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Tuesday, June 24, 2008 "When news breaks, we fix it" Serving West Virginia since 2005
Russ Weeks: An American Life
Robbing Jefferson to pay Fairmont
In Fairmont, Manchin takes credit; in Jefferson Cty, says it wasn't his decision
Wednesday, June 18, Fairmont Times:
Gov. Joe Manchin said Tuesday he’s going to free up state highway construction dollars to finish the new Gateway Connector highway by 2010. The governor’s action to transfer state funds from other highway projects that have run into delays breaks a funding logjam... “Our goal is to award the last two contracts this year and hopefully get the road finished in 2010,” said Lara Ramsburg, the governor’s communications director.Friday, June 20, The (Martinsburg) Journal:
It’s a use-it-or-lose-it situation, Ramsburg said. The $21 million must be allocated for a project before Oct. 1. She said the recommendation for the reallocation came from the Department of Transportation and didn’t originate with the governor’s office.Senate candidate Adams says taking money from Jefferson project raises several questions
Bob Adams, candidate for the State Senate, 16th District, says he is appalled at Gov. Joe Manchin’s grab of $21 million of highway money from Jefferson County to finish a road project in the governor's hometown of Fairmont.“The governor’s actions are as clear as a coat of cellophane,” said Adams. “The residents of Jefferson County have to ask, is this another payback for not passing table games?”Adams said it was interesting that while the governor’s spokesperson claimed in the Martinsburg Journal that this decision was made by the Department of Highways, an earlier story in the Fairmont Times reflects the governor taking credit for the relocation of funds.“It’s clear that even Delegate Wysong has been taken by surprise by this turn of events,” said Adams. Adams said there are no guarantees that additional funds will be found to finish the Route 9 project, or that the alleged problem with bugs that supposedly halted the Jefferson project can be solved anytime soon."There are other pressing funding needs in the Eastern Panhandle,” said Adams. “In reality, this is a blatant money grab by the governor that helps his hometown at the expense of the people of our region.”Stories highlight Weeks' campaign on Internet, abortion fight with gov
RUSS WEEKS
Stories this week by The Associated Press and the Charleston Daily Mail highlighted Russ Weeks' campaign for governor, focusing on his Internet ad campaign and his differences with Gov. Joe Manchin on the abortion issue.The Daily Mail noted that Weeks "is utilizing the Internet and popular video sharing Web site YouTube in introducing himself and his message to voters." The story contains mostly positive comments about the power of the Internet.On abortion, the AP quotes Weeks saying Manchin is "just the typical politician paying every group lip service..."Alexander likely making mistake jumping into pro basketball now
As faithful readers know, I love the NBA, and I'd rather watch a meaningless season-ending game between the two worst teams in the pro league than the college national championship game.That doesn't mean I don't watch college hoops, because sometimes I do, particularly West Virginia University, but I much prefer the play for pay league where the best players in the world compete. For me, college hoops is nothing more than a free minor league for the professionals. But as much as I look forward someday to watching West Virginia University's Joe Alexander going up against Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Dywane Wade, he would be wise to hone his skills another year at WVU before making the big leap.The difference between college basketball and the NBA is the difference between paintball and the war in Iraq. Players who think they are ready to make the jump before completing their senior year almost always spend the first two or three years riding the end of the bench, and often failing to ever develop their full potential.Players who go directly from high school to the pros like Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett and Lebron James and meet with superstar success are, well, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett and Lebron James. They are, in other words, as rare as a Republican at the Racine Labor Day picnic. But even those three could have benefitted, fundamentally, from a couple of years of college ball.And players who attend college but leave early fare little better, in terms of the overall statistics. We generally know the success stories, like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson or Shaquille O'Neal, but more players wash out or become minor role players than reach star status.Before the advent of the American Basketball Association in 1967, the NBA refused to draft players until their senior college classes had graduated. But the ABA broke that rule, the courts said the rule could not be enforced, and the doors into professional basketball were kicked wide open as the NBA and ABA began competing for underclassmen.Before those days, players like Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor and others could not sign pro contracts until their college classes had graduated. (Wilt quit school early and played a year with the Harlem Globetrotters while waiting on his fellow classmates to graduate before the NBA would take him.) But they were all much better players, and the NBA was arguably a better league, because of the entry requirement.Joe Alexander has become a very good college basketball player, but he has been a late bloomer. He peaked during the NCAA tournament, which is why his stock rose so suddenly with the pro scouts -- coupled with the fact this is a pretty weak draft class. But he has not shown a long stretch of consistency, and the types of moves and shot attempts he has found success with in college will be matched easily by the guys riding the benches in the NBA.It is nearly impossible to pass up the monetary riches that await a top 10 draft pick, which is where some project Alexander going. But by playing his senior year, getting bigger and stronger, and learning even more fundamentals of the game, he would not only improve his draft standing, but actually extend his career and make himself a much more valuable pro than he might end up being by coming out now.Bob Huggins has never been a coach who tried too hard to talk his players out of going pro, and who knows what his counsel to Alexander has been. In the end, the big paycheck and the lifetime dream of playing in the NBA can just be too much for reason to overcome. Here's hoping it all works out for Joe Alexander. But the odds are against him.
JOE ALEXANDER
Ready for the NBA?
GOP wins on gas tax, as gov now says OK
Gov. Joe Manchin has reversed his earlier position and now says he will ask lawmakers in special session to hold off a scheduled increase in the gas tax for one year.Manchin's reversal is a victory for House Minority Leader Tim Armstead and other Republicans who called for such a move several days ago. At the time, Manchin responded with a sarcastic comment in the Charleston Daily Mail, saying, "Why don't [Republicans] call their buddies in the oil companies and ask them to lower some of their profits?"The governor no doubt heard from fellow Dems who realized Republicans were right and the governor was wrong. Manchin now tells The Associated Press, "We think this is the best way we can bring relief to all citizens." Manchin will likely do an about-face soon on the need for a constitutional amendment on marriage, as demanded by the GOP.