November 17, 2025 • 40 mins
State Department of Highways Representative Brent Walker on the meeting in Morgantown for the next phase of work on Green Bag Raod.
Senior Lieutenant Mykola Melnyk, Company Commanderof the 47th Mechanized Brigade of Ukraian Armed Forces on the state of the Ukrain-Russia War.
Senior Lieutenant Mykola Melnyk, Company Commanderof the 47th Mechanized Brigade of Ukraian Armed Forces on the state of the Ukrain-Russia War.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:12):
This is the Talk of the Town from Morgantown to Clarksburg.
If it's happening, we're talking about it. Call the show
toll free at one eight hundred seven sixty five eight
two five five. Now Here is your host for the
Talk of the Town, Mike Notlting.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
A good Monday morning. It is nine oh six, fair
skies and thirty six degrees in the University City Metro News.
Aki Weather says today sunshine forty four for the high temperature.
Welcome to the program and happy Monday. Producing this edition
of Talk of the Town is Sophia Wasig. You'll be
(00:50):
able to get Sofia at eight hundred seven sixty five
eight two five five. And we also have the text
line that's available for you that number three D zero
four Talk three zero four. Now. Coming up tomorrow night,
the DOH is going to be holding a public meeting
about the next phases of work on Green Bag Road.
(01:12):
That meeting will be from four thirty until seven thirty
at the Mountain View Elementary School. We're going to speak
with the DOH representative coming up at nine point fifteen
and get a preview of that meeting and how you
can participate. Then at nine to thirty, we have the
opportunity to get to know a soldier from the Ukrainian
(01:33):
Army that was involved in several key operations. Well, he
has been brought to town to address the local ROTC
unit here on the campus of West Virginia University, but
he's going to talk to us first. He is in town,
and as a matter of fact, he is here in
the building and we'll bring him in at nine thirty.
(01:54):
We're going to talk about some of the Russian tactics,
will get an update on the staffatus of the Russian
Ukraine War. We'll do that at nine thirty. Let's take
a look at a couple of headlines, if you will.
Now one thing just to preview, and had to do
some juggling of the schedule. But coming up tomorrow we're
(02:15):
going to welcome Chris Stodd with the Forgotten Flag Foundation.
I think you're really gonna like this guy. What they do.
That group promotes unity, patriotism, and purpose by ensuring that
the American flags displayed properly. Back on Flag Day of
this year in June, they were responsible for restoring a
(02:36):
ninety foot flagpole at the Pennsylvania Transformer Technology property in Canaansburg.
That flagpoles from the nineteen fifties. They added a twenty
five y fifteen foot flag that's called the flag over
East End. Tomorrow, we're going to spend a few minutes
with Chris Stadd and find out more about that foundation.
(02:57):
Let's take a look at a couple of headlines and
get the program started. Of The final in person meeting
to discuss PEIA Health Insurance premiums is tonight in Morgantown.
That meeting begins at five point thirty in the Mountain
Lair Gold Ballroom. PIA is considering a three percent increase
(03:17):
for monthly premiums that also comes with a two hundred
dollars monthly spousal SIR charge increase. If proved, those increases
would go into effect July. The first Deputy State Commerce Director,
Nick Preservati, now he also heads the State Energy Office.
(03:37):
He says, the state's in a great position to benefit
from the increased demand for energy and the natural resources
that we have to meet that need. Two natural gas
fire plants are coming, one in Harrison and another at
a location to be determined. Initial construction of those facilities
will create thousands of direct and indirect and then hundreds
(04:01):
more be needed to operate those facilities for decades into
the future. WU president Michael T. Benson believes that working
towards earning an invitation into the American Association of Universities
will improve all phases of their operations. Member universities are
(04:21):
the leading research institutions across the country. Benson's also working
to maintain or even improve their already record setting eighty
five percent freshman retention rate. The increase to not to
increase and maintain that number, Benson said they planned to
dig into why try to find out why fifteen percent
(04:42):
of those students elected to leave the university after their
freshman year. Benson also announced plans for six million dollars
in wage increases for select faculty members. A president of
the Valley Volunteer Fire Department, Zach Equal, made ou official
over the weekend. They plan to move out of the
(05:02):
Public Safety building in Whitehall. That equipment will then be
staged in Pleasant Valley Town. Officials changed the provision of
that lease and what they did. They gave them the
two garage bays that they had, but then they took
away their office, bathroom and day room space and equal
sided that in that letter released over the weekend, but
(05:26):
the Valley Volunteer Fire Department they do plan to continue
to serve the Whitehall area. I'm going to take a
quick break and when we come back, we'll be speaking
with the state Department of Highways. We're going to get
a preview of the green Bag Road meeting that is
set for tomorrow at the Mountain View Elementary School. We'll
(05:47):
do that next on Talk of the Town AM fourteen
forty FM one oh four point five WAJR.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
Now back to the Talk of the Town.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
A good Monday morning, fair skies and thirty six in
the University City. Coming up tomorrow night, the Department of
Highways will be holding a public meeting at the Mountain
View Elementary School regarding the next phases of improvements on
green Bag Road. Good morning, we have a representative from
the doh Good morning, sir. How are you Hey?
Speaker 3 (06:32):
Good morning, Mike, Brent Walker here, good good to be.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
With you, beauty well, Hey Brent, it's a pleasure to
have you on board here now the next phases of
green Bag Road. I know a lot of people are
seeing some activity around Mississippi Street up on the Kingwood
Pike where some of a different improvement project on green
Bag Road is getting ready to commence. Tell us what
(06:55):
this meeting is going to address, Brent, Well.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
This meeting just to kind of review, is tomorrow at
Mountain View Elementary School from four thirty to seven thirty.
It is going to be kind of what we call
a drop in style, as there'll be no formal presentation,
but we'll have representatives from the Division of Highways, we'll
(07:20):
have our consultant, some FHWA folks, and so it'll just
be a it'll be an opportunity for the public to
come in and learn more about this widening project as
you talked about just on green Bag Road. Of course, yeah,
(07:42):
motorists see that we have some activity already on there.
There is an active project there that includes a couple
of roundabouts. But you know, we're just trying to make
green Bag Road safer, more accessible to both traffic and
to bicyclists and pedestrians. And so it should be a
(08:08):
good meeting and we encourage everyone just to stop by
between four thirty and seven thirty tomorrow, Mountain View Elementary School.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
Brent Walker with the DOH is with us and now
Brent you know, you mentioned pedestrians and bicycles, and that
was one of the things that I brought up on
the show last week, was the fact that this project
is not just for the cars. There's some pedestrian and
bike access points or some proposed access points to the
(08:34):
rail trail. What can you tell us about those, Well, just.
Speaker 3 (08:38):
You know, anytime we have widening projects or any road
projects for that matter, we are always we always have
an eye toward these multi use paths pedestrian cyclists. So
they're becoming more prevalent. We're taking a look at that.
