Chairman

Fred R. Rohrer has resigned as chairman of the Washington County Gaming Commission. He wrote a Feb. 13 letter to Del. Robert A. McKee, R-Washington, announcing his resignation, effective when his replacement is appointed. Rohrer's term would have ended in June 1999. This was a good time for him to resign since the Gaming Commission just finished deciding on the distribution of tip jar money, he said. Italso will allow his replacement to take a Gaming Commission seat at a time when the panel's guidelines are being clarified, he said.

Hospital board taps Hamilton to be chairman MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - Dr. Frank Hamilton was re-elected chairman of the board of trustees at City Hospital during a meeting earlier this month. Vice chairman is J. Wayne Lancaster. Douglas Widmeyer will remain as treasurer, with the newest officer being Betty Gunnoe, who will serve as secretary. Other members of the board include Donald T. Anderson, Kristen Battle, Jeffrey DeBord, Ewell Hendricks, James Hutzler, Colin T. Iosso, Max Oates, Jr., James H. Rickard, Scott Roach, Gray Silver Jr. and Patrick Walker.

The Washington County Planning Commission has new officers and a new member. Last Monday, the commission voted to make R. Ben Clopper the chairman and George Anikis the vice chairman. Also, Clint Wiley has joined the commission, taking the seat of Donald Ardinger, who resigned. Ardinger was the commission's chairman. Clopper assumed the role of chairman last month in his absence.

The board of directors of West Virginia University Hospitals-East, which includes City Hospital in Martinsburg and Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Ranson, W.Va., recently elected officers for 2013 and announced the appointment of two new members. Officers elected for a one-year term include Robert F. Baronner Jr., chairman; Suzanne Shipley, vice chairman; Betty Gunnoe, secretary; and D. Scott Roach, treasurer. David DeJarnett, a partner with the law firm Bowles Rice McDavid Graff & Love; and Terry Hess, owner of JayDee's Family Fun Center in Inwood, W.Va., and president/chief executive officer of SVB Food & Beverage Co., were appointed to three-year terms on the board effective Jan. 1. The 15-member WVUH-East board includes representatives from Berkeley and Jefferson counties, as well as individuals from West Virginia University's Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center in Morgantown,W.Va.

At its annual June meeting, the Hagerstown-Washington County Economic Development Commission has elected new officers, according to a Washington County news release. County spokeswoman Sarah Sprecher said in the release that the following people were elected for terms beginning July 1: Daniel Pheil was elected chairman, replacing Hal Lucas. Andrew Sargent was elected vice chairman, replacing Daniel Pheil. Jefry Bohn was elected secretary, replacing Fred Frederick.

The West Virginia University Hospitals-East board of directors recently recognized two outgoing board directors for their years of service to the health system. Rick Pill, immediate past board chairman, and Walter Washington, vice chairman and a charter member of the WVUH-East board since 2005, were presented plaques at a dinner held in their honor.

The Cumberland Valley Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors Inc. has installed its officers and board of directors for 2009. The officers are M. James Rock, chairman; Robert Dale Householder, chairman-elect; Darrell D. Brechbill, past chairman; Joan L. Warner, president; Greg W. Brown, secretary; and Timothy R. Campbell, treasurer. Members of the board of directors are Berneice D. Collis, Ken E. Kline, Will O. Seilhamer, Larry W. Fellows, Dave L. Semler, Stephen W. Larue, Larry W. Rydbom, Eric J. Hulett and Robert E. Heilig.

The PenMar Development Corp.'s board of directors elected new officers at Monday's meeting. Ron Sulchek was elected chairman of the board. Sulchek previously served as vice chairman. George Griffin is the new vice chairman, and John Hershey was elected the board's new treasurer. The PenMar board held elections because the previous chairwoman, Paula Lampton, and treasurer, Thomas Newcomer, resigned this month. Along with Lampton and Newcomer, five other board members have resigned from the 15-member board since September.

Scheer resigns from Gaming Commission Clarence W. Scheer resigned his post as a member of the Washington County Gaming Commission Wednesday, leaving the commission short two members. Scheer said he didn't want to comment on the reason for his resignation. Sue Tuckwell resigned her post as chairman of the seven-member commission effective Tuesday and announced her candidacy for Washington County Commissioner Wednesday. Gaming Commission Coordinator Kathy Sterling said the resignations won't affect the commission's distribution of funds expected later in January.

Recognized with distinguished service awards were : Alfred W. Boyer, James W. Brown, Cynthia M. Garland, Michael L. Gehr, Ben Hart, Carla J. Hillsman, Cynthia D. Hutchinson, Philip A. Kelly, Bonita J. Pheil, Richard W. Phoebus, James G. Pierne, James D. Santos, Rodney J. Sova, Paul L. Swartz, David W. Thompson and Douglas S. Wright Jr. Special service award winners were : Jeffrey B. Yingling, the 1999 Builders Award for bringing in the...

