Infrastructure

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- Anne Barth, the Democratic nominee vying to unseat U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito in November, received a ringing endorsement Monday from U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, who touted Barth's ties to U.S. Sen. Robert Byrd's success in bringing federal infrastructure dollars back to West Virginia. "Anne Barth knows how to deliver," Hoyer, a 28-year Democratic congressman from Maryland's 5th district, said in Martinsburg. Barth, flanked by Hoyer and Martinsburg Mayor George Karos for what was billed as a discussion on infrastructure, didn't mention Capito by name, but criticized funding shortfalls for roads, bridges and other needs she said were essential to spur economic development.

Washington County - July 18: An 83-year-old steam pipe exploded in midtown Manhattan, claiming one life, injuring more than 20 others and spewing steam and debris into the air. Aug. 1: The 40-year-old Interstate 35W bridge over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis collapsed, throwing dozens of vehicles into the water. As of Friday, eight bodies had been recovered, and divers continued to search for remaining victims. Although causes have not been determined, the age of the structures has been suggested as a contributing factor in each incident.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - Anne Barth, the Democratic nominee for the Second Congressional District, will host a roundtable discussion on the economy and infrastructure with U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., this morning at the Shenandoah Hotel in Martinsburg. Elected officials, Democrats and Republicans, have been invited to participate in the event and discuss infrastructure needs facing the Eastern Panhandle. "It is an honor to have the House majority leader in West Virginia, and I look forward to a discussion with officials about the needs we have in our communities and what we can all do to work together to improve our economy and infrastructure and meet those needs," said Barth, who worked on infrastructure projects with local municipalities for 21 years as Sen. Robert C. Byrd's state director.

Robinwood road project should be put on hold To the editor: Citizens for Protection of Washington County have several concerns regarding the proposed development of the Mount Aetna farms property located behind the new Meritus Medical Center on Robinwood Drive. According to the recent county  presentation, this property would require infrastructure improvements totaling more than $245,000 per acre. Consequently, this 182 acre property will require $45 million dollars in infrastructure investment to develop ($245,000 x 182 acre)

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Gov. Joe Manchin Wednesday announced the appointment of Kenneth F. Lowe Jr. of Shepherdstown, W.Va., to serve as his designee and chairman of the West Virginia Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council (IJDC). Lowe replaces Mark Prince of Charleston, who is stepping down from the position that he has held since November 2003, Manchin said in a news release. A successful regional and national real estate and business developer, Lowe is the owner/operator of Ken Lowe Management Co., and currently serves as general partner of Panhandle Ventures Investment Group, and a managing partner and developer of Liberty Business Park.

If voters give her the opportunity, Washington County Commissioners candidate Carrie Gouff said she hopes to freeze taxes and slow development. The county can address its infrastructure needs while giving taxpayers a break, said.Gouff, a Republican. Gouff, 40, who as president of the Chewsville, Smithsburg, Leitersburg youth league lobbied county officials to lease the gym at the former Fort Ritchie U.S. Army base, said the commissioners' decision earlier this year to send out $150 tax rebate checks motivated her to run. She criticized the commissioners for spending money to cut checks and mail the refunds.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - A company that bills itself as the nation's leading privately-held supplier of building materials and services to professional builders continues to expand operations in the Eastern Panhandle despite a downturn in home construction. "The mid-Atlantic area has been very good for us," said Jeff Nobers, 84 Lumber Co. vice president of corporate communications on Tuesday. "Even with the slump we're in, there's still a lot of activity. " "It's a cyclical business ... We know the market will come back," Nobers later added.

GREENCASTLE, Pa. - The owners of 200 commercial acres along U.S. 11 asked local school, borough and township officials at a joint meeting Thursday for a booster shot of tax incentives that would entice corporations to move in and, in time, could pad local budgets with as much as $4.5 million in annual tax revenue. Bordered by Interstate 81 and the Norfolk Southern Railroad, the land is seen by many as an unrealized cash cow for Antrim Township and the Greencastle-Antrim School District.

At last week's State of the County forum, Washington County Commissioners President Greg Snook outlined the commissioners' approach to funding the county's growth, focusing on an excise tax for both residential and commercial construction. The Chamber of Commerce is encouraged that the commissioners are having this conversation now. If we are not exactly ahead of the curve, we are not yet woefully behind it, either. The chamber supports the discussion of an excise tax to replace the current funding mechanism for our roads, schools and other infrastructure.

