Home Rule a gradual process for Milton Thursday, January 9, 2014
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By Justin Waybright justin@thecabellstandard.com
The city's plan to gain revenue to accomplish some of its long-term goals may take a bit longer than some expected. During the city council’s December meeting, members took a step toward acquiring the West Virginia Municipal Home Rule Program for Milton. City leaders read a new ordinance that will allow for power to lower B&O taxes and apply a 1 percent sales tax. However, the creation of a new ordinance may have been premature, said Mayor Tom Canterbury. "We sort of jumped the gun with the ordinance," he said. "The ordinance will have to be part of the public hearing." The application for Home Rule must be submitted by June 2014. Before it's sent, city officials must hold two public hearings and approve the ordinance for altering B&O Tax and introducing the 1 percent sales tax. "No one wants taxes to be raised any way, shape or form, and people may fight it, but I think the extreme of what it can do, will outweigh that," Canterbury said. "Anybody that pops off the interstate and fills up with gas will benefit us." The mayor continued, "If you are truly opposed to it, you can drive to somewhere like Barboursville that doesn't have the tax - this is just going to be a way of life, and it's only a penny on every dollar." Canterbury believes, if approved, Home Rule will help the SEE MILTON ON PAGE 3
50 Cents
Cabell endures arctic wind chills By Justin Waybright justin@thecabellstandard.com
Sub-zero temperatures and bone-chilling wind ripped through Cabell County, bringing with it an onslaught of school closings, power outages and accidents. Temperatures dropped 40-degrees on Monday, from 43-degrees to a frigid minus 2-degrees by midnight. Residents awoke on Tuesday to find the outdoor temperature was minus 4-degrees and wind chill of minus 20-degrees, according to the National Weather Service in Charleston. More than 671 power outages were reported in the county on Tuesday morning, according to Appalachian Power. On Monday there were 170 power outages reported in the county with many of those customers back online by noon the same day. Severe weather conditions closed Cabell County schools and 53 other county school systems in the state on Monday and Tuesday. A. Gordon Merry, Cabell
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Mallard ducks found open water and a place to weather the frigid temperatures earlier this week in the pond next to Blenko's Visitors Center in Milton. County Office of Emergency Management and EMS director, said that his office and Cabell County emergency responders kept a close watch on the arctic weather system as it moved through the area. Residents who were without heat and water did
have some problems. “We had a house fire in Altizer due to someone using a blow torch to thaw water lines,” he said. “People need to know not to use an open flame to thaw water lines.” Pea Ridge PSD Manager Mol-
lie Shadd, echoed Merry’s comments and urged caution to residents. "We encourage people to wrap pipes in heat tape," she said. "Also, let a small drip run, SEE ARCTIC ON PAGE 7
Drug problem tops list for 2014 Legislative Session By Justin Waybright justin@thecabellstandard.com
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Keeping the tight budget in mind, local senators and delegates are shifting their focus toward recouping the loss generated by the drug epidemic. The 2014 legislative session has begun, and members of the House and Senate are bringing ideas to the table in an effort to be proactive in tackling the nationwide problem. Sen. Evan Jenkins (R) is working to strengthen his relationship
with law enforcement officials and prosecutors. "I want to continue to be a leader in the fight against the drug crisis," he said. "I have been working with local law enforcement officials, prosecutors and others to develop legislation that will help address the epidemic." In Cabell County, the jail bill continues to be a problem. The county paid $2.77 million in 2010, $2.85 million in 2011 and $3.45 million last year, according to budget records. Nonviolent drug offenders make up the group that local pol-
icy makers plan to address. Del. Kelli Sobonya (R) aims to take a proactive approach. "We need to look at why people are abusing drugs and we need to focus more on prevention and resources for young people," she said. Del. Carol Miller (R) agreed. "It's important for those who are drug addicted to have rehabilitation and recovery resources, because we have a serious drug problem in the state, and we need to make sure these are funded properly," she said. "We need to help these people become pro-
ductive citizens." The delegate pointed to the recurring problem with Cabell County's rising jail bill. "We spend a lot of money on incarcerations, but if we are proactive, we can help the offenders make that positive step in life, which could be positive for Cabell County," Miller said. Del. Jim Morgan (D) is a member of the Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority. He said board members have been looking at ways to lower the cost SEE SESSION ON PAGE 4
Inside This Week: TUDOR’S HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY- PAGE 3 BARBOURSVILLE LIONS CLUB NEWS - PAGE 6 SCHOOL NEWS - PAGE 9
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