(09:00):
As a matter of fact, they really have to be
in terms of some of the requirements for the monies
that we receive, and so they're not going away, and
for good reason. They're important parts to any kind of
road project.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
Now, you know, Brent, I think the roundabout, I guess
it depends on who you talk to, right, Some people
don't have a problem with them, all, with them at all,
while others seem to have a great deal of trouble
with them. What about this next phase of green Bag
(09:39):
are the roundabouts in that phase?
Speaker 3 (09:42):
Well, the next phase, you know, this will just kind
of talk about what will happen with this widening. We
don't quite have any money yet for the construction of
what this public meeting will be about. Let me say this,
we've been working very closely with the MPO. They've been
(10:04):
great up there and when they talk to us about
projects and the need for projects, we try to listen.
They've been very supportive of us and it's been a
great partnership. And so that's so this public involvement meeting
really it goes hand in hand with the MPO and
the Division of Highways, and so this will allow the
(10:27):
public to provide some comments to learn more about it.
But to the point of roundabouts, you know, they're not difficult,
they're just different and they're not going away either. They
are safer, they're more efficient, they get rid of left
hand turns, which are never great because you're turning into traffic,
(10:53):
and so you know, where it makes sense, you'll see
continues roundabouts, not just in West Virginia, but across the country.
I mean, they're just proven, and so those that have
a little bit of heartache over over roundabouts, I think
they're just they're just nervous because it's new. But across
(11:19):
the state, wherever we've put in and we've we've heard
it all before before it's put in and then they
get used to it and they think it's the best thing,
and so this will be This will be no different.
Speaker 2 (11:31):
Bret Walker with the DOH is with us in Brent.
I'm sure with all your years at the DOH, you've
probably seen it a hundred times where people will say,
oh my gosh, I never even knew that that project
was coming. And the reason that I bring that up
is because tomorrow night is that opportunity that you have
to insulate yourself from that happening to you.
Speaker 3 (11:55):
Yeah, that's right, that's right. And so it's always important
for or that this is of course part of what
we call the National Historic Preservation Act in the National
Environmental Policy Act, which we call NIPA, and so it
complies with those requirements. But it's important that we hear
from from folks. It's their project, it's not ours. We're
(12:22):
just happening to facilitate and be able to hopefully soon
be able to bring it to fruition. But we want
to hear. We can make tweaks if it makes sense,
but it's just important to come there first, learn a
(12:42):
little bit and provide some comments and this is your
opportunity to do so.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
Now, it sounds like the project is very very preliminary
in nature. But would you say that this is a
three to five year project out five to seven years out,
what would the window.
Speaker 3 (13:01):
Be maybe, boy Mark, Mike Kids, It's hard to it's
hard to tell that. Uh. I talked about our partnership
with the m p O. You know it was through that, uh,
the m p O and a grant they received that
allowed us to do uh this study and so we
were able to get that far. Take a look as
(13:21):
as Morgantown continues to grow, and certainly as the traffic
on green Bag continues to increase, you know, there is
a continued need for for some mobility safety and so
we'll continue to work with the m p O and
(13:44):
as money's become available, we can we can start putting
that into the programming phase.
Speaker 2 (13:52):
Is there any ballpark idea of how much it might cost?
Speaker 3 (13:58):
No, No, we wouldn't have that at this time. I
mean it's it wouldn't be cheap, but it would be necessary.
And so we certainly want to continue to widen that
road again to make it safer to the traveling public
and so you know, the project areas really are on
(14:18):
both sides of what now that construction project that's currently underway.
We call it the central section of Green Bag Road,
and so that so it's on both sides of that,
and you know, we'll just see where this takes us.
Speaker 2 (14:37):
Brent Walker with the Dohs with us, and that meeting
is tomorrow night at the Mountain View Elementary School to
get started at four point thirty. And you know, it's
kind of nice that at that time of the day
that you do have kind of a walk up type
situation where you know, maybe people on the way home
they can stop by learn on their at their own speed,
(14:59):
on their our own time.
Speaker 3 (15:01):
That's right. And we you know, we want we want
all comments. We want if you're in support of it,
we want to hear it, if you're if you have
some questions, we want to hear from you. And if
you're against it, we want to hear from you. Because
through this learning process we can all kind of arrive
at some understanding. And I think that's that's important in
(15:26):
these meetings. And so I mentioned the FHWA our consultant
do oh, but certainly I don't want to forget our
important partners in the in the MPO there, so so
we'll have a full host of folks there and we
we hope the public will attend.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
Absolutely. D H Representative Brent Walker. Brent really do appreciate
your time today.
Speaker 3 (15:50):
Sir Mike, thank you all the best of you.
Speaker 2 (15:53):
Absolutely you take care. We'll talk soon. Brent Walker with
the DH once again. That meeting is tomorrow night at
the Mountain View Element three School. Will get started at
four thirty. They had one of these out at the
South Elementary School. I think it was for the proposed
new bridge over the Monongahela River, and you know at
(16:13):
that one they had different stage stations that had depictions
of different phases of work and you could comment on
those individual phases. Not sure how this meeting will be
set up, but typically the DOH they come to these
meetings with plenty of representatives, and the representatives from the
(16:35):
design and technical phases as well as the construction and
some of the property acquisition people will likely be there
as well. Just about eight twenty seven, got a Metro
news break we need to get to. Then we're going
to bring in a member of the Ukrainian Army. Now
(16:58):
this gentleman has been involved in several key operations since
for about the last ten to twelve years in Ukraine.
We're going to learn a little bit about the state
of the conflict, where things stand on the ground, and
then he's also going to be able to provide us
with some insight on the Russian use of drones in
(17:22):
the conflict in Ukraine. We'll also talk about some of
the atrocities that he has seen that have been brought
on the Ukrainian people by the Russians. And this is
all a preview of a reception that will be held
tonight for the soldier and a lecture that he will
(17:45):
be providing, a profile in leadership, that he'll be speaking
to the WVUROTC course, the ROTC students. Rather, he'll be
doing that tomorrow. We'll do that next. Also on my
radar is a US Department of Health and Human Services
Office of Inspector General report that says that West Virginia
(18:09):
did not comply with intake screening, assessment and investigation requirements. Now,
the Office of the Inspector General they elected to do
this report, and I'll tell you why right now. This
audit part of a series that examines the state's compliance
with the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act for intake
(18:33):
screening and assessments, and based on our risk assessment and
West Virginia news outlets that reported the high profile death
related to child neglect of teenager Kennedy Miller, the West
Virginia was selected for that reason. We're going to be
digging into that report and believe that we're going to
(18:55):
be talking with a state lawmaker or two about that
coming up in future editions of the program. Right now,
in the University City Fair skies and thirty six degrees,
Metro News, Aci Weather says, plenty of sunshine today and
a high of forty four degrees. It looks like tonight
(19:18):
clear and twenty eight for the low. So those evenings
certainly becoming much more chris as we get deeper into
fall and prepare for Thanksgiving. Hard to believe that Thanksgiving
will be next week. Well, there's a lot happening across
the great state of West Virginia, and of course to
(19:39):
find out what that is, will head to the Metro
News anchor desk on the Voice of Morgantown one h
four point five FM and AM fourteen forty Wajrjger.
