Follow the the link below for a short story regarding webcasting West Virginia legislative session.
http://olive.dominionpost.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=RFBvc3QvMjAwOS8wNy8xMSNBcjAwNzAz&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Technology Interim Committee
This past week the legislature met in regularly scheduled meetings to discuss various study resolutions approved during regular session. The lone exception to this rule is committees like Technology, which have the freedom to determine their own agenda. While the committee does have an agenda of issues to study, we also hear from various organizations which update the committee on technology changes across the mountain state.
As a member of the technology Committee for the past 3 years, I have been fortunate to see firsthand the changes made to internet service across the state and updates to our mapping of taxable land parcels. Although, both have a long ways to go before we can say we provide every resident with internet service or that we know where all parcels are located, none the less, it’s still comforting to know that we as a state are moving in the right direction.
For more years than I can recall, counties and municipalities have cried out for assistance in cataloging land parcels and apart from physically standing on a street corner to ascertain the information little has been done to update our county maps.
While a large portion of the state still relies on field agents to determine whether or not a parcel exists, Parkersburg, WV on the other hand is but one of a few municipalities which generates digital mapping via goggle map or real time fly over’s. As matter fact, the expense in moving to digital mapping has more than paid for itself, as recently discovered parcels are now being taxed and in some cases back taxes are being collected due to this digital system upgrade.
Entering the mapping stage is the opportunity to overlay additional maps that indicate all physical buildings in a given region. The purpose for this additional overlay is numerous, for example, it could be used to identify areas which may be prone to hazard waste, areas which could be classified as a need for additional security, or even used for planning escape routes during an emergency scenario. The benefits are practically limitless.
While we do have the topography issues to overcome, I am confident WV will see full internet service before too much more time passes, however, I am not so sure we will see detailed state wide mapping as numerous communities across the state still prefer the antiquated present system. Unfortunately, this issue may only be resolved with pressure from the legislature to make the switch by a predetermined future date…only time will tell.
As a member of the technology Committee for the past 3 years, I have been fortunate to see firsthand the changes made to internet service across the state and updates to our mapping of taxable land parcels. Although, both have a long ways to go before we can say we provide every resident with internet service or that we know where all parcels are located, none the less, it’s still comforting to know that we as a state are moving in the right direction.
For more years than I can recall, counties and municipalities have cried out for assistance in cataloging land parcels and apart from physically standing on a street corner to ascertain the information little has been done to update our county maps.
While a large portion of the state still relies on field agents to determine whether or not a parcel exists, Parkersburg, WV on the other hand is but one of a few municipalities which generates digital mapping via goggle map or real time fly over’s. As matter fact, the expense in moving to digital mapping has more than paid for itself, as recently discovered parcels are now being taxed and in some cases back taxes are being collected due to this digital system upgrade.
Entering the mapping stage is the opportunity to overlay additional maps that indicate all physical buildings in a given region. The purpose for this additional overlay is numerous, for example, it could be used to identify areas which may be prone to hazard waste, areas which could be classified as a need for additional security, or even used for planning escape routes during an emergency scenario. The benefits are practically limitless.
While we do have the topography issues to overcome, I am confident WV will see full internet service before too much more time passes, however, I am not so sure we will see detailed state wide mapping as numerous communities across the state still prefer the antiquated present system. Unfortunately, this issue may only be resolved with pressure from the legislature to make the switch by a predetermined future date…only time will tell.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
WV State Museum
June 20, 2009. An off season post that must be read.
Early in my political experience I was appointed to LOCEA, the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability by then Speaker of the House, Bob Kiss, of which my responsibility was to review and recommend any changes associated with education.
One project of note that came before the Commission was the new State History Museum, although not entirely new the museum had been around for more than 100 years when it was determined that a redesign was long overdue.
The design idea was different; create a show path as opposed to the present “find a state artifact and find a place for it.” What you previously had was a disoriented, disassociated mess, whereas, most artifacts lacked signage and relevance to the artifact next to it…of course there were exceptions. The log cabin, general store and 35 Star National flag where and remain some of our states’ prized possessions.
