I encourage adult residents of Pocahontas County to go online and answer a 10-question survey at www.surveymonkey.com/s/oneroomu to register your thoughts about a “One Room University” in Marlinton.  The survey will be open through Friday, May 21. 

The concept for a “One Room University” grew out of the County Commission’s desire to provide post-secondary educational opportunities for county residents beyond the nursing program that is offered at the high school.  Initially, the effort focused on expanding courses offered by New River Community and Technical College by establishing one or more classrooms in Marlinton.  After initial study, however, it became clear that county residents really want, and need, the opportunity to earn college degrees from either two-year or four-year schools without necessarily leaving the county. 

Because of the wide range of degree goals and the limited number of students - often only one - interested in taking a specific class in a given semester, it would be impractical to provide enough classrooms in Marlinton to accommodate all the classes that would need to be held simultaneously to create an extension campus.  The expense of on-site instructors can be overcome by using Interactive Video Networks (IVN) to provide live instruction, but the traditional college model still assumes classes are presented in classrooms, even for one student.  The alternative we want to demonstrate starting with the Fall 2011 semester is to have sufficient IVN booths so that individual students can take live classes at New River or a four-year college during the day, evenings or, possibly, weekends.  An on-site administrator would provide
structure and assistance to help overcome problems - primarily motivation and focus - often associated with students taking online courses in insolation. 

The online survey is similar to one administered recently at the high school for the junior class - which will be the entering class in Fall 2011.  Data from that survey validated the concept of and need for something like a One Room University to provide a local option for attending college.  Now we need data for graduating seniors and other adults who may want to attend a Center for Higher Education in Marlinton. 
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Spring planting time is finally here.  It’s truly gratifying, although perhaps not surprising, to see how enthusiastically members of our community have embraced Plant a Row for the Hungry.  All kinds of people, from native residents to new-comers, from the very young to the young at heart, have signed up to plant extra vegetables to donate to local food pantries.  Gardeners are generous people and Plant a Row is an easy way to help improve the diet of less fortunate county residents.  If you haven’t heard about Plant a Row yet and would like to participate, contact Sue Groves at 304-653-4195 or siouxgroves@gmail.com.
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In recent months, both the County Commission and The Pocahontas Times have sought to foster discussion about long-range planing for Pocahontas County.  Unfortunately,
the dialog has amounted to trading opinions about whether or not planning is a good idea, and does not seem to be informed by what the West Virginia Code says about land use and comprehensive planning by county and town governments (Chapter 8A, Article 3). 

I believe we should approach the subject of planning by acknowledging that, despite the fear of some that planning means zoning and, to them, zoning is inherently bad, Pocahontas County eventually will have to develop a long-range plan focused on land use.  Current law anticipates that counties which already have “comprehensive” plans will update them by June 2014, and that counties without plans will develop one by then.  Although WV Code does not explicitly require comprehensive plans, as one candidate for county commissioner recently suggested, the time is near when "state and federal funding for projects and economic development will be tied to a local comprehensive plan [because] without one, we will be passed over in favor of counties with a plan."  It is reasonable to assume that in FY 2015 (which starts the month after plans are due) some state programs that benefit Pocahontas County may require a plan to qualify for funds.  Assuming such a requirement has a non-zero probability, the county and municipalities should proceed to develop a plan(s). 

Even if formal sanctions will not accrue, the lack of a plan creates uncertainty for potential employers and developers - and works against economic development and job creation - because other counties similar to Pocahontas are developing plans, thereby enhancing their appeal to investors.  Consequently, we should start thinking about how and when a plan will be developed, and by whom, rather than dwelling on the question of whether planning is desirable or something to be avoided.         

WV Code takes much of the guesswork out of planning by specifying the purpose and processes for developing, implementing and updating comprehensive plans.  It remains for local governments to organize and carry out the work of planning according to established rules. 

The Code says comprehensive plans are to guide county and municipal governments “in coordinated and compatible development of land and improvements” according to “present and future needs and resources.”  Such plans are intended to help government make informed decisions about land and its various uses.  The Code says plans should promote the efficient use of natural resources, agricultural land, and scenic areas.  Plans should also foster reduced waste of resources by haphazard development, and promote a sense of community, character, and identity. 

Counties are allowed to develop comprehensive plans covering their entire area, including towns, so long as towns agree and are included in the planning process.  Otherwise, towns may develop their own plans limited to their boundaries. 

The Code requires comprehensive plans to provide goals and objectives, schedule and budget to address 13 topics: Land Use; Housing; Transportation, Infrastructure, Public Services, Rural Areas; Recreation; Economic Development; Community Design; Preferred Development Areas; Renewal and/or Redevelopment; Financing; and Historic preservation.  In addition, plans may also cover history, environment, tourism, conservation, safety, and natural resources. 

State law requires plans to be developed and updated by planning commissions appointed by sponsoring governmental bodies (i.e., county commission or town council). Planning commissions must include public participation and hold public hearings before submitting a plan to the sponsor for approval. 

Approval of proposed plans is not automatic.  After holding public hearings, sponsors may approve, reject or amend proposed plans.  If a plan is approved, the planning commission then prepares ordinances as necessary and oversees implementation of the plan, subject to review by the sponsor.  Planning commissions prepare proposed revisions and amendments to the plan, and update it at least every ten years. 

Although the Code is specific about the responsibilities of planning commissions it is silent about how planning commission are formed.  This lack of guidance by the State provides the opportunity to involve citizens in planning for a planning commission.  Using the Code as a framework to guide discussions, the county commission could form a working group to make recommendations for a county-wide planning commission that addresses specific concerns of towns, or for separate planning efforts if a single plan for the county is not practicable.  Such a working group could have nine-to-12 members, including the mayors (or representative) of each town and other thoughtful citizens, appointed by county commissioners, who represent the range of perspectives that should be considered in a plan.  To avoid re-inventing the wheel, the working group could be instructed to study the experience of nearby counties to understand the benefits and pitfalls of planning - and the unintended consequences of good intentions gone awry. 

By accepting the notion that planning is inevitable, and by agreeing to consider what state law requires, it should be possible to reach consensus on how to form a planning commission and develop a comprehensive plan for Pocahontas County during the next four years.  By planning to plan, the county’s citizens will be able to answer the questions, “If not now, when?” and “If not us, who?”  It’s time to move ahead. 
For the complete text of WV Code Chapter 8A, Article 3, you can Google "WV Code Comprehensive Planning" or go to www.legis.state.wv.us.

Jay Miller may be contacted at 304-799-4950 or pocahontascoordinator@gmail.com.