewhere.
POSTMASTER: Send address corrections
to The Post, P.O. Box 250, Big Stone
Gap, VA 24219-0250.
The Post
and the resources that are neededthere in order to take care of patientseither completely in that setting, or ona longer basis until they can be trans-ferred to a higher level of care,” Hovesaid.
The focus Tuesday was on whathaving an ICU on campus means forLonesome Pine and the community itserves.
“We are thrilled to see this,” saidNancy Bailey, a board member andtown councilwoman. “I think this isgoing to be such a big asset.”
Led by Hove, who took the reinsin September 2014, Wellmont’sadministration has been very support-ive in the effort to improve LonesomePine, Ed Roop noted after the cere-mony. Roop is chairman of theLonesome Pine and Mountain Viewboard of directors. Offering folksintensive care close to home isalways best, Roop pointed out: “Isalute the leaders of Wellmont forrecognizing this. . . . To have a quali-ty hospital here in Big Stone Gap,we’ve got to be focused on going for-ward.”
“By adding the intensive care unit,we are further strengthening our caredelivery and reinforcing to the com-
munity that many of their healthneeds can be addressed close tohome. It will benefit the residents ofBig Stone Gap and surrounding com-munities considerably,” Roop said.
Hospital President Dale Clark saidin a Wellmont press release that thestructure of the intensive care unitwill empower the hospital to effi-ciently and effectively treat patients.Because the intensive care unit willbe located adjacent to the medical-surgical unit, Lonesome Pine willhave the capability to provide addi-tional nursing support to intensivecare patients, when needed.
Wellmont consolidated theLonesome Pine Hospital ICU withthe one at Mountain View MedicalCenter in Norton effective July 1,2012, with the ICU beds located atthe Norton hospital since then. Then-LPH President Greg Neal said at thetime that the numbers of patients atboth units were “too low to sustainbest practice” and that “the currentfinancial state of the hospitals isunsustainable.”
LPH’s loss of ICU beds led manyin the community to fear that the hos-pital would eventually close. BigStone Gap Town Council passed aresolution in June 2012 urging citi-zens to make their concerns about theICU loss at the LPH hospital knownto hospital management and theboard of directors.
Asked Tuesday how the situationhas changed in the three years since
consolidation, Clark said both thehospital and the community “saw theneed” for an ICU on the LPH cam-pus: “there’s a need for the servicehere,” he added.
Asked Wednesday about theadministration being attuned to theconcerns of the community board,Hove said that “we certainly haveregular opportunities to have discus-sions about what community citizensfeel like is needed and what the com-munity leadership through the boardfeels like is needed.”
“That’s another aspect that we’vebeen trying to further hone in on —talk with the community and saywhat can we do to make your healthcare better,” Hove said.
“I think the leadership on theboard there has quite a few goodideas that they’re working on with theadministration to see that we try towork together to meet the needs ofthe community, so we’re attuned andinterested and listening to feedbackfrom the board,” Hove said, addingthat discussions have been continuingfor “quite some time. Sometimesthings move slower than what wewould like them to.”
Tuesday, Roop explained that theICU is an essential part of providingclinical care, not only for critically illpatients, but for people who have hadsurgery and need a continuum ofcare.
Having a hospital equipped withan ICU also makes the community
more attractive to people and busi-nesses interested in moving to WiseCounty. Wise County AdministratorShannon Scott spelled it out: “J-O-B-S. We’re not going to have themwithout a quality hospital” and otherinfrastructure essentials, Scott said.
“Businesses look at whether youhave a hospital with a fully equippedICU,” Bailey said. “It’s a wonderfultool, and a wonderful tool for the peo-ple who live here. They can stayhome and have surgery they couldn’thave had before and be close to fam-ily and friends.”
“I’m just really glad it’s back,”Bailey added.
The two-bed ICU unit may beused for things such as cardiomyopa-thy, congestive heart failure, diabetesemergencies, high-risk surgery withmultiple medical problems, respirato-ry failure with intubation, severe pan-creatitis and uncontrolled blood pres-sure at high levels, the press releasesays.
Clark said the inclusion of inten-sive care will blend well with the hos-pital’s portfolio of services alreadyavailable. These include a 24-houremergency department, inpatient andoutpatient surgery, cardiopulmonaryand respiratory services, cardiacstress testing, CT scanning, MRI anddigital mammography.
LPH has also added a sleep evalu-ation center, expanded and renovatedThe Birthing Inn, and opened awound care center with hyperbarics.
ICUFrom Page A1
Also returning areStephanie Franklin, metalarts; Dianne Stapleton, treeornaments, dish towels andhandbags; Sandra Kiser,wreaths, baskets, primitiveitems; Michael Ashbrook,music and keepsake boxes;Janie Crabtree, aprons andquilts; Kim Mullins, hand-made jewelry; JaniceClark, wreaths; and KimLong, painted signs.
Also displaying will beLisa Dickenson, handmadesoaps; Deanna Dickenson,wooden items and paintedwindows; Ann Wheeler,scarves, wreaths and orna-ments; Mitzi Schlobolm,primitive items; SummerHammonds, tobacco stickcrafts; Megan Pease, jew-elry; Janina Jones, hand-painted glassware; andRachel Smith, woodcrafts.
The craft show’s mainobjective, organizer MaryEllen Stipe has stressed, isto support local craftspeo-ple. Shoppers are able tofind homemade goods atgood prices.
CraftFrom Page A1
Hospital staff,
Wellmont officials
and board members
celebrated the
opening of
Lonesome Pine
Hospital’s intensive
care unit with a
ribbon cutting
Tuesday. (Photo
courtesy of Jim
Wozniak/Wellmont
Health System.)
Laura Kegan, now an elementary school teacher in Lexington, Ky., returned to SouthwestVirginia to assist parents Ross and Sharra Kegan with Saturday’s Operation ChristmasChild shoebox packing day at Oak Grove Baptist Church.
Rocky Gilliam of Big Stone Gap, left, and Dryden’s Chuck Graham helppack school items such as pencils during Saturday’s Operation ChristmasChild shoebox packing day at Oak Grove Baptist Church.
Specialshoeboxmakers
Santa’s helpers were out in force at Oak GroveBaptist Church for Saturday’s packing party.Volunteers brought in and helped ready for ship-ment the Operation Christmas Child shoeboxesthat are sent to needy children by Samaritan’sPurse. According to Samaritan’s Purse, since 1993more than 124 million shoeboxes have been sentto children affected by war, poverty, natural disas-ter and other crises. Contributors fill the boxeswith such things as toys, school and personalhygiene items, and lots of Christian love. Nov. 16-23 is National Collection Week for the shoeboxdrive.
Kathy Hobson,right, and daughterSerenity Hobson areup to their chins inOperationChristmas Childshoeboxes duringlast Saturday’spacking day at OakGrove BaptistChurch, but you canstill detect smiles ofhappiness felt bypeople who con-tribute to the collec-tion of items forneedy childrenworldwide.
PHOTOS BY GLENN GANNAWAY
BY JENAY TATEEDITOR AND PUBLISHER
WISE — TreasurerDelores Smith has beenfielding quite a few ques-tions about how tax collec-tions are going in WiseCounty, she told supervisorsThursday night, but that isnot the pressing issue.
The decline in tax assess-ments in Wise County,Smith said, “that is wherethe problem is. We’re notassessing as much.”
The machinery and toolstax levy alone has plummet-ed $1.65 million since 2013,Smith’s figures showed,falling 23 percent from 2013to 2014 and almost 33.5 per-cent this year. The assess-ment in 2013 was$3,384,983. It was$1,727,467 in 2015.
While the current-yeardrop was anticipated andbudgeted for, she said,“that’s quite a big hit for twoyears.”
The board would laterhear from its finance directorthat machinery and toolsrevenue continues to slideand is largely to blame forthe county standing$300,000 behind budgetfour months into the fiscalyear.
