December 2, 2025 • 37 mins
Delegate David McCormick, Monongalia, District 82, on the bill he sponsored that allows the DOH to hire private contractors for snow removal in Monongalia and Preston County.
WVU President Michael Benson on the lighting of Woodburn Hall, his first semester, the provost search, and plans for traffic around the Mountainlair.
WVU President Michael Benson on the lighting of Woodburn Hall, his first semester, the provost search, and plans for traffic around the Mountainlair.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:12):
This is the talk of the town from Morgantown to Klerksburg.
If it's happening, we're talking about it. Call the show
toll free at one eight hundred seven sixty five eight
two fivey five. Now Here is your host for the
Talk of the Town, Mike Nolting.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
A good Tuesday morning, and uh, welcome to winter. That's right,
the first measurable snowfall of the year and certainly causing
plenty of problems across the region. I can tell you
right now, schools in mon Harrison, Mary and Preston Wetzel
Counties all closed today and classes on the WVU Morgantown
campus will not commence until noon today as well. That
(00:54):
all because of the weather. Let's go to executive director
at Mecca nine one one Smith right off the top
and get an update from across the county. Good morning, Jim,
How are you good?
Speaker 3 (01:08):
How are you this morning? Mike?
Speaker 2 (01:09):
Hey, I'm doing pretty good. It looks like this one
may have been the real thing.
Speaker 4 (01:16):
Well, you know winters back we did. We had probably
anywhere from two to four inches. It looks like most
places around town. So far this morning, we've had seventy
motorists assists. That's where responders have been called out to
try to assist motorists that were either stuck or maybe
(01:38):
in a ditch or something like that. We've had forty
three accidents reported so far this morning. Five of those
accidents were reported with minor injuries.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
You know, I don't mean to be mister obvious here,
but this is a very, very wet snow and if
I'm correct, I think there might be just a little
bit of ice underneath underneath it, so you know, it's
just a perfect recipe for slipping and sliding.
Speaker 4 (02:11):
Yeah, you're right, Mike. I mean I went out about
five thirty this morning, and you know, there was a
lot of ice mixed in with that snow, and then
we had more snow pack on top of that, and
as vehicles were driving on it, it just made for
a lot of icy roadways this morning out there.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
MECA nine one one executive director Jim Smith is with us.
And now I know that you have no control over
the doh, but I'm sure that you would advise motorists
to do everything you can to stay out of their way,
maybe even stay off the roads.
Speaker 4 (02:45):
Yeah, I mean, if you don't have to be out
on the roads, if you could just wait till this
afternoon to go out, give them a chance to get
out there, get it plowed down, get it treated, because
it seems like a lot of the roadways, once they're
plowed and treated, are clear enough, and it looks like
most of the snow's past as now.
Speaker 3 (03:05):
So I'm hoping.
Speaker 4 (03:07):
Here within the next hour or two that they can
get everything cleaned up.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
Okay, good, And then I think with our forecast high
temperature today, it should allow the chemicals and even traffic
to hopefully deplete some of that snow and ice on
the roadways.
Speaker 4 (03:25):
Yeah, and you know, I want to caution everybody remember
tomorrow morning. Now, this does melt a little bit during
the day today when the sun goes down, the temperatures
start dropping again late tonight and tomorrow morning, that you
could still see little ice out there. So make sure
we use caution tomorrow morning also.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
Okay, good deal, Now, Jim, one last thing before I
let you go any particular area in the county that's
worse than another.
Speaker 4 (03:54):
No, it is bad everywhere. Routes seven save of an area,
the interstates just in town. Lot of the muniimal streets
are still very slippery at this point is really it's everywhere.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
Okay, good deal, Well, Jim, be safe. Glad you made
it to work today.
Speaker 4 (04:18):
Yeah it took a little while.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Yeah me too, Me too. Okay, Jim, have yourself a
good day and be safe, sir. All right, Mike see
you absolutely take care. Jim Smith, Executive director of Mecha
nine one one right now, light snow thirty one degrees
now tonight at six o'clock. The snow and this atmosphere
is certainly going to come in handy up on Woodburn
(04:43):
Circle for the lighting at Woodburn Hall, the return of
a tradition, of course, made possible by Huntington Bank in
Northeast Natural Energy. Coming up next, spend a few minutes
with WVU President Michael Benson. We'll talk about that lighting
ceremony and his first semester here on campus. And I
(05:05):
just happened to hear that they're winding down the search
for their next provost for the university. So we've got
President Michael Benson coming up next. Talk of the Town
AM fourteen forty FM one oh four point five WAJR.
Speaker 1 (05:29):
We are talking about your town. Now back to the
Talk of the Town.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
A good Tuesday morning, the area is received anywhere from
two to four inches of snow, depending on where you are.
All area schools closed. That would mean mon Marion, Harrison, Preston, Preston,
and Wetzel County schools all closed, and the WVU Morgantown
(05:55):
campus they will not begin classes until noon today. And
also senior Moningelians they will not be delivering meals today
because of the weather conditions. Just talking with Mechan nine
one one executive director Jim Smith, and I'm looking at
West Virginia five one one now, and you know, it
(06:17):
really kind of looks like you're looking down into a
strawberry milkshake with all of those red caution warning signs.
The roads are anywhere from very few are green, a
few are, but most are at least yellow, if not red,
And certainly multiple incidents throughout the area. And mechan nine
(06:40):
one one executive director Jim Smith tells us more than
seventy motorists assists they have responded to this morning, more
than forty accidents. I believe five of those did include
some sort of injury. So certainly, if you can avoid
taking that trip today, you might want to do yourself
(07:02):
a favor and do that. But once again, all area
schools that would be mon Marion, Harrison, Preston, Wetzel County schools,
they're all closed today and no classes on the campus
of WVU until noon and unfortunately for senior Montingillions, there
will be no meal delivery today. Now tonight at six pm.
(07:28):
This snow will set the perfect backdrop for the return
of a West Virginia University tradition upon Woodburn Circle. It'll
be the first time in more than a decade that
they'll hold the Woodburn Lighting ceremony. Of course, that is
made possible by Huntington Bank and Northeast Natural Energy. That
(07:51):
gets started at six o'clock tonight right there on Woodburn Circle.
And it looks like the atmosphere for that buticular event
is going to be absolutely picture perfect. So we're certainly
looking forward to that now. On the tip line, earlier today,
(08:12):
I got a tip that the former president of Honduras,
who was pardoned by President Trump here within the last
twenty four hours, had been held at the United States
Penitentiary Hazelton.
Speaker 5 (08:27):
Well.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
I was able to confirm that, and not only was
I able to confirm that he's being held at the
university or at United States Penitentiary Hazelton, but that he
was released last night shortly after that pardon was made
official by the President in Washington, d C. His name
(08:49):
Juan Orlando Hernandez, fifty seven years old now two years ago.
