(MONTVALE, NJ—MAY 22, 2013) — Benjamin Moore, North America’s most respected paint manufacturer and color authority, announced today its biggest initiative ever to revitalize communities across North America through the launch of “Main Street Matters.”

The campaign asks consumers around the country to cast their vote online for which 20 Main Streets should be revitalized of the more than 100 North American cities nominated at www.paintwhatmatters.com.

The effort will be undertaken with the help of multiple partner organizations around the country, including Make It Right, a long-time partner of Benjamin Moore that was founded by actor-philanthropist Brad Pitt. Brad Pitt will be lending his voice in support of the effort that Benjamin Moore is undertaking with Main Street Matters.

In addition to partner organizations, this effort will be brought to life with local Benjamin Moore dealers and in conjunction with local municipalities, small businesses and local Chambers of Commerce. The effort will begin this summer and the work on repainting these Main Streets will be completed over the next year.

“Our Main Streets are the vital hubs of our communities – and Benjamin Moore and our network of independent dealers have always been integral parts of Main Street,” said David Melançon, Chief Marketing Officer of Benjamin Moore. “This investment we’re making in communities around North America is core to our business and to who we are; Main Streets make us who we are and we’re proud to honor that with this effort.

Benjamin Moore will not only provide the paint and supplies needed for façades, porches, railings, shutters and other exterior building trims, but its color experts will consult on the best choices to enhance the architectural style, regional influences and historic references in each community. Skilled professional painters, many of them members of the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America, will be hired, putting another segment of local business to work along with the local Benjamin Moore retailer who will be mixing the paints that are used.

The communications portion of “Main Street Matters”, which allows local businesses and community members to tell their stories, includes not only the online component, but also is being supported by an aggressive advertising program. A mix of national and local market TV, radio, online and print ads will hit North America starting in May as part of the company’s overall increase in marketing, which is up 61% compared to the previous year.

Voting began at 12:00 a.m. EST on May 16, 2013 and will end at 11:59 p.m. EST on June 30, 2013. Benjamin Moore will post the final list of Main Streets and towns to be repainted on www.paintwhatmatters.com in July.

For more information and a list of nominated cities across the U.S. and Canada, please visit www.paintwhatmatters.com.

If you have any questions pertaining to the meeting actions, please contact the City Clerk's office at 304-284-7434.

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Mosquitoes may carry the West Nile Virus (WNV) and La Crosse Encephalitis Virus (LACV). Both diseases occur primarily in late spring through fall and are spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected with WNV when they feed on infected birds. Infected mosquitoes can then spread West Nile Virus to humans and other animals when they bite.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) describes LACV as a rare disease that is one of a group of mosquito-transmitted viruses that can cause inflammation of the brain, or encephalitis. In the United States, about 80 to 100 LACV disease cases are reported each year.

The symptoms of both West Nile and La Crosse Encephalitis are relatively mild, commonly exhibiting fever, headache and body aches, often with skin rash and swollen lymph glands. Headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, occasional convulsions and paralysis mark more severe infections. In more severe cases, hospitalization and intensive supportive therapy may be needed.  At this time, there is no specific treatment.

Anyone who sees a dead bird should contact the MCHD so that it can be tested for the presence of WNV (CDC recommends that dead birds are not handled with bare hands). Birds that have been dead for less than 24 hours are tested for West Nile Virus at the Office of Laboratory Services in Charleston, W.Va.

MCHD ask residents to take precautionary measures, such as eliminating stagnant water to protect their families and their community.

To reduce the number of mosquitoes, minimize the amount of standing water available for mosquito breeding.    

• Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers.
• Pay special attention to discarded tires. Stagnant water in used tires is where many mosquitoes breed.
• Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers left outdoors.
• Have clogged roof gutters cleaned often, particularly if the leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to plug up the drains. Roof gutters can produce millions of mosquitoes each season.
• Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use. Stagnant water in wading pools becomes a place for mosquitoes to breed.
• Turn over wheelbarrows, and do not let water stagnate in birdbaths. Both provide breeding habitats for domestic mosquitoes.
• Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish. Water gardens can become major mosquito producers if they are allowed to stagnate. Clean and chlorinate swimming pools not in use.  A swimming pool left unattended by a family on vacation for a month can produce enough mosquitoes to result in neighborhood wide complaints. Mosquitoes may even breed in the water that collects on pool covers.
• Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property. Mosquitoes may breed in any puddle that lasts for more than four days.

The MCHD and CDC also encourages the use of insect repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient. Follow the directions on the package. Many mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. Be sure to use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants at these times, or consider staying indoors during these hours. Make sure to have good screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out of the home.

