2014 Happenings

By Staff | Jan 2, 2015

Looking back over 2014, there were many stories of interest that could be selected as prominent in the news. The Chronicle staff has selected a sampling of those stories, in no significant order. The following lay out an outline of what happened in Shepherdstown and the surrounding county during 2014.

Many of the stories cited will have continuing relevance heading into 2015. They will be expanded upon, explained, story lines altered and molded around changes both local and statewide.

Shepherdstown Kept Going Solar

The Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church celebrated the official completion of its community funded solar panel project at a special ribbon cutting ceremony held in August.

After more than a year of planning, approximately 60 solar panels were installed by local PV installation company, Mountain View Solar, over the coarse of two days beginning Aug. 18.

Solar Holler’s Dan Conant and Shepherdstown Solar Fund’s Than Hitt both offered remarks elaborating on the project.

“This project is good for the environment. It’s good for the church’s financial plan. It’s good for our community and its good for West Virginia because this can grow,” Hitt said.

“What we’ve done here can be replicated and implanted across the state. It can bring on a new age of solar energy production in the mountain state of West Virginia.”

“I won’t lie to you and say its been easy,” Conant said.

“This project is a first of its kind.”

Conant said the project was made possible because of the nearly 100 community members and businesses who agreed to participate.

Solar Holler has since launched an effort to pursue a similar project with the Bolivar- Harpers Ferry Library. More info about the Solar Holler organization can be found by visiting www.solarholler.com/.

Shepherdstown established an Urban Growth Boundary

In June the Jefferson County Commission approved Shepherdstown’s proposed Growth Management Boundary, about one month following a presentation made by Mayor Jim Auxer and Zoning Officer Andy Beall.

The Growth Management Boundary had been under discussion by members of Shepherdstown’s Planning Commission for several months as work to draft a revised Comprehensive Plan for the town has brought it up for consideration.

Until this year, only Ranson and Charles Town had defined “urban growth boundaries,” as recognized by Jefferson County.

Discussion about what constitutes “urban,” growth resulted in the re-branding of the proposal as the “growth management boundary,” by members of the Shepherdstown Planning Commission.

The County Commission officially approved the boundary by a vote on May 15, following a Public Hearing held two weeks prior, on May 1.

The new boundary is now included on the county’s official zoning map.

Visit www.jeffersoncountywv.org and click “Maps,” on the Planning and Zoning page to view a digital version of the update.

Shephedrstown drafted a Comprehensive Plan

In September a final public hearing was held for the Comprehensive Plan proposal at a meeting of the Shepherdstown Planning Commission.

After ten years, the Shepherdstown’s Comprehensive Plan was revised through a course of public meetings and workshops held over the last 12 months.

Comprehensive Plan committee chair, David Rosen discussed the plan’s major components.

The new plan reflects what Rosen called “a shift in demographics,” due to a recent annexation of Shepherd University property.

The document also reflects increased public support for further annexation and growth.

“Let’s grow smart,” David Rosen said at a September meeting of the Planning Commsion.

Rosen said the plan’s priority is on maintaining what’s most attractive about the town.

“The essence of Shepherdstown is quality of life,” Rosen said.

Copies of the document can be found in Town Hall and on the the Corporation of Shepherdstown web site www.shepherdstown.us.

County initiates ambulance fee

Jefferson County residents received their new ambulance fee statement in the mail and were concerned over how the fee will be used and exactly how the fee came about. In an effort to address concerns, the County Commission staff has posted a letter to address some of these questions.

The letter explained that the fee is necessary because the volunteer efforts of fire and rescue personnel are at an all-time low in the county and paid personnel must be on hand to provide emergency medical service.

“All monies received from the ambulance fee will go toward hiring additional career staff,” the letter states. All of the new hires will be firefighter EMTs or firefighter paramedics, the letter goes on to explained, allowing new hires to perform both fire and rescue services. Additional staffers will be strategically placed around the county where they will serve the most good, the information states.

In addition to the low number of volunteers, and perhaps a larger reason for the fee, is the fact that the County Commission is unable to fund emergency services from their general budget. The fire and rescue groups received significant cuts during the previous budget session. The institution of the fee will reduce the need for county dollar allocations.

Facts given in the informational letter indicate that the Jefferson County Emergency Services Agency, where career staff is housed, operates currently with a budget of $1,447,562 with 89 percent of that amount going to salaries. Seven fire companies in the county receive a combined contribution of $373,625.

The ambulance fee is expected to generate approximately $600,000 in revenue, all going to the career staffers for salaries, benefits and training.

Controversy continues over the ordinance and a demand for Revenue Sharing from the volunteer companies.

Bavarian Inn brought new summer attraction to town

The Bavarian Inn celebrated the recent opening of its new infinity pool over Memorial Day weekend with a special BBQ and pool party for members of the public.