Smith walked the boardthrough comparative num-bers for tax years 2013, 2014and 2015 — how much intaxes had been levied in thevarious categories of realestate, personal property,mobile homes, merchantscapital and machinery andtools as well as how muchhad been collected by yearto date. She reminded thatcounty taxes for this yearhad come due only thatweek.
In discussing detailsthroughout, Smith alsopointed to a couple of cate-gories where numbersappeared to be runningagainst trend, explained thecircumstances of each andprojected where the totalswould likely wind up.
Wise County citizenshave paid and the treasurer’soffice has collected all but1.62 percent of the 2013
total tax assessment.Collections of the 2014assessment are ahead ofwhere 2013 collections wereat the same time, with all but2.72 percent collected ver-sus 2.4 percent. Current col-lections in some categoriesare even better than in thepast, Smith noted. The over-all amount of taxes remain-ing to be collected stands at9.2 percent, compared to11.8 percent and 13.6 per-cent at the same time in2014 and 2013 respectively.
But collections are rela-tive to the original levies,she stressed, and reviewedsome nuances where num-bers didn’t appear on trend.For example, the majority ofa 2.59 percent spike in the2014 real estate tax assess-ment comes from a 3 per-cent tax increase that year.The 2015 assessment haddropped back to within acouple thousand dollars ofthe 2013 numbers.
Likewise, the personalproperty assessment jumped11 percent in 2014 butdropped almost 6 percent in2015.
In those same threeyears, Wise County’s cashand investments positiondropped from $45.476 mil-lion in 2013 to $24.5 millionright now, she said, but cau-tioned that this also reflectsmoney coming in and goingout for new school construc-tion. Given school loanmoney that had been includ-ed in the totals, Smithexplained Monday morning,the board actually had onlyspent down its fund balanceover that time by a littlemore than $3 million.
SERIOUS WORRIES REMAINCounty Finance Director
David Cox followed SmithThursday night, remindingthe board he had accounted
for declining assessmentswhen developing the budg-et.
Even so, four months in,revenues are running about$300,000 behind, withmachinery and tools taxesleading the loss. Coal sever-ance taxes are slightly favor-able to budget, he noted, andreal estate taxes are in linewith projections. Personalproperty taxes are slightlydown against budget, hesaid.
Cox had some goodnews — $100,000 less inexpected retirement expens-es and having dipped intothe unassigned fund balancefor just $10,000 so far.
But serious concernsremain, he said, includingwhether recent economicdevelopment announce-ments will be enough to helpoffset such other worries asthe continued decline in thecounty’s tax base, thedecline in coal severancetaxes, increasing regionaljail costs and requests formore funding for fire andemergency services, amongother factors.
In reviewing recommen-dations and goals, Cox toldthe board strategic planningand economic developmentare crucial to maintainingthe county’s tax base.
Among his standing rec-ommendations, Cox out-lined the need to begin plan-ning for different levels ofcuts, ranging from 2 percentto 5 percent.
Supervisor J.H. Riversasked that Cox look at howto document travel expensesrelative to mileage and fuelcosts. Departments shouldnot be allowed to capitalizeon declining fuel prices as away to meet the budget cutproposals being asked ofthem, he said.
Rivers also asked that thecounty’s hazardous materi-
als group be added to the listof budget concerns. Theorganization faces newexpenses since their buildingcollapsed in winter andforced their relocation,Rivers said. The board hasnever funded them beforebut should look at addingthem as a line item, he said.
Cox said the hazmat situ-ation was included amonghis fire and EMS concerns.
Cox also recommendedthat the county determinehow it would maintain serv-ices in the face of variouslevels of cuts, that it main-tain its hiring freeze and thatall discretionary spending bereviewed and put in priority.
He also recommendedthe county closely analyzehow and whether to replaceemployees who retire. Thecounty might find savings
by looking at restructuringor reassigning currentemployees, he said.
Among the goals, hesaid, are to minimize futuretax increases, maintain thecounty’s fund balance, andmaintain its credit quality inthe event it should need toborrow funds.
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Big Stone Gap, Virginia The Post Thursday, November 19, 2015 Page A3
NOW CARRYING
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BOB’S MARKET14 East 27th Street, Suite 2
Big Stone Gap
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At Lonesome Pine Hospital, our emergency department stands ready to care for any health need, from heart attacks and strokes to illnesses and injuries. Our doctors, nurses and co-workers are dedicated to ensuring you receive the quality care and unparalleled experience you deserve. We’re here for you and your family 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with the caring solution the people of our region can fi nd nowhere else – and the one they return to time and again.When you need us the most, you can count on the Wellmont Experience. Visit wellmont.org to learn more or join our team.
Message your doctor. MyWellmont.org
Emergency?We’re here for you.
If you’re experiencing chest pains or having an emergency, call 911 immediately.
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Donate It For A Good Cause to . . .
We will be acceptingmusical instruments &donations for this causethru the end of November.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALLDR. THERESA DUNTON: 276-523-7128
Love Has No ColorLove Has No Color is a 501(3)ccharity started 10 years ago by agroup of Chiropractors calledThe New Renaissance.Our objective is to improvethe lives of Native Americanchildren on the Ft. PeckReservation in Montana.
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523-0442
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Maurice Fraley SHOE DRIVE FOR OUR SCHOOL CHILDREN
MAIL DONATIONS TO:
“ SHOE DRIVE ”PHYLLIS HAMILTON, P.O. BOX 392, BIG STONE GAP, VA24219
775 Wood Ave. E. Big Stone Gap, VAPastor Ronnie Mutter
www.heritagechurchbigstonegap.com
HERITAGE CHURCH OF GODBe a Part!
The Salt Shaker ParishMatthew 5:13
Sunday Service11:00 a.m.
Treasurer: lower tax assessments the problem
CorrectionDue to the reporter’s
error, a quote from lastweek’s story about citi-zens’ comments to BigStone Gap Town Councilwas incorrect. Businessowner Bobby Bloomersaid his view is that theBig Cherry master plan isnot in the best interest ofthe community. He wasquoted as saying the planis not in the best interest ofthe county. We regret theerror.
BY GLENN GANNAWAYNEWS EDITOR
Veterans Day, Nov. 11, is a solemn remem-brance of the men and women who have served inthe nation’s armed forces. Memories are evencloser to the hearts of veterans’ spouses.
Heritage Hall’s Mandy Pendleton and DennisMcClain of Intrepid USA Healthcare Services pre-sented a rose to each of the Heritage Hall residentswho are the spouses of veterans. One of the spous-es, Haruko Akers, found tears welling up as shegathered the rose to her breast and rememberedher late husband, U.S. Army veteran RobertAkers.
Memories and the highest respect for veteransfilled the Heritage Hall cafeteria Wednesday, Nov.11 as the nursing home, Intrepid and CarisHealthcare presented the program.
Social worker Leticia Rasnick and Sgt. MarcSandefur, a military science instructor at theUniversity of Virginia’s College at Wise, honoredresidents of the Heritage Hall Big Stone andClintwood facilities who are veterans, presentingpins and certificates to Guy Widener, NationalGuard; William Buckles, Wilson McCarty, Adrian
Legge, Roger Lowe, Henry Sutter, and HeritageHall Clintwood residents Al Branham and CarrollStanley, Army; and William Carroll, ElmerKinsler and Shelly Crank, Navy.
Heritage Hall veteran employees receivingpins and certificates were Steven Collins and CarlLittrell, Army; Renee Carter, Navy; and JonaDanberry, Marine Corps.
Union High School band director KimberelySturgill and student Steven Mosier performed“The Star-Spangled Banner” and “Taps” on theirtrumpets.
And commemoration participants heardremarks from veteran and Big Stone Gap MayorLeonard Rogers.
Rogers had 42 years of service with the U.S.Army and the Army National Guard, serving intwo foreign wars.
