Thumbs up, thumbs down

August 13, 2010

Thumbs up to the Washington County Commissioners for not requiring fire sprinklers to be added to new single- or two-family homes. While it's well intentioned, the proposal only would have made it more difficult for many families to purchase homes by driving up the price. Let the homeowners make this decision.

Thumbs up to the Washington County Gaming Commission for the painstaking work of sifting through applications for funding from 93 organizations. With about $1 million to distribute and about $2.5 million in requests, it was no easy task.

Thumbs up to Marguerite E. Cyr, an artist and longtime community volunteer who was honored as Washington County's first Woman of Distinction at an event last week at Fountain Head Country Club. Among Cyr's many accomplishments were being the first president of the Shawnee Girl Scout Council and a 45-year volunteer with the Washington County chapter of the American Red Cross.

Thumbs up to Town of Bath Mayor Susan J. Webster, who recently was named West Virginia Mayor of the Year for 2009-10 by the West Virginia Municipal League. The award was a well-deserved honor for Webster, who has been mayor of the Town of Bath since 1996.

Thumbs up to Lori Stottlemyer, Jametta McDaniel and Bernice Mebane, who founded the Windy Rock Community Valor Garden in Clear Spring. The garden provides a variety of vegetables for local families in need due to the recession and has helped bring the community together.

Thumbs up to Bill Loughridge, public works director for the Town of Smithsburg, who is retiring Dec. 31 after 12 years on the job. The town has come a long way during Loughridge's tenure as public works director. Here's hoping Loughridge's eventual replacement will continue the progress he made on the job.

Thumbs down to Brett Favre, who continues to hold the Minnesota Vikings hostage while deciding whether to retire from the NFL. Favre once was beloved by the majority of football fans while playing for the Green Bay Packers, but his annual should-I-retire-or-not act has gotten old - and it's sad to watch.

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