In February of twenty twenty three, he had been sentenced
to forty five years in prison for reportedly being instrumental
in moving some four hundred tons of cocaine through his
(09:10):
country to the United States. At the time, it was
proven in court under the Biden administration that Hernandez had
definite significant ties with the cartels, and he was indicted
in New York federal court and convicted their then sentenced
(09:34):
to forty five years. Fast forward to just over the
last few months, certainly things the political landscape across the
world have changed to the point that Juan Hernandez, want
sentenced to forty five years in prison, has now a
free man and he was released last night. Sure exactly
(10:01):
what time, but sources tell me that the former president
of Honduras was in basically just a typical unit at
the prison. However, he was in what was called a
drug program, which that enables inmates to earn time by
participating in drug rehabilitation and anti drug activities. But once again,
(10:28):
Juan Orlando Hernandez, former president of Honduras, was being held
at United States Penitentiary Hazelton. He was released last night.
I'm sure if he's waking up to anything like this,
he's certainly getting a taste of winter in West Virginia. Now,
(10:50):
let's see, this will also be an important test of
a bill that was passed in the most recent state
legislature that gives the DOA which the authority to contract
with a private contractor for snow removal. Now those are
expressly for areas in Mind and Preston Counties and in
(11:13):
Mond County specifically. Some of the debate that was brought
up when this bill was passed was the fact that,
for example, today there are still people that have to
have cancer treatments. There are still people that they've got
their joint replacement scheduled and things of that nature, and
things have to go on. And because of that, they
(11:35):
need to have the roads cleared, and the DOH hasn't
always been able to make that happen. Now, I got
an email this morning, and let me share that with you,
because this listener says they weren't answers. I can read
it right here. Gentlemen called this morning said that he
(11:57):
drove on I sixty eight from Lake I seventy nine
south to Fairmont, never saw a single Department of Highway vehicle.
Left the house at five thirty in the morning, and
this gentleman says that he would like to have some answers.
And I can tell you I think that was just
about at one of the worst times, five thirty six o'clock.
Speaker 1 (12:21):
I know.
Speaker 2 (12:21):
I was on the road at just about six thirty
this morning, came up to the hog back where a
truck had and this was a tractor trailer gravel carrying
truck that went straight over the hog back, just about
hit the camper that is typically parked there, but there
was just a little break to get through. And rather
(12:44):
than slow down because you're turning in going up that hill,
I went ahead, gave it some gas, made it around
that curve, started to pull up that hill, only to
find out that the road was closed. So then at
that point I had to back all the way down
that hill and turn around and then drive through Morella Park.
So I guess I learned two things number one. I
(13:06):
was really glad that I cleared my windows well when
I left the house, because when I backed up, I
certainly needed to have that extra visibility. So that's less
than number one. Maybe the most important, but lesson number two,
and probably the most obvious, was the fact that when
I came around the corner there at Essy's at the
(13:27):
ice cream store, and I saw what looked like Christmas
lights all the way down the hill from the hog back,
I probably just should have turned around and went back
in the other direction, but then you're faced with going
up the hill in the opposite direction on Brockway Avenue.
I've certainly heard of lots of folks having trouble on
(13:50):
the roadways getting to work this morning, and hopefully you're
not one of those forty people that was involved in
a minor accident. And most of all, certainly I hope
that's not one of the five people suffering an injury
from an accident earlier today. The text line three four
talk three four would like to hear what roads are
(14:12):
like in your neck of the woods now. The winter
weather advisory that will continue until one o'clock this afternoon,
then this evening mostly cloudy and a low of twenty
five degrees for the lighting on Woodburn circles. Certainly the
atmosphere for that event will be absolutely perfect. Getting a
(14:34):
couple of pictures in from folks on the roads, I
believe that I'm looking, Oh, the texture wants to know
why Ethan isn't in today, and I think that that
has to do with the road conditions as well. But
the texter sends me a picture of what looks like
the interstate from just a few minutes ago. This was
(14:56):
taking it nine oh seven, and definitely the interstate snow covered,
slick and hazardous, and certainly in town, in the City
of Morgantown, city streets are certainly snow covered, slick and
hazardous and has executive director of MECA nine one one,
Jim Smith said, there is a very thin layer of
(15:19):
ice underneath this snow that certainly makes it just makes
it so slick. Now, this texture says, just drove from
Suncrest to Saberton along Richwood Avenue in downtown and not
one street has been touched by the Public Works Department,
not one, I can tell you. I followed a public
(15:42):
Morgantown Public Works Department truck in today during part of
my journey. So I do know that they're out, I
don't know how many are out, And it's difficult, difficult
to get a hold of the public works folks. But
would like to know what you're seeing where you are
and what the road conditions are like. Three four talk
(16:05):
three four is the text line more more than welcome
to call if you'd like that number eight hundred and
seven sixty five eight two five five And but you know,
the bride side is that the atmosphere for the lighting
of Woodburn Hall tonight will be absolutely perfect. And what
better way to bring a tradition back that has been
(16:28):
dormant for more than a decade than to be able
to do it with a fresh blanket of snow, a
brand new university president and UH sponsorships and companies people
like Huntington Bank and Northeast Natural Energy stepping up to
help out shifting gears. Terry vance with Valley Health. He
(16:52):
is the he develops military relationships for that organization. UH.
Terry sent me AX yesterday about a poem that he
had written about the about Sarah Beckstrom, the West Virginia
Army National Guard member who was shot and killed by
(17:14):
a suspected terrorist last Wednesday. Now she died of those
injuries on Thanksgiving Day. I'm going to post that poem
coming up on X just a little bit later. Is
certainly very heartfelt and just to I feel compelled to
share that with you. I'm going to do that later.
(17:35):
I know that they had their coffee social set for
today out at the pier Pont Starbucks, but it's certainly
not the type of day that you want to be
encouraging people to go out and gather with their friends
for a cup of coffee when certainly you've got more
than seventy motorists assists throughout the area. The Texter says
(17:57):
is usual, which will roads are perfect as soon as
you cross the Pennsylvania state line, just a dramatic pause.
I've gotten a couple of other texts like that as well,
that as soon as you get north of West Virginia
into Pennsylvania, the road conditions certainly changed dramatically to the positive.
(18:20):
But certainly there is no place here in the county
that has been spared. According to Mecca nine to one one,
all areas of the county equally blanketed with snow and ice.
It is very slick classes on the WVU campus. They
won't start until noon today, and of course there will
(18:40):
be no classes in Mond County or Preston County, Wetzel County,
Marion County, or Harrison County. And I think it's important
to note that what Jim Smith says always comes to
fruition every winter. We get some sunshine, get a little
bit of ice and snow melt, get some water on
(19:02):
the roadway. Then tonight temperature drops down to twenty four degrees.
Speaker 1 (19:24):
Join the conversation at one eight hundred and seven sixty
five eight two five five. This is the talk of
the town.
