DOWN: To the union officers of United Steelworkers Local 5668 for rejecting the latest offer from Constellium Rolled Products of Ravenswood without giving rank-and-file members the opportunity to vote on it. Workers walked off the job nearly five weeks ago after negotiators for the union and the company failed to agree on a new contract. The latest offer was made after Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin intervened in an attempt to help both sides reach an agreement.
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UP: To this week's ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the long-awaited Williamstown Wetlands Park. The park was a 10-year effort among the Williamstown Woman's Club and the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Section, the Little Kanawha Resource Conservation and Development program (RC&D) and the Civilian Conservation Corps in West Virginia.
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DOWN: To Wood County Board of Education member Jim Fox for his somewhat hypocritical comments during this past Tuesday's Board of Education meeting in which the record number of students receiving free or reduced-price lunches was discussed. Fox rightfully said the board needs to offer programs for the families of these students. However, he seems to conveniently forget that in June, the board unanimously voted against a proposal that would have allowed 17 county schools to participate in a federal pilot program giving all students in those schools free meals. If Fox really wanted to help families, maybe he should have put a little more thought into his vote in June.
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UP: To the volunteers who were recognized this past week for their efforts in the aftermath of the June 29 derecho. Representatives from 20 local businesses, civic organizations, cities, schools, foundations and others gathered at the Red Cross building on Eighth Street for a ceremony. The Red Cross honored those who helped during the massive blackout following storms in late June where power was out to many areas for several days. Each one was presented with a "Thank You" certificate from the Red Cross and a family first aid kit.
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UP: To today's seventh annual Taste of Parkersburg event, which will be held next to the Blennerhassett Hotel. The event, from 5-11 p.m., gives food and alcohol vendors from the area a chance to show their wares in a relaxed and festive setting.