Speaker 1 (20:14):
We are talking about your town. Now back to the
talk of the town.
Speaker 2 (20:26):
Well, good Monday morning. It is nine thirty five fair
skies and thirty six degrees in the University of City.
Looks like it's going to be a great day today
sunshine in a high temperature of forty four degrees. Now
in studio. Please forgive me, but could you say your
(20:47):
name for me?
Speaker 4 (20:48):
Micola Melnick.
Speaker 2 (20:50):
Micola Melnick, okay, Miccola. Well, first off, it's a pleasure
to meet you, and I would like for you to
introduce yourself to the list the audience. You're from the
Ukrainian Army.
Speaker 4 (21:03):
I'm a second Leutenant Mikola Melnik, the ex commodore of
Company Tactically Group Bradley for the same brigad Yes, I'm
a commodore of Bradley team and I fought during the
Revolution and dignity not two time. A big countro offrans
to twenty twenty three that I was wounded and lost
my legs. But in time of this battle, I'm destroyed,
(21:29):
my company thirst destroyed Russian position. That's why my president
awarded me Order of Bogdonminiski. It's the second award in
my country, second Range award in my country.
Speaker 2 (21:41):
Well, I have to ask and I think people want
to know what is the current state of the battle.
What's happening on the battlefield. Now?
Speaker 4 (21:53):
Now we have not a strong frontline. Now we have
a kill zone. Kills on is the line. It's a
distance like five mile in five line, five mile between
the two armies. And this kills on have a part
of infantry, but it's mostly it's drones. So drones forth
(22:18):
against drones and it's a war of future. And now
I must understand the drones destroyed and target eighty percent
of eighty eighty percent of all target on the battlefield.
That's why in Ukraine have a war of future.
Speaker 2 (22:38):
Now you mentioned you referenced a Bradley. Yeah, now is
that the Bradley infantry fighting vehicle.
Speaker 4 (22:50):
I've yes, Bradley is a it's a great icle. It's
a great hicle. But before the big counter offence, I'm American,
brothers give us Bradley's very bad quality. They was very old.
They have very old acum battery. That's why we can't
use the anti tank missiles too.
Speaker 2 (23:12):
Two that's why.
Speaker 4 (23:13):
But Bradley save lives every soldier. They have very strong
armor and that's why I stay alive, My my guys
stay alive. But key point is Bradley's a great, great icles.
But before the counter offence, we have a Bradley bad quality.
Speaker 2 (23:36):
Unfortunately, that's tough. It's tough to hear, but I can
tell you that from my experience. That seventy six millimeter
gun that rides there with the Bradley Infantry fighting.
Speaker 4 (23:48):
Vehicle bush Master, it's a great Yeah. Bush Masters destroyed
it all, yes, but in front of us we had
one Russian tank battalion and the seventy thirst Russian regiment.
That's why if you can't destroy Russian tunk anti tank
(24:09):
missiles tow too, what have every Bradley, you can't go
you can't go go ahead, right, Yes, that's why we
had the problem in time of the Coronafens.
Speaker 2 (24:22):
You know what, here in the West, we've always had
this perception that Russian armor is invincible. That was until
the invasion of Ukraine. And you know, you guys kind
of showed not only were their tactics bad, but you know,
maybe the state of their equipment may have been older,
over sold. You know, maybe they said it was a
(24:44):
lot better than what it really was. How good is it.
Speaker 4 (24:49):
Russian army in twenty twenty two? In Russian army now
it's two different armies. In twenty two it's the army
of very stupid guys who've still generals. They don't understand
that Ukrainian people want to fight. Now it's the modern
army with many infantry, with very modern drones and with
(25:13):
strong allies aliens. We must understand that now Russian vote.
Now Russian fight with North Korean infantry, with Iranian drones,
with chin Chinese technology, and Ukraine have only concern and
(25:34):
it's terrible, and we must understand without American weapons, without
support of our allies, so we lost sure.
Speaker 2 (25:44):
What's the morale like on the battlefield? Has the attitude
of the truth?
Speaker 1 (25:49):
You know?
Speaker 4 (25:50):
The soldiers like soldier, he won't stay alive. He loves
his country, he likes he likes, he loves his family,
and he hate enemies. Soldiers in every army, it's only soldiers.
He won't stay alive and maybe kill Russian.
Speaker 2 (26:12):
Tell you what, We're going to take a real quick break.
But when we come back, I'd like to talk about
what you're going to be talking to the students about tomorrow.
Can we do that?
Speaker 4 (26:22):
I'm talking talking about all what students want to hear.
If they want to hear about the leadership, a betterfield,
no problem. If about modern war, no problem. What about
my experience? I am now, I am a commander of
crew during interceptors and I'm destroyed Russian Russian shah heads
(26:44):
that in the northlk care Kiev area. Uh And in
my opinion, it's the word future. And if students won't
talk about it, okay.
Speaker 2 (26:57):
We talk about now? She had is that the Russian
drone Shahette is a Yeah, it's a strategic drone that
then use against our energy, against our civilians. Okay, how
how do you identify them? Can you hear them? Do
(27:18):
you see them? How big are they?
Speaker 4 (27:21):
Radars? The drones, rodar drones and the karan I see
what type of drones and I understand, Okay, these drones,
this shakhett I can destroy it because we have speed
normal fifty five metal by second. These drones I can't
destroy because it's gerant free and they have speed nearby
(27:47):
one hundred metal by second. And that's why I look
my target and destroyed.
Speaker 2 (27:53):
Now when the Ukrainian soldiers are on the battlefield. What
kind of organics support do you get from people in
the countryside.
Speaker 4 (28:10):
You must understand, Ukrainian army without volunteers lost in twenty
twenty two in first match. That's why, that's why our
people and volunteers and volunteers from USA they support us.
Or it's a colollors, it's a cars, it's some drones,
(28:33):
tactical oh, without volunteers, without people who lost, we lost
in twenty twenty two.
Speaker 2 (28:44):
Talking about the Ukrainian and Russian conflict, please forgive me
say your name one more time.
Speaker 4 (28:52):
It's not conflict, it's war.
Speaker 2 (28:54):
Mikola Melnick, Macola Melnick. We're talking about the war between
Russia and Ukraine. McColo will be addressing ROTC students tomorrow.
There will be a reception here this evening in the
city of Morgantown. What what would you tell people here
(29:14):
about Vladimir Putin?
Speaker 4 (29:19):
I want to tell about one about one things we
all must understand. Without American support, Ukrainian lost. But after
our fortress of democracy will be destroyed. You forced it
to bury your handsome soldiers because Russian never stopped North
(29:40):
Karin never stopped dictators never stop. You must take our experience.