Speaker 2 (19:31):
Good Tuesday morning. It's nine thirty four. The Texter says
in Fairmont, the main streets are passable. You just need
to use some caution. And it was a heavy snow.
They say that that helps in removal efforts. On the phone,
we've got Delegate David McCormick. David, good morning. I hope
you're in a safe place today.
Speaker 3 (19:49):
Good morning, Mike.
Speaker 1 (19:50):
I am.
Speaker 3 (19:51):
I'm sitting in my office actually on male ground. Oh
it's another another snowy created mourning in in Morgantown. And
what and I wanted to clear up a couple of
things now pun intended. You know, there's mister chatter on
(20:12):
Facebook and folks will call me about this. I authored
and spot and was and was the sponsor of House
Built twenty nine to sixty last year to contract out
snow removal in District four, which is our district in
Montngellia and Preston County. And that bill passed by one
(20:35):
vote in the House, settled through the Senate, and it
was enacted this uh this year, uh November first, it
was awarded. It's frustrating because you know, government moves at
a glacial pace and I live in a business world
(20:56):
and so it's just that it's hard to get used to.
But it takes time for these contracts to get enacted.
So it has been awarded. Montaguelia County has been awarded
to a contractor I'm not going to say who. And
Preston County Unfortunately, no one bid on it in Preston
(21:20):
County and so they're putting it back out to bid again.
So if anybody's listening, I'm told by the d H
they're putting the bid back out on the street again
for Preston County. So this is this contract is supposed
to to begin January first. Unfortunately, we've had this big
snow and it's business as usual and nothing's been done.
(21:44):
It's frustrating, which is why I authored and sponsored the
bill for the snow removal. So my hope is is
that the contractor that was awarded the contract can can
get up been running before January first, But that's only
a month from now. So in the contract and the
(22:06):
bill is for two years, it's a pilot program. When
everybody understand that this is funded for two years. We
hope it goes well, and we hope it works, and
we hope we can keep it rolling. But right now
that's the situation.
Speaker 2 (22:22):
Delly Good David McCormick is with us in just to
iron this out for the listeners. We do have a
contract with a private entity we don't know who, in
order to remove snow in the Mond County area. Contract
was signed on November first, but does not take effect
until January first of twenty twenty six, and then it
(22:44):
would run through January of twenty twenty eight.
Speaker 3 (22:47):
Correct, it was awarded on November first, that's kind of irrelevant.
Fact it's being awarded January one is when it starts,
so that that's what everybody, that's the message, that's what
everyone needs to understand. And and and my fingers are crossed.
(23:07):
I live. I live up near Cooper's Rock, so I
mean it snows like crazy up there, as everybody knows.
So I mean I I you know, this affects me personally.
And and when I when I filed to run for office,
this is one of the main things that I wanted
to try to do was to improve not only improve
(23:27):
our roads around town, which that's a challenge, that's a
whole nother conversation, but to get the snow off of
them so people can get to the hospitals so they
can get to work. You know, So in two or
three inches of snow, shouldn't shut this whole town down
like it does. And so after January first, my hope
(23:48):
is is that this is rectified.
Speaker 2 (23:51):
Okay, Well, Dave, I guess one of the big questions
would be, whenever there's a contract, let there's normally a
contract officer or a complain alliance officer that would monitor
the work of the contractor up against the specifications. How
does that part of the deal work.
Speaker 3 (24:08):
Well, that's going to be up to the d o H.
It's their contract, you know. I'm I'm not a party
to that. I've passed the bill and sponsored the bill
and authored the bill which required them to do this.
The d o H oversees the work and UH, it
(24:28):
will be evaluated at the end of the contract. And
then we've got to find funding for it. We have
funding for two years that was here mark for this project. UH,
and so we're going to do everything we can to
make sure that the next two winners we see a
(24:48):
big difference, and I think we will. And if so,
then we'll have some data points to go by, uh,
to to for for me to go back to you know,
to the legislature and say, hey, we need to do
this again. And they might want to use it in
other parts of the state too. That's why it's called
a pilot program.
Speaker 2 (25:08):
Gotcha. Okay, Well, David, I'll tell you what. Hopefully you
can come back in January. I'm not hoping for another
major snowfall, but when and if it happens, like to
get you back and we can talk about performance.
Speaker 3 (25:21):
Yep. I'd like to do that too. Thanks for having
me on and I hope that cleared up things for
a lot of folks that are that are listening and
are as concerned as I am about about the snow
on the roads.
Speaker 2 (25:35):
Absolutely, take care of David, have a good day, be safe.
Speaker 3 (25:39):
Well, Thanks Mike, you bet, you bet?
Speaker 2 (25:41):
Light snow thirty one degrees in the University City. When
we come back, we're going to be talking about a
very important holiday event. It is the University High School
Winter Fest that is in support of the University High
School Athletic Complex. I'm gonna talk about that next Talk
of the Town AM fourteen forty FM one oh four
(26:04):
point five waj R.
Speaker 1 (26:16):
Now back to the Talk of the Town.
Speaker 2 (26:27):
Okay, good Tuesday morning. It is definitely crazy. Won some
light snow thirty one degrees in the University City. And
on the phone, I'm gonna call an audible believe that
we have WVU President Michael Benson on the phone. Good morning, sir.
(26:48):
How are you?
Speaker 5 (26:50):
I'm doing well, Mike, how are you today?
Speaker 2 (26:51):
Hey, I'm doing great. It's a pleasure to have you
on the program. And I know that you've got to
be excited for tonight because you've got the perfect backdrop.
Speaker 5 (27:01):
Now I am excited. I'm just very grateful to all
of our facilities and grounds personnel that our work is
so hard to clear sidewalks and roads so they're passable,
so people can come and join us at six pm
tonight for an age old tradition that was suspended us
a little while, but we're bringing it back. And that
of course is the lighting in Woodburn Hall and it's
(27:23):
gonna be a perfect night. It'll be chilly, but with
the new snow on the ground and the setdaing and
I just think it'll be something people will not want
to miss.
Speaker 2 (27:31):
It's made possible by Huntington Bank, Northeast Natural Energy. It's
coming back after a decade highatus. What made you bring
this back?
Speaker 5 (27:42):
Well, I'm a big believer in traditions. Traditions are what
bind a community to a campus and vice versa and
our students' alumni, faculty staff. I think it's really important
to have those traditions because they go beyond generations and
classes in terms of you know, a class at the university.
(28:03):
So when I first got here that older part of campus.
We have beautiful campuses, as you know, three different places
including Beckley and Kaiser you know, in addition our regional campuses.
