A Cork/Braddock Street blunder? Street not wide enough to accommodate 4 lanes

Let me explain what happened here, basically, it was said that the City's Engineer wanted a total of 4 lanes at this Cork/Braddock street intersection headed West going past George Washington's Hotel and Braddock Sports Shop.

Heading West, city officials wanted the following :

- right turn left to head north on Braddock
- straight lane to head west on Cork
- left turn lane to head south on Braddock

AND

- straight lane coming east from Cork heading toward Loudoun St / Cameron St that will eventually bring you to the Cork/Valley Ave intersection.

Problem was duly noted in the beginning by many concerned folks, there was not enough room for vehicles turning left coming South from Braddock onto Cork heading East.

How much was this little blunder? Again, I was told by a concerned biz owner, another issue that they tried to inform individuals about in the beginning as he also tried to inform the folks about the push buttons on the Braddock/Cork street intersection.

What had to be done to correct this mistake ...
- they tried to scratch the line out, but I don't believe that worked
- had to repave the section as one can see
- lights will have to be moved on the arm as you can see will not align properly with lanes
- who pays for this boo-boo?

To close, another issue that could of been avoided if city officials would of listen to at least this biz owner.

Bridgeforth Field "infield" getting a makeover also?

There is talk that WPRD is seriously looking at getting the infield at Bridgeforth Field relasered cut and new sod installed due to the safety issues with the non-levelness of the playing surface.  Today is November 1st, something will have to happen soon for the sod to take root before winter sets in.

Kudos to the WPRD folks, Mike White and Brad Veach for taking a more in-depth look at the seriousness of this concern at Bridgeforth Field.

THE PIBBSTER's PUB has not been informed IF Shenandoah University will be contributing to this project or not?  If they are, then an update will be made to this post.


Exciting time baseball fans!  I sure hope the wants of some do not get in the way of what is needed dearly to make Bridgeforth Field SAFE for of ALL of user groups of this facility.

Review Mr. Veach's comments below, who is WPRD Director and Mike White, who is the Operations Superintendent:

-----Original Message-----
From: Bradley Veach
Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 8:45 AM
To: 'JEFF MILBURN'

Subject: RE: Infield renovation @ Bridgeforth field?

Jeff,

Good morning.

Yes, we are looking at several options (regrade and sod vs artificial turf) for the infield and depending upon the direction we decide to take, some of the user groups may need to financially support our unified effort. Those specific details have not been worked out because there is a significant difference in price between the two options. It is premature to speculate which option we will take until we look at all the pros and cons (which we are doing right now) and then we will determine what resources the user groups can bring to the table. The park budgeted money to make improvements and the work by the HHS students and the volunteers in a few weeks will allow us to stretch those tax dollars to do more than we originally anticipated. We are keeping an open mind on all the options. We'll make a decision after we evaluate all of this. After the City determines what option is in our best interest, which will likely happen within the next week, we will procure the construction services necessary to implement our final decision. Time is against us so we will need to move quickly before the ground freezes. I'll have more info within a week.

Brad


From: JEFF MILBURN
Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 6:08 PM
To: 'Bradley Veach'

Subject: Infield renovation @ Bridgeforth field?
Importance: High

Brad,

As a concerned tax paying citizen, I would like to know if there is anything going on with the infield at Bridgeforth?  If so, where is that money coming from for that project?

I look forward to your reply.

Thanks,
JEFF

-----Original Message-----
From: Michael White 
Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 8:43 AM
To: 'JEFF MILBURN'
Cc: 'Bradley Veach'
Subject: RE: Suggestion at Bridgeforth field renovation work

Jeff, got your message yesterday.  I was out of the office with my son.  Thanks for the call.

Don’t know if you’ve touched base with Brad on the subject in my absence but we have been discussing the infield with all of the renovations for sometime.  Renovation work outside the field started first because no one needed the buildings.  There is a lot of research and pricing going into the infield process.  We are working with the Bridgeforth committee on the process and some of the user groups have expressed an interest in seeing if artificial turf is a viable option.  That option brings it’s own set of unique challenges as well as some advantages.  So, at this point, we haven’t determined the exact direction with regards to the infield as many variables will factor into the decision, the main one being funding.  At this point, I do feel confident in saying, one way or another we will have a new playing surface at the field for the upcoming season.

Regarding the company from Maryland, if we decide to re-grade the field, we have secured a company out of Remington, VA to do the work.  They have several ballfield maintenance contracts with other entities throughout Virginia and their bid price for their “plow, grind, and grade” service is $1.00 per sq/ft which includes resodding the field once they’re done.  It will only take them about 10 days to do the work and part of the service includes a deep cultivation where they go down as deep as 8” to help give the infield some vertical drainage as well as regrading it to give it the proper amount of sheet drainage.  Once it’s done, that should last anywhere between 6-8 years before it should be done again.  It’s an outstanding price that no one has even come close to beating.  So far, their references check out and we’re excited to move forward with them if that’s the direction the committee and the park decide to go.  Given the time of year, as you previously mentioned, the calendar is definitely against us right now so we are hopeful to have a decision within the next few days.

Thanks,

Michael White, CPRP
Operations Superintendent

[updated November 4, 2009 @9:15am]

Buettner explains decision to hike city attorney's salary

Buettner explains decision to hike city attorney's salary
Council president says almost $20,000 raise was needed to stay competitive
By Alex Bridges -- abridges@nvdaily.com
October 22, 2009

WINCHESTER -- The City Council wants to revisit salaries for government workers and make them more competitive.