Rogers spoke of the “camaraderie that’s neverforgotten when you’ve been a veteran andserved.” And, he said, “we have the right to donumerous things other countries can’t because ofour veterans.”
Rogers then lowered his head and fell silent fora moment, and then he said, quietly, “I thank youfor your service.”
Heritage Hall program honors vets
The Veterans Day celebration and pin-ning ceremony at Heritage Hall Big StoneGap honored the military services of resi-dents and employees: (front, from left) resi-dents Guy Widener, Shelly Crank, HenrySutter, Roger Lowe and William Buckles;(back, from left) resident Wilson McCarty,employee Renee Carter, employee StephenCollins, and resident William Carroll.
BY KATIE DUNNSTAFF WRITER
WISE — A request toplace a historic marker atthe site of the formerPowell Valley High Schoollaunched a lengthy debateat last week’s county schoolboard meeting.
Superintendent GregMullins told the board that aPowell Valley High alumnigroup first contacted thedivision this past spring toask about installing a mark-er. Mullins informed thegroup that the school boardwould need to approve sucha request and that the mark-er should not include for-mer school colors or mas-cots.
Board member JanZentmeyer said the alumnigroup also recently contact-ed her. Powell Valley stoodfrom 1959 to 2014, andZentmeyer said the groupwants to mark where thebuilding stood so graduatescan visit it at class reunionsor show their children andgrandchildren. The grouphas not begun fundraisingor finalized a draft, butZentmeyer said it is willingto pay for the sign’s designand installation. She toldthe board that a recentmeeting had been held todiscuss the proposal.Representatives from thealumni group, Union Highadministrators, and schoolboard members DonneseKern and Zentmeyerattended. Kern did notattend Tuesday’s schoolboard meeting; howeverZentmeyer said she favorsthe project.
Board member MikeMullins told Zentmeyer thatprior to any vote, he wantedto see the marker’s pro-posed design and commen-tary.
However, member MarkHutchinson said he didn’tbelieve erecting a markerwas a good idea. Period. Hewas also upset that he andformer District 1 memberChesney Walters had notbeen briefed or invited toattend the recent interest
meeting. Zentmeyer said ifmore board members hadattended, the meetingwould have had to be madepublic, but she acknowl-edged it would have beengood to contact them.
Hutchinson also notedthat former SuperintendentJeff Perry promised memo-rabilia from the county’sformer six high schoolswould not be incorporatedinto the consolidatedCentral, Eastside andUnion. Positive feats arehappening at Union — aca-demic and athletic — andHutchinson said resurrect-ing the past would not bebeneficial. He also vowedto vote against any proposalto erect a historic marker.
There have beenrequests to incorporate intonew high school buildingsmemorabilia from the for-mer schools and these sug-gestions have been denied,he said. As an example, hecited how Glenn Roberts,Pound’s basketball standoutand jump shot inventor, isnot recognized at Central.
Despite the alumnigroup’s statement that BigStone Gap is the only com-munity that lost its schoolbuilding, Hutchinson saidthe town got a new schoolat the same site where itsformer facility stood. Unionalso plays much of its ath-letic events on formerPowell Valley fields, withsoccer being the exception
as it uses Appalachia High’splaying field.
Zentmeyer had men-tioned earlier that the alum-ni group wanted to cite theLonesome Pine School andHeritage Center — a muse-um focusing on preservingthe area’s history, particu-larly its county schools —on the historic marker sincethis is where the school’smemorabilia, includingyearbooks, are kept.Hutchinson suggested thebest way to remember theschool is through this muse-um. He said he had talked to17 people tied to PowellValley High and severalothers from Appalachia.Some people don’t have anissue erecting a historicmarker and others dobecause it will be located onUnion’s property, he said.
Mullins agreed thatincorporating elements ofthe six old schools into thethree new schools had beendiscouraged following con-solidation so the communi-ty could focus on movingforward. “It’s a touchy sub-ject,” he said, adding that hewas sure the Powell Valleymarker would be tasteful,but perhaps it should not beplaced on Union’s property.
Chairman NolanKilgore and Zentmeyerboth voiced surprise atthese concerns. Kilgore saidhe viewed the request not asdivisive, but simply asmarking the site of the old
school. Zentmeyer echoedKilgore’s remarks, notingthat the marker would notbe located inside the school,but in a parking lot. Sheviewed the proposal asbeing a good thing foralumni and said she neverintended to hurt currentUnion students orAppalachia alumni.
If you’re hurting kids,why not drop it?Hutchinson countered.
Kilgore wonderedwhether there might be away to gather feedbackfrom the Big Stone Gap andAppalachia communitiesabout whether a sign wouldbe welcomed.
The board eventuallyagreed to discuss the issueagain at its Dec. 8 meeting.A vote was also proposed,but Kilgore said more timemight be needed to explorethe issue. During boardcomments, Hutchinsonasked that the board alsonext month discuss placinga historic marker outsideCentral that recognizesPound’s Glenn Roberts.
BY KATIE DUNNSTAFF WRITER
Lively chatter filledPowell Valley MiddleSchool’s cafeteria lastThursday as 19 middle andhigh school students tat-tooed hand-drawn pic-tures, words, and designsonto blue duffel bags.
This was not an artexercise, though. The stu-dents were decorating thebags and then packingsmall gifts into them forlocal children entering fos-ter care.
Tabitha Ray, a sixthgrade language artsteacher at Powell ValleyMiddle, organized thecampaign that spawnedlast week’s decorating ses-sion through Together WeRise, a nonprofit organiza-tion that assists foster chil-dren nationwide. The orga-nization’s website,www.togetherwerise.org,explains that it works“with hundreds of fosteragencies, social workers,CASA advocates, and
other partners to bring ourprograms to foster youthacross the nation,” whichmight include providingnew bicycles, college sup-plies and duffel bags, alsocalled “sweet cases.”
Ray initially set a $500fundraising goal to pur-chase 20 “sweet cases”and the blankets, teddybears, coloring books,crayons, and hygiene kitsthat are stuffed into them.The community’s responsesoon exceeded theseexpectations, though.When Ray closed the 60-day fundraiser on Oct. 13,more than $1,500 had beenpledged, which will pur-chase 57 cases. Ray saidTogether We Rise wouldcontact local foster careagencies to identify cur-rent needs before deliver-ing the cases.
A desire to show chil-dren entering foster carethat someone is thinkingabout them inspired Ray,33, to pursue the cam-paign. “The kids that getthese are being removed
from their homes and usu-ally a child protectionworker brings a trash bagand they (the children)really just get to put inthere what they have,”which might not be any-thing. Receiving a “sweetcase” means these childrenwill at least have some-thing they can call theirown, she said.
The fundraiser has beena community effort, withfolks locally and nation-wide offering donations.Students at Powell ValleyMiddle and Union Highdid much of this legwork,noted Ray. In fact, the twoschools’ choirs contributedmore than $900.
Choral Director KellySorah each day set out apaper bag and asked herstudents to donate sparechange. That requestadded up. The high schoolchoir raised $430, anamount Principal DanRoop pledged to match,bringing Union’s tally tomore than $800. The mid-dle school choir raised
$75. “It just makes me sohappy that in such a diffi-cult situation that they’re(foster children) facingthat maybe they’ll findcomfort in knowing some-one cares about their situa-tion,” said Sorah. “I thinkit’s really special foryoung kids to feel neededand wanted.”
Madalyn Ratcliffe, aninth grader at Union whoraised $200 for the cam-paign, said she thoughtdoing so was important.Ratcliffe, 14, explainedthat if she faced a similarsituation and received a“sweet case,” she’d knowpeople cared.
Victoria Neilas, aneighth grader at PowellValley Middle, said havingthree friends in foster careinspired her to raise anestimated $215. WhenSorah announced the cam-paign, Neilas respondedby canvassing her neigh-borhood and knocking onat least 50 doors. She toohopes the fundraiser willsend a message that some-
one cares. Neilas demon-strated this with a duffelbag drawing of a chaineddragon that had broken itsconstraints alongside themessage, “Somebodycares. Even if it takes youyears to find them, youwill find them. There ishope.”