But I'm talking about Evansdale, and of course our medical campus,
but the downtown campus I think is especially historic and
really appealing. I'm so honored to have an office and
(28:24):
Stuart Hall, and I can walk across the road there
and see what I think is the most iconic building
we have, Woodburn Hall, And I just really felt strongly that,
you know, I don't ever want us to take for
granted our local community. When I say we, I'm talking
about the university community and the students when they descend
in July and August on Morgantown, it really disrupts life
(28:50):
and traffic and everything else for the local population. And
I don't ever want our town to feel like we
ever take them for granted. So whatever we can do
to not only demonstrably show how much we appreciate them,
but have them on campus and help kick off the
holiday season in a really, I hope a meaningful sort
(29:11):
of way tonight. And you know, when we first announced
that several weeks ago, the response was overwhelming positive. So
many people have said, I'm so glad this tradition is
being brought back. So credit goes to all the people
that have helped pull it off. You mentioned our sponsors tonight,
hint the National Bank in Northeast Natural Energy, but I
also have to thank our facilities team in marsh Weston
(29:32):
and three Rivers Lights that made this happen so quickly,
So it should be a lot of fun. I hope
people will come and join us.
Speaker 2 (29:38):
WVU President Michael Benson's with us. And now you know,
you're just a couple of weeks away from wrapping up
your first semester. What kind of takeaways do you bring
back from your experience so far?
Speaker 5 (29:52):
Well, I have been to thirty four of fifty five counties.
I'll get to thirty five next week, headed to Nicholas County,
and that, to me has been among the highlights of
my tenure so far, as getting out into the state
and hearing from people why the university means so much
to them, whether alumni or patients at w Medicine or
(30:14):
have a connection in some other ways. They're Mountaineer fans.
I've loved that. I've also really enjoyed gain to know Morgantown.
I had my family here last week for Thanksgiving, and
it was so much fun just to kind of go
out and explore. It really is a college town that
has so much charm to it, I believe, even with
the traffic at times that I think frustrates us all.
(30:35):
But I also have really enjoyed gain to appreciate what
a really fine institution WU is. I knew that, but
you don't know until you kind of dive into it
and work here and get to know the factory staff
and of course the students the reason why we're here.
So I've just really enjoyed that. And of course we'll
have a chance and just a few weeks to shake
(30:56):
a lot of hands on the twentieth as those graduates
come across fall graduation inside Hoe Coliseum, so that's always
a high water mark during the semester.
Speaker 2 (31:05):
Help us understand what's going through your mind as you
prepare that first commencement speech.
Speaker 5 (31:12):
Well, I've done a lot of them, so this will
be my first one at W and they're common if
you will, refrains or common themes in all graduation ceremonies.
Commencement is an interesting word because it really means the beginning,
the beginning of kind of another chapter for our graduates,
(31:35):
and I hope they leave here with inextricable tie to
the university, as I all share the traditions. The history
of this place is freely theirs as our alumni, just
as what they do with their lives and the way
they represent the university is represents us. So there's this
bond that forms between the alumni and the institution that
(31:58):
I hope is immutable and for a long time. And
I'd just love to see the families there, the friends,
you know, especially the first generation college to us. I've
always had a tradition of asking them to stand because
they've changed their life, but they've changed also everyone's lives
and trajectories that will follow them as they are the
(32:18):
first in the family to graduate college and that's a big,
big deal. So really excited for the graduation ceremony here
in on Thefornio.
Speaker 2 (32:26):
WVU President Michael Benson is with us. And now a
couple of months ago you were on the program and
said then that hiring the provost was probably going to
be one of the most important hires that you'll make.
We're down to a slate of four finalists. Talk about
that search and what you hope to accomplish with this hire.
Speaker 5 (32:48):
Yes, I would also remind folks that we've hired a
new VP for enrollment management. Fabriso Diolosio Foz as he
likes to be called as Fantastic, came to from University
Tennessee at Knoxville, and I mentioned him because enrollment is
absolutely key to our success as we move forward, and
(33:10):
the fact that he came from such a vibrant SEC
school and is now implementing some of the strategies that
he helped developed over to tenure there, and that position
is inexorably linked to our provost position because our academic programs,
our academic success, our reputation certainly attracts students. The more
(33:31):
students that we attract through our academic programs, the better.
And so this provost search has been very arduous and
very thoughtful and very time and energy intensive. But we
are bringing four candidates to campus. One was here yesterday,
another one, Lee Cohen from the University of Mississippi, is
(33:52):
here today. I will have our third finalists on Wednesday
and our fourth on Friday. So we've been very transparent
about the process. I really want to commend our co chairs,
Evin Winners and Diana in our former faculty Senate chair
whose Diana Davis, has done a terrific job. Both of
(34:12):
them in leading this process and people can come and
hear what they have to say. We have open forms
for each of them, and we hope to have a
decision here within the next little while. But thank Paul Krider,
our intern provost. He's done a terrific job. I really've
gotten to know Paul and appreciate him greatly in that position.
But this is a really important hire. We're excited to
(34:33):
have a new provost in a place in just the
next few weeks.
Speaker 2 (34:38):
WVU President Michael Benson is with us. So now if
we could, I'd like for you to share with the
listeners your vision for the mountain Layer and the roadway
areas that run through that part of campus.
Speaker 5 (34:53):
Well, the mountain Layers. You know, our student union in
so many ways, that's kind of the epicenter of campus.
Some people call the students living Room, and you know
you go there to hang out and eat, and student
governments located there. We have you know, gallery spaces and
in terms of ballroom space and so forth, and you know,
(35:14):
it's right at the middle of campus. And so as
I've been frustrated, like a no countless other people have
been too, in the middle of kind of change over
times in between classes, traffic can get back all the
way down University in both directions, and so we are
working with the city with the county to look at
how traffic may be diverted and not a not a
(35:37):
too coumbersome fashion and kind of the circumvent if you will,
around University, and if we're able to make that a
pedestrian if you will plaza and imagine that being close
to vehiculo traffic, there will be ways that you can
turn and go around and get back down to Beach Church.
(35:58):
But of course traffic studies have to be done and
a lot of work pursued to make that happen. But
I'm trying to look out for the safety of our students,
also the ease at which people have, of the lack
of ease that people have, I should say, and coming
into campus at certain points, and creating a place where
people will want to hang out and gather. And tonight
(36:21):
you'll see it firsthand because Universal will be closed, and
you can envision what it would be like to have
people kind of going back and forth the Woodburn Hall
to Mountain Layer without worrying about traffic that's coming through there.
So I think tonight will be a good example of
what is possible. But a lot of work has to happen,
and I know people may be concerned, but I can
guarantee we've got really smart traffic engineers and city planners
(36:45):
that are helping us through the process as we talk
about options.
Speaker 2 (36:48):
And the live music will begin at six pm. The
program starts at six point thirty up on Woodburn Circle.
It returns after more than a decade lighting of Woodburn Hall. Well,
President Benson, certainly do appreciate your time today.
Speaker 5 (37:06):
My pleasure. Thank you, Mike, thanks for what you do.
I always enjoy listening to talk of it down and
it's a pleasure to be on your program. So thank you.
Speaker 2 (37:13):
Yes, sir, thank you very much. Have a good day
and we'll talk soon.
