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Comment:

Concerned citizen, how do you know that both sides of this story haven't been heard? Are you a board member?

The behavior of this DSS board certainly appears to be outrageous and condescending. They've publicly stated, there are no problems at DSS. We've been cleared, they said. When obviously, there are problems and they were found, not only by the State VDSS; and, I may add repeated problems from the previous year, as well as the Springsted Study found many problems.

This board is broken and it needs fixing fast, before anymore damage can be done.

Comment:

I know what it is like to experience the senseless death of a family member and not receive justice for the crime. 16 years ago, our cousin was killed by a man who received only a three year prison sentence. With parole, he was out in 18 months. Our cousin died because a girl that he had started dating had "forgotten" to tell him that she was married. When he found out, he broke up with her and moved on with his life. However, she would not leave him alone. Her husband who was in the military found out about it and threatened my cousin. Finally after many threats, my cousin agreed to meet the guy to work things out. As my cousin sat in his car (seat belt on) with his friends, the guy jumped on the car and shot him in the head through the sunroof. He also threatened to shoot the others in the car. The jury indicted him for voluntary manslaughter because it was over the guy's wife and supposedly a "heat of passion" crime. It is sad that society puts no value on human life. You can be a drug dealer and get a harsher sentence than for taking someone's life away. My heart goes out to the family. It is something that you can never forget and never get over. You constantly think about the person and about everything that you missed out on with them.. Our cousin's daughter graduated from high school last year, and it was bittersweet knowing that he wasn't there to see it. She was only three when he was taken away..

Comment:

I hope Mr. Mitchell is looking into this contract for it's legality.

What constitutes "gross negligence?" What constitutes "malfeasance in office?"

Ms. Mathews already admitted, Springsted didn't tell us anything we didn't already know.

So, the DSS board and it's director of Social Services knew about the problems and never took corrective action? This was obvious from the state QMR that was recently conducted, where they found repeat findings from their review in September 2008.

These actions in my belief do not constitute the golden parachute that was created as an "Employment Contract," for Mr. King.

Let's not forget what the Special Grand Jury found; many deficiencies within DSS.

Why the sudden need and urgency to create this document? Was it to circumvent the removal of this board and maybe it's last hooray? Was it an insurance policy to insure Mr. King's position?

What other department head in this county has an "Employment Contract," this lucrative?

In these hard economic times for everyone, it is so hard to believe that the DSS Board would act, in my opinion, so maliciously in having this document created.

This DSS Board has given their rubber stamp of approval for too many years. Causing ineffectiveness in their decision making. Was there quid pro quo involved? It certainly appears something is amiss.

Comment:

Good riddens to the board! Totally useless in my opinion.

Comment:

As a current employee of Warren County Dept. of Social Services, I am dismayed at the thought of Mr. King being guaranteed a year's salary if he is dismissed. Agency employees were told at a recent staff meeting that furloughs and/or layoffs may be necessary due to budget cuts (agency employees have not received raises in 2 years). With caseloads growing rapidly, it is hard to imagine managing with a reduction in staff. It is also difficult to comprehend how Mr. King can tell employees that they may be furloughed or laid off, while he has his own back covered. He is a man without a conscience.

Comment:

As for Ms Kresge resigning, this is what they did.
They still will have their meeting in Nov. and Dec. which they will attend and then at the end of the year they will be gone, But her term is up at the end of Dec anyhow, and she is not reapplying for the board.

Comment:

It seems that the press only writes what they want you to know. The reporter did not attend this meeting but presumably he watched what was taped. Why not report the part where Ms Mathews took supervisor White to task for never having attended any of the DSS meetings or calling any of the members and talking to them about the problems, just listening to the persons complaining, Pierceall, Slover and Mccloskey. How can you make judgement or help to correct a situation if you don't talk to both sides and hear all the facts. Mr. White had nothing to say to this, but sat grinning while Mr. McCloskey was talking and looked shocked when Ms Mathews said this to him. Its a shame that the Dss Board had to do this, because of one displeased person who had gotten others to jump on the band wagon with her. Do you think these other jumpers really know what happened on both sides or just what they were told. You have citizens who want to do things to help others and look what happens in return for their work. Unfortunately I don't agree with what the board did,because I feel this is giving in to the jumpers, but a person can only take so much personal attacks before thaey feel they have to let go. Personally I don't think the Bos would have abolished this board, but would have given stricter guidelines form the survey. Hpoefully this will not have to happen to others Boards in our community, and these jumpers will find something else to do. If they put as much time into something else as they did this it might really help.

