DOWN: To the latest delay that will keep the Department of Motor Vehicles from opening a new headquarters in Parkersburg. DMV officials hoped to have the new facility on Lubeck Avenue open by late summer, but a $3 million construction bid for the project was rejected because of the cost. The DMV will rebid the project later, pushing the opening to October.
UP: To the Parkersburg South High School marching and jazz bands for the getting the opportunity this weekend to perform at the Epcot Center and at Universal Studios Orlando. Congratulations to the students for this opportunity.
UP: To Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Planning and Development Council Executive Director Jim Mylott. Mylott, who has been director of the council for the past 21 years, announced he will retire in June. The agency, located on Market Street, serves eight counties and provides several services pertaining to economic development and infrastructure projects. We wish Mylott well on his retirement.
UP: To today's scheduled ceremony to honor Vietnam veterans. The ceremony, part of the annual "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day" day of recognition, will be held at 10 a.m. at City Park's Stepping Stones of Honor. The event is free and open to the public and is sponsored by the Veterans Museum of the Mid-Ohio Valley.
UP: To Jill Fox and Jayne Whitlow, who were honored this week by Altrusa International Inc. of Parkersburg as "Women of Excellence." The two Parkersburg residents received their awards during a reception at the Parkersburg Art Center. Whitlow, a teacher at Parkersburg South High School, was recognized for bringing the school's art, music and art departments together for theater projects. Fox, a student at West Virginia University at Parkersburg, was recognized for educating people about People First Language and the respectful treatment of people with disabilities. Congratulations to these women for the fine work they did to earn these honors.
DOWN: To West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin traveling across the state Thursday to sign a prescription-tracking bill into law three different times in what could only be considered a re-election photo op. Such antics should be billed to the governor's campaign fund, not to the taxpayers.