Speaker 5 (37:17):
Yes, sir, thank you.
Speaker 2 (37:18):
Go mountain, Go mountaineers, you got that right, Go mountaineers.
But tonight, I guess it'll be let's glow for the
lighting of Woodburn Hall.
This is the talk of the town from Morgantown to Klerksburg.
If it's happening, we're talking about it. Call the show
toll free at one eight hundred seven sixty five eight
two fivey five. Now Here is your host for the
Talk of the Town, Mike Nolting.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
A good Tuesday morning, and uh, welcome to winter. That's right,
the first measurable snowfall of the year and certainly causing
plenty of problems across the region. I can tell you
right now, schools in mon Harrison, Mary and Preston Wetzel
Counties all closed today and classes on the WVU Morgantown
campus will not commence until noon today as well. That
(00:54):
all because of the weather. Let's go to executive director
at Mecca nine one one Smith right off the top
and get an update from across the county. Good morning, Jim,
How are you good?
Speaker 3 (01:08):
How are you this morning? Mike?
Speaker 2 (01:09):
Hey, I'm doing pretty good. It looks like this one
may have been the real thing.
Speaker 4 (01:16):
Well, you know winters back we did. We had probably
anywhere from two to four inches. It looks like most
places around town. So far this morning, we've had seventy
motorists assists. That's where responders have been called out to
try to assist motorists that were either stuck or maybe
(01:38):
in a ditch or something like that. We've had forty
three accidents reported so far this morning. Five of those
accidents were reported with minor injuries.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
You know, I don't mean to be mister obvious here,
but this is a very, very wet snow and if
I'm correct, I think there might be just a little
bit of ice underneath underneath it, so you know, it's
just a perfect recipe for slipping and sliding.
Speaker 4 (02:11):
Yeah, you're right, Mike. I mean I went out about
five thirty this morning, and you know, there was a
lot of ice mixed in with that snow, and then
we had more snow pack on top of that, and
as vehicles were driving on it, it just made for
a lot of icy roadways this morning out there.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
MECA nine one one executive director Jim Smith is with us.
And now I know that you have no control over
the doh, but I'm sure that you would advise motorists
to do everything you can to stay out of their way,
maybe even stay off the roads.
Speaker 4 (02:45):
Yeah, I mean, if you don't have to be out
on the roads, if you could just wait till this
afternoon to go out, give them a chance to get
out there, get it plowed down, get it treated, because
it seems like a lot of the roadways, once they're
plowed and treated, are clear enough, and it looks like
most of the snow's past as now.
Speaker 3 (03:05):
So I'm hoping.
Speaker 4 (03:07):
Here within the next hour or two that they can
get everything cleaned up.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
Okay, good, And then I think with our forecast high
temperature today, it should allow the chemicals and even traffic
to hopefully deplete some of that snow and ice on
the roadways.
Speaker 4 (03:25):
Yeah, and you know, I want to caution everybody remember
tomorrow morning. Now, this does melt a little bit during
the day today when the sun goes down, the temperatures
start dropping again late tonight and tomorrow morning, that you
could still see little ice out there. So make sure
we use caution tomorrow morning also.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
Okay, good deal, Now, Jim, one last thing before I
let you go any particular area in the county that's
worse than another.
Speaker 4 (03:54):
No, it is bad everywhere. Routes seven save of an area,
the interstates just in town. Lot of the muniimal streets
are still very slippery at this point is really it's everywhere.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
Okay, good deal, Well, Jim, be safe. Glad you made
it to work today.
Speaker 4 (04:18):
Yeah it took a little while.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Yeah me too, Me too. Okay, Jim, have yourself a
good day and be safe, sir. All right, Mike see
you absolutely take care. Jim Smith, Executive director of Mecha
nine one one right now, light snow thirty one degrees
now tonight at six o'clock. The snow and this atmosphere
is certainly going to come in handy up on Woodburn
(04:43):
Circle for the lighting at Woodburn Hall, the return of
a tradition, of course, made possible by Huntington Bank in
Northeast Natural Energy. Coming up next, spend a few minutes
with WVU President Michael Benson. We'll talk about that lighting
ceremony and his first semester here on campus. And I
(05:05):
just happened to hear that they're winding down the search
for their next provost for the university. So we've got
President Michael Benson coming up next. Talk of the Town
AM fourteen forty FM one oh four point five WAJR.
Speaker 1 (05:29):
We are talking about your town. Now back to the
Talk of the Town.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
A good Tuesday morning, the area is received anywhere from
two to four inches of snow, depending on where you are.
All area schools closed. That would mean mon Marion, Harrison, Preston, Preston,
and Wetzel County schools all closed, and the WVU Morgantown
(05:55):
campus they will not begin classes until noon today. And
also senior Moningelians they will not be delivering meals today
because of the weather conditions. Just talking with Mechan nine
one one executive director Jim Smith, and I'm looking at
West Virginia five one one now, and you know, it
(06:17):
really kind of looks like you're looking down into a
strawberry milkshake with all of those red caution warning signs.
The roads are anywhere from very few are green, a
few are, but most are at least yellow, if not red,
And certainly multiple incidents throughout the area. And mechan nine
(06:40):
one one executive director Jim Smith tells us more than
seventy motorists assists they have responded to this morning, more
than forty accidents. I believe five of those did include
some sort of injury. So certainly, if you can avoid
taking that trip today, you might want to do yourself
(07:02):
a favor and do that. But once again, all area
schools that would be mon Marion, Harrison, Preston, Wetzel County schools,
they're all closed today and no classes on the campus
of WVU until noon and unfortunately for senior Montingillions, there
will be no meal delivery today. Now tonight at six pm.
(07:28):
This snow will set the perfect backdrop for the return
of a West Virginia University tradition upon Woodburn Circle. It'll
be the first time in more than a decade that
they'll hold the Woodburn Lighting ceremony. Of course, that is
made possible by Huntington Bank and Northeast Natural Energy. That
(07:51):
gets started at six o'clock tonight right there on Woodburn Circle.
And it looks like the atmosphere for that buticular event
is going to be absolutely picture perfect. So we're certainly
looking forward to that now. On the tip line, earlier today,
(08:12):
I got a tip that the former president of Honduras,
who was pardoned by President Trump here within the last
twenty four hours, had been held at the United States
Penitentiary Hazelton.
Speaker 5 (08:27):
Well.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
I was able to confirm that, and not only was
I able to confirm that he's being held at the
university or at United States Penitentiary Hazelton, but that he
was released last night shortly after that pardon was made
official by the President in Washington, d C. His name
(08:49):
Juan Orlando Hernandez, fifty seven years old now two years ago.
