Kate Evans

With the cost of living increasing, some are looking for ways to conserve energy and cut costs. Others are upping their efforts to be environmentally conscious due to concern about global warming.

Recycling paper and cardboard is mostly how Morgan County government offices are doing their part for the environment. Some county offices continue recycling as they did before the courthouse fire.

Former sanitarian Lee Fowler was named the new Morgan County Health Department administrator, effective December 1.

Fowler came on board as the county health department sanitarian in January, 2007. Fowler was appointed interim Health Department administrator on November 1 after former administrator Karen Dawson announced her retirement last fall.

The Courthouse Energy Advisory Committee is studying the economic feasibility of a geothermal heating and cooling system for the new Morgan County Courthouse. The committee met in December and again on January 15. Courthouse architect Tom Potts of Silling & Associates was at the January 15 meeting.

Paw Paw Fire Chief Steve Moreland is still recovering from a November 19 vehicle accident in which he was seriously injured. Moreland is also an emergency medical technician for the Morgan County Rescue Service.

Sue (Unger) Green was honored for outstanding achievement as a true recycling champion by the Morgan County Solid Waste Authority and the Recycling Coalition of West Virginia.

Morgan County Solid Waste Authority officials announced their plans to open a permanent recycling center in Morgan County with the help of the Ecology Coalition of Morgan County. The announcement came at the Friday, January 11 Morgan County Commission meeting.

A vacant trailer in Berkeley Springs was destroyed by fire in the early morning hours of Monday, December 31.

Morgan County Commissioner Glen Stotler was unanimously reelected as commission president at the Wednesday, January 2 county commission meeting.

Commissioner Tommy Swaim made the motion to reappoint Stotler as president. Commissioner Brenda Hutchin-son seconded the motion.

County Commissioner Brenda Hutchinson felt her first year as a Morgan County Commissioner has been challenging and a learning experience.

There was a learning curve involved in assuming the duties and responsibilities, she said.

The Morgan County Assessor's Office is mailing out 6,400 letters this week advising property owners that their assessments will be going up 10% or more.

About 4,500 Morgan County property owners were notified of a 10% or more increase in their assessments last year at this time.