Comment:

Give me a break you guys. I have been to Shenandoah National Park thousands of times, and have NEVER seen ANYONE wearing blaze-orange to avoid hunting accidents. Nor has there ever been a hunting accident there. Quit being overprotective of the kids. It is rare to even see a kid holding a handtool these days without all of your misguided coddling.

Comment:

well ,im sad for this boys family . AND I REAL SAD THAT THIS CHILD DIDNT GET TO LIVE HIS LIFE TO THE FULLEST THAT WAS MEANT FOR HIM.this man (coward) has gotten away with cold blooded murder .its a shame that 12 people didnt value this boys life at all .even if they would have given him life in prison with out parole,that wouldnt even begin to satisfy this boys family.the death penalty wouldnt help either.although personally id rather see him in prison for life ,because that would bring misery to him .he may have to do 10 ,11 years with good behavior.TO THE BOYS FAMILY IM SORRY THAT YOU LIVE IN A COUNTY THAT LET YOU DOWN ,THIS COWARD WILL SUFFER GREATLY IN PRISON ,REST ASSURE HE WILL BE TORMENTED FOR HIS ACT OF COWARDICE. iTS A SHAME THAT THE JURY WAS SO SPINELESS TO DO THIS .GOD BLESS YOU,TO THE BOYS FAMILY AND I HOPE THAT God lets you FEEL HIS peace someday knowing your son is with him ,waiting to see you all some day .SO SAD, AGAIN God bless YOU TO THE FAMILY

Comment:

Opinions vary on whether (or not) members resigned???
This isn't a matter of opinion, nor is it brain surgery. Either resignations have been submitted or not. Period.
And Ms. Kresge should not have an understanding that, based upon someone else's remarks, that she herself had resigned. Either YOU resigned or you did not. Someone else does not tender your resignation for you.

Comment:

They also missed a charge, it seems. Unlawful wounding of the other student. That might bring a few years.

Comment:

I agree... I grew up in a very rural area... And my Dad an avid hunter but always wary of other hunters. Made us kids wear bright orange all the time... Even on Sundays when hunters were not even supposed to be in the woods. Just good common sense. But most people don't think about it. We should have public awareness anouncements just like we do for drunk drivers around holidays. How many kids are unaware that rifle season just opened in VA?????

Comment:

I agree totally with tojo45. My dad was hit by a fool from the big city making what the idiot called "a sound-shot." That he was an idiot was proved when he made the remark to my father (who had just had the shotgun pellets picked out of him) and his brothers at their mother's store. It was suggested strongly (six angry, armed men do everything strongly) that he and his friends head back north and hunt in those regions in the future.

I don't remember if Virginia has it, but Murder 2 might be more reasonable.

Comment:

I attended the meeting, where it seemed pretty clear to me Ms. Mathews, who only spoke on behalf of Sloane, Kresge, Ramos and herself, was handing over the duties of the board effective January 1, 2010 to the BOS, gladly I might add.

It's no wonder this board has been ineffective for years and is completely clueless as to their duties. Their comments in this article baffles the minds of intelligent people.

When this announcement was made at the meeting, the Chairperson of the BOS should have accepted their resignation, effective immediately. How much more damage will be done to WCDSS before their reign ends?

Another shocking announcement by Mr. Tracyzk was made about a "lucrative" employment contract provided to Mr. King effective September 1, 2009. When was this contract created? Was it just after the results were learned from the Springsted Study? This contract was prepared by Neal Knudsen, a lawyer allegedly under contract with DSS to handle their CPS, APS and Foster Care cases. In these hard economic times, why is it the WCDSS Board decided to give the farm away to Mr. King? He has use of a personal car, travel expenses, a year salary if dismissed! Is this a conflict of interest on the part of Mr. Knudsen?

Ms. Mathews in her statement clearly said, the Springsted Study didn’t tell us anything we didn't already know. If this is the case, why haven't they made a solid attempt to fix the problems? Because they don't know how. This was very clear in their November 10, 2009 meeting. Originally the WCDSS board was going to this meeting to request funds from the Board of Supervisors to hire Springsted to do a Strategic plan, as they were apparently clueless on how to do this and carry this out.