In February of twenty twenty three, he had been sentenced
to forty five years in prison for reportedly being instrumental
in moving some four hundred tons of cocaine through his
(09:10):
country to the United States. At the time, it was
proven in court under the Biden administration that Hernandez had
definite significant ties with the cartels, and he was indicted
in New York federal court and convicted their then sentenced
(09:34):
to forty five years. Fast forward to just over the
last few months, certainly things the political landscape across the
world have changed to the point that Juan Hernandez, want
sentenced to forty five years in prison, has now a
free man and he was released last night. Sure exactly
(10:01):
what time, but sources tell me that the former president
of Honduras was in basically just a typical unit at
the prison. However, he was in what was called a
drug program, which that enables inmates to earn time by
participating in drug rehabilitation and anti drug activities. But once again,
(10:28):
Juan Orlando Hernandez, former president of Honduras, was being held
at United States Penitentiary Hazelton. He was released last night.
I'm sure if he's waking up to anything like this,
he's certainly getting a taste of winter in West Virginia. Now,
(10:50):
let's see, this will also be an important test of
a bill that was passed in the most recent state
legislature that gives the DOA which the authority to contract
with a private contractor for snow removal. Now those are
expressly for areas in Mind and Preston Counties and in
(11:13):
Mond County specifically. Some of the debate that was brought
up when this bill was passed was the fact that,
for example, today there are still people that have to
have cancer treatments. There are still people that they've got
their joint replacement scheduled and things of that nature, and
things have to go on. And because of that, they
(11:35):
need to have the roads cleared, and the DOH hasn't
always been able to make that happen. Now, I got
an email this morning, and let me share that with you,
because this listener says they weren't answers. I can read
it right here. Gentlemen called this morning said that he
(11:57):
drove on I sixty eight from Lake I seventy nine
south to Fairmont, never saw a single Department of Highway vehicle.
Left the house at five thirty in the morning, and
this gentleman says that he would like to have some answers.
And I can tell you I think that was just
about at one of the worst times, five thirty six o'clock.
Speaker 1 (12:21):
I know.
Speaker 2 (12:21):
I was on the road at just about six thirty
this morning, came up to the hog back where a
truck had and this was a tractor trailer gravel carrying
truck that went straight over the hog back, just about
hit the camper that is typically parked there, but there
was just a little break to get through. And rather
(12:44):
than slow down because you're turning in going up that hill,
I went ahead, gave it some gas, made it around
that curve, started to pull up that hill, only to
find out that the road was closed. So then at
that point I had to back all the way down
that hill and turn around and then drive through Morella Park.
So I guess I learned two things number one. I
(13:06):
was really glad that I cleared my windows well when
I left the house, because when I backed up, I
certainly needed to have that extra visibility. So that's less
than number one. Maybe the most important, but lesson number two,
and probably the most obvious, was the fact that when
I came around the corner there at Essy's at the
(13:27):
ice cream store, and I saw what looked like Christmas
lights all the way down the hill from the hog back,
I probably just should have turned around and went back
in the other direction, but then you're faced with going
up the hill in the opposite direction on Brockway Avenue.
I've certainly heard of lots of folks having trouble on
(13:50):
the roadways getting to work this morning, and hopefully you're
not one of those forty people that was involved in
a minor accident. And most of all, certainly I hope
that's not one of the five people suffering an injury
from an accident earlier today. The text line three four
talk three four would like to hear what roads are
(14:12):
like in your neck of the woods now. The winter
weather advisory that will continue until one o'clock this afternoon,
then this evening mostly cloudy and a low of twenty
five degrees for the lighting on Woodburn circles. Certainly the
atmosphere for that event will be absolutely perfect. Getting a
(14:34):
couple of pictures in from folks on the roads, I
believe that I'm looking, Oh, the texture wants to know
why Ethan isn't in today, and I think that that
has to do with the road conditions as well. But
the texter sends me a picture of what looks like
the interstate from just a few minutes ago. This was
(14:56):
taking it nine oh seven, and definitely the interstate snow covered,
slick and hazardous, and certainly in town, in the City
of Morgantown, city streets are certainly snow covered, slick and
hazardous and has executive director of MECA nine one one,
Jim Smith said, there is a very thin layer of
(15:19):
ice underneath this snow that certainly makes it just makes
it so slick. Now, this texture says, just drove from
Suncrest to Saberton along Richwood Avenue in downtown and not
one street has been touched by the Public Works Department,
not one, I can tell you. I followed a public
(15:42):
Morgantown Public Works Department truck in today during part of
my journey. So I do know that they're out, I
don't know how many are out, And it's difficult, difficult
to get a hold of the public works folks. But
would like to know what you're seeing where you are
and what the road conditions are like. Three four talk
(16:05):
three four is the text line more more than welcome
to call if you'd like that number eight hundred and
seven sixty five eight two five five And but you know,
the bride side is that the atmosphere for the lighting
of Woodburn Hall tonight will be absolutely perfect. And what
better way to bring a tradition back that has been
(16:28):
dormant for more than a decade than to be able
to do it with a fresh blanket of snow, a
brand new university president and UH sponsorships and companies people
like Huntington Bank and Northeast Natural Energy stepping up to
help out shifting gears. Terry vance with Valley Health. He
(16:52):
is the he develops military relationships for that organization. UH.
Terry sent me AX yesterday about a poem that he
had written about the about Sarah Beckstrom, the West Virginia
Army National Guard member who was shot and killed by
(17:14):
a suspected terrorist last Wednesday. Now she died of those
injuries on Thanksgiving Day. I'm going to post that poem
coming up on X just a little bit later. Is
certainly very heartfelt and just to I feel compelled to
share that with you. I'm going to do that later.
(17:35):
I know that they had their coffee social set for
today out at the pier Pont Starbucks, but it's certainly
not the type of day that you want to be
encouraging people to go out and gather with their friends
for a cup of coffee when certainly you've got more
than seventy motorists assists throughout the area. The Texter says
(17:57):
is usual, which will roads are perfect as soon as
you cross the Pennsylvania state line, just a dramatic pause.
I've gotten a couple of other texts like that as well,
that as soon as you get north of West Virginia
into Pennsylvania, the road conditions certainly changed dramatically to the positive.
(18:20):
But certainly there is no place here in the county
that has been spared. According to Mecca nine to one one,
all areas of the county equally blanketed with snow and ice.
It is very slick classes on the WVU campus. They
won't start until noon today, and of course there will
(18:40):
be no classes in Mond County or Preston County, Wetzel County,
Marion County, or Harrison County. And I think it's important
to note that what Jim Smith says always comes to
fruition every winter. We get some sunshine, get a little
bit of ice and snow melt, get some water on
(19:02):
the roadway. Then tonight temperature drops down to twenty four degrees.
Speaker 1 (19:24):
Join the conversation at one eight hundred and seven sixty
five eight two five five. This is the talk of
the town.
Speaker 2 (19:31):
Good Tuesday morning. It's nine thirty four. The Texter says
in Fairmont, the main streets are passable. You just need
to use some caution. And it was a heavy snow.
They say that that helps in removal efforts. On the phone,
we've got Delegate David McCormick. David, good morning. I hope
you're in a safe place today.