Your colonels and your officers in general must understand what's
the word's future, what's future war, and you must be
a be ready to next war.
Speaker 2 (29:59):
And I think we talked a little bit about that
off air, and I think that it was your impression
that the United States military is really they're entrenched in
tactics that are decades old.
Speaker 4 (30:16):
Yes, And first thing I want to say that I'm
training in the graphin wor It's a big grade one
brigade in Germany. That's why I said thank you, thank
you every soldier, surgeon, officer and general who training us,
because they give us their experience. But now we have
the title that then your army need our experience because
(30:41):
your general's less time vote against normal army in Iraq.
You don't understand that the modern war. You don't understand
how implementation the drones in the infantry or marine's battalions,
and you need our experience. You need our experience because
(31:04):
in future our experience save lives, you guys.
Speaker 2 (31:09):
And I couldn't agree more with that. One question I
do have for you is when you were on the battlefield,
that was when we were getting reports back here in
the United States of Russian generals and the admirals that
were being killed in action. How did that change the
flow of the battle? Did because you know, we've always
(31:30):
been taught that the Russian soldier has very little, if
any initiative, and they need that general to tell them
what to do.
Speaker 4 (31:38):
Is that what you sessions Russian soldiers who don't need
general Russians. Russian soldiers have a machine gun in the back.
That's why then the Russian soldiers understand that. Then he
won't go to the rear. He he's waiting only machine guns,
only machian gun who shot him? This is why rush
(32:00):
and Russian soldiers every time go go ahead. Because the
Russian army has a strong structure. We can kill one general,
twenty general. This don't matter because because they have many general's,
many officers who who don't now they understand the modern
(32:23):
war and they they they can fight, fight, fight in future.
Speaker 2 (32:32):
Can this war? Can there be a negotiated end to
this war?
Speaker 4 (32:37):
Mm hmm. We must understand every war ending in negotiations.
It's a normal. But without USA, our position we yep
slop car national slop capposite our position. Week Okay, you
(33:02):
you understand you can't have the negotiation if you put
the ego position week now we have we need USSAY support, certainly,
I guess uh.
Speaker 2 (33:13):
In In closing, when you take a look at these
r O t C students and you look at what
they've committed to do with their lives, it's gotta be
pretty inspiring to see that level of commitment for one's nation.
Speaker 4 (33:37):
Studied, studied, training and think about future, think about your country,
think how you defend your country and stay alien elias
of freedom because General Grant, it's a president of Essay
said a great words. People can't leave without where nation
(34:02):
can't leave without freedom.
Speaker 2 (34:06):
When you get done here and you go back, will
you go back to the.
Speaker 4 (34:09):
Battlefield, Yes, in December.
Speaker 2 (34:12):
In December, yep, and you'll be I think if I
understand you right, you command a unit that operates interceptor drums.
Speaker 3 (34:21):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (34:22):
In Ukraine we have a volunteer air defense. It's an
air defense force who complete with veterans and civilians. That's
why my battlefield nearby Kiev.
Speaker 2 (34:35):
Okay, got you really do appreciate you coming in today
and thank you very much Julia for providing some translation
when we needed it really do appreciate that, and once
again that lecture will be tomorrow for the r O
t C students. There is a reception this evening and
safe travels to you. Thank you so much for coming
(34:58):
in absolutely fairs guys, and thirty six in Morgantown. We'll
be back with more Talk of the town coming up
after this on AM fourteen forty FM one oh four
point five W A j R.
Speaker 1 (35:27):
Join the conversation at one eight hundred seven sixty five
eight two fivey five. This is the Talk of the town.
Speaker 2 (35:34):
Good Monday morning, fair and thirty six degrees special thanks
to Senior Lieutenant mccola Melnik. Now he'll be speaking at
the Leadership under Fire Lessons from Ukrainian Veterans. They'll be
speaking with the wv U r OTC class. That is
(35:56):
tomorrow morning at nine to thirty from nine thirty until ten.
That'll be in the Rhododendron Room of the Mountain Layer.
That will be open if you would like to attend that. Then. Also,
there is a reception this evening at three hundred Orchard
Crossing that happens at five o'clock tonight. They would like
(36:19):
for you to bring a dish if you don't mind. Now,
let's see coming up tonight also at the Mountain Layer
in the gold Ballroom, the Peia Finance Board will be here.
They'll be taking public comment on the proposed three percent
increase in those premium costs and a two hundred dollars
(36:43):
monthly surcharge for the spousal benefit. That meeting will get
underweg at just about five thirties when check in for
that meeting starts, and they'll get underway at six o'clock.
And I can tell you that from past meetings, these
are normally very very well attended. You'll have a good
(37:04):
mix of teachers, other state workers, and you know, obviously
because we're here in Morgantown and on the campus, I
would expect to get a good representation of staff and
faculty from the West Virginia University as well. Now, let's
see that three percent increase. We have talked to Daily
(37:24):
back on Friday on Metro News Midday, and he talked
about the fact that premiums have gone up about forty
nine and a half percent over the last three years,
and we haven't been in the situation where the governor
has authorized a five percent increase for those workers to
be able to absorb those premium costs, so their premiums
(37:48):
have in fact gone up. Now at the last PEIA meeting,
that last one was out at the Ericson Alumni Center,
and before that they had one out of the Holiday
Inn on Pineview Drive. Now, those meetings also drew a
(38:09):
pretty good contingent of United Mine Workers of America members.
Of course, they're beginning to represent more government offices and
employees across the state, so I would certainly expect to
see a wide mix of folks at that meeting tonight.
And of course I think that every year we talk
(38:33):
about the search for a solution, the search for a
way to increase base spending in order to prevent these
increases from hitting the workers. But then again, if you
look across all insurance plans, a three percent increase, you know,
might not be so bad. Now, the two hundred dollars
(38:53):
monthly searcharge for the spousal benefit, I can't really speak
to that, but that does certainly sounds pretty high to me.
But that meeting that'll be tonight at the Mountain Layer
gold Ballroom check in. That meeting will start at five
point thirty. Typically if you want to speak, I'll have
(39:15):
a sign in sheet. That meeting will start with members
of the PEI, a finance board kind of laying out
their case, the finance end of it, where what they're short,
how they have to come up with it, where that
increase comes from. Then they'll talk about the increase, who
it affects, and how it will affect them. And then
(39:40):
of course then they give the public the opportunity to
address the finance board. And the finance board they don't
typically answer questions. They might provide a comment or to
at some point throughout the program, but typically there are
good listeners. Of course, there's always a wide a wide
(40:05):
variety of people willing to speak. Right now, fair skies
and thirty six degrees in Morgantown, looks like the weather
leading up to Thanksgiving holiday is going to be pretty nice.