From Ms. Mathews speech, where she said, "you have the votes." Meaning, the BOS was going to vote to change things . . . I wonder who leaked that information to her? I wonder, was it Mr. Carter? He seems to have a problem leaking information (a past NV Daily article claiming he leaked information from a closed session).

I believe Ms. Mathews' speech (resignation) was circumvention to save face before the BOS voted to dissolve to their board.

I'll repeat the words of Ms. Mathews in her statement to the Board of Supervisors, "Shame on YOU," I hope she was holding up a mirror in front of her when she rehearsed her speech, because, the shame on you was misdirected upon the Board of Supervisors.

Ms. Mathews eagerly blamed others for the failures; never once giving it thought that it may have been she as well as the others on this board for this mess.

I commend the Board of Supervisors for their due diligence in their attempts to fix the broken pieces of the Department of Social Services, and get on the right path for the community.

Comment:

Why is Pierceall's comment important? Ben, you don't know when to quit do you?

Comment:

I agree with everything Brendon's mother had to say. I'm very sorry for her loss. It is sad to know that 12 people were so cold-hearted as to let a child murderer off with a slap on the wrist. True justice will be done someday, when all is made whole again.

Comment:

Now maybe the New Market Fire Department can go on with their the necessary duties. It is time for healing and I feel the folks who now are in charge are doing a wonderful JOB. Mr. Bell Mr. Sullivan what a disgrace you are to your families and it is sad you have the rest of your lives to be a shame.
New Market Fire department good luck and keep up the good work you are doing! Matt Hughes, Dale Dodson, Fonda Swartz you are very inspirational so GOOD LUCK Y'ALL

Comment:

And why, after the tragedy of a college student accidentally shot by a hunter is not one of these younger students wearing bright colors? I'm sure the hunter who killed Jess Goode will live in remorse the rest of his life and Jess' family will live a nightmare till they join her in heaven. But still, we send our children out in the woods during hunting season dressed in drab colors? Plug in school administrators, it's a no-brainer!

Comment:

Anyone who shoots at a noise, and ends up killing and wounding humans ought to be charged with more than manslaughter.

Comment:

I attended the meeting, where it seemed pretty clear to me Ms. Mathews, who only spoke on behalf of Sloane, Kresge, Ramos and herself, was handing over the duties of the board effective January 1, 2010 to the BOS, gladly I might add.

It's no wonder this board has been ineffective for years and is completely clueless as to their duties. Their comments in this article baffles the minds of intelligent people.

When this announcement was made at the meeting, the Chairperson of the BOS should have accepted their resignation, effective immediately. How much more damage will be done to WCDSS before their reign ends?

Another shocking announcement by Mr. Tracyzk was made about a "lucrative" employment contract provided to Mr. King effective September 1, 2009. When was this contract created? Was it just after the results were learned from the Springsted Study? This contract was prepared by Neal Knudsen, a lawyer allegedly under contract with DSS to handle their CPS, APS and Foster Care cases. In these hard economic times, why is it the WCDSS Board decided to give the farm away to Mr. King? He has use of a personal car, travel expenses, a year salary if dismissed! Is this a conflict of interest on the part of Mr. Knudsen?

Ms. Mathews in her statement clearly said, the Springsted Study didn’t tell us anything we didn't already know. If this is the case, why haven't they made a solid attempt to fix the problems? Because they don't know how. This was very clear in their November 10, 2009 meeting. Originally the WCDSS board was going to this meeting to request funds from the Board of Supervisors to hire Springsted to do a Strategic plan, as they were apparently clueless on how to do this and carry this out.

From Ms. Mathews speech, where she said, "you have the votes." Meaning, the BOS was going to vote to change things . . . I wonder who leaked that information to her? I wonder, was it Mr. Carter? He seems to have a problem leaking information (a past NV Daily article claiming he leaked information from a closed session).

I believe Ms. Mathews' speech (resignation) was circumvention to save face before the BOS voted to dissolve to their board.

I'll repeat the words of Ms. Mathews in her statement to the Board of Supervisors, "Shame on YOU," I hope she was holding up a mirror in front of her when she rehearsed her speech, because, the shame on you was misdirected upon the Board of Supervisors.

Ms. Mathews eagerly blamed others for the failures; never once giving it thought that it may have been she as well as the others on this board for this mess.

I commend the Board of Supervisors for their due diligence in their attempts to fix the broken pieces of the Department of Social Services, and get on the right path for the community.