A Martinsburg attorney who has led efforts to preserve and redevelop the 19th century Baltimore & Ohio Railroad shops in Martinsburg for more than 15 years said it's time for the next generation to take over the project. Clarence E. “CEM” Martin III, who has chaired the Berkeley County Roundhouse Authority board since it was created in 1999, said Wednesday his resignation letter to Berkeley County Council President Tony Petrucci was delivered Monday. Martin's wife, Judy, who has served with her husband on the Roundhouse Authority for as many years, said separately Wednesday that she, too, had sent a letter of resignation to the county this week.

The board of directors of West Virginia University Hospitals-East, which includes City Hospital in Martinsburg and Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Ranson, W.Va., recently elected officers for 2013 and announced the appointment of two new members. Officers elected for a one-year term include Robert F. Baronner Jr., chairman; Suzanne Shipley, vice chairman; Betty Gunnoe, secretary; and D. Scott Roach, treasurer. David DeJarnett, a partner with the law firm Bowles Rice McDavid Graff & Love; and Terry Hess, owner of JayDee's Family Fun Center in Inwood, W.Va., and president/chief executive officer of SVB Food & Beverage Co., were appointed to three-year terms on the board effective Jan. 1. The 15-member WVUH-East board includes representatives from Berkeley and Jefferson counties, as well as individuals from West Virginia University's Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center in Morgantown,W.Va.

The West Virginia University Hospitals-East board of directors recently recognized two outgoing board directors for their years of service to the health system. Rick Pill, immediate past board chairman, and Walter Washington, vice chairman and a charter member of the WVUH-East board since 2005, were presented plaques at a dinner held in their honor.

At a special meeting called by Stephen Harris, Acting Chair of the Franklin County Democratic Committee, committee members accepted the resignation letter of County Chair Paul Politis, according to an email from the Franklin County Democratic Committee received Tuesday morning. Politis cited personal challenges, multiple competing volunteer obligations, and mixed emotions as contributing to his decision to resign, the email says. He plans to continue to work tirelessly in the quest to elect more Democrats to local, state, and federal offices, it notes.

At its annual June meeting, the Hagerstown-Washington County Economic Development Commission has elected new officers, according to a Washington County news release. County spokeswoman Sarah Sprecher said in the release that the following people were elected for terms beginning July 1: Daniel Pheil was elected chairman, replacing Hal Lucas. Andrew Sargent was elected vice chairman, replacing Daniel Pheil. Jefry Bohn was elected secretary, replacing Fred Frederick.

Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich stopped in Annapolis on Tuesday, making brief comments to the state Senate and having lunch at a famous city eatery. Gingrich is running a distant third, behind leader Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum, in the race for the GOP nomination. The next primaries will be April 3 in Maryland,Washington, D.C., and Wisconsin. During a news conference outside the State House, Gingrich called a proposed gas tax in Maryland “very, very anti-everyday working American.” He said he has an energy independence plan that could get gas prices down to no more than $2.50 a gallon - “although, apparently, it would always be higher here if the state gas (increase)

The former chairman of the Franklin County (Pa.) Republican Party has announced his candidacy for the GOP nomination to the 33rd District of the Pennsylvania Senate. Mercersburg resident Jim Taylor described himself as a conservative Republican who supports right-to-work laws, tort reform, lower taxes and term limits. He said he was a member of the Minutemen who stood watch on the Arizona border. The 33rd District seat, currently held by Richard Alloway, serves Franklin and Adams counties, and part of York County.

Ray Givens has taken over as chairman of the Washington County Republican Central Committee. Givens was elected to a one-year term at the committee's November meeting. He takes over for Randy Buchman, the outgoing chairman. Bob Sweeney of Boonsboro was chosen as vice chairman. James Warner of Rohrersville is the secretary and Marilee Kerns of Boonsboro is the treasurer. Other committee members are Mildred “Mickey” Myers of Smithsburg, Teresa Spruill of Smithsburg, Stephen Showe of Sharpsburg, and Buchman, who lives in Williamsport.

U.S. Rep. Roscoe G. Bartlett received a surprise Tuesday as he entered the Dual Highway building where his Hagerstown office is located. Bartlett, R-Md., learned that he had been named the new lifetime honorary chairman of the Antietam National Battlefield Memorial Illumination. Each year, 23,110 luminaria are placed along the battlefield near Sharpsburg to represent each casualty during the Battle of Antietam in the Civil War. Bartlett said he likes the new title, which carries no duties, because he greatly appreciates the event.

The Hagerstown-Washington County Chamber of Commerce looked to its future Wednesday night during its 92nd annual meeting, vowing to keep its promise of prosperity. "The future of Washington County is the future of prosperity in Maryland," said Brien J. Poffenberger, president, chief executive officer and secretary of the chamber. "It's here that we have all kinds opportunities. " Poffenberger briefed the approximately 230 guests at Fountainhead Country Club on the state of the chamber before the organization's outgoing chairman recognized board members and award recipients and passed the gavel onto the new chairman.