The council began this month with City Attorney Anthony "Tony" Williams by giving him a 20 percent raise.

The council unanimously passed a resolution Oct. 6 to increase Williams' pay to $124,000 following a closed session convened to discuss personnel matters. That's an increase from $104,728.

The change comes amid reduced revenues during an economic slowdown. Additionally, the city's current budget includes no salary increases for any employees as well as a freeze on hiring for some noncritical positions.

Council President Jeffrey Buettner on Wednesday defended the council's action as a way to keep Williams in his position rather than lose "a first-class city attorney."

"We felt we needed to address a deficiency in his salary even in a tight, tight time, when you've got somebody who's been with you for four years and he's still making one of the lowest salaries in the state, that needs to be addressed or he'd start looking elsewhere," Buettner said.

Councilman Evan Clark concurred.

"Mr. Williams wanted to stay, he had been with the city for some time and I think he's given the city excellent service," Clark said. "I think council feels that way, I think city staff feel that way. Hopefully the citizens of Winchester feel that way as well."

Williams had been offered a higher salary by another locality and could have left, Clark said.

"At this time, with all the things the city is trying to deal with, I think city council felt strongly that this was not the time to lose one of our key players," Clark said.

Winchester appeared to pay one of the lowest salaries for its attorney compared to other cities in Virginia, according to Buettner. The city risks paying more to hire a third party to perform Williams' duties or someone with his skills, Buettner said.

The council found the city's pay scale gave it flexibility to increase Williams' salary without changing his grade, according to Buettner.

"At the same time, we've gotta apply the same thing to the whole city and, while we're certainly not saying we're going to go out and give huge increases to anyone, we also need to be competitive," Buettner said.

Pay raises may be needed in spite of the economic downturn.

"We absolutely understand the economy and I think the actions we took last year -- with putting furlough days in, with the selection of hiring freezes, with no pay increase -- shows we understand the economy," Buettner said. "But at the same time, we've got to be adaptable enough to identify problem areas and address them."

The council asked interim City Manager Robert Noe Jr. to look into studying salaries and benefits for all employees and advertise for a consultant's services. The city has not committed funds to hiring a consultant, Buettner added.

A new study should look at competitive neighboring localities and the private sector, Buettner said. A similar study done three years ago found the city "fairly deficient" in its salaries, Buettner recalled.

"If we want to have a first-class city, which I think we all do, we have to have a first-class staff and to do that we've got to pay competitive salaries and benefits," Buettner said. "When we did the study [it] was at the height of the economic boom time so we don't feel it's really prudent to pull that out because the game has changed."

Clark disagreed.

"It's my opinion that it's ill-advised to spend money on having a consultant come in when we did so not long ago," he said, adding that many people in the work force don't expect raises during the bad economy and are happy just to keep their jobs.

Seriously, is not everyone getting drained of hearing that we need to be competitive with other nearby localities.  The taxes are getting high enough including Frederick County.

We do live in America, correct?  It’s the land of the free where we have choices to make each and every day. OK, a choice that the local citizens have to make, to work in the local area or to commute out of the area for a potential higher paying job. For those who make a decision to leave the local system, good luck and someone else will fill the vacated position and will be very much qualified to do so.

Lastly ... Nobody is indispensable.

[Posted October 22, 2009 @8:05pm]
  

Emergency, call the City Attorney?

I want to be certain I have this correct: The City Attorney is receiving an 18.1 percent raise. The firefighters and police officers in the City of Winchester have their salaries “frozen” for this year.

I’d like to ask the residents of Winchester a question: If your home is on fire at 3 a.m. and you have children trapped in a second-floor bedroom, are you going to call the City Attorney? Or, if you have a parent who collapses at Thanksgiving dinner with chest pains and becomes unconscious, do you think the City Attorney will respond to your 911 call? How about the sound of breaking glass in the middle of the night when someone breaks into your home — is the City Attorney going to face that criminal in a back alley to ensure your protection?

Council’s actions on this matter show a total lack of respect to all the other city employees who go to work every day, in service to the residents of Winchester. Many face life-and-death decisions in the performance of their duties. If a wage freeze must be endured during these difficult times, then such a wage freeze should be shouldered by all city employees, including the City Attorney.

As a resident of Frederick County, perhaps I should have no comment in this matter, but as a past firefighter, I find it appalling that those who risk their lives — firefighters and police officers — are ignored, and the guy who has the job of pulling your “fat from the fire” when you make your stupid decisions gets such a pay raise.

In the race to see which jurisdiction can come up with the dumbest way to waste money, Winchester or Frederick County, I believe you just took the lead with this one.

Doug Kiracofe
Frederick County
October 29, 2009
The Winchester Star, Letters to Editor

Mr. Kiracofe has valid points. I am a firm believer that we do not have to keep up with other localities as we live in America and we have choices to make, to work in Winchester or to commute outside the area. That decision is on you and only you, and not others to decide to pay an individual more money to retain them for their services.

If the City Attorney was offered another opportunity, then congratulations and the citizens appreciate your service and we will find another qualified Attorney to fill the position.

Bottom-line, IF you want to work in Winchester this is the pay-scale, if you like it, then apply, if not, then there are other opportunities elsewhere and good-luck.

Those firefighters that serve and protect the citizenry are the ones that deserve a much needed raise. These individuals have been slighted by their own.

