SUPERVALU to close warehouse in Milton Thursday, January 16, 2014
90 workers affected By Trudy Black
School Board Discusses Calendar Page 3
50 Cents
County employee vehicle usage an issue
trudyblack@thecabellstandard.com
By Justin Waybright
SUPERVALU plans to close its Milton distribution center, a move that will affect about 90 employees. The supermarket company is consolidating the center into its New Stanton/Pittsburgh distribution center. The closure is expected to be completed by the end of April 2014. In a news release, SUPERVALU said it regularly reviews its business in order to maximize efficiency. The release went on to say, “As a result of excess capacity within the over 771,000 square foot New Stanton/Pittsburgh facility, SUPERVALU is able to effectively consolidate these two operations and better position the company for future growth of its distribution business in the region. The decision will not impact any SUPERVALU independent retail customers, and the company remains fully committed to continue serving its affiliated independent retailers throughout the region moving forward.” SUPERVALU said it will work with the affected employees, as well as their union representatives, to discuss details of the consolidation and ensure a smooth transition. As of this time, it is unclear whether SUPERVALU plans to sell or lease the building. SEE SUPERVALU ON PAGE 6
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l Volume 116 l Issue 2
justin@thecabellstandard.com
County employees helped sway a controversial policy off the commission's agenda during the first meeting of 2014. After a backlash from various Cabell County department supervisors, the proposal to do away with take-home work vehicle usage was nixed. The commission proposed the policy modification in an effort to bypass the burden of stricter regulations imposed by the IRS on county vehicle use. One-by-one, county employees spoke against approving the proposed policy change. "This includes the vehicles of all the offices in the courthouse,"
explained County Assessor Irv Johnson. "My question is, what is at hand?" Sheriff Tom McComas responded to commissioners. "If you all adopt a no-takehome-vehicle-policy, and you have Gordon Merry [EMS Director] - then he would have to drive his personal car here and then get in the county car," he said. "If this is a rigid policy, I would like to think that our EMS director ought to be exempt." McComas continued, "Nobody wholeheartedly agrees with what's going on here." Commissioner President Nancy Cartmill answered, "The county's tried to do things in the past, but couldn't get mileage and other documentation from employees, and I've gotten re-
sponses from the public about people driving their county vehicles home, to church, the grocery store and other places, and the public doesn't like that." "That's a bitter pill to swallow," said McComas. Merry responded, "I don't like it, but if it is, then it is and I have to do what you all say." Cartmill explained the intention behind the policy. "We're not trying to hurt anybody - we're just trying to make this work," she said. "The policy we have in place now is not being followed." County Attorney Bill Watson suggested the idea of allowing employees to use their vehicles the same way they have been, but pay a set rate for the privilege.
Cartmill responded, "They would have to pay taxes on the leased value of the car. They can still have them [vehicle takehome privileges], just pay taxes." County Manager Chris Tatum clarified. "In the past, the vehicles were not taxed - they were just considered part of the job, but now the IRS considers them a taxable benefit," he explained. "They've given us guidelines and we're just trying to abide by them." Tatum said most vehicles used by county employees fall between the 18-and-25-percent tax bracket, averaging $1,000 to $1,500 in annual taxes. Seconds later, the commissioner made a decision to kill the SEE ISSUE ON PAGE 4
Midland teams face tough opponents Girls lose to Huntington, bounce back at Princeton
Boys fail to overcome slow start in matchup By Brian Harper
By Brian Harper
For The Cabell Standard
For The Cabell Standard
Going into the match-up with the George Washington Patriots, the Cabell Midland Knights knew what they wanted to do. “Our game plan was simple,” Cabell Midland coach Matt Stead said. “Slow down Jon Elmore.” Unfortunately for the Knights, they were unable to overcome a slow start and could not stop Elmore, who had a game high 21 points for the Patriots. George Washington jumped out to a 12-0 lead early in the first quarter, using both their size and quickness advantage to take control. The Knights did not get on
A third of the way through the season the Lady Knights are finding their stride. The unbeaten Cabell Midland Lady Knights lost to Huntington Lady Highlanders, defeated by a score of 54-41. Two days later the Lady Knights bounced back and defeated Princeton 56-27, improving their record to 5-1. Cabell Midland started the match-up with Huntington strong, beginning the first quarter with a 9-2 run and controlling the pace of the game by exploiting their size advantage down low. However, the Lady Highlanders
SEE BOYS ON PAGE 9
Sawyer Beckett (25) looks for an open teammate while being guarded by an opposing player from Ripley. Photo by Heather Barker
SEE LADY KNIGHTS ON PAGE 9
Midland's Sierra Jordan grabs a rebound. Jordan scored 11 points for the Knights.
Inside This Week: BARBOURSVILLE BICENTENNIAL - PAGE 3 WATER CRISIS - PAGE 5 TOYOTA’S PRESIDENT - PAGE 8
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