1. Envelope-Shouldn't look like you're writing Aunt Em.
2.Salutations: Don't use a comma. Use a colon in business situations. Use comma when you address Aunt Em.
3. Don't write your address on the letter or envelope if you're using a letterhead
4. Don't use over when you mean more than
5. Weak verbs- called for, look up, intends on, stated his plan
6. Infinitives- don't split them
7. Don't use the word "mention" unless in a direct quotation
8. Happy- don't say happy, excited, various forms of this
9. Don't say spoke, speak, any form of this
10. Apples, oranges: Avoid in leads and second paragraphs. (Non sequiturs, too)
11. Don't be a secretary: avoid statements about beginning of speech, at the end of the speech...
12. Acronyms: avoid Southeastern Conference (SEC)
13. Don't use facilitated
14. Don't begin or end sentence with a time element. Keep it close to the verb.
15. Avoid "there was" "there were"
16. Avoid "some people"
17. Avoid numbers at the beginning of a sentence. If it does, spell out the number
18. Don't say "according to"
19. Avoid "in regard to"
20. Avoid babble
21. Avoid saying "feel" "think"--say said
22. Avoid "I digress"
23. Don't ask questions
24. Avoid backing into a story
25. Avoid lack of balance
26. Avoid calling adults by their first names
27. Don't use direct quotations of unimportant statements
28. Avoid referencing the budget stories without providing budgetary amounts
29. Avoid misspelled words
30. Avoid cliches
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
After Board of Education Meeting
The Cabell County Board of Education at tonight’s meeting approved a change order to supply Huntington East Middle School equipment, materials and labor to replace gas regulators on cooking equipment.
The change order is estimated to cost the Contingency fund $2,155.23. This motion was requested as a result of Huntington East Middle School’s gas regulators requiring a higher pressure than most regulators at other county schools which costs more money to replace. Board member Skip Parsons had questions about the motion and said he wondered why this school had uncommon gas regulators in the first place. The board concluded with the approval of the change order on the grounds that the replacement would provide additional safety features.
Members of the board appointed board member Skip Parsons along with Vicky Pickavance and Kim Parsons to serve as the Audit Committee. This committee will acquire and oversee actions associated with audit findings and concerns.
Members of the board approved the requests of four professional personnel members to take a leave of absence. Board member Mary Freeman had questions about a graduation coach’s request and said her leave of absence would be too long, especially with graduation approaching. Members decided to approve the coach’s request considering her responsibilities would be covered.
Cabell County Board of Education Treasurer, Conrad G. Lucas, presented the January 2014 financial report for approval. The report included the county’s revenue, expenditures and liabilities. Members of the board approved the report with January’s ending balance at $66,894,479.71.
Members of the board discussed a property issue during an executive session.
Monday, February 17, 2014
Cabell County Board of Education Meeting
I plan on attending the Cabell County Board of Education meeting Febraury 18 at 5:30 p.m. I plan to take notes on the topics discussed and become familiarized with the board members.
Some topics that will be discussed tonight will be an interagency agreement between Cabell County Board of Education and Sammons and Adams orthodontics, an attendance full-day exemption for the 2013-2014 school year and several resignations. There will also be an executive session to discuss a property issue in which the I, as well as the public, will not be able to sit in on.
Some topics that will be discussed tonight will be an interagency agreement between Cabell County Board of Education and Sammons and Adams orthodontics, an attendance full-day exemption for the 2013-2014 school year and several resignations. There will also be an executive session to discuss a property issue in which the I, as well as the public, will not be able to sit in on.
Saturday, February 15, 2014
2014 State of the City Address
Mediocrity or excellence was the question Huntington’s Mayor Steve Williams asked during Friday’s State of the City Address.
Williams said he has a clear and precise vision for making Huntington the most superior city in the region.
“I signed up for excellence a year ago knowing we would have to make decisions that are uncommon and often times unexplored,” said Williams during his speech.
Williams reviewed the successes and downfalls of the previous year and laid out his plan for 2014. Williams said the city’s budget is tight, but he is willing to stretch the dollar to find new and innovative ways to improve the city.
