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LEWIS COUNTY COMMUNITY GUIDE Serving all of Lewis County, West Virginia
Copyright 2019
Martin recognized for perfect voting record
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
(681) 533-8458
Board of Ed meets with Jane Lew LSIC
PHOTO SUBMITTED
CHARLESTON — Delegate Patrick Martin, R-Lewis, has been recognized by House Clerk Steve Harrison for having a 100-percent voting record during his three years of service in the House of Delegates. Delegate Martin has the distinction of having recorded a vote in each of the 1,931 roll call votes during the 2017, 2018 and 2019 regular legislative sessions – not missing a single roll-called vote on a bill, motion or amendment since being elected to the House in late 2016. “I was sent by the people of the 46th District to be their voice in Charleston, and I have taken that solemn duty very seriously,” Delegate Martin said. “No matter the issue, I’m committed to making sure the best interests of the people of my district are represented. I don’t shy away from tough votes, or skip floor sessions for social events. The people of the 46th District sent me to Charleston to work hard on their behalf, and my perfect voting record reflects how seriously I take my legislative duties.” On Oct. 24, Clerk Harrison presented Delegate Martin with a certificate recognizing his 100-percent voting record on the 758 roll call votes during the 2019 regular session. Delegate Martin has received similar certificates for the past two years for his 100-percent voting record on the 568 roll call votes during the 2018 regular session and the 605 roll call votes during the 2017 regular session.
JOHN CLISE/Lewis County Community Guide
Lewis County Board of Education member Connie Riffle, left, and Lewis County Board of Education President Jim Flesher inspect drones used by members of the Lewis County High School Drone Team. The drones were purchased through a SPARK Grant. The team recently competed in a competition at Salem University. By John Clise Editor Members of the Lewis County Board of Education met with members of the Jane Lew Elementary School Local School Improvement Council before their regularly scheduled meeting earlier this week learning much from Jane Lew
Elementary School Principal Denise Sprouse. With a majority of the 294 students attending 93.7 percent of their classes Sprouse said educators are working with students to be sure all students are working towards success in the classroom. To that end, mathematics is taught for at least 60 minutes
each day at the school. After attending a model school schools conference, teachers have been asked to keep a data portfolio on each student with the older students having a bigger say in what goes in the binder, and bigger stake in their academic progress. According to Sprouse, each
student can see how their progress is either improving, staying the same or decreasing through the use of the portfolios. The older students, especially, have a bigger role in completing the standards based assessments which allows them to “take ownership of progress.” See BOE on Page 5
Trick or Treat Toys for Tots Agreement accepted in suspended set for tomorrow collection set to
start Nov. 1
By John Clise Editor LEWIS COUNTY — Ghouls and goblins will take to the streets in Lewis County, Weston and Jane Lew tomorrow evening from 6 to 7 p.m. Law enforcement officials remind drivers to be mindful of treat seekers while out driving. Also, parents and caregivers should be sure to keep an eye on their youngsters while they are out seeking treats. After regular trick or treating hours, all the ghouls, goblins, and other fancifully dressed youngsters are invited to Lewis County Park for a Free Community Halloween Party. There will be food, music, warm drinks and a fire from 7 to 9 p.m. Halloween is a time for fun and treats for princes, princesses, and superheroes, but experts at the West Virginia Poison Center (WVPC) warn parents to use caution and to keep safety in mind for their trick-or-treater. According to the WVPC, there are a number of issues to keep in mind when taking youngsters out to Trick or Treat. Inspect Halloween candy before eating it. Throw away See Halloween on Page 5
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LEWIS COUNTY — Needy youngsters in central West Virginia may have a cheerier Christmas this year through new toys contributed through the annual United States Marine Corps Reserve and Marine Corps League Toys for Tots program soon to be underway under way. The annual collection, spearheaded locally by Elkins’ Marine Corps League Leland D. “Crow” Crawford Detachment 956 in conjunction with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, will take place Nov. 1 through Dec. 17 with drop-off points at several locations in Randolph, Barbour, Lewis, Tucker and Upshur counties and some areas in Harrison, Greenbrier, Pocahontas and Webster ;counties. Applications for eligible families wanting toys will be THURSDAY Sunny 74/38
taken by telephone from Nov. 12 through Dec. 10. Families who have been approved to receive toys this Christmas from other area toy programs including Salvation Army, Helping Hand Clearinghouse, Tyrand Cooperative Ministries and any Angel Tree programs will not be eligible to receive toys through Toys for Tots. No Internet applications will be accepted. Through Dec. 17, new, unwrapped toys may be placed in numerous designated Toys for Tots collection boxes in areas including, but not limited to, all three Elkins Dollar General stores; Dollar General stores in Beverly, Buckhannon, Weston, Jane Lew, Belington and Philippi; Rite Aid stores in See Toys on Page 5
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magistrate case
ELKINS – U.S. Judge Thomas S. Kleeh has approved a non-prosecution agreement in the case regarding indicted Lewis Magistrate Roger D. ”Rob” Clem Jr., 47, of Weston, and Gilmer Magistrate Alton L. Skinner II, 58, of Sand Fork. A few weeks ago, Kleeh said he wouldn’t accept the agreements because of the unique nature of the case, adding that he couldn’t find any case where a deferred prosecution agreement had involved public officials and notied the two were in a position of public trust and betrayed that trust. Under the terms of this agreements, Clem and Skinner will not serve jail time, must resign from their position as magistrate, agree to not seek elective office again, and pay a $1,000 fine. The new agreement was made, according to court documents, pursuant to Rule 48(a) which states the motion should be decided “by determining whether the acting prosecutor acted in good faith at the time he moved for dismissal. A motion that is not motivated by
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bad faith is not clearly contrary to manifest public interest, and it must be granted.” In the case investigated by Jeff Shriner, agent for the West Virginia Commission on Special Investigations, and the IRS, Clem and Skinner were indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, two counts of wire fraud, two counts of mail fraud and one count of obstruction of justice. Skinner was also charged with one count of false statement to a federal agent. The charges involve E-Z Out LLC, based in Sand Fork, which is an authorized bonding company in Lewis County, the government has alleged. According to company records, E-Z Out is operated solely by Alton Skinner’s spouse and employs Skinner’s son as an authorized bonding agent, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell’s office stated. Clem was accused of taking favorable actions in court for E-Z Out, including setting unnecessary surety bonds. He See Magistrate on Page 5
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