Speaker 3 (19:49):
Good morning, Mike.
Speaker 1 (19:50):
I am.
Speaker 3 (19:51):
I'm sitting in my office actually on male ground. Oh
it's another another snowy created mourning in in Morgantown. And
what and I wanted to clear up a couple of
things now pun intended. You know, there's mister chatter on
(20:12):
Facebook and folks will call me about this. I authored
and spot and was and was the sponsor of House
Built twenty nine to sixty last year to contract out
snow removal in District four, which is our district in
Montngellia and Preston County. And that bill passed by one
(20:35):
vote in the House, settled through the Senate, and it
was enacted this uh this year, uh November first, it
was awarded. It's frustrating because you know, government moves at
a glacial pace and I live in a business world
(20:56):
and so it's just that it's hard to get used to.
But it takes time for these contracts to get enacted.
So it has been awarded. Montaguelia County has been awarded
to a contractor I'm not going to say who. And
Preston County Unfortunately, no one bid on it in Preston
(21:20):
County and so they're putting it back out to bid again.
So if anybody's listening, I'm told by the d H
they're putting the bid back out on the street again
for Preston County. So this is this contract is supposed
to to begin January first. Unfortunately, we've had this big
snow and it's business as usual and nothing's been done.
(21:44):
It's frustrating, which is why I authored and sponsored the
bill for the snow removal. So my hope is is
that the contractor that was awarded the contract can can
get up been running before January first, But that's only
a month from now. So in the contract and the
(22:06):
bill is for two years, it's a pilot program. When
everybody understand that this is funded for two years. We
hope it goes well, and we hope it works, and
we hope we can keep it rolling. But right now
that's the situation.
Speaker 2 (22:22):
Delly Good David McCormick is with us in just to
iron this out for the listeners. We do have a
contract with a private entity we don't know who, in
order to remove snow in the Mond County area. Contract
was signed on November first, but does not take effect
until January first of twenty twenty six, and then it
(22:44):
would run through January of twenty twenty eight.
Speaker 3 (22:47):
Correct, it was awarded on November first, that's kind of irrelevant.
Fact it's being awarded January one is when it starts,
so that that's what everybody, that's the message, that's what
everyone needs to understand. And and and my fingers are crossed.
(23:07):
I live. I live up near Cooper's Rock, so I
mean it snows like crazy up there, as everybody knows.
So I mean I I you know, this affects me personally.
And and when I when I filed to run for office,
this is one of the main things that I wanted
to try to do was to improve not only improve
(23:27):
our roads around town, which that's a challenge, that's a
whole nother conversation, but to get the snow off of
them so people can get to the hospitals so they
can get to work. You know, So in two or
three inches of snow, shouldn't shut this whole town down
like it does. And so after January first, my hope
(23:48):
is is that this is rectified.
Speaker 2 (23:51):
Okay, Well, Dave, I guess one of the big questions
would be, whenever there's a contract, let there's normally a
contract officer or a complain alliance officer that would monitor
the work of the contractor up against the specifications. How
does that part of the deal work.
Speaker 3 (24:08):
Well, that's going to be up to the d o H.
It's their contract, you know. I'm I'm not a party
to that. I've passed the bill and sponsored the bill
and authored the bill which required them to do this.
The d o H oversees the work and UH, it
(24:28):
will be evaluated at the end of the contract. And
then we've got to find funding for it. We have
funding for two years that was here mark for this project. UH,
and so we're going to do everything we can to
make sure that the next two winners we see a
(24:48):
big difference, and I think we will. And if so,
then we'll have some data points to go by, uh,
to to for for me to go back to you know,
to the legislature and say, hey, we need to do
this again. And they might want to use it in
other parts of the state too. That's why it's called
a pilot program.
Speaker 2 (25:08):
Gotcha. Okay, Well, David, I'll tell you what. Hopefully you
can come back in January. I'm not hoping for another
major snowfall, but when and if it happens, like to
get you back and we can talk about performance.
Speaker 3 (25:21):
Yep. I'd like to do that too. Thanks for having
me on and I hope that cleared up things for
a lot of folks that are that are listening and
are as concerned as I am about about the snow
on the roads.
Speaker 2 (25:35):
Absolutely, take care of David, have a good day, be safe.
Speaker 3 (25:39):
Well, Thanks Mike, you bet, you bet?
Speaker 2 (25:41):
Light snow thirty one degrees in the University City. When
we come back, we're going to be talking about a
very important holiday event. It is the University High School
Winter Fest that is in support of the University High
School Athletic Complex. I'm gonna talk about that next Talk
of the Town AM fourteen forty FM one oh four
(26:04):
point five waj R.
Speaker 1 (26:16):
Now back to the Talk of the Town.
Speaker 2 (26:27):
Okay, good Tuesday morning. It is definitely crazy. Won some
light snow thirty one degrees in the University City. And
on the phone, I'm gonna call an audible believe that
we have WVU President Michael Benson on the phone. Good morning, sir.
(26:48):
How are you?
Speaker 5 (26:50):
I'm doing well, Mike, how are you today?
Speaker 2 (26:51):
Hey, I'm doing great. It's a pleasure to have you
on the program. And I know that you've got to
be excited for tonight because you've got the perfect backdrop.
Speaker 5 (27:01):
Now I am excited. I'm just very grateful to all
of our facilities and grounds personnel that our work is
so hard to clear sidewalks and roads so they're passable,
so people can come and join us at six pm
tonight for an age old tradition that was suspended us
a little while, but we're bringing it back. And that
of course is the lighting in Woodburn Hall and it's
(27:23):
gonna be a perfect night. It'll be chilly, but with
the new snow on the ground and the setdaing and
I just think it'll be something people will not want
to miss.
Speaker 2 (27:31):
It's made possible by Huntington Bank, Northeast Natural Energy. It's
coming back after a decade highatus. What made you bring
this back?
Speaker 5 (27:42):
Well, I'm a big believer in traditions. Traditions are what
bind a community to a campus and vice versa and
our students' alumni, faculty staff. I think it's really important
to have those traditions because they go beyond generations and
classes in terms of you know, a class at the university.
(28:03):
So when I first got here that older part of campus.
We have beautiful campuses, as you know, three different places
including Beckley and Kaiser you know, in addition our regional campuses.
But I'm talking about Evansdale, and of course our medical campus,
but the downtown campus I think is especially historic and
really appealing. I'm so honored to have an office and
(28:24):
Stuart Hall, and I can walk across the road there
and see what I think is the most iconic building
we have, Woodburn Hall, And I just really felt strongly that,
you know, I don't ever want us to take for
granted our local community. When I say we, I'm talking
about the university community and the students when they descend
in July and August on Morgantown, it really disrupts life
(28:50):
and traffic and everything else for the local population. And
I don't ever want our town to feel like we
ever take them for granted. So whatever we can do
to not only demonstrably show how much we appreciate them,
but have them on campus and help kick off the
holiday season in a really, I hope a meaningful sort
(29:11):
of way tonight. And you know, when we first announced
that several weeks ago, the response was overwhelming positive. So
many people have said, I'm so glad this tradition is
being brought back. So credit goes to all the people
that have helped pull it off. You mentioned our sponsors tonight,
hint the National Bank in Northeast Natural Energy, but I
also have to thank our facilities team in marsh Weston
(29:32):
and three Rivers Lights that made this happen so quickly,
So it should be a lot of fun. I hope
people will come and join us.