Tyler Dye, a 17-year-old senior at Union High,knows intimately the truthof this statement. “When Iwas younger, I had to gothrough the same thingbasically,” he said lastweek, recalling how hehad been removed fromhis home and placed infoster care. At five yearsold, a social worker greet-ed Dye at home with agiant orange trash bag forhis shoes and a couple out-fits. “Seeing what I had togo through when I was soyoung, I couldn’t imagineanyone else going throughthat,” he said.
Receiving a duffel bagrather than a trash bagwould have been morepersonal, he added. Dye
also hoped the images andwords he placed on a cou-ple of duffel bags lastweek would help othersnavigating a similar night-mare. One image he drewwas a tree. Asked why, heexplained that a tree repre-sents life and, in order forthese children to survive,“they must know there ismore life ahead of them.Things may change in thefuture. This could besomething great or bad foryou, but in the end some-thing will work out.” It didfor Dye. A tattoo of twosmall birds in flight on hisforearm is a personalreminder that he willalways be free. “You don’thave to be free for anyoneelse, just be free for your-self and, as long as youknow that, you’ll be okay.”Dye added that it meantthe world to help a childgoing through a relatedstruggle, especially sincehe wished someone couldhave helped him in thatsame way. “It makes myheart feel better.”
SAM MCCORKLE
Samuel Blaine McCorkle Jr. of Danville, Ky., a formerresident of Big Stone Gap, went home to be with the LordSaturday, Nov. 14, 2015 at Taylor Manor Nursing Homein Versailles, Ky.
He was born May 21, 1920 in Nora. Sam was a veter-an of World War II, serving in the United States Navyaboard L.S.T. 674. He served in the campaigns of
Okinawa, Kagoshima andNagasaki.
Sam McCorkle retired fromSouthern Railway as road fore-man of engines after 39 years ofservice.
Sam was preceded in death byhis father, Samuel BlaineMcCorkle Sr.; his mother, NancyCatherine Galloway McCorkle;his wife, Eloise MortonMcCorkle; sons, James Ray
McCorkle and Ronald D. McCorkle; and sisters, MildredMarcus, Jane Stoehr and Ann Adkins.
He is survived by his children, Sam McCorkle andwife Diane, Ellen Downey and husband Ray Downey anddaughter-in-law, Jeannie McCorkle; grandchildren,Denise Hancock, Lisa Cain, Jimmy McCorkle, KimCollins, Kelly McCorkle, Sammy McCorkle, ErinColbaugh, Rachel Cox, Laura McCorkle and BlaineMcCorkle; 16 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov.18 at Stith Funeral Home with the Rev. Tim Mathis.
Burial was in Bellevue Cemetery with military honorsprovided by U.S. Navy and American Legion SaufleyPost No. 18.
Visitation was from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdaybefore the service at the funeral home.
Memorial donations are suggested to the Danville-Boyle County Humane Society.
Online guestbook available at www.stithfuneral-home.net.
CARD OF THANKSThe family of Ruby Lee Easterling Garrett would like
to thank everyone for the calls, cards, flowers and gifts we
received when Mom passed away. Thanks to Mount Carmel Baptist Church and Admant
Baptist Church for providing us with meals and the manythat came to our homes with food and offered their wordsof comfort. We thank the ones who made donations tofood banks in her memory; Mom would be so pleased.Many thought it impossible that she would ever comehome again, but thanks to the employees from all of thehospitals and nursing homes who cared for her, she wasable to come home and enjoyed her last weeks with us.
While at home she received the care of three wonder-ful nurses, Melinda Williams, Dereck Edens and JenniferCasey, who took care of her like she was their own fami-ly. Dr. Litton and his staff were always available to helpus when we needed anything for Mom.
Thanks to Nancy and Sherry at Province FuneralHome, along with their thoughtful staff that provided uswith support during that difficult time of saying goodbyeto her. We send a very special thanks to Paul Davis Jr.,who often called to check on Mom and visited with her nomatter where she was.
Thanks most of all for all the prayers that were sent upfor her during her extended illness and during ourimmeasurable loss.
Sandy, Jan, Mike, Margi, Wayde, Jamie, Hannah, Kris,Jessica, Keith, Tyler, Kaleb, Gracie and Emmy
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Area Deaths
PVMS students boost foster care fundraiser
PV marker request draws board criticism, support
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Contact us at The Post: 276-523-1141 or email: [email protected] to update your church ador obtain information about listing your church on this devotional page
Acts 4:10-12
R.J. ROSEFIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, COEBURN
It’s that time year when men disappear into thewoods for days on end to search for that prize tro-phy. It’s hunting season!
I didn’t grow up in a family with a strong hunt-ing tradition. So I really don’t grasp the appeal ofrising early before daylight, venturing deep intothe woods, and sitting in a tree in the freezing coldwaiting on a deer to pass by. But that’s just me, Iknow many men and women who live for huntingseason.
Hunting has an early reference in the Bible.Genesis 10:9 indicates that Nimrod was a mightyhunter before the Lord. But a Nimrod I am not! Infact, I’m happy to stay in my warm bed on coldmornings and let the deer stay in the woods doingwhatever deer do.
Once, my dad and uncle decided they’d go deerhunting together; which was about as common asa ten-point buck knocking on your front door tosurrender itself.
The way my uncle tells it, they drove to primehunting grounds somewhere in the heart ofVirginia. They arrived at their destination andagreed to go in opposite directions then return tothe car once they bagged their prizes.
My uncle reluctantly began his search. He saidit was cold, tired, and didn’t want to be there. Buthe wasn’t about to let his brother outdo him, so hetrudged on through the woods seeking a prizedeer. After hours in the freezing cold and not evensighting a deer he had enough. He knew he had toreturn to the car empty handed in shame.
Imagine his surprise when he arrived at the carand found my father asleep in the backseat, with-out a deer. Dad’s excuse? It was too cold to be outhunting, and he’d been asleep and warm in the carfor hours while my uncle was in the cold woods.
So much for the hunting trip!I imagine for the hunter that there is great joy in
finding the prize buck to bring home; making theearly mornings, the cold weather, and every effortworth it.
Jesus describes a similar joy for those searchingfor the Lord. In Matthew 13:44, “Again, the king-dom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field;the which when a man hath found, he hideth, andfor joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath,and buyeth that field.” The kingdom of heaven isworth every effort.
The good news is that it isn’t difficult to find,unlike wild game in the forest. Isaiah writes,“Seek ye the Lord while he may be found.” Godisn’t hiding, he is only a prayer away.