Tuesday evening it could get some some rain activity about
a seventy percent chance of showers, and then things clear
(40:26):
out until just about what looks like towards the end
of the week and things will again dry up in
time for high school playoff action. We'll be back to
wrap things up. Coming up next on Top of the Town,
am fourteen forty FM oneh four point five
This is the Talk of the Town from Morgantown to Clarksburg.
If it's happening, we're talking about it. Call the show
toll free at one eight hundred seven sixty five eight
two five five. Now Here is your host for the
Talk of the Town, Mike Notlting.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
A good Monday morning. It is nine oh six, fair
skies and thirty six degrees in the University City Metro News.
Aki Weather says today sunshine forty four for the high temperature.
Welcome to the program and happy Monday. Producing this edition
of Talk of the Town is Sophia Wasig. You'll be
(00:50):
able to get Sofia at eight hundred seven sixty five
eight two five five. And we also have the text
line that's available for you that number three D zero
four Talk three zero four. Now. Coming up tomorrow night,
the DOH is going to be holding a public meeting
about the next phases of work on Green Bag Road.
(01:12):
That meeting will be from four thirty until seven thirty
at the Mountain View Elementary School. We're going to speak
with the DOH representative coming up at nine point fifteen
and get a preview of that meeting and how you
can participate. Then at nine to thirty, we have the
opportunity to get to know a soldier from the Ukrainian
(01:33):
Army that was involved in several key operations. Well, he
has been brought to town to address the local ROTC
unit here on the campus of West Virginia University, but
he's going to talk to us first. He is in town,
and as a matter of fact, he is here in
the building and we'll bring him in at nine thirty.
(01:54):
We're going to talk about some of the Russian tactics,
will get an update on the staffatus of the Russian
Ukraine War. We'll do that at nine thirty. Let's take
a look at a couple of headlines, if you will.
Now one thing just to preview, and had to do
some juggling of the schedule. But coming up tomorrow we're
(02:15):
going to welcome Chris Stodd with the Forgotten Flag Foundation.
I think you're really gonna like this guy. What they do.
That group promotes unity, patriotism, and purpose by ensuring that
the American flags displayed properly. Back on Flag Day of
this year in June, they were responsible for restoring a
(02:36):
ninety foot flagpole at the Pennsylvania Transformer Technology property in Canaansburg.
That flagpoles from the nineteen fifties. They added a twenty
five y fifteen foot flag that's called the flag over
East End. Tomorrow, we're going to spend a few minutes
with Chris Stadd and find out more about that foundation.
(02:57):
Let's take a look at a couple of headlines and
get the program started. Of The final in person meeting
to discuss PEIA Health Insurance premiums is tonight in Morgantown.
That meeting begins at five point thirty in the Mountain
Lair Gold Ballroom. PIA is considering a three percent increase
(03:17):
for monthly premiums that also comes with a two hundred
dollars monthly spousal SIR charge increase. If proved, those increases
would go into effect July. The first Deputy State Commerce Director,
Nick Preservati, now he also heads the State Energy Office.
(03:37):
He says, the state's in a great position to benefit
from the increased demand for energy and the natural resources
that we have to meet that need. Two natural gas
fire plants are coming, one in Harrison and another at
a location to be determined. Initial construction of those facilities
will create thousands of direct and indirect and then hundreds
(04:01):
more be needed to operate those facilities for decades into
the future. WU president Michael T. Benson believes that working
towards earning an invitation into the American Association of Universities
will improve all phases of their operations. Member universities are
(04:21):
the leading research institutions across the country. Benson's also working
to maintain or even improve their already record setting eighty
five percent freshman retention rate. The increase to not to
increase and maintain that number, Benson said they planned to
dig into why try to find out why fifteen percent
(04:42):
of those students elected to leave the university after their
freshman year. Benson also announced plans for six million dollars
in wage increases for select faculty members. A president of
the Valley Volunteer Fire Department, Zach Equal, made ou official
over the weekend. They plan to move out of the
(05:02):
Public Safety building in Whitehall. That equipment will then be
staged in Pleasant Valley Town. Officials changed the provision of
that lease and what they did. They gave them the
two garage bays that they had, but then they took
away their office, bathroom and day room space and equal
sided that in that letter released over the weekend, but
(05:26):
the Valley Volunteer Fire Department they do plan to continue
to serve the Whitehall area. I'm going to take a
quick break and when we come back, we'll be speaking
with the state Department of Highways. We're going to get
a preview of the green Bag Road meeting that is
set for tomorrow at the Mountain View Elementary School. We'll
(05:47):
do that next on Talk of the Town AM fourteen
forty FM one oh four point five WAJR.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
Now back to the Talk of the Town.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
A good Monday morning, fair skies and thirty six in
the University City. Coming up tomorrow night, the Department of
Highways will be holding a public meeting at the Mountain
View Elementary School regarding the next phases of improvements on
green Bag Road. Good morning, we have a representative from
the doh Good morning, sir. How are you Hey?
Speaker 3 (06:32):
Good morning, Mike, Brent Walker here, good good to be.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
With you, beauty well, Hey Brent, it's a pleasure to
have you on board here now the next phases of
green Bag Road. I know a lot of people are
seeing some activity around Mississippi Street up on the Kingwood
Pike where some of a different improvement project on green
Bag Road is getting ready to commence. Tell us what
(06:55):
this meeting is going to address, Brent, Well.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
This meeting just to kind of review, is tomorrow at
Mountain View Elementary School from four thirty to seven thirty.
It is going to be kind of what we call
a drop in style, as there'll be no formal presentation,
but we'll have representatives from the Division of Highways, we'll
(07:20):
have our consultant, some FHWA folks, and so it'll just
be a it'll be an opportunity for the public to
come in and learn more about this widening project as
you talked about just on green Bag Road. Of course, yeah,
(07:42):
motorists see that we have some activity already on there.
There is an active project there that includes a couple
of roundabouts. But you know, we're just trying to make
green Bag Road safer, more accessible to both traffic and
to bicyclists and pedestrians. And so it should be a
(08:08):
good meeting and we encourage everyone just to stop by
between four thirty and seven thirty tomorrow, Mountain View Elementary School.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
Brent Walker with the DOH is with us and now
Brent you know, you mentioned pedestrians and bicycles, and that
was one of the things that I brought up on
the show last week, was the fact that this project
is not just for the cars. There's some pedestrian and
bike access points or some proposed access points to the
(08:34):
rail trail. What can you tell us about those, Well, just.
Speaker 3 (08:38):
You know, anytime we have widening projects or any road
projects for that matter, we are always we always have
an eye toward these multi use paths pedestrian cyclists. So
they're becoming more prevalent. We're taking a look at that.
(09:00):
As a matter of fact, they really have to be
in terms of some of the requirements for the monies
that we receive, and so they're not going away, and
for good reason. They're important parts to any kind of
road project.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
Now, you know, Brent, I think the roundabout, I guess
it depends on who you talk to, right, Some people
don't have a problem with them, all, with them at all,
while others seem to have a great deal of trouble
with them. What about this next phase of green Bag
(09:39):
are the roundabouts in that phase?
