Senate President Mitch Carmichael (R-Jackson) and House Speaker Tim Armstead (R-Kanawha) have formally requested that the Joint Legislative Committee on Flooding reexamine the RISE West Virginia program. (Department of Commerce)
By: Jarrod Clay, Kennie Bass, Jeff Morris | Posted: May 23, 2018 | Source: WCHSTV
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS/WVAH) — Senate President Mitch Carmichael (R-Jackson) and House Speaker Tim Armstead (R-Kanawha) have formally requested that the Joint Legislative Committee on Flooding reexamine the RISE West Virginia program.
In a letter sent to the committee, Carmichael and Armstead said,” Many questions and concerns have arisen regarding the management of the West Virginia RISE program, contracts awarded by the program and use of funding the program is charged with administering. I am sure you will agree that flood survivors who are awaiting assistance, as well as the taxpayers, want to ensure that we obtain answers to these questions. We are, therefore, requesting the Joint Legislative Committee on Flooding hold one of more public meetings to examine the management of the West Virginia RISE program at the earliest opportunity.”
Read the complete letter here:
Letter to Flood Committee by WCHS/WVAH on Scribd
This comes on the heels of an Eyewitness News iTeam investigation into questions swirling about West Virginia’s flood recovery program.
Kanawha County Commission President Kent Carper said Wednesday he wants a review of LLP/RISE WV, which was contracted by the state Department of Commerce to assist those affected by the June 2016 flood.
“I am completely dissatisfied with the performance of Horne, LLP aka RISE WV and the efforts they have made to help the citizens of Kanawha County that were affected by the flooding that occurred two years ago,” Carper said in a news release. “These citizens deserve to be helped so they can have their homes back.”
Kan. Co. Commission President Kent Carper calls for @wvlegislature review of RISE WV flood recovery program and Horne, LLP, the contractor hired by @wvcommerce to help lead the recovery effort.#EyewitnessWV pic.twitter.com/reOir61AyV
— Kennie Bass (@KennieBassWCHS) May 23, 2018
Our iTeam investigation found that in the aftermath of that disaster, millions of dollars in donations poured into the state and last august, Gov. Jim Justice announced the formation of the Rise West Virginia Disaster Recovery Program, but many people are still in need.
RISE WV was introduced as a way to repair and reconstruct single family homes and rental units which were damaged in June of 2016. But many disaster victims say instead it’s been a bureaucratic nightmare and nearly two years after the high water receded, they are no closer to having their lives put back together.
On Tuesday, several top lawmakers, including Sen. Ed Gaunch, R-Kanawha, and House Speaker Tim Armstead, said the program has failed those who needed it most.
Letter from Kan. Co. Commission President Kent Carper to Mary Jo Thompson, Director of Community Advancement and Development, outlining his concerns about the performance of the RISE WV flood recovery program and the contractor hired by @wvcommerce, Horne, LLP. #EyewitnessWV pic.twitter.com/bHi2byScBr
— Kennie Bass (@KennieBassWCHS) May 23, 2018
In Kanawha County, at least 288 residents who were affected by the floods have requested assistance from RISE WVA and have not been approved for assistance, the news release from the Kanawha County Commission said. The Kanawha County Planning Office has been attempting to obtain information from Rise WV regarding the applications and were told the information could not be shared with the county’s Planning Office.
“I want answers. I believe the Legislature and the Legislative Auditor’s Office should consider this matter and determine if RISE WV has been paid for services they have actually performed,” Carper said.
Carper commended members of the Legislature who have raised issues about the RISE WV program.
“Senator Gaunch, Senator Ferns, Speaker Armstead and others, and I stand with them and believe a complete inquiry needs to be completed,” Carper said.
Below is a news release the Kanawha Commission’s news release and copies of letters Carper has sent to officials calling for the legislative review:
RISE WV Press Release by Anna Taylor on Scribd
By: Jeff Jenkins | Posted: May 22, 2018 at 1:47 p.m. | Source: WV MetroNews
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — It’s possible site preparation for the construction of a new Herbert Hoover High School in Kanawha County won’t begin until November 2019. A pending bat study by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service could push the timbering of the site back by one year, state lawmakers were told Tuesday. (more…)
Herbert Hoover High Principal Mike Kelley walks through a hallway in the former Hoover building that was filled with slick mud by the June 2016 flood. The building was closed, and students are attending classes in portable rooms until a new school is built. Gazette-Mail file photo
By: Ryan Quinn, Staff Writer | Posted: May 21, 2018 | Source: WV Gazette-Mail
Several state School Building Authority board members Monday opposed voting on the contested bid to demolish Kanawha County’s former Herbert Hoover High building, and the SBA’s board executive director said after the vote that he doesn’t plan to put the issue on a meeting agenda.
Gazette-Mail file photo
By: Phil Kabler, Statehouse Reporter | Posted: May 20, 2018 | Source: WV Gazette-Mail
Legislative auditors continue to struggle to get a handle on use of the state’s vehicle fleet because of agencies that are exempt from state Fleet Management regulations, and the lack of a state law requiring agencies to separately track business and nonbusiness mileage, auditors advised the legislative Post-Audits Committee Sunday.
This photo from a U.S. Chemical Safety Board report shows the Freedom Industries facility along the Elk River, and highlights the tank that spilled the chemical Crude MCHM into the river near the intake for West Virginia American Water’s plant in Charleston. An estimated 300,000 people were told not to drink, clean with, bathe with or otherwise use the water for days. The tank farm has since been demolished. Gazette-Mail file photo
By: Kate Mishkin, Environment Reporter | Posted: May 19, 2018 | Source: WV Gazette-Mail
Residents and businesses affected by the 2014 Kanawha Valley water crisis won’t receive settlements until a federal judge issues his final approval order and administrators finish processing the claims.
CLENDENIN, W.Va. – The Clendenin Leader had an opportunity to sit down with Clendenin, West Virginia Mayor, Shana Clendenin. Not only did we learn about Mayor Clendenin, and why she decided to run for mayor, we also talked about the progress that has been made during her past 11 months in office. In addition to the upcoming Clendenin Homecoming Festival June 22-24, 2018, Clendenin is now a prime location for recreation and tourism based economic development.
A very important event coming up on Saturday, June 2, 2018 is the Elk River Clean-up. This is a great opportunity for the community to get involved and make a difference for the Elk River area. We plan to have more sit down discussions with Mayor Clendenin in the future to keep the Clendenin community informed and encourage everyone to get involved in the great things that are going on in the town of Clendenin.
Rusty Bunner loads a voting machine into a rack after it was returned Tuesday evening at the Wood County Courthouse. The first precinct returned at 7:55 p.m. to the courthouse. (Photo by Jeff Baughan)
By: Jeff Baughan, Reporter | Posted: May 9, 2018 | Source: Parkersburg News and Sentinel
PARKERSBURG — Vienna City Council member and Parkersburg attorney Jim Leach will face Republican incumbent Michael Azinger in the West Virginia Senate District 3 race in November. (more…)
By: Joe Severino and Douglas Soule, Staff Writers | Posted: May 9, 2018 | Source: WV Gazette-Mail
Below are the results of some county-level races in Central and Southern West Virginia.