[Updated October 29, 2009 @2:55am]

Hang in there, true Americans


After reading Doug Kiracofe’s letter (Your Views, Oct. 29), I am compelled to agree with him. It never fails to amaze me how little respect/reward those in the “trenches” receive while those in the so-called “upper echelon” receive it all.


I am a disabled American veteran who served honorably for more than 20 years, through Korea, the Cold War, and Vietnam. After retiring, I was employed as a police officer for the Department of Defense, being retired on a disability.


On a much larger scale, personnel receiving disability compensation from the Veterans Administration, Medicare (via age), and other federally funded programs generally receive a small raise — i.e., 2.1 percent or higher depending on the cost of living index.


For the year 2010, our congressional leaders in Washington decided that due to the economic situation these individuals would not receive any increase! But wait! They gave themselves a rather substantial increase in their salaries!


Rest assured, things are going to get worse with our country being transformed to a Marxist nation by those currently in power. Hang in there, true Americans!


F. L. Hileman
USAF, Retired
Frederick County
Letter to Editor, The Winchester Star

[Posted November 4, 2009  @6:30am]

Response to GameDay Reps and Supporters

To all,

I want to eliminate the rumors that are flying ramped that I am associated with YouCastr and UstreamTV which is 100% false.  For those individuals spreading such rumors, they are very much misinformed.

I posted on VAPREPS Football Region II message board and THE PIBBSTER's PUB of the information that I obtained from Mr. Edwards from FCPS on this FCPS / GameDay partnership agreement.

In response to Mr. Andy Hayes e-mail to me Wednesday, October 28 @ 8:50pm, I do not recall me ever discrediting this organization’s service that they provide. 

-----Original Message-----
From: GamedayMagazine@aol.com [mailto:GamedayMagazine@aol.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 8:50 PM
To: coachmilburn
Subject: Re: Last e-mail

Jeff,

   Why are you hating on us so much? What have we done to you? We've been covering high school sports in Winchester and the rest of Northern Virginia now for years. What have we done to upset you? I've read your posts on VPreps, and just don't understand the animosity. What's up?

Andy


In a message dated 10/21/2009 8:18:17 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time
coachmilburn writes:
Can you resend that e-mail that you sent the other week as I did not read attachment.
I went to retrieve it out of my spam folder and it was gone, so the system must have deleted it  after a few days.

Thanks

I am not sure what to make of this “anonymous” comment that came into the THE PIBBSTER’s PUB on Wednesday October 28 @ 8:55pm.  The perception is that this individual has “inside” information on the agreement between the two parties of FCPS and GameDay.

-----Original Message-----
From: Anonymous [mailto:noreply-comment@blogger.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 8:55 PM
To: coachmilburn
Subject: [THE PIBBSTER's PUB] New comment on WHY are the FCPS Admin's allowing this to happen??....

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "WHY are the FCPS Admin's allowing this to happen??...":

you aren't educated Pibbster....You simply don't know the details of the agreeement and the other ventures the two parties are working on. Misinforming people with incorrect info is going to make you look stupid....

Publish this comment.
Reject this comment.
Moderate comments for this blog.

Posted by Anonymous to THE PIBBSTER's PUB at October 28, 2009 8:55 PM

Also I have much concern about the two brand new users “assistantcoach3” and “540baller” on VAPREPS.com.  The perception is that they are associated with GameDay as they are new users with their very 1st posts in regards to the information that I shared about the partnership between FCPS and GameDay as it was to inform more schools and businesses.

Frederick County Public School administrators should not been in the business of trying to assist in subsidizing a private businesses operation but should be very concerned about what the administration/athletic directors can do to generate the most revenue possible for each high schools athletic department with the least amount of expenses incurred while doing so. 

With the epic budget constraints that FCPS are facing this year and for years to come, the venture with this private business is not in the best interest of the school athletic departments and even further, the local taxpayers because in the end, the taxpayers will be footing the bill.  With that said, it’s vital that FCPS explore any and all options to keep all of the sponsorship revenue within the local system vs. allowing it to float away over the mountain.

YouCastr and UstreamTV provide FREE opportunities for the high schools to pursue broadcasting both PBP and/or live VIDEO stream for their fans.  These opportunities give FCPS an opportunity to keep 100% of the sponsorship revenue vs. zero dollars with the current partnership.

These opportunities were shared with the three local AD’s at James Wood, Sherando and Millbrook back in August of 2008.  Sherando’s AD was quick to respond, no thanks, we’ll be using GameDay again this year.  There was no response from James Wood and Millbrook’s AD’s.

To close, if FCPS administrators are not the least bit interested in trying to harvest all the sponsorship revenue and are very much satisfied with just getting $2.50 per subscriber, per month, then the YouCastr and UstreamTV options are not for you.  If the FCPS admin’s are not interested in trying to get more children involved within their own high schools with opportunities to pursue a communications program at the college level, then these options are not for you.  Do the math, two-dollars and fifty cents per month, per subscriber is not going to add up to very much extra revenue vs. the opportunity of obtaining 100% of sponsorship revenue sold by each high school athletic department or system wide only if other options are pursued.

The perception is that FCPS admin’s were sold on a sales pitch and mostly likely influenced by someone as it’s evident that not enough in-depth research was conducted on these other options available to make a more informed decision.

To close, the local area of Winchester has a brand new TV3-Winchester station that is an ABC affiliate and the Sports guys of Mike and James do top-notch work! We also have the local newspapers of The Winchester Star and The Northern VA Daily  who continue to provide great stories about our local athletes and sports teams.  We even have am1550SportsTalk radio with Dan Gloster/Tim Mondell  and amWinc1400 that do a great job of providing the Game of the Week for the citizenry.