Speaker 3 (09:42):
Well, the next phase, you know, this will just kind
of talk about what will happen with this widening. We
don't quite have any money yet for the construction of
what this public meeting will be about. Let me say this,
we've been working very closely with the MPO. They've been
(10:04):
great up there and when they talk to us about
projects and the need for projects, we try to listen.
They've been very supportive of us and it's been a
great partnership. And so that's so this public involvement meeting
really it goes hand in hand with the MPO and
the Division of Highways, and so this will allow the
(10:27):
public to provide some comments to learn more about it.
But to the point of roundabouts, you know, they're not difficult,
they're just different and they're not going away either. They
are safer, they're more efficient, they get rid of left
hand turns, which are never great because you're turning into traffic,
(10:53):
and so you know, where it makes sense, you'll see
continues roundabouts, not just in West Virginia, but across the country.
I mean, they're just proven, and so those that have
a little bit of heartache over over roundabouts, I think
they're just they're just nervous because it's new. But across
(11:19):
the state, wherever we've put in and we've we've heard
it all before before it's put in and then they
get used to it and they think it's the best thing,
and so this will be This will be no different.
Speaker 2 (11:31):
Bret Walker with the DOH is with us in Brent.
I'm sure with all your years at the DOH, you've
probably seen it a hundred times where people will say,
oh my gosh, I never even knew that that project
was coming. And the reason that I bring that up
is because tomorrow night is that opportunity that you have
to insulate yourself from that happening to you.
Speaker 3 (11:55):
Yeah, that's right, that's right. And so it's always important
for or that this is of course part of what
we call the National Historic Preservation Act in the National
Environmental Policy Act, which we call NIPA, and so it
complies with those requirements. But it's important that we hear
from from folks. It's their project, it's not ours. We're
(12:22):
just happening to facilitate and be able to hopefully soon
be able to bring it to fruition. But we want
to hear. We can make tweaks if it makes sense,
but it's just important to come there first, learn a
(12:42):
little bit and provide some comments and this is your
opportunity to do so.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
Now, it sounds like the project is very very preliminary
in nature. But would you say that this is a
three to five year project out five to seven years out,
what would the window.
Speaker 3 (13:01):
Be maybe, boy Mark, Mike Kids, It's hard to it's
hard to tell that. Uh. I talked about our partnership
with the m p O. You know it was through that, uh,
the m p O and a grant they received that
allowed us to do uh this study and so we
were able to get that far. Take a look as
(13:21):
as Morgantown continues to grow, and certainly as the traffic
on green Bag continues to increase, you know, there is
a continued need for for some mobility safety and so
we'll continue to work with the m p O and
(13:44):
as money's become available, we can we can start putting
that into the programming phase.
Speaker 2 (13:52):
Is there any ballpark idea of how much it might cost?
Speaker 3 (13:58):
No, No, we wouldn't have that at this time. I
mean it's it wouldn't be cheap, but it would be necessary.
And so we certainly want to continue to widen that
road again to make it safer to the traveling public
and so you know, the project areas really are on
(14:18):
both sides of what now that construction project that's currently underway.
We call it the central section of Green Bag Road,
and so that so it's on both sides of that,
and you know, we'll just see where this takes us.
Speaker 2 (14:37):
Brent Walker with the Dohs with us, and that meeting
is tomorrow night at the Mountain View Elementary School to
get started at four point thirty. And you know, it's
kind of nice that at that time of the day
that you do have kind of a walk up type
situation where you know, maybe people on the way home
they can stop by learn on their at their own speed,
(14:59):
on their our own time.
Speaker 3 (15:01):
That's right. And we you know, we want we want
all comments. We want if you're in support of it,
we want to hear it, if you're if you have
some questions, we want to hear from you. And if
you're against it, we want to hear from you. Because
through this learning process we can all kind of arrive
at some understanding. And I think that's that's important in
(15:26):
these meetings. And so I mentioned the FHWA our consultant
do oh, but certainly I don't want to forget our
important partners in the in the MPO there, so so
we'll have a full host of folks there and we
we hope the public will attend.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
Absolutely. D H Representative Brent Walker. Brent really do appreciate
your time today.
Speaker 3 (15:50):
Sir Mike, thank you all the best of you.
Speaker 2 (15:53):
Absolutely you take care. We'll talk soon. Brent Walker with
the DH once again. That meeting is tomorrow night at
the Mountain View Element three School. Will get started at
four thirty. They had one of these out at the
South Elementary School. I think it was for the proposed
new bridge over the Monongahela River, and you know at
(16:13):
that one they had different stage stations that had depictions
of different phases of work and you could comment on
those individual phases. Not sure how this meeting will be
set up, but typically the DOH they come to these
meetings with plenty of representatives, and the representatives from the
(16:35):
design and technical phases as well as the construction and
some of the property acquisition people will likely be there
as well. Just about eight twenty seven, got a Metro
news break we need to get to. Then we're going
to bring in a member of the Ukrainian Army. Now
(16:58):
this gentleman has been involved in several key operations since
for about the last ten to twelve years in Ukraine.
We're going to learn a little bit about the state
of the conflict, where things stand on the ground, and
then he's also going to be able to provide us
with some insight on the Russian use of drones in
(17:22):
the conflict in Ukraine. We'll also talk about some of
the atrocities that he has seen that have been brought
on the Ukrainian people by the Russians. And this is
all a preview of a reception that will be held
tonight for the soldier and a lecture that he will
(17:45):
be providing, a profile in leadership, that he'll be speaking
to the WVUROTC course, the ROTC students. Rather, he'll be
doing that tomorrow. We'll do that next. Also on my
radar is a US Department of Health and Human Services
Office of Inspector General report that says that West Virginia
(18:09):
did not comply with intake screening, assessment and investigation requirements. Now,
the Office of the Inspector General they elected to do
this report, and I'll tell you why right now. This
audit part of a series that examines the state's compliance
with the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act for intake
(18:33):
screening and assessments, and based on our risk assessment and
West Virginia news outlets that reported the high profile death
related to child neglect of teenager Kennedy Miller, the West
Virginia was selected for that reason. We're going to be
digging into that report and believe that we're going to
(18:55):
be talking with a state lawmaker or two about that
coming up in future editions of the program. Right now,
in the University City Fair skies and thirty six degrees,
Metro News, Aci Weather says, plenty of sunshine today and
a high of forty four degrees. It looks like tonight
(19:18):
clear and twenty eight for the low. So those evenings
certainly becoming much more chris as we get deeper into
fall and prepare for Thanksgiving. Hard to believe that Thanksgiving
will be next week. Well, there's a lot happening across
the great state of West Virginia, and of course to
(19:39):
find out what that is, will head to the Metro
News anchor desk on the Voice of Morgantown one h
four point five FM and AM fourteen forty Wajrjger.