“We will ring every drop of water out of the rag,” Williams said during his speech.
Williams discussed his desire for the Floodwall and Stormwater divisions to be transferred to the Sanitary Board in order to address issues of flooding and sewers in a more efficient and cost effective manner. He said this merge would solve flooding issues faster, making Huntington more appealing to outsiders.
The city was given the green light Monday to begin the demolition of Northcott Court and redevelop it into a commercial zone. Those living in Northcott Court would be relocated to the Fairfield area. In his address, Williams said he expects $60 million to be invested in the development of the Fairfield neighborhood.
Williams said the Department of Public Works is the most staffed it has been in years. He said the fire department is funded at a level that ensures all stations are properly staffed and can remain open. Williams said that with 111 sworn officers, the Huntington Police Department is the highest it has been staffed in more than 30 years.
Those in attendance applauded Williams after he announced his plan for using some of the city’s budget to give a 3 percent pay raise for all bargaining unit employees and administrative personnel. Williams said these employees have not had a raise since 2008.
Williams said the fiscal condition and state of the city is sound and the strongest it has been in several years. Councilman at Large Dave Ball said Williams is the most financially capable mayor Huntington has had in years.
“He’s being fiscally responsible. He has shown us throughout this entire process that he is that kind of mayor. He is a responsible mayor. He will not just foolishly waste citizens’ money,” Ball said after Williams’ address.
Williams said the biggest obstacle in 2014 will be to determine how the city should respond to what can no longer be ignored. He said 2014 must be devoted to utilizing what was done in 2013 and address familiar problems that are corrosive to the city’s psyche.
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Assigment #10
Code of West Virginia. Article 3. Competency of Witnesses.
§57-3-10. Reporters’ Privilege.
§57-3-10. Reporters’ Privilege.
This law states that a reporter is a person who regularly
gathers, prepares, collects, photographs, records, writes, edits, reports or
publishes news about matters of public interest for a substantial portion of
their livelihood. This also includes student reporters who are not paid.
Once someone is defined as a reporter, they do not have to reveal a confidential source in civil, criminal, administrative or grand jury
proceedings unless it could cause imminent death, bodily injury or unjust incarceration.
Reporters also have the right to keep any information or testimony that might reveal a
confidential source private unless it could cause the circumstances written above to occur.
Predictions for the 2014 State of the City Address
Huntington Mayor Steve Williams’ State
of the City Address Friday will emphasize topics of Huntington’s budget, crime,
businesses and storm water flooding.
Williams said he would remind council and the public of his vision for Huntington and what has been accomplished thus far during a class visit Feb 6. Williams said he plans to review what has and has not worked in 2013 and what needs improved to have a successful year.
A main topic Williams will discuss is the budget proposal. During his visit to class, he said the budget proposal would be the biggest obstacle he will face this year. Williams said it is hard to propose a budget without knowing what possible troubles may lay ahead. He will discuss his plans for the budget and also talk about the money he has set aside for potential emergencies.
Williams said he plans to talk about the hiring and nonessential spending freeze he has put into place, which will continue into the next fiscal year. He plans to argue that this as a necessary move in order save money and build a cushion into next year. Williams said he plans to assure there will be no backward movement. He said he wants to emphasize the plan for the budget will include stretching the dollar, creating an appealing environment to draw people and businesses in and making Huntington physically more attractive. Even though these plans are taking place, he said he plans to strongly stress he will not raise fees.
Another topic Williams will discuss is the storm water flooding issue. He plans to predict that no one will want to move into or invest in the city if they have to worry about flooding. He plans to discuss his strategy for improving the storm water system and ensure he will make monstrous steps in improving this issue. Williams said he plans to stress the importance of resolving this issue so Huntington can grow commercially and reassure those who deal with the major flooding.
Williams said he plans to address the criticism he has received for those he hired this past year. He said he will argue that because of these hires, the streets are cleaner, the citizens are safer and more people are working.
“Hiring people is the point. People have jobs and Huntington is better off because of this,” Williams said during his visit to class.