Speaker 2 (29:38):
WVU President Michael Benson's with us. And now you know,
you're just a couple of weeks away from wrapping up
your first semester. What kind of takeaways do you bring
back from your experience so far?
Speaker 5 (29:52):
Well, I have been to thirty four of fifty five counties.
I'll get to thirty five next week, headed to Nicholas County,
and that, to me has been among the highlights of
my tenure so far, as getting out into the state
and hearing from people why the university means so much
to them, whether alumni or patients at w Medicine or
(30:14):
have a connection in some other ways. They're Mountaineer fans.
I've loved that. I've also really enjoyed gain to know Morgantown.
I had my family here last week for Thanksgiving, and
it was so much fun just to kind of go
out and explore. It really is a college town that
has so much charm to it, I believe, even with
the traffic at times that I think frustrates us all.
(30:35):
But I also have really enjoyed gain to appreciate what
a really fine institution WU is. I knew that, but
you don't know until you kind of dive into it
and work here and get to know the factory staff
and of course the students the reason why we're here.
So I've just really enjoyed that. And of course we'll
have a chance and just a few weeks to shake
(30:56):
a lot of hands on the twentieth as those graduates
come across fall graduation inside Hoe Coliseum, so that's always
a high water mark during the semester.
Speaker 2 (31:05):
Help us understand what's going through your mind as you
prepare that first commencement speech.
Speaker 5 (31:12):
Well, I've done a lot of them, so this will
be my first one at W and they're common if
you will, refrains or common themes in all graduation ceremonies.
Commencement is an interesting word because it really means the beginning,
the beginning of kind of another chapter for our graduates,
(31:35):
and I hope they leave here with inextricable tie to
the university, as I all share the traditions. The history
of this place is freely theirs as our alumni, just
as what they do with their lives and the way
they represent the university is represents us. So there's this
bond that forms between the alumni and the institution that
(31:58):
I hope is immutable and for a long time. And
I'd just love to see the families there, the friends,
you know, especially the first generation college to us. I've
always had a tradition of asking them to stand because
they've changed their life, but they've changed also everyone's lives
and trajectories that will follow them as they are the
(32:18):
first in the family to graduate college and that's a big,
big deal. So really excited for the graduation ceremony here
in on Thefornio.
Speaker 2 (32:26):
WVU President Michael Benson is with us. And now a
couple of months ago you were on the program and
said then that hiring the provost was probably going to
be one of the most important hires that you'll make.
We're down to a slate of four finalists. Talk about
that search and what you hope to accomplish with this hire.
Speaker 5 (32:48):
Yes, I would also remind folks that we've hired a
new VP for enrollment management. Fabriso Diolosio Foz as he
likes to be called as Fantastic, came to from University
Tennessee at Knoxville, and I mentioned him because enrollment is
absolutely key to our success as we move forward, and
(33:10):
the fact that he came from such a vibrant SEC
school and is now implementing some of the strategies that
he helped developed over to tenure there, and that position
is inexorably linked to our provost position because our academic programs,
our academic success, our reputation certainly attracts students. The more
(33:31):
students that we attract through our academic programs, the better.
And so this provost search has been very arduous and
very thoughtful and very time and energy intensive. But we
are bringing four candidates to campus. One was here yesterday,
another one, Lee Cohen from the University of Mississippi, is
(33:52):
here today. I will have our third finalists on Wednesday
and our fourth on Friday. So we've been very transparent
about the process. I really want to commend our co chairs,
Evin Winners and Diana in our former faculty Senate chair
whose Diana Davis, has done a terrific job. Both of
(34:12):
them in leading this process and people can come and
hear what they have to say. We have open forms
for each of them, and we hope to have a
decision here within the next little while. But thank Paul Krider,
our intern provost. He's done a terrific job. I really've
gotten to know Paul and appreciate him greatly in that position.
But this is a really important hire. We're excited to
(34:33):
have a new provost in a place in just the
next few weeks.
Speaker 2 (34:38):
WVU President Michael Benson is with us. So now if
we could, I'd like for you to share with the
listeners your vision for the mountain Layer and the roadway
areas that run through that part of campus.
Speaker 5 (34:53):
Well, the mountain Layers. You know, our student union in
so many ways, that's kind of the epicenter of campus.
Some people call the students living Room, and you know
you go there to hang out and eat, and student
governments located there. We have you know, gallery spaces and
in terms of ballroom space and so forth, and you know,
(35:14):
it's right at the middle of campus. And so as
I've been frustrated, like a no countless other people have
been too, in the middle of kind of change over
times in between classes, traffic can get back all the
way down University in both directions, and so we are
working with the city with the county to look at
how traffic may be diverted and not a not a
(35:37):
too coumbersome fashion and kind of the circumvent if you will,
around University, and if we're able to make that a
pedestrian if you will plaza and imagine that being close
to vehiculo traffic, there will be ways that you can
turn and go around and get back down to Beach Church.
(35:58):
But of course traffic studies have to be done and
a lot of work pursued to make that happen. But
I'm trying to look out for the safety of our students,
also the ease at which people have, of the lack
of ease that people have, I should say, and coming
into campus at certain points, and creating a place where
people will want to hang out and gather. And tonight
(36:21):
you'll see it firsthand because Universal will be closed, and
you can envision what it would be like to have
people kind of going back and forth the Woodburn Hall
to Mountain Layer without worrying about traffic that's coming through there.
So I think tonight will be a good example of
what is possible. But a lot of work has to happen,
and I know people may be concerned, but I can
guarantee we've got really smart traffic engineers and city planners
(36:45):
that are helping us through the process as we talk
about options.
Speaker 2 (36:48):
And the live music will begin at six pm. The
program starts at six point thirty up on Woodburn Circle.
It returns after more than a decade lighting of Woodburn Hall. Well,
President Benson, certainly do appreciate your time today.
Speaker 5 (37:06):
My pleasure. Thank you, Mike, thanks for what you do.
I always enjoy listening to talk of it down and
it's a pleasure to be on your program. So thank you.
Speaker 2 (37:13):
Yes, sir, thank you very much. Have a good day
and we'll talk soon.
Speaker 5 (37:17):
Yes, sir, thank you.
Speaker 2 (37:18):
Go mountain, Go mountaineers, you got that right, Go mountaineers.
But tonight, I guess it'll be let's glow for the
lighting of Woodburn Hall.
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