There are times when the phone rings in Jay Rogers’ office and he feels helpless.
A business owner or a resident may have a question or have an issue that he as city manager for Fairmont just can’t answer.
It may be that the issue is outside of the corporate limits of Fairmont or outside of the scope of what a city can do for its residents. It may be a tax issue, which cities are left with little wiggle room from state mandates, or a public safety issue the city cannot address because of a limited budget.
These are issues Rogers is familiar with because of his long history in city government, but things that perhaps your average citizen may not know.
That’s why the city has created Fairmont 101, a program designed to educate citizens about roles, responsibilities of city government. The classes are designed to educate the residents of Fairmont about the roles and responsibilities of local government.
Through a series of eight monthly classes — with groups meeting either in the morning or the evening — a graduate of the program will have more than just a working knowledge of how the city works from the top to the bottom.
“The whole program is designed with the intention of educating citizens,” Rogers said.
The idea originally came from a highly successful project in Decatur, Ga., and Rogers felt it was a good fit for Fairmont, too.
“What they found in Decatur was that graduates of the program were more likely to become volunteers. They’ve seen more people run for city council, and they’ve seen the number of calls about little things just drop,” Rogers explained. “People now know where to go. People now know what to do.”
We’re excited about people becoming involved in the city process, too. All too often, when there is a board opening or a council seat vacant, few apply or seek election. This city needs investment of time and energy from its residents. And this city needs the innovation that only comes from bringing new people into volunteer and elected positions.
Application packets are available at the customer service department of the city on the third floor of the J. Harper Meredith Building, at the Marion County Chamber of Commerce, by calling 304366-6211, ext. 310, or online at www.fairmontwv.gov.
We strongly encourage anyone interested in the future of Fairmont to participate in these classes.
The only way you can make a positive impact in your community is to No. 1 be armed with as much information as possible and No. 2 make a commitment to your city. We believe that graduates of Fairmont 101 will be the future leaders of this community.
Opinion
Fairmont 101 is educational program to give city major boost
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A complete commitment: When fathers become dads
On the third Sunday of June each year, we observe Father’s Day. This is extra special to Fairmont because the first celebration was observed here in The Friendly City. Over the years of annual observance, the role of father has taken on many new and varied duties.
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What’s the solution for funding highways?
There was a time when the federal government put substantial highway dollars in the states to match funds for projects.
That was two wars and a recession ago, though. That was when Congress had its differences but could pass a bill or two every now and again. -
Valley Falls great recreational area, but don’t ignore the rules on safety
The signs at Valley Falls State Park couldn’t be more clear:
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The signs also note that alcoholic beverages are prohibited and that the minimum fine for violating the rules is $167. -
Following court decision, let’s move on, see FGH ‘grow and thrive’
We don’t think anyone would argue the point that our community and its leaders need to be forward-thinking, forward-moving and focused on the bricks that will pave the pathway to the future.
Sometimes there’s a disagreement about that future. And sometimes those disagreements have to be settled. -
Gary Price strong as superintendent, in position to bring stability to schools
“An evaluation of a superintendent is not intended to find fault, but is a measuring tool to see how effective one is doing and see if any improvement or concentration in any area needs to be worked out to make one better.”
This was Marion County Board of Education president James Saunders reading a prepared statement prior to going into discussion about the status of Superintendent Gary Price. -
Livelihood of people at center of Patriot Coal case
The bankruptcy of Patriot Coal is far more complicated than many of us will ever understand.
What complicates it is people. This isn’t just about paperwork and reorganization. The livelihood of workers and those who spent years in the mine are at stake here. -
Relay for Life: A reason to give thanks but much work to be done
The annual Marion County Relay for Life was held Friday inside the Falcon Center on the shared campus of Fairmont State University and Pierpont Community & Technical College — moved indoors for the first time because of weather. It was held three weeks after Mannington’s Relay for Life, also a growing, annual event held this year at Hough Park.
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Judge’s ruling about Patriot Coal is ‘tragic’ and a ‘travesty’
We wonder how many readers were angered when they read the top story in the Times West Virginian on May 30.
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D-Day reminder of ‘great and noble undertaking’ made during World War II
It was nearly 70 years ago that Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower was offering the following words to soldiers, sailors and airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force:
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All must invest time, effort and funding to keep our children safe
It’s every parent’s worst nightmare — watching your child taken away in an ambulance following an accident, not knowing the full extent of their injuries.
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A complete commitment: When fathers become dads