Basically, its getting crowded over here, so lets not push our own out of the press-box!

[Added @10:35am, I am sorry but I forgot to recognize our own local media outlets that do an outstanding job of providing coverage within our own local community]

I greatly appreciate the opportunity to share my perspective on this matter with all.

Respectfully shared from a concerned citizen!

What hospital is suing the citizenry the most ?

To find out what hospital is taking the citizenry to court the most to garnish their wages and even worse case scenario, forcing some individuals into bankruptcy, just click on this link ... This Just In: Berkeley County / West Virginia Record

Click here to review ... "how not-for-profit hospitals are suppose to operate"

Does Valley Health's Wellness & Fitness Center have to carry a bond and/or be registered with VDAC?

THE PIBBSTER's PUB was notified by an unnamed source last Friday that Valley Health's Wellness & Fitness Center does not have bond on file nor is it registered with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

The unnamed source stated that Sandy Harrington, an Investigator for VDACS with the Office of Consumer Affairs confirmed that Valley Health is not carrying a bond nor is registered with VDACS.

"These rates indicate they are accepting payment in advance for the contracts, so they would need to have a bond on file with our office." said Harrington


    Single member:
    $648 annual + $85 initial fee
      OR
    $54 per month + $85 initial fee

     Family couple:
    $1,008 + 145 initial fee
      OR
    $84 per month + 145 initial fee

The bond ensures members that if something were to happen to the business, there is a bond held to reimburse those customers who have paid in full and services were not rendered.

"There is an exemption under the Virginia Health Spa Act that states "the term "health spa" shall not include the following: (i) bona fide nonprofit organizations, including, but not limited to, the YMCA, YWCA, or similar organizations whose functions as health spas are only incidental to their overall functions and purposes..."

"If the fitness club is included as part of the nonprofit hospital then they most likely would be exempt under the Act.  If they have been set up as a separate entity under their own corporate structure, then they would most likely be required to register and file surety.  As I said, once I get the information regarding the corporate structure, I will be able to determine how the Act applies to them." said Harrington

[UPATED OCTOBER 29TH @9:15AM]

For further details, please contact:
Sandy Harrington, Investigator
VA Dept of Agriculture & Consumer Svcs
Office of Consumer Affairs
Oliver W. Hill Building
102 Governor Street, Rm LL50
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: 804-225-4601
Fax: 804-225-2666

Financials for WVU-H and Valley Health System via their own websites

You be the judge, which health care system financials are very much transparent and which one is guarding them like it's Fort Knox?

Valley Health Systems


West Virginia University Hospitals

A question for Dr. Wade : The Winchester Star, Letters to Editor

A question for Dr. Wade

I read with great interest the letter submitted by Dr. Karen Wade (Your Views, Oct. 17). I’m sure that all of her patients were already aware that she feels the single biggest problem with our system is the epidemic of honest, overworked, underpaid, and under-worshipped physicians being driven mercilessly into bankruptcy by legions of greed-driven ingrates.

Who hasn’t seen the sad spectacle of a physician trying to selflessly improve the lives of his or her patients only to be financially ruined by these hyper-litigious rubes. If only once these same patients could see what it is like to lose everything they’ve worked for, if only they knew the horror of being sued! It is a shame that any physician should have to worry about being hauled into court for maiming or killing the occasional patient.

I’m sure the insurance industry deplores having to charge Dr. Wade and her colleagues such astronomical malpractice premiums, I know they are lying awake at night thinking of ways to absolve our physicians of these onerous fees.

I do have one question for Dr. Wade: Which line is longest: the physicians litigated into abject poverty and shame, the Canadian refugees clogging our hospital corridors around the clock seeking quality care, or the working under-or uninsured Americans sued into real bankruptcy and foreclosure by their own providers or hospitals?

If Dr. Wade defers, perhaps a representative from WMC will answer it.

Dwight Sowell
Stephens City
October 27, 2009

Do not be surprised Mr. Dwight Sowell if you do not receive an answer from anyone within the walls of the Valley Health System.

First step is . . . tort reform

I was very pleased to see The Washington Post article on the Mayo Clinic in the Oct. 5 Star. It was the perfect rebuttal to Carl Ekberg’s letter, “A Mayo clinic in Winchester?” published Sept. 28.

There are clearly many factors besides the salaried status of its physicians which contribute to the excellent reputation of the Mayo Clinic. In the United States at the present time, a large number of physicians are salaried employees. The fees for their services, however, are still paid by insurance companies, and their employers (hospitals, large practices, etc.) expect them to generate enough income to justify those salaries.

One cannot legitimately compare outcomes (life expectancy and infant mortality) in the United States to those of small countries with populations that are much less socially and ethnically diverse. Making every physician in the United States a salaried government employee would not solve the problems of the obesity epidemic, teen pregnancy, or drug abuse.

The first step in reducing the cost of medical care in this country should be tort reform. Imagine how much fees could be reduced if each physician did not have to generate an extra $50,000 to $100,000 or more in income each year just to cover the cost of malpractice insurance. There would also be a decrease in “unnecessary” tests and treatments ordered by physicians practicing “defensive medicine” out of fear of lawsuits.

We should also put the control of health-care spending back in the hands of patients. We should encourage the use of Health Savings Accounts to pay for routine care, and reserve insurance (at much lower premiums than currently charged) for major illness or hospitalization. People will be much more prudent in their health-care choices if they feel they are spending their own money rather than the insurance company’s.