Speaker 1 (20:14):
We are talking about your town. Now back to the
talk of the town.
Speaker 2 (20:26):
Well, good Monday morning. It is nine thirty five fair
skies and thirty six degrees in the University of City.
Looks like it's going to be a great day today
sunshine in a high temperature of forty four degrees. Now
in studio. Please forgive me, but could you say your
(20:47):
name for me?
Speaker 4 (20:48):
Micola Melnick.
Speaker 2 (20:50):
Micola Melnick, okay, Miccola. Well, first off, it's a pleasure
to meet you, and I would like for you to
introduce yourself to the list the audience. You're from the
Ukrainian Army.
Speaker 4 (21:03):
I'm a second Leutenant Mikola Melnik, the ex commodore of
Company Tactically Group Bradley for the same brigad Yes, I'm
a commodore of Bradley team and I fought during the
Revolution and dignity not two time. A big countro offrans
to twenty twenty three that I was wounded and lost
my legs. But in time of this battle, I'm destroyed,
(21:29):
my company thirst destroyed Russian position. That's why my president
awarded me Order of Bogdonminiski. It's the second award in
my country, second Range award in my country.
Speaker 2 (21:41):
Well, I have to ask and I think people want
to know what is the current state of the battle.
What's happening on the battlefield. Now?
Speaker 4 (21:53):
Now we have not a strong frontline. Now we have
a kill zone. Kills on is the line. It's a
distance like five mile in five line, five mile between
the two armies. And this kills on have a part
of infantry, but it's mostly it's drones. So drones forth
(22:18):
against drones and it's a war of future. And now
I must understand the drones destroyed and target eighty percent
of eighty eighty percent of all target on the battlefield.
That's why in Ukraine have a war of future.
Speaker 2 (22:38):
Now you mentioned you referenced a Bradley. Yeah, now is
that the Bradley infantry fighting vehicle.
Speaker 4 (22:50):
I've yes, Bradley is a it's a great icle. It's
a great hicle. But before the big counter offence, I'm American,
brothers give us Bradley's very bad quality. They was very old.
They have very old acum battery. That's why we can't
use the anti tank missiles too.
Speaker 2 (23:12):
Two that's why.
Speaker 4 (23:13):
But Bradley save lives every soldier. They have very strong
armor and that's why I stay alive, My my guys
stay alive. But key point is Bradley's a great, great icles.
But before the counter offence, we have a Bradley bad quality.
Speaker 2 (23:36):
Unfortunately, that's tough. It's tough to hear, but I can
tell you that from my experience. That seventy six millimeter
gun that rides there with the Bradley Infantry fighting.
Speaker 4 (23:48):
Vehicle bush Master, it's a great Yeah. Bush Masters destroyed
it all, yes, but in front of us we had
one Russian tank battalion and the seventy thirst Russian regiment.
That's why if you can't destroy Russian tunk anti tank
(24:09):
missiles tow too, what have every Bradley, you can't go
you can't go go ahead, right, Yes, that's why we
had the problem in time of the Coronafens.
Speaker 2 (24:22):
You know what, here in the West, we've always had
this perception that Russian armor is invincible. That was until
the invasion of Ukraine. And you know, you guys kind
of showed not only were their tactics bad, but you know,
maybe the state of their equipment may have been older,
over sold. You know, maybe they said it was a
(24:44):
lot better than what it really was. How good is it.
Speaker 4 (24:49):
Russian army in twenty twenty two? In Russian army now
it's two different armies. In twenty two it's the army
of very stupid guys who've still generals. They don't understand
that Ukrainian people want to fight. Now it's the modern
army with many infantry, with very modern drones and with
(25:13):
strong allies aliens. We must understand that now Russian vote.
Now Russian fight with North Korean infantry, with Iranian drones,
with chin Chinese technology, and Ukraine have only concern and
(25:34):
it's terrible, and we must understand without American weapons, without
support of our allies, so we lost sure.
Speaker 2 (25:44):
What's the morale like on the battlefield? Has the attitude
of the truth?
Speaker 1 (25:49):
You know?
Speaker 4 (25:50):
The soldiers like soldier, he won't stay alive. He loves
his country, he likes he likes, he loves his family,
and he hate enemies. Soldiers in every army, it's only soldiers.
He won't stay alive and maybe kill Russian.
Speaker 2 (26:12):
Tell you what, We're going to take a real quick break.
But when we come back, I'd like to talk about
what you're going to be talking to the students about tomorrow.
Can we do that?
Speaker 4 (26:22):
I'm talking talking about all what students want to hear.
If they want to hear about the leadership, a betterfield,
no problem. If about modern war, no problem. What about
my experience? I am now, I am a commander of
crew during interceptors and I'm destroyed Russian Russian shah heads
(26:44):
that in the northlk care Kiev area. Uh And in
my opinion, it's the word future. And if students won't
talk about it, okay.
Speaker 2 (26:57):
We talk about now? She had is that the Russian
drone Shahette is a Yeah, it's a strategic drone that
then use against our energy, against our civilians. Okay, how
how do you identify them? Can you hear them? Do
(27:18):
you see them? How big are they?
Speaker 4 (27:21):
Radars? The drones, rodar drones and the karan I see
what type of drones and I understand, Okay, these drones,
this shakhett I can destroy it because we have speed
normal fifty five metal by second. These drones I can't
destroy because it's gerant free and they have speed nearby
(27:47):
one hundred metal by second. And that's why I look
my target and destroyed.
Speaker 2 (27:53):
Now when the Ukrainian soldiers are on the battlefield. What
kind of organics support do you get from people in
the countryside.
Speaker 4 (28:10):
You must understand, Ukrainian army without volunteers lost in twenty
twenty two in first match. That's why, that's why our
people and volunteers and volunteers from USA they support us.
Or it's a colollors, it's a cars, it's some drones,
(28:33):
tactical oh, without volunteers, without people who lost, we lost
in twenty twenty two.
Speaker 2 (28:44):
Talking about the Ukrainian and Russian conflict, please forgive me
say your name one more time.
Speaker 4 (28:52):
It's not conflict, it's war.
Speaker 2 (28:54):
Mikola Melnick, Macola Melnick. We're talking about the war between
Russia and Ukraine. McColo will be addressing ROTC students tomorrow.
There will be a reception here this evening in the
city of Morgantown. What what would you tell people here
(29:14):
about Vladimir Putin?
Speaker 4 (29:19):
I want to tell about one about one things we
all must understand. Without American support, Ukrainian lost. But after
our fortress of democracy will be destroyed. You forced it
to bury your handsome soldiers because Russian never stopped North
(29:40):
Karin never stopped dictators never stop. You must take our experience.
Your colonels and your officers in general must understand what's
the word's future, what's future war, and you must be
a be ready to next war.