AFRICAN METHODISTEPISCOPAL ZION
Williams Chapel AME ZionBig Stone Gap
APOSTOLIC
Apostolic - Jesus ChristBig Stone Gap
First Apostolic FaithAppalachia
Norton Apostolic PentecostalEast Park Ave.(old Juste Music Building)Norton • 679-5373Pastor: Donnie CulbertsonSunday Services: 10:30 am
ASSEMBLIES OF GOD
New Hope Assembly of God1405 First Ave. E. • 523-3392Pastor Rick C. WhittenSunday School: 9:30 amSunday Worship: 10:30 am,6:00 pm
BAPTIST
Appalachia First BaptistAppalachia
First BaptistBig Stone Gap
Macedonia BaptistAppalachia
Oak Grove BaptistBig Stone Gap
Sovereign Grace Bible ChurchEast Stone Gap
BAPTIST - FREE WILL
Cedar Ridge Freewill BaptistBig Stone Gap
BAPTIST - INDEPENDENT
Charity BaptistWise • 328-8181Pastor: Larry OwensSunday School: 9:45 amSunday Worship: 11:00 am,6:00 pmWednesday Bible Study: 7:00 pm
West End BaptistBig Stone Gap
BAPTIST - SOUTHERN
Artesian BaptistBig Stone Gap
East Stone Gap BaptistBig Stone Gap
First BaptistAppalachia
First BaptistBig Stone Gap
Nash's Chapel BaptistWise
CATHOLIC
Sacred Heart CatholicBig Stone Gap
CHRISTIAN
First Christian ChurchAppalachia
CHURCH OF GOD
Bethesda Church of GodBig Stone Gap
Heritage Church of GodBig Stone Gap
Keokee Church of GodKeokee
CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OFLATTER-DAY SAINTS
Church of Jesus Christ ofLatter-Day SaintsBig Stone Gap
EPISCOPAL
Christ EpiscopalBig Stone Gap
HOLINESS
Full Gospel Church of GodEast Stone Gap
The Holiness Church-God inJesusBig Stone Gap
LUTHERAN - ELCA
Christ Lutheran Church120 West Main Street, Wise328-1111Lay Pastor: Michael SamerdykeSunday School: 10:00 amSunday Worship: 11:00 am
METHODIST
Derby MethodistAppalachia
METHODIST - UNITED
Appalachia United MethodistAppalachia
East Stone Gap United MethodistEast Stone Gap • 523-3760Pastor: Brad StapletonSunday School: 10:00 amSunday Worship: 11:00 am,7:00 pm
Trinity United MethodistBig Stone Gap
NON-DENOMINATIONAL
David's Tabernacle ChurchAppalachia
Esserville ChurchPastor Danny Smith • 679-5548Sunday School: 10:00 amWorship/Kidz Zone/ComfortZone: 11:00 amWednesday Bible Study: 7:00 pmwww.esservillechurch.org
Haven of Praise MinistriesAppalachia
Spirit and Truth Worship CenterBig Stone Gap
Thee ChurchAppalachia
OTHER
Cornerstone House of PrayerBig Stone Gap
Faith Hope UnitedBig Stone Gap
Faith Rock ChurchBig Stone Gap
PENTECOSTAL
Appalachia PentecostalAppalachia
Christian LifeBig Stone Gap
God's New Harvest PraiseBig Stone Gap
PRESBYTERIAN
Big Stone Gap PresbyterianBig Stone Gap
Norton Presbyterian Church Norton
Powell Valley PresbyterianBig Stone Gap
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST
Powell Valley Seventh DayAdventistBig Stone Gap
PASTOR’S CORNER
W E E K L Y W O R D S O F I N S P I R A T I O N
Seek the Lord
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SECRET THINGS: Read Deuteronomy 29:2-6, 29The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the revealed things belong to
us and to our children forever, to observe all the words of this law.
– Deuteronomy 29:29 (KRSV)
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: God’s majesty is beyond human understanding.
Prayer: Dear God, grant us wisdom as we explore the mysteries of your universe,and help us to be faithful in following you. Amen.
Beware: county’s bear problem gets new urgencyBY JENAY TATE
EDITOR AND PUBLISHER
WISE — County AdministratorShannon Scott told supervisors Thursdaythe county could be liable if somethingbad happens and it hasn’t done more toaddress problems involving bears.
The Virginia Department of Game andInland Fisheries put Wise County onnotice in September that its South Forkconvenience center is attracting blackbears and creating a public safety hazard.
Be aware, the state said in its Sept. 1letter of notice to the county, that contin-ued feeding of black bears at the trash dis-posal site, intentional or not, could resultin the issuance of a summons to the coun-ty administrator as well as safety risks toyour residents.
Scott said Wise County took immedi-ate action, has spent considerable timeand money trying to address issues at boththe South Fork center and at InmanVillage outside of Appalachia but moretime, effort and money will be required.
The state directed immediate action atSouth Fork, where a site visit by state
game officials revealed:• downed fencing that permitted access
by both people and bears at all times;• dumpsters without lids;• trash being left and strewn all around
the outside of the fence perimeter;• people coming to the dump site to
view the bears; and• people being witnessed feeding the
bears.“We were alerted to the escalating
problem at the South Fork ConvenienceCenter through photos posted online ofpeople hand feeding bears,” the state’s let-ter said.
Scott said a man had put donuts andcorn in a bag and thrown it to the bears sohis children could watch the bears eat.The man was cited and taken to court, hesaid.
The state warning letter advises thatboth Scott and County Attorney KarenMullins are aware of ongoing issues ofinadequate trash containment, bearsaccessing food and congregating at dumpsites and people purposely visiting andfeeding bears at dump sites.
Further, it said, VDGIF staff addressed
county supervisors back in 2011 abouttrash management and bears.
“We have been warned,” Scott toldsupervisors, “and there is danger to thepublic . . . Our failure to do anythingcould pose a liability to the county.”
The state recommended the countyclean up the sites, fix fencing so it couldbe closed and secured, install metal lidson dumpsters, erect no parking signs tokeep people from visiting at night,increase law enforcement patrols andlimit use of the sites to regular businesshours. The county has acted, Scott said,making physical improvements to fencingand adding new and more signs about notfeeding bears, not parking, not loiteringand not placing trash on the ground. It isrunning educational notices on televisionand arranging for game officials to talk tomiddle school students. The county alsohas plans to electrify fences arounddumpster sites and purchase some bear-proof dumpsters.
The county has spent a lot of money onfencing in Appalachia and at the SouthFork center, he said, only to have bearspromptly tear down what had just been
fixed. “We are simply going to have toremove the enticement of the bears. Weare going to have to stop laying waste onthe ground,” Scott said, and creating afood source. “I fear someone is going tobe injured or killed.”
Bears themselves are put at risk, henoted, for once tagged as a nuisance orthreat, they may have to be killed ratherthan released elsewhere to potentiallyresume their behavior.
Enforcement will be key, Scott said,and he has asked Sheriff Ronnie Oakesfor assistance from his office.
On Monday, Oakes said he and hisdeputies are acutely aware of the problem,which he said is spread throughout all ofWise County. His office responds to a callabout bears at least once a week andsometimes more.
“We’re doing the best we can,” Oakessaid, expressing frustration on exactlyhow to solve the problem. He said theyhave talked to citizens about securingtheir trash and even put on extra patrols attrouble sites. While the problem mayrequire even more attention, he said, hisoffice has limited manpower.
OpinionThe Post
Thursday,November 19, 2015 A6
‘Vetting’ isin the air
BY GLENN GANNAWAYNEWS EDITOR
A former Georgia congressman or some suchfantastical creature insisted on the TV the othernight that refugees should be vetted before beingadmitted to the United States.
The word “vet” and variations such as “vetted”and “vetting” have been much in the news lately,owing to the refugee crisis and fears of terrorism,and Bumbee’s starting to get nervous. But notbecause of refugees and terrorism. For our littledog, “vet” conjures up images of the kindly animaldoctor who sticks needles in Bumbee’s rump onceor twice a year and prescribes odd-tasting pills asneeded, although come to admit it, the pills go downpretty easy when they’re wrapped in a ball ofcheese.
But Bumbee’s reaction to the word “vet” demon-strates that the little dog has a better grasp of wordorigins than the fantastical creature from Georgia.Like the other habitués of the nation’s capital, thefantastical creature from Georgia has caught thesound of the word “vet” in the air and is followingit in hopes of scoring a tasty treat, like maybe anappointment to one or another of the think tanks thatdot the landscape of northern Virginia and offer . . .well, refuge, I suppose. Whether the fantasticalcreature from Georgia is aware of where the wordcame from — I don’t know. Maybe he’s just (toswitch animal metaphors) parroting what everyoneelse in the nation’s capital is saying.
Think tanks and colleges are the preferred desti-nations of fantastical creatures who think they maybe capable of what Cleopatra would have called “aRoman thought,” by which the queen of Egyptmeant her lover Antony was getting ready to hie itback to the seat of the empire and act like a respon-sible leader rather than lolling about on the Nile inher pleasure boat.