DR. KAREN E. WADE
Winchester 
October 17, 2009

A Mayo Clinic in Winchester?

Karen Wade's letter, “In the interest of fairness” (Your Views, Sept. 16), concerning physicians’ incomes was cute, sarcastic, and totally uninformative.

So here’s bit of information to raise the level of the discussion: In the United States, where fee-for-service (“cowboy capitalism” in the words of David Ignatius) is the usual practice, people live less long and more babies die within the first year of life than in any other modern industrialized country in the world.

In countries where physicians are on salaries (generous salaries), people live longer and fewer babies die. Moreover, within the United States, the best health care is provided at institutions (like the Mayo Clinic and the Cleveland Clinic) where physicians are salaried.

Wouldn’t it be salutary if Valley Health Care created a clinic here in Winchester (modeled on Mayo and Cleveland) where physicians would be on salaries, generous salaries?

Carl J. Ekberg
Winchester
September 28, 2009

In the interest of fairness

As a practicing Ob/Gyn physician, I think that Jim Silvester’s suggestion (Open Forum, Sept. 5) to cap doctors’ incomes at $150,000 per year is great, provided that, in the interest of fairness and equality, we apply the same cap to all other professions, including attorneys, hospital administrators, legislators, insurance company (and other) CEOs, talk-show hosts, entertainers, athletes, etc.

Of course, this may somewhat limit the pool of wealthy people to tax, so we might have to tax the not-so-wealthy a bit more. And while we’re at it, could we please pass a law requiring all babies to be born between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday?

Dr. Karen E. Wade
Winchester
September 16, 2009

Health-care folly
Forget the hogwash, it’s time to provide health care to all
Jim Silvester
September 5, 2009

This author has traveled widely with academic colleagues in the United Kingdom and has friends and business associates who call their home Canada.

Upon query about their national health-care systems, not one raised a voice of significant dissatisfaction, and none would agree to substitute their health system for that offered here in America.

Why does the United States spend $2.6 trillion annually on health care, 16 percent of its GDP, and only rank 37th by the World Health Organization (WHO) in terms of quality of health care?

America spends more on health per person than any country by twofold, yet it is rated between Costa Rica and Slovenia in quality of care accordingly to the WHO.

Back in time, families were afforded medical insurance provided by Blue Cross/Blue Shield, which was run as a nonprofit conglomerate managed by medical professionals. The other insurance players at the time followed the BC/BS model.

The price was uniform and reasonable, and there were no pre-existing condition exclusions and the local hospitals and some Good Samaritan doctors would take care of the poor.

In the 1980s, the medical and insurance industries, through intense lobbying efforts in Washington and the state capitols, pushed through “individualized underwriting” and “deregulation” of the industries.

“Pre-existing condition” exclusions were added to insurance contracts, and people were no longer premium-rated by demographic group but stood alone. Many lost insurance coverage and were denied access to health care, as is the case today.

Some insurers spend millions on analyzing how to reject claims or slow the payment process and deny claims because of small errors on initial applications after years of paying premiums.

Doctors and insurance agents disappeared from the middle-class neighborhoods and ended up in huge palatial estates that would make a southern plantation owner blush, or McMansions sitting on huge tracts where homing pigeons would be needed to communicate with the nearest neighbors if it weren’t for telephones.

And going to the hospital or doctor nowadays is a lesson in Economics 101. “Where’s the insurance card or checkbook” is the new greeting even before the temperature or pulse is taken.

Republican and conservative credentials of this author notwithstanding, when it comes to national health care and 54 million uninsured citizens, labels need to be dropped.

People often complain without offering solutions. As a trained economist and practicing entrepreneur, this author offers the following humble opinions as to a health care fix:

* Doctors’ income should be capped at $150,000 per year.
* Cap tort settlements to stop unfair jury awards and contain malpractice insurance costs.
* Forgive medical school tuition pro-rated based on length of service.
* All pre-existing conditions covered.
* All insurance is portable with job loss or change.
* All medical insurance business should be private but non-profit.
* All hospitals and clinics should be nonprofit, and accept payments as outlined by a non-governmental insurance exchange.
* All citizens are covered with government subsidies for the poor, unemployed, and underprivileged.

The day of rising insurance premiums, cherry-picking patients, running away from health claims, not covering the poor with adequate care, while the few who control the process become increasingly fat and wealthy must end.

Simply put, the American people are being ripped off.

Before the MDs jump off Old Rag Mountain or drink tainted Kool-Aid at the mere mention of those nasty words, “insurance reform,” please take note that their esteemed and practical input is needed on this important issue.

Stop the “take it slow” or “be patient” hogwash as this theme doesn’t hold water since the debate started in the Truman years, and almost 1 in 6 Americans are without health care and increasing.

And the scare tactics must stop. The Canadian and British health systems do not employ death panels or rationing of health care anymore than does the U.S. model. American health insurers routinely cut off benefits to terminal patients, kick them out of the hospital, and send them “home to die.” And waiting six to eight weeks to see a doctor for 10 minutes, as is common here, is just another form of “rationing,” but no one dare say it.

The political extremists must stop the folly, get down to business, and do what all other modern western countries do — provide adequate, affordable health care for all of its citizens.

Jim Silvester, a resident of Frederick County, is a professional business journalist.

Source : The Winchester Star

SU Football, what must change on the offensive side to get a WIN ?