The design plan was simple; create a show path which displays objects in chronological order, beginning with the year 5000 BC and the evolution of coal. Pretty simple, so it would seem, but the project required in excess of $24 million dollars and gutting the present museum in order to make room for the new design.
While many eyebrows were raised with the estimated cost to the project, the design team of four soon went to work reevaluating the project and value engineering every inch of the 25,000 square foot space, which fortunately for all of us brought the project in under $17 million. 2002 marked the beginning of a very lengthy project that would not come to fruition until June 20, 2009 with the grand opening of the new State Museum.
Even if you are not a museum going person this show path of our state’s history is worth the walk, consisting of an 1/8 of a mile walk beginning with 5000 B.C. West Virginia and culminating in visual display of digital information and sights of West Virginia.
The museum walks you through our history creating an overall picture of our roots, our heritage and storied past and yes at times, a violent past. While the corner store, moonshine still, coal wars and military experience are vital to our past, State hood plays central to my museum experience. Perhaps, it’s because I am member of the legislature or maybe something simpler, perhaps it’s the pride I take in being a West Virginian. Either way, I delight in the experience the museum gives me and would strongly encourage anyone to visit the West Virginia State Museum.
What can you look forward to seeing during your visit to the museum? One can’t miss item is the 35 Star National Flag that was flown at Gettysburg during Lincolns Gettysburg Address in November of 1863. Just imagine, we were but a state for 5 months when Lincoln delivered,” Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal…” What more can I say?
Other artifacts of interest include; Daniel Boones Long rifle, the first journal of the House of Delegates, Philippi Covered Bridge, a coal mine, log cabin, log fort and over 3,000 additional artifacts and stories.
So I ask you, why stay home this weekend?
The WV State Museum is located in the Charleston Capitol Complex and is open Tuesday through Sunday. 9:00am -5:00pm Admission is free.
Early in my political experience I was appointed to LOCEA, the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability by then Speaker of the House, Bob Kiss, of which my responsibility was to review and recommend any changes associated with education.
One project of note that came before the Commission was the new State History Museum, although not entirely new the museum had been around for more than 100 years when it was determined that a redesign was long overdue.
The design idea was different; create a show path as opposed to the present “find a state artifact and find a place for it.” What you previously had was a disoriented, disassociated mess, whereas, most artifacts lacked signage and relevance to the artifact next to it…of course there were exceptions. The log cabin, general store and 35 Star National flag where and remain some of our states’ prized possessions.
The design plan was simple; create a show path which displays objects in chronological order, beginning with the year 5000 BC and the evolution of coal. Pretty simple, so it would seem, but the project required in excess of $24 million dollars and gutting the present museum in order to make room for the new design.
While many eyebrows were raised with the estimated cost to the project, the design team of four soon went to work reevaluating the project and value engineering every inch of the 25,000 square foot space, which fortunately for all of us brought the project in under $17 million. 2002 marked the beginning of a very lengthy project that would not come to fruition until June 20, 2009 with the grand opening of the new State Museum.
Even if you are not a museum going person this show path of our state’s history is worth the walk, consisting of an 1/8 of a mile walk beginning with 5000 B.C. West Virginia and culminating in visual display of digital information and sights of West Virginia.
The museum walks you through our history creating an overall picture of our roots, our heritage and storied past and yes at times, a violent past. While the corner store, moonshine still, coal wars and military experience are vital to our past, State hood plays central to my museum experience. Perhaps, it’s because I am member of the legislature or maybe something simpler, perhaps it’s the pride I take in being a West Virginian. Either way, I delight in the experience the museum gives me and would strongly encourage anyone to visit the West Virginia State Museum.
What can you look forward to seeing during your visit to the museum? One can’t miss item is the 35 Star National Flag that was flown at Gettysburg during Lincolns Gettysburg Address in November of 1863. Just imagine, we were but a state for 5 months when Lincoln delivered,” Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal…” What more can I say?
Other artifacts of interest include; Daniel Boones Long rifle, the first journal of the House of Delegates, Philippi Covered Bridge, a coal mine, log cabin, log fort and over 3,000 additional artifacts and stories.
So I ask you, why stay home this weekend?
The WV State Museum is located in the Charleston Capitol Complex and is open Tuesday through Sunday. 9:00am -5:00pm Admission is free.
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