In Williams’ previous State of the City Address, he discussed making Huntington a first-class city. He plans to continue to push the public to expect more out of ourselves. He will urge us to lift our level of expectation and no longer allow mediocrity as the norm. He said he would encourage us to not compare ourselves to Charleston, but rather to Louisville and Cincinnati. The quality of life and services need to be comparable to these cities. He said he plans to find a way to prove we can stand toe-to-toe with larger cities.
His partnership with the police department in addressing the crime in this area will be mentioned. He will say that Huntington is the safest city within one hundred miles due to our community-policing model in which officers are assigned a specific area to police.
Williams stated in his visit to class he would reiterate his plans for Huntington’s west end. He will outline his plans for redeveloping the area by a combination of bungalows, small houses and commercial businesses. He will argue that by creating jobs, cleaning up the district and reducing the crime rate, the climate of the west end will change enormously. He said he will admit that this project is not as far along as he wants it to be, but will resubmit a proposal for federal funding to get where he wants to be.
As discussed in his previous State of the City Address, Williams will again address the pothole and paving concerns in Huntington. He will recall the improvements made on this issue and the steps that are continuing to be made. He said he plans to stress that potholes are a result of where we live and the weather we experience. Williams will argue that potholes will continue to occur, but money is spent every year to keep up and the consistency will continue. However, he plans to point out that he wants to pave roads rather than filling potholes because he said he desires a first-class city.
“I want to build boulevards, not fill potholes,” Williams said during his visit to class.
Marshall University will also play a role in his speech because it is the largest employer in the city, as Williams stated during his visit to class. Williams will talk about his relationship with the university and its employees. He will discuss the positive steps in making campus safer such as a lighting program and increased police presence.
Williams said he plans to discuss his desire to expand Coffee with the Mayor at Marshall and argue the benefits of the program. He said he wants to increase his communication and partnership with the university all times of the year, not just during elections.
Expect the State of the City address to paint an image of the future of Huntington. Williams will remind the public and city council of the vision for Huntington and all that has been accomplished the previous year. The speech Friday will lay the foundation to continue what Williams set out to do when he was elected. The speech will encourage us to create a better Huntington and position ourselves on a larger scale. Williams will encourage citizens to think and act big in order to achieve big.
Williams said he would remind council and the public of his vision for Huntington and what has been accomplished thus far during a class visit Feb 6. Williams said he plans to review what has and has not worked in 2013 and what needs improved to have a successful year.
A main topic Williams will discuss is the budget proposal. During his visit to class, he said the budget proposal would be the biggest obstacle he will face this year. Williams said it is hard to propose a budget without knowing what possible troubles may lay ahead. He will discuss his plans for the budget and also talk about the money he has set aside for potential emergencies.
Williams said he plans to talk about the hiring and nonessential spending freeze he has put into place, which will continue into the next fiscal year. He plans to argue that this as a necessary move in order save money and build a cushion into next year. Williams said he plans to assure there will be no backward movement. He said he wants to emphasize the plan for the budget will include stretching the dollar, creating an appealing environment to draw people and businesses in and making Huntington physically more attractive. Even though these plans are taking place, he said he plans to strongly stress he will not raise fees.
Another topic Williams will discuss is the storm water flooding issue. He plans to predict that no one will want to move into or invest in the city if they have to worry about flooding. He plans to discuss his strategy for improving the storm water system and ensure he will make monstrous steps in improving this issue. Williams said he plans to stress the importance of resolving this issue so Huntington can grow commercially and reassure those who deal with the major flooding.
Williams said he plans to address the criticism he has received for those he hired this past year. He said he will argue that because of these hires, the streets are cleaner, the citizens are safer and more people are working.
“Hiring people is the point. People have jobs and Huntington is better off because of this,” Williams said during his visit to class.
In Williams’ previous State of the City Address, he discussed making Huntington a first-class city. He plans to continue to push the public to expect more out of ourselves. He will urge us to lift our level of expectation and no longer allow mediocrity as the norm. He said he would encourage us to not compare ourselves to Charleston, but rather to Louisville and Cincinnati. The quality of life and services need to be comparable to these cities. He said he plans to find a way to prove we can stand toe-to-toe with larger cities.