Parson-McBean was elected to serve her first term on the City Council in 2005. She said her most memorable accomplishments while serving on the council include organizing concerts to raise money for residents who could not pay their utility bills and spearheading an effort that led to the approval of a $3.7 million construction project to overhaul Jonathan Street. Parson-McBean also helped secure funding for the proposed Doleman Black Heritage Museum and represents Western Maryland on the National League of Cities Transportation, Infrastructure and Policies Committee.

The Hagerstown-Washington County Economic Development Commission on Tuesday unveiled its top five strategic priorities for the future, highlighting the need for renewed emphasis on overall product development, better marketing and leaving the county-level agency's organizational structure alone. Accepted unanimously by the county's Board of Commissioners, the unranked priorities are preparing an infrastructure needs assessment report; workforce development needs; a focus on Hagerstown's City Center; developing a countywide marketing plan; and establishing the EDC as the lead organization to provide a more unified focus in economic development.

The Hagerstown-Washington County Chamber of Commerce will focus on six core areas that affect the local business community as part of its agenda for the 2013 Maryland General Assembly session. The six areas are: over-regulation, job growth, a competitive tax structure, affordable health insurance, transportation funding and infrastructure investment, and workforce development and education. The chamber unveiled the agenda this week, to time with the opening of the 2013 legislative session in Maryland.

Homeowners upset about their unfinished development in the Borough of Waynesboro might be getting a reprieve, according to a representative of the company responsible for the money needed to pave streets, install sidewalks, and finish water and sewer lines. A settlement agreement is being finalized with the municipality, and the bid process to find a contractor for the work in Brimington Farms is starting, Lexon Insurance Co. CEO David Campbell said in a phone interview Tuesday. The Waynesboro Borough Council has been trying to collect more than $1 million in bonding from Lexon Insurance Co., a business that guarantees a developer (in this case DLM LLC and Gemcraft Homes)

The water infrastructure upgrades in Keedysville are mostly complete, according to the town of Keedysville's website, www.keedysvillemd.com. Included in the upgrades are a new 300,000 gallon water storage tower, a new booster pump station that is pumping water to the reservoir in Boonsboro, and approximately 6,000 feet of new water line on Main Street, according to the website. According to a published report in September, work crews from C. William Hetzer Inc. had been working to replace a water main on Main Street (Md. 845)

Robinwood road project should be put on hold To the editor: Citizens for Protection of Washington County have several concerns regarding the proposed development of the Mount Aetna farms property located behind the new Meritus Medical Center on Robinwood Drive. According to the recent county  presentation, this property would require infrastructure improvements totaling more than $245,000 per acre. Consequently, this 182 acre property will require $45 million dollars in infrastructure investment to develop ($245,000 x 182 acre)

Washington County Public Schools officials have scaled back plans for an east city high school, reducing the estimated project cost from $73 million to about $50 million. The latest plan for the school calls for an initial student capacity of 800 students, but core space that could handle 1,200 students to allow for future expansion, Robert Rollins, the school system's director of facilities planning and development, told the Washington County Commissioners Tuesday. The county's share of the project would be about $24 million.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- A Clarksburg, W.Va., company was awarded the first construction contract for the 1.2-mile Raleigh Street Extension road project in Martinsburg, West Virginia Department of Transportation spokesman Brent Walker said Tuesday. Pro Contracting Inc.'s bid of $4,542,454 was the lowest of nine bids, according to bid results posted on the state agency's website. The contract entails building a four-lane road from the intersection of U.S. 11 and W.Va. 9 (Edwin Miller Boulevard)

The question posted Monday on The Herald-Mail's website was: Do you think a road is needed to filter some of the traffic away from Robinwood Drive and to provide additional access to Hagerstown Community College and the Meritus Regional Medical Center, scheduled to open in December? Poll results: Yes: 703 votes (86 percent) No: 113 votes (14 percent) "Anyone who answers no to this question clearly has not driven on Robinwood Drive very much.

Parson-McBean was elected to serve her first term on the City Council in 2005. She said her most memorable accomplishments while serving on the council include organizing concerts to raise money for residents who could not pay their utility bills and spearheading an effort that led to the approval of a $3.7 million construction project to overhaul Jonathan Street. Parson-McBean also helped secure funding for the proposed Doleman Black Heritage Museum and represents Western Maryland on the National League of Cities Transportation, Infrastructure and Policies Committee.

You never see the word "infrastructure" anymore, without it being preceded by the word "crumbling: America's crumbling infrastructure. Some of it may be crumbling, as bridges bump up against their life expectancies and highways fray at the edges. It might even explain why, in Washington County, macadam has been replaced by tar and chip. But "inadequate" infrastructure may be more accurate, and it extends well beyond road surfaces. Allegheny Energy's proposed PATH transmission line highlights the fact that the electrical grid is severely behind the times.