The new pool was constructed over the course of the last two years, after Bavarian Inn management looked for ways to meet renewed American with Disabilities Act (ADA) law requirements for handicap accessibility.

Called “Infinity 101,” the pool and complex maximize the Bavarian’s prime location overlooking the Potomac river.

“It appears that its dropping 101 feet below the Potomac River,” The Bavarian’s Christian Asam said in an interview.

“We are so excited.”

Asam said he hopes the pool will serve as another a draw for visitors to the town.

The hotel has already seen a higher occupancy of families and younger guests since advertisement of the new pool began, he said.

“Hopefully our average night’s stay is going to be a little longer.”

To find out more info about the Bavarian Inn visit, www.bavarianinnwv.com.

Shepherdstown parked itself in the 21st Century with ‘Parkmobile’

Shepherdstown looked to lead the way in innovative problem-solving this year, with the launch of the ‘Parkmobile’ meter payment system.

At the May 2014 Town Council meeting, member David Rosen, who spearheaded the project, explained that Shepherdstown’s 274 parking meters will be the first in West Virginia to use the Parkmobile technology.

Rosen first announced the ‘Parkmobile’ proposal at a Town Council meeting in December during a discussion of the various ways the town could improve the parking experience for residents and guests.

After getting approval for the plan, Rosen and ‘Parkmobile’ staff moved forward with the pilot program.

Parkmobile’ makes it possible to pay for metered spots via credit/debit card or pay pal through use of the app on a cell phone.

A sticker, indicating the ‘parking zone,’ now marks each meter downtown, along with a QR code directing users to the smart phone app.

Rosen said the system would provide the advantage of letting users ‘feed the meter,’ remotely via their phones, no matter where they may be in town of on Shepherd University’s campus.

More information about ‘Parkmobile,’ can be found at www.parkmobile.com.

Charleston water crisis had local impact

Locals have found ways to offer aid to the thousands of Charleston area residents impacted by this year’s Elk River chemical spill.

After the Freedom Industries spill in the Elk River left the local water supply contaminated, Governor Earl Ray Tomblin issued a state of emergency for Boone, Cabell, Clay, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Putnam, and Roane counties, calling in assistance from the National Guard.

In a press release, WV Sen. John Unger, representative for Jefferson and Berkeley County, called for Eastern Panhandle residents to “join in assisting the people impacted by this disaster in Charleston and the surrounding area.”

Members of the Shepherdstown Business Association (SBA) took the call and began collecting monetary donations in mid January.

A donation drop off station was also set up at Shepherd University’s Wellness Center after the university called for donations of distilled water for medical devices, sanitizer, wipes, liquid baby formula, paper plates, plastic utensils, and microwavable meals.

Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs, Holly Frye said this in a press release issued by the university:

“When a crisis or need arises, the students, staff, and faculty at Shepherd are ready to do whatever they can to help.”

The crisis hit close to home when former local delegate, Tiffany Lawrence reported suffering injuries as a result of showering under “flushed,” water while staying at a Charleston hotel on Jan 14.

Lawrence was forced to seek emergency care after developing a severe eye infection according to reports.

Lawrence believed her injury to be a direct result of exposure to the affected water supply.

She was quoted as telling the lawmakers, “I tell this story today, ladies and gentlemen, because I’m just one of the thousands of individuals who have undergone emergency care in response to the chemical spill.

In April West Virginia State Del. Stephen Skinner, representative for Shepherdstown, discussed Charleston’s response to the crisis in the days following the spill.

“In a state that’s not known for being progressive on environmental issues and taking care of our water, we actually did something pretty amazing and we passed this thing called the ‘water bill,'” he said. The “water bill,” passed through five committees, moving from the house to the senate repeatedly, in a process that Skinner said would normally kill a piece of legislation.

Sen. bill 373 will required increased vigilance in Department of Protection (DEP) regulation of above-ground storage tanks; increased protection for waterways, via a source-water protection plan proposal; and includes a call for a long-term investigation into the health effects of the chemical spill on residents, among other things.

“The spirit of this session was really consumed by one thing: And that’s the poisoning of the water in the Elk River,” he said.

Biebel named to U.S. Army Bowl Band

Jefferson High senior Jennifer Biebel has been playing the trumpet since fifth grade. Those years of practice paid off when she was selected to be a member of the prestigious U.S. Army Bowl Marching Band.

One of 125 high school students nationwide selected to be a part of the band, Biebel traveled to San Antonio, Texas Dec. 29 to play in the Army Bowl show on Jan. 3.

“It’s such a big deal,” Biebel said. “I can’t believe this is happening to me.”

Biebel shared that she found out about that her band director, J.P. Lynch, had nominated her for the band when the Army contacted her. She had to provide three video selections as part of the audition process. One video was a song the Army provided that she had to memorize and march to while playing. A personal interview was also recorded as was a solo of her choice.