For more information about the West Nile Virus and LACV, visit www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/wnv_factsheet.htm or www.cdc.gov/lac/gen/qa.html.

Please visit our website at www.monchd.org, or contact the Monongalia County Health Department at 304-598-5100 with any questions or concerns.

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The Suncrest Neighborhood Association will hold its regular May meeting on Thursday, May 30th, at the Calvary Baptist Church, on the corner of Burroughs & Eastern Avenues.

Susan Sullivan, City Public Communications Director, will join Suncrest Neighbors with information on who and how to connect to City services.  The Police and City Councilwomen will also give reports, as well as commission and board members.

Join the neighbors at 6:30 for potluck desserts, and at 7 p.m. for business.the Suncrest neighborhood meeting takes place on the last Thursday of each month at Calvary Baptist Church, Burroughs and Eastern Avenues.  

MUB Agenda Document (.pdf)
Scotts Run Public Service District Agenda Document (.pdf)
Public Notice in Dominion Post, 5/15/13 (.jpg)

AGENDA

MORGANTOWN UTILITY BOARD 
REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, May 22,2013
6:30 P.M.- Morgantown City Council Chambers

1.     Call to Order and Approval of Agenda.

2.    Approval of Minutes.
Regular Meeting: April 9, 2013

3.    Public Portion, which shall be subject to rules established by MUB.

4.     City Council Portion.

5.     New Business:
•    Approval of Bids -Health Insurance
•    Employee Requests
•    Board Vacancy
•    Acquisition Agreement – Scotts Run PSD
•    O&M Agreement – Scotts Run PSD
•    Rate Ordinance – Scotts Run PSD Service Area
•    Bond Ordinance- Scotts Run PSD Debt Assumption

6.     Old Business:
•    Quarry Run- Whispering Woods Water Project- Update
•    Sabraton Stormwater Project – Update

7.     General Manager's Report:
•    Sunshine Estates Sewer Project
•    Canyon PSD Acquisition

8.     Board Member Issues/Discussions.

9.     Executive Session and Reconvene Regular Session, as needed.

10.     Adjourn.

Then…

SCOTTS RUN PUBLIC SERVICE DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
7:30 P.M. – Morgantown City Council Chambers
389 Spruce Street, Morgantown WV

1.    Call to Order

2.    Approval of Minutes.
Regular Meeting:  April 16, 2013

3.    Public Hearing regarding acquisition of SRPSD by Morgantown Utility Board

4.    Resolution regarding acquisition of SRPSD by Morgantown Utility Board

5.    Consideration of proposed Agreement for acquisition of SRPSD by Morgantown Utility
Board

6.    Consideration of proposed Agreement for operations and maintenance services to be provided by Morgantown Utility Board

7.    Adjourn

The theme for RWII Prevention Week 2013 is How We Swimmers Contaminate Pools. It focuses on swimmer hygiene and the need for swimmers to take an active role in helping to protect themselves and prevent the spread of germs.

The best way to prevent RWIs is to keep germs out of the pool. Everyone can help create healthy swimming experiences this summer by following six healthy swimming steps: 

1. Don’t swim while suffering from diarrhea.
2. Don’t swallow pool water.
3. Practice good hygiene. Shower with soap before swimming, and wash hands after using the toilet or changing diapers. 
4. Take children to the restroom or check diapers often.
5. Change diapers in a restroom or a diaper-changing area, not beside of the pool.
6. Wash children thoroughly with soap and water before swimming.

The CDC recommends that pool operators adhere to the following guidelines:

• Lead the staff by making a choice to integrate an RWI protection plan into existing facility risk management.
• Develop partnerships with the local health department and other aquatic facilities as a way to receive information about outbreaks occurring in the community. If another pool closes because of an outbreak, swimmers may receive RWI prevention education before swimming at a different location. Work with the health department in the event of a potential RWI outbreak. 
• Educate pool staff by ensuring that the pool operator, at minimum, has taken part in a standardized training course provided by an aquatics professional. Integrate “Steps for Healthy Swimming” education by displaying posters throughout the pool area. Free posters may be downloaded by visited the CDC website. Ensure that the staffs understand the critical role of water testing, proper testing methods and how to respond if disinfectant levels are not adequate. Train the staff on how to tactfully explain why behaviors such as using public tables as diaper changing areas is a health risk. Remind the staff that maintains pool water quality according to existing public health requirements will prevent the spread of most RWIs.
• Educate swimmers and parents, particularly season-pass holders. Educate daily patrons by handing out prevention material. Consider implanting a short safety and RWI orientation for larger groups before they enter the pool complex.
• Maintain water quality and equipment by keeping the chemical feed equipment and chemicals at optimal levels within state and local government regulations, including maintaining the disinfectant at regulated levels: optimal pH: (7.2 to 7.8); alkalinity (80 to 120 ppm); calcium hardness (200 to 400 ppm); and total dissolved solids (below 2500mg/liter). Maintaining recommended chlorine levels will prevent most bacterial outbreaks. Monitor the chlorine regularly where chlorine is needed, at poolside.  Prevent waterparks, pools or hot tubs from running out of chlorine through regular monitoring and pump house and systems checks and ensure regular and thorough maintenance of the recirculation and filtration equipment to provide maximum filtration.
• Evaluate aquatic facility design for illness protection. If building a new facility, ask for feedback from industry colleagues and public health experts about safety and protection features. Evaluate the filtration system. For instance, if the kiddie pool filtration system is connected to other pools, fecal contamination can be dispersed from the kiddie pool to other pools. The best situation is one in which there is a separate filtration system for the kiddie pool. 
• Institute disinfection guidelines and have a fecal accident response policy and keep records of all fecal accidents, chlorine and pH level measurements and any major equipment repairs or changes. The response policy may help to ensure a more efficient response. For detailed disinfection guidelines, visit www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/pools/disinfection-remediation-pools-hot-tubs.html.
• Evaluate hygiene facilities for size and determine whether hiring a person to maintain the restrooms and diaper-changing stations is necessary. Install diaper-changing cabanas with soap and running water close to the kiddie pools as a way to discourage changing diapers on tables or lounge chairs. It can also help mothers who are watching other children. Although difficult, encourage swimmers to shower with soap and water before using the pool. Dirt, sweat and fecal matter should go down the drain, not into the pool. 
• Develop a bathroom break policy for children to make hourly bathroom breaks mandatory.
• Create a special policy for large groups of young children requiring orientation training for care providers and make sure they understand that the pool excludes children who are ill with diarrhea. Providers should also be educated to keep diaper-wearing children in the pools specifically designated for them.
• Post and distribute health information
• Develop an outbreak/emergency response plan. Create a policy to follow in the event that the public is calling or the health department starts an investigation

For more information about healthy swimming, visit www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming/state.htm, www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming or www.epa.gov/beaches.

Please visit our website at www.monchd.org, or contact the Monongalia County Health Department at 304-598-5100 with any questions or concerns.

The West Virginia Bureau for Public Health announces new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) income guidelines for eligibility in the WIC Nutrition Program.  These changes represent an increase in the income amounts that qualify a family to participate in program benefits.

            WIC is a short term intervention program designed to influence lifetime nutrition and health behavior in pregnant women, new mothers, breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to the age of 5 years old.  WIC offers nutrition education and services, breastfeeding promotion and education, nutritious foods, and access to maternal, prenatal and pediatric healthcare services.  As a matter of fact, the monthly food package of healthy foods, valued at about $60.00 in grocery stores, includes fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain cereals and breads, baby foods of cereal, fruits, vegetables and meats as well as dairy products of milk, cheese and eggs. 

The new income guidelines are: 

            WIC is for all kinds of families:  married and single parents, working or not working.  If you are a father, mother, grandparent, foster parent or other legal guardian of a child under five, you can apply for WIC.

Beginning in March, the WV WIC Program began piloting an online, integrated WIC electronic benefits transfer (EBT) system.  WIC EBT, more commonly referred to as eWIC, improves the WIC shopping experience which gives families needed access to benefits without the stigma of paper vouchers.  “The eWIC card makes the grocery purchase process identical to all other shoppers,” said Denise Ferris, State WIC Director.  “WIC participants can swipe their eWIC cards along with other methods of payment which allows participants to shop confidentially, but also makes possible small – even one item – purchases, which they haven’t been able to do under the traditional WIC system.” 

             To learn if your family is eligible for WIC services, call your local WIC clinic at 1-800-675-5181.  For more information, visit http://www.mylocalwic.com.

For more information contact:

                                    Denise Ferris
                                    WV WIC Program State Director
                                    Phone: 304-558-0030                       

WIC is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

XXX

Date:               May 16, 2013
Contact:         David A. Bruffy, General Manager
Phone:            (304) 296-3680

The Mountain Line Transit Authority is pleased to recognize outstanding employee performance for the month of April 2013.  After evaluation of 40 Drivers in 14 performance categories, the Authority is pleased to recognize Anne Cramer as Driver of the Month for April.  The Authority also recognizes Bob Lee, Jim Huffman, Tom Jones, Floyd Long and Michael Fisher for their top performances in April.  All of these employees are being recognized for their demonstrated driving skills, safety, public relations, assistance to fellow drivers and maintaining route schedules in the course of their daily performance.

End Release –

Thank you.