Another very, very disappointing loss by the score of 19 to 13 last night to Ferrum College.

Coach Brock's Defense was huge all night and gave the team a chance to stay in the game.  The kids played hard.

What changes need to take place for the offense to put more points on the board to get much needed wins for the entire community of Shenandoah University?

SU was won just 10 out of the last 47 games.

2009: 1-6
2008: 3-7
2007: 2-8
2006: 2-8
2005: 2-8

Sorry folks, but the woulda, shoulda, coulda stuff needs to stop being said.  The W's are not coming, something must change for the offense to get more points on the board!  Coach Brock's defense is doing ALL they can do.

WHY are the FCPS Admin's allowing this to happen???

Watch Local High School Games on the Web 
If you can't make it to the big game -- just catch it online.

Frederick County Public Schools is partnering up with www.GamedayMagazine.com to stream high school athletic events live on the internet.

The website offers play-by-play audio and video coverage of Sherando, James Wood and Millbrook High School football, basketball and baseball games.

Subscribers can watch and listen from anywhere in the world.

School officials still encourage fans to attend games, but say this is a good alternative if they can't make it.

"It's good for parents who aren't able to get to the game or are maybe traveling when the games take place, and for family members who live out of town. A lot of our student-athletes have relatives who live out of town and can't make it to the game, this gives them the opportunity with just a few clicks of the mouse to see their relative performing on the athletic field," said Steve Edwards, director of communications for Frederick County Public Schools.

The fees range from $9.99 for a 3-day pass to $119.99 for a year-long pass. If you sign up using your school's coupon code, they will get a portion of the proceeds.

The schools' coupon codes are as follows.

Millbrook Pioneers
Annual: 417D0BC894
Monthly: F9E097BE02

Sherando Warriors:
Annual: ADC106F7E8
Monthly: 086B1388A0

James Wood Colonels
Annual: 1287
Monthly: 768D

Source: TV3-Winchester

Everyone's first reaction should be, WHY are the Frederick County Public School Administrators allowing this extra revenue to float out of the school system is beyond me?  WHY allow an outside group from over the mountain to make money off the school system and local businesses?  Are not the local school systems struggling with their respective budgets?  Are middle school sports in danger of being extinct?  Any and all extra revenue could help foster the middle school sports.  WHY didn't the FCPS Admin's research this more thoroughly to explore other options that would allow more children to get more involved with an opportunity to get a jump-start on a communications degree while in high school?  WHY not collect ALL of the potential revenue that can be harvested through each respective high school broadcasting any event, just not sports alone at your own discretion.  WHY not OPEN it up to the debate club and other clubs/groups within the school system?  The technology is already in place, as one would be very surprised that each school did not have the following: laptop, high-speed internet access, video camera and headset.  Well, maybe the USB headset would have to be purchased but I am confident those other key ingredients are already in place.

These other opportunities that FCPS need to explore: YouCastr that is free to schools to use and viewership rates can be determined by each respective school administrators and UstreamTV is 100% free.

Just because Loudoun County Public School is using GameDayMagazine, does that dictate Frederick County Public Schools or Winchester Public County Schools need to follow suit?  If LCPS admin's jump in the middle of the road of flowing traffic, are the local school administrators going to the do the same?  One would sure hope not.  Seriously, is not everyone getting tired of hearing that we need to be competitive with Loudoun County.  The taxes are getting high enough.  We do live in America, correct?   It’s the land of the free where we have choices to make each and every day.  Ok, a choice that local educators have to make, to travel over the mountain to Loudoun County or not.  For those who made a decision to leave the local system, good luck and someone else will fill the vacated position and will be very much qualified to do so.

The YouCastr and UstreamTV suggestions were shared with the local Athletic Directors back during early fall of 2008 with no interest.

Questions:

- Are you locked into a contract with GameDay?  If so, then that should have been a red flag itself.

- How much of the $9.99 10-day and $119.99 annual membership actually goes to the school?  It's very clearly stated that if school codes are not entered, then the school will NOT get their portion, whatever that is.

- How much of a local business sponsorship will actually go to the school?  

Local businesses need to BE AWARE of GameDayMagazine solicitors coming knocking on your door and please question them and get in writing, how much of your money is actually going to the school.   Better yet, here’s an idea for the local businesses, IF you want to help support a respective high school, why not just write  out a check to them directly vs. allowing an outside group over the mountain make money off you and the school.

Bottom-line, the perception is that the FCPS administrators were sold on a sales pitch.

On the web:
www.YouCastr.com
www.Ustream.TV

Fact or Fiction? Shenandoah University getting a NEW baseball facility?

There has been many conversations that have occurred as a result of Shenandoah University's new president's statements made in front of the baseball team that they will have a new baseball facility within the next two years at last year's team picnic.  This picnic was hosted at the president's residence before the team ventured off to the DIII World Series tournament in Appleton, WI last May.

With that said, within the next two-years means a new baseball facility somewhere by the spring of 2011.

That is a very courageous statement to be made by Dr. Fitzsimmons, so something must be in the works for it to be revealed in front of the entire members of the baseball program.

Does anyone have any idea where this new facility will be constructed or does Shenandoah University have plans to make a substantial investment into the renovation at Bridgeforth Field?

In last week's article in the Winchester Star, Shenandoah University was not listed as a contributor with the current renovations happening with the remodeling work on the press-box along with the dugouts.  The work is being completed by students of Handley High School’s carpentry class which is headed by Mr. Jimmy Robertson.

