County hires firm to examine structural issues
During their March 2 meeting, Greene County commissioners proclaimed March 5-11 Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week. Pictured (l. to r.): Commissioners Dave Coder and Archie Trader; Angela Baker, MS Support and Group facilitator; and Commissioner Blair Zimmerman.
A proclamation declaring March Intellectual Disabilities Awareness Month was approved March 2 by the Greene County commissioners. Pictured (l. to r.): Belinda Lillyey, program specialist; Commissioner Dave Coder; Alex Gallentin, direct care provider; Barry Ewing, Ewing House, LLC owner; Jonathan Rowe, friend; Commissioner Archie Trader; Susan McDaniel; Stacey Mason, IDD supports coordinator; Joyce Ewing, CEO of Ewing House, LLC; Deneen Chulick; and Commissioner Blair Zimmerman.
WAYNESBURG — Greene County maintenance crews discovered two areas of structural deficiencies, prompting the county commissioners during the meeting on Thursday, March 2, to hire Jesse L. Fiske Sr. LLC to examine those issues, one at the county courthouse and the other at the Fort Jackson Building.
County Chief Clerk Jeff Marshall said Fiske will look at the base of the bell tower after workers reported “seeing some rot” in the wood. The base that sits atop the actual courthouse roof was not part of a previous restoration that involved the replacement of the statue of Gen. Nathanael Greene several years ago.
The cost of that examination is $4,950.
Marshall also told the commissioners the veneer is pulling away from the wall of the rear of the Fort Jackson Building between the Ben Franklin Building. That has resulted, Marshall said, of some bowing of the bricks, necessitating Fiske to assess the masonry walls at a cost of $9,900.
The commissioners also proclaimed the week of March 5 to 11 Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Pennsylvania Keystone Chapter, reports that more than 23,000 people in Pennsylvania are living with MS, and that the disease generally strikes people in the prime of life, between ages 20 through 50, and the cause and course of the often-debilitating symptoms of MS remain unknown and no cure currently exists.
Angela Baker, MS Support and Group facilitator, conducts MS Connections at 6 p.m. on the first Tuesday at Washington Health System-Greene. She encouraged anyone to attend, including care givers and the community, so that they may become more understanding of MS.
Additionally, the commissioners proclaimed March as Intellectual Disabilities Awareness Month. The proclamation offered advocates of developmental disabilities an opportunity to educate the public, policymakers and other system professionals about the challenges that come with intellectual disabilities.
The proclamation also recognized the thousands of service providers that support individuals with intellectual disabilities to lead full and productive lives within society.
Susan McDaniel, an Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities program participant, was also presented with a special certificate acknowledging her outstanding program achievements. McDaniel has been in the program “forever and ever,” according to Deneen Chulick, IDD director. In 2014, McDaniel relocated to the Ewing House LLC and has shown great successes.
In addition, Chulick shared information on the “Spread the Word to End the Word” campaign that is an ongoing effort to raise the consciousness of society about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the word “retard(ed)” and encourages people to pledge to stop using the “R-word.”
Local school districts are showing support and taking the pledge by making videos, signing petitions, having a “Wear Blue” day and sharing posts on their social media pages.