County reconsiders bike path contribution

The Jefferson County Commission once again took up the issue of providing contingency funding for cost overruns on the proposed bike path project. This time, the vote was a different one.

Commissioner Lyn Widmyer stressed that she believed the county needed to be a partner in the project. She asked her fellow commissioners to agree to up to $30,000 for possible overrun costs on the construction of the path from Lowe Drive to Morgan’s Grove Park along Route 480.

“This is a safety issue,” Widmyer said. “The path will connect Shepherdstown Elementary to Morgan’s Grove Park.”

Commission President Walt Pellish, who was not in attendance for the previous vote when commissioners voted against funding the path, said that he was supportive of the project but felt that the issue has been granting funds for maintenance of the trail. He, like his fellow commissioners, refused to consider being a part of the maintenance.

“I have no problem earmarking capital funds for cost overruns only,” Pellish said. “The likelihood of these dollars being requested in this fiscal year is very unlikely,” he continued.

Dale Manuel, who sided with the vote to approve cost overrun funds in the previous vote expressed his thanks to Shepherdstown officials for their willingness to take on the maintenance and more.

“The Shepherdsstown officials did all they could to reach a compromise,” he said.

Commissioners Jane Tabb and Patsy Noland, who voted previously against setting aside capital funding should it be needed, voted to approve the request this week.

“I am reluctant to agree,” Tabb said. “But, I will agree to $30,000, but no more.”

Community celebrates a life in times of tragedy

A fatal traffic accident in October took the life of a Jefferson High School student after the bicycle he was riding was struck by a car. He was identified as 15-year-old Gabe Bauserman, of Shepherdstown.

Sheriff Pete Dougherty confirmed that the vehicle involved was driven by another Jefferson High School student and contained an additional student as passenger. Preliminary findings did not reveal that any drugs or alcohol were involved in the wreck. It was a tragic accident.

“The driver of the vehicle may have had an obstructed view,” Dougherty said.

Bauserman, who had just turned 15 the day before the accident, has been remembered this week and honored with candlelight vigils and moments of silence. Counselors have been on hand for students at Jefferson High where the tragedy involved not just the loss of one life, but the devastating impact on two more.

Mara Bausersman, Gabe’s mother, reached out to the community via social media and friends to seek support not for herself, but for the two young men who were in the car.

New owners step in at Cress Creek

Cress Creek Golf and Country Club was founded in 1988 by the late Judge William Drennen and his wfie, Margaret, better known as Maggie. The couple relocated to Shepherdstown from the Charleston area and opened what is the Eastern Panhandle’s only private golf and country club.

The club was recently placed on the market by Mrs. Drennen and has been purchased by Cress Creek of Shepherdstown LLC, comprised of Fred Parsons, Dr Troy Foster and Eric Lewis. All three of the buyers have been long-time members of the club with Lewis joining in 1988, Parsons in ’99 and Foster 12 years ago.

The new owners plan to continue with the private club and carry on the legacy of the establishment built by the Drennen family.

Shepherdstown business saw many changes in 2014

2014 was a year for much change on Shepherdstown’s main street and amongst its business community.

Some familiar favorites closed their doors this year, while others made moves to expand and reboot.

In April Kelly’s White Fly Shoppe officially closed its German street location and began operating in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.

Admiral Analog’s record store has since filled the space at the 133 German Street location.

Plum jewelry store closed its 108 East German Street, brick and mortar location at the end of October, opting to debut a new exclusively online shop: www.plumwv.com.

Stepping Out Shoes and Such also announced its plans to close after a decade in business on German street. The lady’s shoe store will remain open until the end of January according to posts on the shop’s official Facebook page.

And most recently, the Yellow Brick Bank restaurant announced plans to close after 38 years and will re-open its doors in the new year as a new restaurant and business. Details of the new restaurant have not been announced.

Both Jala Yoga and Mellow Moods Cafe expanded in 2014. Jala added new studio locations in Winchester and Charles Town, where it accompanies sister business, Mellow Moods in its second location, at 307 West Washington Street.

Later this year Mellow Moods owners Phil and Shanna Mastrangelo also announced interest in selling the cafe businesses, though both ‘Moods’ locations have remained open for business into the new year.

Shanna Mastrangelo in partnership with Zellene Struble, also opened a local midwifery practice in Shepherdstown this summer. Birthroot pregnancy and childbirth service is located on South Princess Street.

Shepherstown Liquors relocated and expanded its offerings this year, rejuvenating half of the old Southern States building on Washington street.

Maria’s Taqueria has announced plans to take over Plum’s East German Street location in 2015, expanding its retail space for customers and rebooting its menu come January.

Yarnability made an unusual swap with local computer repair shop Accurate Systems, leaving its Duke street location in favor of a new spot on Princess street, next to the recently opened Beyond Comics store.

The Good Shop also made a major move this year, relaunching the long running women’s clothing and shoe store in the former location of Blue River, at 120 West German street.