To close ... Fact or fiction: SU Baseball program had to purchase their own Regional Championship rings. [FACT]

For anyone who might have any inside information, feel free to leave a comment as "anonymous" are welcomed.

Valley Health / WVU-H discord on War Mem'l Hospital will be resolved in late January 2010?

Hearing focused on size & services of new hospital
by Kate Shunney - 10/21/2009
The Morgan Messenger

Officials from Valley Health Systems and WVU Hospitals rolled out their competing visions of a new War Memorial Hospital when they and their lawyers appeared before the state’s Health Care Authority in Charleston last Tuesday.

That body will determine if Morgan County can sell its license to operate War Memorial Hospital to Valley Health, and if Valley Health can proceed with their plans to build a new $30 million hospital in Berkeley Springs.

Their decision is expected in January 2010 at the earliest.

All those involved in last week’s public hearing told The Morgan Messenger they felt the process was fair and thorough, and each of the participants got a chance to raise their key issues before the health care board.

Hearing was “routine”

Tom Jones, president and CEO of West Virginia United Health Systems, said the certificate of need hearing was “routine” and short compared to some he has attended.

His testimony on behalf of WVU Hospitals focused on three main issues: the size of the proposed hospital, the financial viability of the facility and the fairness of the bidding process.

“Although we had concerns about the certificate of need that was presented by Valley Health, we all agreed there is a need for a new hospital,” Jones said on Monday.

“The important thing is to recognize the needs of Morgan County for a hospital and, one way or another, get to that end,” he said.

If the current proposal doesn’t get the okay from the Health Care Authority, Jones said West Virginia University Hospitals would be interested in making a hospital proposal to Morgan County officials.

“If there was a request for proposal that was put out that would allow us to respond in a way that was appropriate, we’d do that,” Jones said.

He emphasized that his company has already spent $80,000 and many man-hours studying Morgan County’s health needs and drafting proposals for a new War Memorial Hospital.

“If the decision goes the other way, we’ll get on with life,” Jones said.

Despite the fact that the public hearing was prompted by Jefferson Memorial Hospital and City Hospital claiming status as “affected parties” in War Memorial’s future plans, officials from those hospitals didn’t testify at the October 6 hearing.

Jones is the head of the health care system that oversees West Virginia University’s hospitals in Fairmont, Morgantown, Martinsburg and Jefferson County.

No new issues

War Memorial Hospital President Neil McLaughlin said questions raised at the hearing were ones he has anticipated.

“We’ve been so over and under this project, it would have been difficult to come up with a question we didn’t expect,” he said.

McLaughlin felt there were three major disagreements about a hospital plan.

He said West Virginia University Hospitals questioned the need for 25 beds instead of 15 beds. He said they argued a new hospital would need only one, not two operating rooms as planned. WVU Hospitals officials also questioned the viability of having a nursing home in the new facility.

McLaughlin agreed that the nursing home component of the hospital would not be the most profitable part of the facility, but said it is key to the mission of War Memorial Hospital.

“People wouldn’t be waiting on a waiting list for the nursing home except this is where people want to be if they have to be in a nursing home,” he said.

McLaughlin said downsizing the hospital to 15 beds would be like building a two-bedroom home for a family with twins on the way.

“We’d have to really consider whether moving into a 15-bed facility would work, whether it’s a project we’d be willing to finance and build,” he said.

In order for War Memorial Hospital to retain its legal status as a critical access hospital, a new facility would have to maintain 75% of the current services, retain 75% of its employees and serve 75% of its current clients, said McLaughlin.

Cutting rooms, hospital size or doing away with the nursing home component would jeopardize that critical access status, he said.

McLaughlin said WVU Hospitals conceded that Morgan County needs a new hospital, but they seemed to suggest they could offer a better alternative to the Valley Health proposal already accepted by the Morgan County Commissioners.

In the end, the Health Care Authority must evaluate Valley Health’s plans on two key features — whether it meets the State Health Plan and is financially feasible, McLaughlin said.

Support was impressive

County Commission President Brenda Hutchinson, who also testified at the hearing, said officials there were impressed by the show of support for a new War Memorial Hospital.

“I think it went very well. I have confidence they’ll weigh the evidence and make a fair decision,” she said of the Health Care Authority.

Will Valley Health become a monopoly similar to Carilion of the Roanoke Valley

To finally bring a conclusion to this informative mission after what I have learned of what is going on down in the Roanoke Valley with Carilion, one can easily develop a similar perception of what is taking place with the rapid growth of Valley Health in the Shenandoah Valley/surrounding regional area.  That why it’s important that the citizenry of the Shenandoah Valley be more informed on Valley Health.


It’s well known that Valley Health’s mission is to have a large presence in the regional area.  Valley Health has not hidden that fact with the $178,000,000 Winchester campus expansion, while continuing to purchase much smaller regional hospitals that appear to have a standard price tag of $30 million for a new facility.


Valley Health’s plan to build a new $30 million hospital in Morgan County, WV  to replace War Memorial Hospital in Berkeley Springs is currently getting resistance from West Virginia University Hospital officials.

WVUH-East President Albert Pilkington has a differing opinion of the events. He has been in this position since January 2009.

"We asked for the hearing because we had serious concerns about the scope of the project, and who put the bid package together," he said. "We felt the size hospital asked for in the bidding package did not fit with the state health plan or our own analysis, and we had additional questions whether we could bid on a project or specs that were designed by an unknown party."

Pilkington said WVUH-East wants to ensure a fair and independent bidding process.

