Thursday, February 19, 2015
The
Volume 146 Issue 7 50 Cents
Putnam Standard
Residents provide input to parks master plan By Michael Circle michael@theputnamstandard.com
A group of residents, including Putnam County Manager Brian Donat and Parks board member Sherry Searls, listen to GAI Consultants’ David Gilmore before giving input on the master plan.
Residents of Putnam County had a chance to share ideas and participate in a discussion about the future of Valley Park as well as Hometown Park. “It’s good to get community awareness out there for our local recreational park areas,” said resident Dustin Carr. “It would be great for the kids. We could get them out to facilities like this and it helps the community.” Nearly 20 residents turned out for the first public meeting hosted by GAI Consultants of Charleston. The company was hired by Putnam
County Parks and Recreation Commission to survey residents on new recreational activities they would like to see provided by county parks. Results of the survey will help GAI and officials develop a master plan. Putnam County Parks Director Scott Williamson said he was happy to see people getting involved in the creation of a master plan. “The public is getting involved,” he said. “They’re taking control of their parks which is what I want them to do. This is their park. We’re just the stewards of them and I want to see what they want. They tell us and we start budgeting and
planning.” Two days prior to the Feb. 12 public meeting, GAI Consultants unveiled a new link on the parks’ website, putnamcountyparks.net. The link takes residents to a survey page which allows residents who were not at the meeting to have some input. It also provides more background information about the project and a timeline. GAI Land Development Services Manager David Gilmore said that thus far the survey had more than 500 responses. “We’re happy with the turnout See Parks, Page 4
Winter Storm Octavia hits Putnam
Above, Bettis and Crosby enjoyed Valley Park in the snow. Left, Charles Boggs sleds down a hill in Valley Park with his granddaughter Baylie Wandling of Scott Depot.
Winter storm Octavia hit Putnam County Monday morning. For the first time this year school was canceled Monday and Tuesday as the storm brought the area to a standstill. Approximately a foot of snow fell in the region over a 24-hour period. The snow caused trouble for the Div. of Highways as crews tried to keep ahead of the storm that dumped an inch an hour on the area. The primary roads were kept clear for the most part on Monday while crews Jeff Givens of Teays Valley fills four tanks with gas early focused on secondary roads on Tuesday. Monday morning for farm use.
Trey Dawson puts the ball up for three while the Crazy Canes cheer. Photo by One-Eyed Jack’s Photography.
Revenge is sweet By Michael Circle michael@theputnamstandard.com
Revenge was sweet for the Hurricane boys basketball team during a rematch of the class AAA state basketball championship game from a year ago. This time it was the Redskins’ turn to come out on top as Huntington missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer giving Hurricane the win, 66-65. The Crazy Canes fans lived up to their names as they swarmed the gym floor and hugged their beloved players. The last time these two teams
met the Highlanders won the class AAA state championship 55-54 on a free throw by Arick Nicks with less than 3-seconds left. Senior Trey Dawson finished the game with 22 points, Brandon Ford with 16 points and J.T. Rogoszewski with 14 points. Earlier in the week Hurricane soared past inter county rival Cabell Midland with a 62-35 win. Hurricane coach Lance Sutherland said he saw both his defense and offense working hard to be the team they want to be going into See Hurricane, Page 11
INSIDE THIS EDITION: n Poca boys and girls win, pg 6-7 n 75 students from career center
qualify for state SkillsUSA, pg 16