Speaker 2 (29:59):
And I think we talked a little bit about that
off air, and I think that it was your impression
that the United States military is really they're entrenched in
tactics that are decades old.
Speaker 4 (30:16):
Yes, And first thing I want to say that I'm
training in the graphin wor It's a big grade one
brigade in Germany. That's why I said thank you, thank
you every soldier, surgeon, officer and general who training us,
because they give us their experience. But now we have
the title that then your army need our experience because
(30:41):
your general's less time vote against normal army in Iraq.
You don't understand that the modern war. You don't understand
how implementation the drones in the infantry or marine's battalions,
and you need our experience. You need our experience because
(31:04):
in future our experience save lives, you guys.
Speaker 2 (31:09):
And I couldn't agree more with that. One question I
do have for you is when you were on the battlefield,
that was when we were getting reports back here in
the United States of Russian generals and the admirals that
were being killed in action. How did that change the
flow of the battle? Did because you know, we've always
(31:30):
been taught that the Russian soldier has very little, if
any initiative, and they need that general to tell them
what to do.
Speaker 4 (31:38):
Is that what you sessions Russian soldiers who don't need
general Russians. Russian soldiers have a machine gun in the back.
That's why then the Russian soldiers understand that. Then he
won't go to the rear. He he's waiting only machine guns,
only machian gun who shot him? This is why rush
(32:00):
and Russian soldiers every time go go ahead. Because the
Russian army has a strong structure. We can kill one general,
twenty general. This don't matter because because they have many general's,
many officers who who don't now they understand the modern
(32:23):
war and they they they can fight, fight, fight in future.
Speaker 2 (32:32):
Can this war? Can there be a negotiated end to
this war?
Speaker 4 (32:37):
Mm hmm. We must understand every war ending in negotiations.
It's a normal. But without USA, our position we yep
slop car national slop capposite our position. Week Okay, you
(33:02):
you understand you can't have the negotiation if you put
the ego position week now we have we need USSAY support, certainly,
I guess uh.
Speaker 2 (33:13):
In In closing, when you take a look at these
r O t C students and you look at what
they've committed to do with their lives, it's gotta be
pretty inspiring to see that level of commitment for one's nation.
Speaker 4 (33:37):
Studied, studied, training and think about future, think about your country,
think how you defend your country and stay alien elias
of freedom because General Grant, it's a president of Essay
said a great words. People can't leave without where nation
(34:02):
can't leave without freedom.
Speaker 2 (34:06):
When you get done here and you go back, will
you go back to the.
Speaker 4 (34:09):
Battlefield, Yes, in December.
Speaker 2 (34:12):
In December, yep, and you'll be I think if I
understand you right, you command a unit that operates interceptor drums.
Speaker 3 (34:21):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (34:22):
In Ukraine we have a volunteer air defense. It's an
air defense force who complete with veterans and civilians. That's
why my battlefield nearby Kiev.
Speaker 2 (34:35):
Okay, got you really do appreciate you coming in today
and thank you very much Julia for providing some translation
when we needed it really do appreciate that, and once
again that lecture will be tomorrow for the r O
t C students. There is a reception this evening and
safe travels to you. Thank you so much for coming
(34:58):
in absolutely fairs guys, and thirty six in Morgantown. We'll
be back with more Talk of the town coming up
after this on AM fourteen forty FM one oh four
point five W A j R.
Speaker 1 (35:27):
Join the conversation at one eight hundred seven sixty five
eight two fivey five. This is the Talk of the town.
Speaker 2 (35:34):
Good Monday morning, fair and thirty six degrees special thanks
to Senior Lieutenant mccola Melnik. Now he'll be speaking at
the Leadership under Fire Lessons from Ukrainian Veterans. They'll be
speaking with the wv U r OTC class. That is
(35:56):
tomorrow morning at nine to thirty from nine thirty until ten.
That'll be in the Rhododendron Room of the Mountain Layer.
That will be open if you would like to attend that. Then. Also,
there is a reception this evening at three hundred Orchard
Crossing that happens at five o'clock tonight. They would like
(36:19):
for you to bring a dish if you don't mind. Now,
let's see coming up tonight also at the Mountain Layer
in the gold Ballroom, the Peia Finance Board will be here.
They'll be taking public comment on the proposed three percent
increase in those premium costs and a two hundred dollars
(36:43):
monthly surcharge for the spousal benefit. That meeting will get
underweg at just about five thirties when check in for
that meeting starts, and they'll get underway at six o'clock.
And I can tell you that from past meetings, these
are normally very very well attended. You'll have a good
(37:04):
mix of teachers, other state workers, and you know, obviously
because we're here in Morgantown and on the campus, I
would expect to get a good representation of staff and
faculty from the West Virginia University as well. Now, let's
see that three percent increase. We have talked to Daily
(37:24):
back on Friday on Metro News Midday, and he talked
about the fact that premiums have gone up about forty
nine and a half percent over the last three years,
and we haven't been in the situation where the governor
has authorized a five percent increase for those workers to
be able to absorb those premium costs, so their premiums
(37:48):
have in fact gone up. Now at the last PEIA meeting,
that last one was out at the Ericson Alumni Center,
and before that they had one out of the Holiday
Inn on Pineview Drive. Now, those meetings also drew a
(38:09):
pretty good contingent of United Mine Workers of America members.
Of course, they're beginning to represent more government offices and
employees across the state, so I would certainly expect to
see a wide mix of folks at that meeting tonight.
And of course I think that every year we talk
(38:33):
about the search for a solution, the search for a
way to increase base spending in order to prevent these
increases from hitting the workers. But then again, if you
look across all insurance plans, a three percent increase, you know,
might not be so bad. Now, the two hundred dollars
(38:53):
monthly searcharge for the spousal benefit, I can't really speak
to that, but that does certainly sounds pretty high to me.
But that meeting that'll be tonight at the Mountain Layer
gold Ballroom check in. That meeting will start at five
point thirty. Typically if you want to speak, I'll have
(39:15):
a sign in sheet. That meeting will start with members
of the PEI, a finance board kind of laying out
their case, the finance end of it, where what they're short,
how they have to come up with it, where that
increase comes from. Then they'll talk about the increase, who
it affects, and how it will affect them. And then
(39:40):
of course then they give the public the opportunity to
address the finance board. And the finance board they don't
typically answer questions. They might provide a comment or to
at some point throughout the program, but typically there are
good listeners. Of course, there's always a wide a wide
(40:05):
variety of people willing to speak. Right now, fair skies
and thirty six degrees in Morgantown, looks like the weather
leading up to Thanksgiving holiday is going to be pretty nice.
Tuesday evening it could get some some rain activity about
a seventy percent chance of showers, and then things clear
(40:26):
out until just about what looks like towards the end
of the week and things will again dry up in
time for high school playoff action. We'll be back to
wrap things up. Coming up next on Top of the Town,
am fourteen forty FM oneh four point five
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