But that’s by the by. The word “vet” is latelypopular in its use as a verb meaning, as the onlinedictionary glosses it, “to appraise, verify, or checkfor accuracy, authenticity, validity, etc.”
But Bumbee’s instincts, it turns out, are correct.Because that particular use of “vet” is believed tohave come from “veterinarian.”
Back in Victorian days a horse buyer, for exam-ple, might say he planned to have the animal “vet-ted,” or examined by a veterinarian, before makingthe purchase. Within a few decades, “to vet” hadbegun to be used to describe the process of scruti-nizing anything. Or anyone, especially here lately.
The old American Heritage Dictionary of theEnglish Language that languishes on a table in aback room here at the office gives “to examine orappraise expertly” as the second meaning of theverb “vet.” This use of the word is also, accordingto this dictionary, “Chiefly British.”
Which suggests that the thought processes of ourfantastical creatures are inescapably stamped by themother country and its tongue. Although, truly, ourancestors came from all over, as has often beenpointed out. Used to be we were proud of living ina “melting pot” built by many peoples and on manytraditions. And some of the people who have arrivedon these shores over the centuries may have evenbrought with them the tradition of thinking like aRoman. At least, we hope so.
BY TOM PURCELLGUEST COMMENTATOR
I’m often out of touch with our rap-idly changing culture norms.
Here’s one change I’m behind on:that so many are getting so easilyoffended by every perceived slight,real or imagined.
These days a fellow can’t compli-ment a lady for wearing a beautifuldress without worrying that she mightcall him a chauvinist pig.
A fellow can’t criticize a presidentwhose policies have doubled our gov-ernment debt without being called ahater and a racist.
He can’t question whether climatechange may correlate to natural phe-nomena without being called a cli-mate Luddite, whose questioning willkill us all.
Across the country, critical think-ing is being overcome by emotionalthinking — and this feelings-basedapproach is being institutionalized oncollege campuses, according to a fas-cinating article in The Atlantic byGreg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt.
“In the name of emotional well-
being, college students are increasing-ly demanding protection from wordsand ideas they don’t like,” write theauthors.
This is a worrisome turn of events.As the authors point out, universitiesare not supposed to be in the businessof teaching students what to think —but how to think.
“The idea goes back at least as faras Socrates,” they write. “Today, whatwe call the Socratic method is a wayof teaching that fosters critical think-ing, in part by encouraging students toquestion their own unexaminedbeliefs, as well as the received wis-dom of those around them.”
Critical thinking is hard work.Feelings are easy.
“A movement is arising, undirectedand driven largely by students, toscrub campuses clean of words, ideasand subjects that might cause discom-fort or give offense,” write theauthors.
Jay Leno explains how hyper-sen-sitivity is getting out of control. Whenone of his show’s college internsasked if he wanted Mexican food forlunch, Leno told him he didn’t likeMexican food.
“Whoa, that’s kind of racist!” saidthe intern. Leno, telling the kid he hadno idea what racism really is, said,“Being anti-guacamole is not racist!”
What is worrisome about the insti-tutionalization of emotional thinkingover critical thinking is that easilyoffended emotional thinkers are goingto have a much more challenging timegetting through their lives and solvingtheir problems — not to mention theconsiderable challenges our country isfacing (debt, exploding entitlementspending, millions who don’t graduatehigh school, etc.).
Here’s a simple example of emo-tions getting in the way of solutions:One day I heard two women scream-ing in a parking lot. One woman hadslammed a car door on her elderlymother’s finger; her finger was caughtin the door.
Emotions drive out critical thinking
See PURCELL, Page A7
WHAT’S NEW
P.O. Box 250, Big Stone Gap, Virginia 24219Telephone (276) 523-1141 Fax (276) 523-1175
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BY MORGAN GRIFFITH9TH DISTRICT
REPRESENTATIVE
I continue to be horri-fied and heartbroken bythe Nov. 13 coordinatedterrorist attacks in Paris. Imourn the innocent vic-tims, pray for them and fortheir loved ones, and prayfor the people of France.
I strongly condemnthese attacks. Mr.President, the world needsstrong leadership from theU.S.
Unfortunately, it is allthe more clear that theIslamic State in Iraq andSyria (ISIS), whichclaimed responsibility forthese attacks, must not beunderestimated. Merely12 hours before theattacks, President Obamaclaimed that ISIS had been“contained.” I and others,including Sen. DianneFeinstein (D-Calif.), thetop Democrat on theSenate’s IntelligenceCommittee, disagree. “I’venever been more con-cerned,” Se. Feinstein saidon Nov. 16. “I read theintelligence faithfully.ISIL is not contained. ISILis expanding.”
ISIL — or ISIS, as Iprefer — is a very danger-ous terrorist organization,and it must be defeated.Aggressive American airpower hitting numerousISIS locations simultane-ously and boots on theground provided by ourArab allies (Saudi Arabia,Jordan, Egypt . . .) can dothe trick. A few Americansorties a day are notenough, Mr. President.
WORKING TOGETHER
Last week, I was fortu-nate to have joined somelocal officials and industryexperts in Abingdon at theManufacturing andLegislative CouncilMeeting organized by theSouthwest VirginiaAlliance forManufacturing (SVAM).
Manufacturers presentreported that they seek“industrial maintenance”employees who tend to therepair and upkeep ofindustrial equipment andmachines. It was reiteratedto us that manufacturing ismore than “screwdriversand wrenches” — manu-facturers need employees
MemoriesThis photo is identified on the back as the second East Stone Gap
High School, 1925-59. Photo courtesy of Lonesome Pine Schooland Heritage Center. To share photos or information about this orprevious pictures, email News Editor Glenn Gannaway, [email protected], or send to The Post, P.O. Box 250, Big StoneGap, Va. 24219.
BY WILL DURSTGUEST COMMENTATOR
Prepare for earth-shattering news —immigration has become a key issue in therace for the Republican nomination. Yes.Again. It’s what folks in the garden indus-try call a perennial. Or rather, biennial, as ithappens like clockwork every year endingin an even number. It’s as predictable asfruit flies in the dumpster behind a producestore on garbage day.
Every election cycle, the GOP energizesits base by sounding the newcomer alarm.This proud, honored American traditiondates back to the Iroquois, “Can’t let thosedamn Europeans in, they’ll ruin every-thing.”
Donald Trump dominated the earlyrounds of the Xenophobic GrandNationals, vowing to deport all 11,000,000undocumented residents. Which, accordingto immigration officials, at a rate of400,000 a year, would take 27 and a halfyears, just in time for Sofia Vergara’s 71stbirthday. It makes you think “MakeAmerica Great Again” is shorthand for“Make America White Again.”
This is in addition to the Trump Wall,which is guaranteed to be “tremendous andbeautiful.” But how the developer plans tobuild a 20-foot high, 1952-mile long wallon the Mexican border without usingMexican labor remains a mystery. What’sthe plan here? Draft housewives from SanDiego? “Marilyn, hand me that masonrytrowel would you? And grab some spiralshank nails, we need to buttress that stan-chion.”
It took the Chinese multiple centuries tobuild the Great Wall, requiring the forcedlabor of millions of peasants. Is it just me,or does importing millions of Mexicanpeasants to build a wall to keep outMexican immigrants seem counter-produc-tive?
But the big fat ugly dispute right now isbetween those rutting buck senators,
Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz. Rightly calcu-lating there is only room for one establish-ment candidate not named Bush, the twoare butting heads over past, present andfuture statements, each claiming the otheris soft, softer, softest on illegals.
That’s right, two sons of Cuban immi-grants are locking antlers over who is moreanti-immigrant. You can’t make stuff uplike this. In the Republican version of“West Side Story,” the Sharks rumble theSharks.
Back in 2013, as a founding member ofthe Gang of Eight, Rubio helped draft a billthat granted undocumented workers theright to remain in the country. Lambastedby hard liners as “amnesty,” the Floridasenator immediately saw the error of hisways, and voted against the very bill he co-sponsored. So it seems he’s getting thehang of this whole leadership thing.
