John Douglas

Once again, the Ice House Theater Project had a winner with their production of "Voices in the Woods," a play by Donald C. Fidler, a West Virginia University professor of both psychiatry and theater. Fidler's two disciplines came together in his complex, funny and, yes, sometimes crazy characters.

"Voices in the Woods" is about a West Virginia family that regroups at the old homeplace to wait for Mama to die. Margi Griffiths is outstanding as Precious, who stayed with Mama through the years and struggles with both the voices she hears and the feeling that she has missed out on life.

We had our doubts about the new meeting schedule set by the Morgan County Commissioners in January, and those doubts have only grown deeper.

For as long as anyone can recall, the commissioners met about twice a month at 9:30 a.m. on Thursdays or, later, Fridays. Starting in the mid-1990s, the meetings got ridiculously long, sometimes going on until 7 p.m., making it hard for anyone to stay for the whole thing.

Parts of this week's Morgan Messenger look like a special edition about local governments' property tax rates and budgeting for the fiscal year that will start July 1.

While some people may glass over at the numbers and others may feel burned out after battling their assessment hikes, this is important stuff. You better be paying attention. Next summer's tax bills are being decided right now.

Now there's clear proof that the property tax burden on Morgan County homeowners is nearly the highest in the state.

Delegate Daryl Cowles sent us the latest county-by-county appraisal values from the State Tax Department. Morgan ranks 4th among the 55 counties, with an average home appraisal of $194,031. Topping the list is Jefferson County, where the average home is valued at $288,657. Second is Berkeley County with an average value of $228,753, and third is Hampshire at $196,609.

The Lincoln County Democrat who proposed that the sale of Barbie dolls be banned in West Virginia has gotten plenty of attention for his silly idea, but he got what he wanted. The Legislature buzzed with talk about Barbie and her effect on society.

At one point, several Republicans, including Delegate Daryl Cowles of Morgan County, put Barbie dolls on their desks to show their support for... for what? Free enterprise? Mattel Toys? Tiny plastic high heels? Who knows?

In the development world, they sometimes talk about "green space" – those areas in subdivisions that are left undeveloped, usually as a trade-off for more intensive building.

Now, Scottish researchers have reported that a bit of greenery near homes can also cut the "health gap" between rich and poor. Small parks, trees and gardens seem to cut people's stress, encourage physical activity and help folks get healthier in general.

A Morgan County jury took less than two hours to find Vernon L. Kerns, Jr. guilty of first degree murder and conspiracy on Monday afternoon, following a week-long trial in Morgan County Circuit Court.

The 26-year-old Kerns, also known as "V.J.," was the third person to be convicted in the 2004 murder of Keese Bare. He will be sentenced by Circuit Judge Gina Groh on April 6.

State Senator Clark Barnes has introduced a bill that we have been urging the West Virginia Legislature to pass for years.

Senate Bill 131 would make it illegal for drivers to use handheld cell phones. Those who want to talk and drive would have to use a speaker phone system, which really isn't depriving anyone of using their phone at all.

It's interesting to note that all the buzz, pro and con, about the federal stimulus bill fades into the background as state officials begin to salivate over getting some of the money.

Even Republicans who opposed the spending bill are scampering around, trying to make sure they bring their share home. Big states like California and New York are counting on President Obama's stimulus package to help them balance their budgets.

Now that the West Virginia Legislature is in session, maybe our delegates and state senators will find a way to ease the property tax burden. But don't hold your breath.

Thing is, much of the state hasn't experienced the assessment and property tax hikes that Morgan County and the Eastern Panhandle have seen. If they had, you can bet southern West Virginia legislators would be wailing and whining like they did when a toll hike was proposed for the turnpike near Beckley a few years ago.