WVU-H East offers more than ‘bus stop’
By Albert Pilkington III, president and CEO, WVU Hospitals-East, Martinsburg

Valley Health has spent a lot of money and time to develop a PR campaign aimed at discrediting our interest in providing health care for the citizens of Morgan County. Beyond all the rhetoric, I ask you to simply consider one basic concept. Do you want a hospital in Berkeley Springs or a medical bus stop for Valley Health?

Ultimately, that is the real question. Our approach will be the same as it has been in Jefferson County in that we believe in building and growing services within the community as opposed to the Valley Health model of using small hospitals as a feeding system for the big hospital in Winchester, Va.

If you are satisfied with driving to Winchester for the majority of your medical needs as if Berkeley Springs were a suburb of Winchester, then we are not your best choice. On the other hand, if you are interested in the development of your own unique community with services provided locally, then that is the approach we offer for health care.

Truly, beyond all the PR and rhetoric, this is the only real question at hand as both companies will give you a new building.

Below are other articles that have appeared in the Martinsburg Journal over the last month and half and I do not recall reading anything about this protest in any of our local media outlets: The Winchester Star, TV3-Winchester or the NVDaily.

(Correction 10/20/09, found NVD article: WV hospital project challenged, WVU-East puts brakes on plans for New War Memorial),
(Correction 10/21/09, found WincStar article: Valley Health's plans for aging WV hospital to get hearing)

Hospital hearing set for Oct. 6
By Erienne Greene, Journal Staff Writer
Posted September 27, 2009
http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/525721.html

 

Approval of hospital plans urged
A resolution is passed by Morgan panel
POSTED: September 25, 2009
http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/525622.html

 
Delay in hospital construction upsets commissioners
By Tricia Lynn Strader / Special to The Journal
POSTED: September 21, 2009
http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/525422.html

 

War Memorial construction delayed
WVU Hospitals files for hearing before panel
By Tricia Lynn Strader, Special to The Journal
POSTED: September 20, 2009
http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/525387.html

Another grave concern is “The Lucrative Life of a Nonprofit Hospital” which was a feature by Wall Street Journal blog reporter Jacob Goldstein on August 28, 2008.  Valley Health’s “charges” appear to be competitive at the present moment, but for how long?

“The Lucrative Life of a Nonprofit Hospital”
Jacob Goldstein, WSJ blogger
August 28, 2008
http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2008/08/28/the-lucrative-life-of-a-nonprofit-hospital/

ROANOKE, Va. -- In 1989, the U.S. Department of Justice tried but failed to prevent a merger between nonprofit Carilion Health System and this former railroad town's other hospital. The merger, it warned in an unsuccessful antitrust lawsuit, would create a monopoly over medical care in the area.

Nearly two decades later, the cost of health care in the Roanoke Valley -- a region in southwestern Virginia with a population of 300,000 -- is soaring. Health-insurance rates in Roanoke have gone from being the lowest in the state to the highest.

Nonprofit medical centers are big business these days. Carilion Health System, in Virginia’s Roanoke Valley, had profits of more than $100 million last year, Carilion is Roanoke’s dominant health-care player, and it charges high prices for some procedures — $4,727 for a colonoscopy, which is four to 10 times what a local endoscopy center charges, the article says. The area now has some of the highest health-insurance costs in the state.

Critics say big medical centers like Carilion use near-monopoly power to charge high prices; Carilion says it needs to charge more for some procedures to subsidize other parts of its business, such as care for the uninsured. And the hospital says an HCA-owned hospital in a nearby town offers competition.

Carilion has recently started buying up local medical practices in an effort to move to a multispecialty-clinic model. The hospital CEO says this arrangement will cut down on fragmentation and improve care.

But the move has alienated hundreds of local docs, who circulated a petition and launched a Web site. Those who haven’t sold their practices to the hospital say they’ve seen their referrals plummet.

This "Nonprofit Hospitals Flex Pricing Power" is a MUST read and pay attention the epic profit increases from 2003 through 2007.  Do you remember reading about Valley Health's epic increase from 2001 through 2005?  Yes, it was an eye popping 383% increase for that time period as exact figures for 2006, 2007 and now upcoming 2008 has been an unsuccessful challenge to obtain.

Nonprofit Hospitals Flex Pricing Power
In Roanoke, VA, Carilion’s Fees Exceed Those of Competitors;
The $4,727 Colonoscopy
Thursday, August 28, 2008
http://webreprints.djreprints.com/2017630549095.pdf

Since Valley Health is a not-for-profit, why are not their financial records readily available for public inspection.  Makes you wonder, is Valley Health is trying to hide something?  For example, review Lehigh Valley out of Allentown, PA as their financials are very much unguarded for the public to review:

IRS Form 990:
http://www.lvhn.org/downloads/lvhfinal07.pdf

Financials and Annual Reports:
http://www.lvhn.org/aboutus/Annual_Report_Archive/2008_Report_to_the_Community/2008 Financial_and_Operational_Report%7C4523


 

Below is a very informative video of Frank Cotter speaking to Citizens for Responsible Health-care of the Roanoke Valley speaking out against Carilion.

We are all grateful that Valley Health provides quality care for our regional area but everyone should have much concern about their growth to become the regional authoritarian of medical care and hope more individuals within the regional area will be keeping an eye on them while asking reasonable questions.


In closing, let’s all hope that Valley Health of the Shenandoah Valley doesn’t become a monopoly that is the perception of what Carilion has done within the Roanoke Valley.