His partnership with the police department in addressing the crime in this area will be mentioned. He will say that Huntington is the safest city within one hundred miles due to our community-policing model in which officers are assigned a specific area to police.
Williams stated in his visit to class he would reiterate his plans for Huntington’s west end. He will outline his plans for redeveloping the area by a combination of bungalows, small houses and commercial businesses. He will argue that by creating jobs, cleaning up the district and reducing the crime rate, the climate of the west end will change enormously. He said he will admit that this project is not as far along as he wants it to be, but will resubmit a proposal for federal funding to get where he wants to be.
As discussed in his previous State of the City Address, Williams will again address the pothole and paving concerns in Huntington. He will recall the improvements made on this issue and the steps that are continuing to be made. He said he plans to stress that potholes are a result of where we live and the weather we experience. Williams will argue that potholes will continue to occur, but money is spent every year to keep up and the consistency will continue. However, he plans to point out that he wants to pave roads rather than filling potholes because he said he desires a first-class city.
“I want to build boulevards, not fill potholes,” Williams said during his visit to class.
Marshall University will also play a role in his speech because it is the largest employer in the city, as Williams stated during his visit to class. Williams will talk about his relationship with the university and its employees. He will discuss the positive steps in making campus safer such as a lighting program and increased police presence.
Williams said he plans to discuss his desire to expand Coffee with the Mayor at Marshall and argue the benefits of the program. He said he wants to increase his communication and partnership with the university all times of the year, not just during elections.
Expect the State of the City address to paint an image of the future of Huntington. Williams will remind the public and city council of the vision for Huntington and all that has been accomplished the previous year. The speech Friday will lay the foundation to continue what Williams set out to do when he was elected. The speech will encourage us to create a better Huntington and position ourselves on a larger scale. Williams will encourage citizens to think and act big in order to achieve big.
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Assignment 9
According to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission official website database, Energy Services of America Corporation has a loan agreement with United Bank Inc. In document ex10_11314.htm, Energy Services received a loan of $8,813,274.64 to refinance existing debts. This loan was agreed upon on January 31, 2014. Starting March 1 of this year, Energy Services must make a monthly payment of $172,472.97 for 59 consecutive months. The contract the parties agreed upon was very lengthy and every item was outlined and broken down. The agreement was so detailed, it even had the time of the day in which Energy Services had to make their payments (2 p.m.). Also, Doug Reynolds and Marshall Reynolds are guarantors, meaning they agree to partially guarantee the loan is repaid.
Monday, February 3, 2014
Questions for the Mayor's visit to class
Questions for the Mayor
1. What steps are being taken to make the city of Huntington a safer place. How successful have your efforts been to run out the "hoodlums"? What about making Marshall's campus a safer place?
2. What do you plan to do to keep businesses in Huntington and keep buildings from emptying?
3. What are your plans for livening up downtown?
4. What plans do you have to bring tourists to the city?
5. What is going to be done to create more and better paying jobs in Huntington so citizens no longer need to drive to another city for work?
6. You have said numerous times that there is no Huntington without Marshall University. What plans do you have to bridge the gap between the two? Have your actions thus far been successful?
7. What is the biggest obstacle Huntington faces right now? What is being done to overcome this?
8. After years of discussion, do you think you will finally be the one that can get the rain tax passed? Why? What have you been doing to get the ball rolling on this issue?
1. What steps are being taken to make the city of Huntington a safer place. How successful have your efforts been to run out the "hoodlums"? What about making Marshall's campus a safer place?
2. What do you plan to do to keep businesses in Huntington and keep buildings from emptying?
3. What are your plans for livening up downtown?
4. What plans do you have to bring tourists to the city?
5. What is going to be done to create more and better paying jobs in Huntington so citizens no longer need to drive to another city for work?
6. You have said numerous times that there is no Huntington without Marshall University. What plans do you have to bridge the gap between the two? Have your actions thus far been successful?
7. What is the biggest obstacle Huntington faces right now? What is being done to overcome this?
8. After years of discussion, do you think you will finally be the one that can get the rain tax passed? Why? What have you been doing to get the ball rolling on this issue?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)