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz is fixated like adog with a chew toy on the loss of jobs andlaughingly envisions immigrants crossingwith journalism degrees, implying thatjournalism degrees are a pathway to jobs.Hah. Talk about out of touch. Nobodybothers to mention that if you’re losingyour job to someone with a fifth grade edu-cation who doesn’t speak English, maybeimmigration isn’t your biggest problem.
So the race for the nomination comesdown to which of these two 44-year-oldanchor babies is best able to convince theAmerican people that he can make thiscountry great again by getting back allthose fruit-picking jobs we’ve dreamed ofall our lives. “Working outdoors. Sleepingon the ground. Just like camping, only dif-ferent.”
Will Durst is an award-winning, nation-ally acclaimed columnist and comedian.
GOP unleashes old immigration tacticDURST
GRIFFITH
Horrified,heartbroken byParis attacks
PURCELL
See GRIFFITH, Page A7
Big Stone Gap, Virginia The Post Thursday, November 19, 2015 Page A7
606-218-3500
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trained in information technology(IT) and electrical/mechanicalengineering. Today, “industrialmaintenance” means not onlyopening the machine, but beingable to work on the machine’s com-puter systems. Almost every pieceof manufacturing equipment is atleast partially computer-driven. Ifyou have these skills, you can finda job.
They also need employers whocan think for themselves and solveproblems.
I can’t help but think that somelaid-off workers in the coal-produc-ing regions of Southwest Virginia,with their skills, could fill availableindustrial maintenance positions.Others may need additional train-ing. I look forward to continuing towork with SVAM, area manufac-turers, and local legislators in thisregard, and will continue to look
for other methods of supportingand growing manufacturing in ourregion.
IMMIGRATION UPDATEAs you may recall, earlier this
year I joined a number of my col-leagues in the House and the Senatein signing an amicus brief challeng-ing the president’s actions on immi-gration. This brief was filed withthe Fifth Circuit Court of Appealsin support of a continued injunctionagainst the ObamaAdministration’s immigrationactions in the case of Texas v.United States.
On Nov. 9, the Fifth CircuitCourt of Appeals upheld theinjunction blocking the administra-tion from implementing its plan.Reports indicate the administrationwill likely appeal to the SupremeCourt for consideration.
I have said this before: thoughI believe the president’s immi-gration actions are unconstitu-tional, this important debate isnot about whether you like thesepolicies. It is about whether you
like the rule of law.
MEDICAREAs a reminder for all our sen-
iors, the Medicare open enrollmentperiod runs through Dec. 7. Duringthis time, seniors can add, drop, orswitch their coverage options.Seniors and family members maywish to review the options to findthe plan that best fits their needs.For more information, visitwww.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
VOLKSWAGEN DIESELThe German car giant has
admitted to cheating emissionstests in the U.S. on certain dieselengines from 2009-2015.
My colleagues and I on theHouse Energy and CommerceCommittee are investigatingVolkswagen’s actions. To echoCommittee Chairman Fred Upton(R-Mich.), “attempting to deceiveregulators and customers is a dou-ble whammy of betrayal.”
While VW is attempting to fig-ure out how to fix the diesel prob-
lem, they are offering a “CustomerGoodwill Package.” That packageis predominantly a $500 pre-paidVisa card and a $500 dealershipcredit.
Consumer Reports notes, “. . .Volkswagen is calling for owners tosubmit information online, waitfour weeks, then visit a dealershipand present a driver’s license, vehi-cle registration, and title or leaseagreement. Owners must claim thisaward by April 30, 2016.”
Information about the GoodwillPackage, including the ProgramRules/eligibility, is available onwww.vwdieselinfo.com.
If you have questions, concerns,or comments, feel free to contactmy office. You can call myAbingdon office at 276/525-1405or my Christiansburg office at540/381-5671. To reach my officevia email, please visit my websiteat www.morgangriffith.house.gov.Also on my website is the latestmaterial from my office, includinginformation on votes recently takenon the floor of the House ofRepresentatives.
GriffithFrom Page A6
PurcellFrom Page A6
I asked them to calmdown, but they wouldn’t.They were in a panic. So Ishouted, “Shut up!” Theystopped screaming. Ireached my hand inside thetop of the window, unlockedthe door, then opened it.Problem solved.
Emotional thinking —whereby you allow yourselfand your feelings to be thecenter of your universe —puts you at risk of beingswallowed up by your prob-lem.
Rational, critical think-ing — which helps you tostep outside of your worriesand prejudices — gives youthe liberty to evaluate andresolve the difficult chal-lenges you will eventuallyface.
So how do we overcomeour feelings-obsessed think-ing?
The authors argue thatuniversities need to get backto their original mission —teaching critical thinking —as stated by ThomasJefferson, founder of theUniversity of Virginia:“This institution will bebased on the illimitablefreedom of the humanmind. For here we are notafraid to follow truth wher-ever it may lead, nor to tol-erate any error so long asreason is left free to com-bat it.”
Tom Purcell is a nation-ally syndicated PittsburghTribune-Review humorcolumnist. Send commentsto [email protected].
Lenowiscogets stateagricultural
grantLenowisco is one of
three recipients of stateagricultural developmentplanning grants, Gov. TerryMcAuliffe’s officeannounced Monday.
The LenowiscoPlanning DistrictCommission’s RegionalAgricultural DevelopmentStrategic Plan received$20,000. Lenowiscointends to develop a strate-gic plan to fully analyzeand incorporate agriculturaldevelopment into theregion’s overall economicdevelopment efforts. TheLenowisco project willenable the region’s agricul-ture and economic develop-ment stakeholders to identi-fy priorities, strategies andimplementation projects,but also serve to furtherraise the profile of the localagricultural community,both locally and in theregion. The project will beoverseen by a work groupand steering committeerepresenting a broad anddiverse range of agricultur-al interests.
The LenowiscoPlanning DistrictCommission will use thegrant to develop a regionalagricultural developmentstragetic plan that will havelasting impacts on theregion’s economy,Secretary of Agricultureand Forestry ToddHaymore said.
The Lenowisco grant isone of three awarded fromthe Governor’s Agricultureand Forestry IndustriesDevelopment Fund,McAuliffe’s officeannounced Monday. TheCity of Roanoke EconomicDevelopment Authorityreceived $20,000 for acommunity kitchen andNelson County received$16,000 for its comprehen-sive planning process forfuture development.
“I applaud theLenowisco PDC, City ofRoanoke and NelsonCounty for their strongcommitment to Virginia’sagricultural and forestryindustries, and we arepleased to give them thetools to help them supportthose industries,” Haymoresaid.
BY GLENN GANNAWAYNEWS EDITOR
A good script makes for a good show, and Gary Bush feelslike he’s got a good’un in the works at Appalachia CulturalArts Center.
A cast of six stages Michal Jacot’s “Merry Christmas, DearGrandpa,” a holiday laugh maker, at ACAC starting with a 6p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21 show. Other performances are at 3p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22; 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5; and 3 p.m.Sunday, Dec. 6.
ACAC is on Main Street in Appalachia. Doors open about30-45 minutes before each performance. Ticket prices are$12, $10 for ages 55 and up and students. Children under age10 are admitted free.
Jacot’s briskly moving three-act comedy — performancetime will probably be a shade under an hour, plus intermission— is expected to elevate the laugh-o-meter as have pastACAC comedies, many with Bush at the helm as director.
As he always does when considering plays for ACAC,Bush reviewed scripts when looking for a Christmas produc-tion. And when he read Jacot’s “Merry Christmas, DearGrandpa,” Bush couldn’t help but laugh as he visualized howsome of the scenes would play out: “things were goingthrough my mind when I was reading it (and) I found myselfmany times laughing out loud at the way it was written,” he
said.Bush said his cast has done really well in
preparing. Juanita Quillen, David Gilbert,Janet Hampton, Glenda Flanary, TreyStidham and Lewis Horton are all veteransof the ACAC stage. Hampton, Quillen andStidham play the Hartley siblings, Amanda,Frankie and Keith. Flanary and Gilbert aremom and dad Hartley, and Horton plays thegrandpa of the title.
