Barbara Amos King met with the Wetzel County Commission Tuesday to discuss the road conditions on old Route 20 in Pine Grove. In particular, King referenced the very treacherous condition along the road near her home.

She believes the culvert has collapsed beneath the road. She contacted Mayor Dave Barr who then met with her to look for himself. On their hands and knees they examined the road and found it is nearly completely hollow.

King and other residents are worried this weak black top will cause accidents or even break away completely. Recognizing this is a Department of Highways issue, King simply wanted to bring the situation to light to the public and the commission in hopes of extra support in getting the problem repaired as soon as possible.

The commission assured King they would help make the necessary contacts to speed up repairs on this serious safety issue.

In another roadway matter, the West Virginia Division of Highways advises motorists that between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., state Route 7 in Wetzel County will be reduced to one lane of traffic with flagmen. This one lane reduction is necessary to repair a slip. The closure began Monday and the anticipated reopening of this lane is April 16.

In other news, the contracts have been signed for the portico ceiling project at the court house. Construction at the court house will soon begin.

Lastly, Theresa Hoskins and Carla Wade also met the commission this week on behalf of the Child Welfare League of America. The commission was asked to sign and adopt a resolution declaring April 23 as Children’s Memorial Flag Day in New Martinsville. Additionally, they asked and were granted permission to set out Pinwheels for Prevention around the court house yard. Each pinwheel represents one investigated case of child abuse.

Last year there were 223 pinwheels; fortunately this year that number is reduced to 193. This year’s pinwheels will be put out April 9. The resolution reads as follows:

Whereas, the Child Welfare League of America has promoted the Children’s Memorial Flag as a way of memorializing the thousands of children and teenagers in the United States who die violently each year; and whereas, each year numerous governors become involved in an impressive bipartisan effort, flying the flag or arranging for related events to memorialize children; and whereas, the Children’s Memorial Flag has become a recognizable symbol of the need to do a better job of protecting children; and whereas, the response of the public has been overwhelmingly positive as the program progresses each year; and whereas, approximately 3 million children are reported abused and neglected in this country each year; and whereas, the effects of child abuse are felt by whole communities and need to be addressed by the entire community;

and whereas, effective child abuse prevention programs succeed because of partnerships created among social service agencies, schools, religious, and civic organizations, law enforcement agencies, and the business community;

and whereas, all citizens should become more aware of the negative effects of child abuse and its prevention within their communities, and become involved in supporting parents to raise their children in a safe, nurturing environment; now, therefore,

we, the Wetzel County Commission, do hereby proclaim Friday, April 23, 2010, as Children’s Memorial Flag Day in New Martinsville, and urge all citizens to memorialize the thousands of children across the country who die violently each year.

We call upon all citizens to increase their participation in efforts to prevent child abuse, thereby strengthening the communities in which we live.