Amber invites her family to her Oregonhome for what she envisions as the perfectfamily Christmas: “An old-fashionedChristmas, right here in my new house,” shesays. “This is going to be so much fun!”
Right. That’s before Amber breaks bothwrists, grandpa shows up welding an attitudeand swinging a mean cane, and Keith andFrankie turn the perfect Christmas dinnerinto a farce, complete with flying rolls.
However, family love and the spirit of theseason eventually prevail, with the six Hartleys renewing theirlove for each other — the best Christmas gift that can be had.
The backstage crew includes Ronnie Bishop, lights andsound, and Pete Thompson, carpentry.
For more information and reservations, call 565-1386.
three girls told Garner.“It just shows how keen
this generation is to reach outand help others,” Garner saidin phone interview fromTexas recently. “I have foundthat this generation is pas-sionate about helping kids, soit didn’t surprise me on theone hand, but it did surpriseme that I had that responseout of that class. . . . It wasunsolicited.”
Invited to the school totalk about CERI, Garnermentioned in passing to theclass that one of CERI’s proj-ects is the shoe purchase —the organization has boughtshoes for more than 15 years— and that shoes are lessexpensive this year, about $5a pair. The first student toraise her hand and offer togive, Garner found out later,is on the federally fundedlunch program.
“Aware that the demise ofthe coal mining industry washitting hard everybody in thereach of Union High School,I knew this gift was not to betaken lightly,” Garner wrotein his report. “It was a realsacrifice on behalf of orphanshalf a world away.”
Noting that Vanover,Estep and Phillips hope tobecome a pharmacist, a crim-inologist and a computertechnician, Garner wrote thatthe three “possess the depthof character and commitmentto realize their dreams.”
“When three girls likeBrooke, Carissa, and Hopegive selflessly and with com-passion as they did, it is areminder to me from God ofhow much he loves the chil-dren in the world who areorphaned, lonely, and livedaily in need,” Garner wrote.
Garner had done the shoemission before he becameexecutive director of CERI in2006. CERI is set up to domissions in about a halfdozen countries, includingMoldova, the Ukraine andUganda.
Garner has also enjoyedworking on a sustainable gar-den project CERI conducts inAfrica. The people who thenoperate the gardens, Garnersaid, “replicate what we dotwo- or three-fold.”Missionaries plant the gar-den, fence it in and establisha water supply, “and when
we walk away, they haveplants growing, and in a fewmonths they will have foodgrowing. We just throw upthe gardens, but they meticu-lously care for them.”
Garner was pastor ofEast Stone Gap Baptistfrom 1968-71 after servingin the Navy and graduatingfrom Carson-NewmanCollege. When he left EastStone, Garner went toBaptist seminary in Texasand pastored a Texaschurch for 27 years. When
he resigned, CERI invitedhim to serve as executivedirector.
Garner anticipatesspending more time backin Southwest Virginia. Infact, he’s built a home inthe area and plans to travelfrequently between Texasand Virginia. “I will bespending more time in EastStone,” he said. “I look for-ward to that; I want to getinvolved in what’s goingon there — to lift up andbring programs to the area.”
Page A8 Thursday, November 19, 2015 The Post Big Stone Gap, Virginia
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OrphansFrom Page A1
BY JEFF LESTERCOALFIELD PROGRESS
NEWS EDITOR
Action by some Alpha NaturalResources retirees appears to haveslowed the company’s progress oneliminating certain benefits forthousands of non-union retiredworkers.
A hearing was set for Tuesdayin Richmond’s U.S. bankruptcycourt and was to have included amotion by Alpha’s Chapter 11bankruptcy counsel to terminatehealth premium subsidies andsome other benefits for about4,580 retirees, effective Dec. 31.
But according to an agenda ofbusiness for thehearing that wasfiled Friday by Alpha’s attorneys,the matter of retiree benefits hasbeen pushed back to earlyDecember.
The company on Nov. 3 askedthe court for permission to stoppaying the benefits, which cost thecompany about $2.7 million in2014 and represent an overall lia-
bility of about $125 million.But on Nov. 10, attorneys for
founder and former chief execu-tive Michael Quillen and fellowretired Alpha executives KennethPerdue, Eddie Neely, GeorgeOwens Jr., Leo Douglas Harris,Kurt Kost, John Schoolcraft andFoster Ram Tankersley filed amotion asking the court to form acommittee that will represent theinterests of retirees in the compa-ny’s Chapter 11 reorganization.
All eight suggested that they benamed to any such committee,which their attorneys argue mustbe formed to protect retirees’ rightsunder Section 1114 of the bank-ruptcy code.
The motion notes that Alphasays its proposed termination ofbenefits doesn’t require approvalunder, and is not subject to proce-dures otherwise mandated by,Section 1114.
In fact, the retired executivesargue, that section was enacted toprotect retiree rights from unilater-al termination.
The following day, the retirees’attorneys filed a motion seeking anexpedited hearing on forming aretiree committee. They noted thatsince the previous motion wasfiled, they had received “substan-tial inquiries from other retirees(individually and through coun-sel)” supporting appointment of acommittee.
Also on Nov. 11, the retirees’attorneys filed a response notingthat they had less than a week toanalyze and respond to the benefitstermination motion and neededmore time than a planned Nov. 17hearing in the Richmond courtwould allow.
That same day, another groupof attorneys filed an objection tothe termination motion on behalfof David Canterbury, RickySimpkins, David Hensley “andother similarly situated non-repre-sented salaried retirees.”
That objection argues that it isfundamentally contrary to Section1114 for a debtor to simply con-clude that it has a unilateral right to
terminate retiree benefits. That’sthe fox guarding the hen house,they asserted.
The attorneys wrote that Alphaapparently did not investigate his-torical representations made toretirees about vesting of benefitsand/or the lack of a right of unilat-eral termination in prior retirementplan documents.
Further, they too argue for cre-ation of a retiree committee so thatAlpha’s assertion of a unilateralright to terminate benefits can belegally and factually vetted.
It’s not uncommon for debtorsin Chapter 11 to initially assert thatright “only to have such claimswholly rebutted by evidence foundduring discovery,” they note.
The legal team representingCanterbury and others noted thatits members have been involved inother cases in which such claimswere rebutted by evidence in dis-covery, including Patriot Coal’sbankruptcy.
Finally, on Nov. 13 the UnitedMine Workers of America filed a
response to Alpha’s benefit termi-nation motion. The union stated ithas been unable to determine ifunion retirees are affected by thebenefits termination motion. Theunion joined the previous motionto postpone the Nov. 17 hearing.
The union agreed in requestinga retiree committee, which wouldinclude representation of theunion’s membership.
That same day, Alpha’s attor-neys filed a notice of agenda forthe Nov. 17 meeting. In it, theypropose adjourning the matter ofterminating retiree benefits to ahearing on Dec. 3 at 10 a.m.
The company filed for Chapter11 bankruptcy protection inAugust.
Copies of court filings in thecase and other case informationcan be found atwww.kccllc.net/alpharestructur-ing. General information fromAlpha can be found atwww.alpharestructuring.com or bycalling a toll-free information hot-line at 888/249-2703.
Retirees push back on Alpha benefit cuts
ACAC stages holiday laugh maker Saturday
PHOTO BY GLENN GANNAWAY
Trey Stidham plays Keith Hartley, a char-acter with a goofy sense of humor, inAppalachia Cultural Arts Center’s produc-tion of ‘Merry Christmas, Dear Grandpa.’The comedy opens at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov.21. Joining Stidham are (from left) DavidGilbert, Lewis Horton, Glenda Flanary,Juanita Quillen and Janet Hampton.
