WVWC student presentations on City projects 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 18 at Public Safety Complex

West Virginia Wesleyan College students set to present recommendations for City projects at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 18 at Buckhannon Public Safety Complex meeting room

April 10, 2018

BUCKHANNON, WV: How can the City access additional funding for Stockert Youth & Community Center and the Colonial Theatre? What sustainability measures could the City enact? What does it mean for our community that our police and fire departments become fully accredited? Students at West Virginia Wesleyan College have been researching municipal operations and initiatives this semester and will present their findings at an informational meeting at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 18 at the Buckhannon Public Safety Complex. The meeting is free and open to the public. Representatives from City staff and City Council will attend to provide feedback to the student teams; however, this is an informational meeting only and no immediate action will be taken by the Buckhannon City Council.

The presenting students are part of Dr. Robert Rupp’s State and Local Government course at Wesleyan and are comprised of political science, criminal justice, and sociology majors. During the first part of Dr. Rupp’s course, students studied laws proposed in this year’s West Virginia legislative session. The second part of the course found these students researching projects undertaken by the City of Buckhannon.

Eight teams will present short PowerPoint presentations on the following topics: the City’s efforts to realize funding to construct the new Stockert Youth Center auditorium and gymnasium; the City’s efforts to realize funding to complete the renovation of the Colonial Theatre; the City’s development including funding for comprehensive storm water management; the significance of full, professional accreditation for the police and fire departments; and the expansion of the City green and sustainable initiatives.

Students participating include Marlee Angelucci of Farmington, WV; Alexander Bradley-Popovich of Buckhannon; Danielle Clayton of Burtonsville, MD; Emily Dunlap of Charleston, WV; Chris Fick of Natrona Heights, PA; Casey Frederick of Buckhannon; Aylin Gutierrez of San Luiz, AR; Ryan Jackson of Dover, NJ; Jacob Jasper of Kingsport, TN; Chris Nickerson of Gaithersburg, MD; Jarrett Northrop of Galesville, MD; Mackenzie Pernell of Bridgeport, WV; McKenna Polen of Fairmont, WV; Colby Queen of Philippi, WV; Sam Rigler of Kensington, MD; Dylon Rippeto of Parkersburg, WV; Elesia Saunders of Clarksburg, WV; Michael Susman of Charleston, WV; Taylor Titus of Old Fields, WV; and Shana Williams of Essex, MD.

The City welcomes the research put forth by these students and looks forward to hearing their results and recommendations. After evaluation, some of these recommendations may be brought forward at a City Council meeting. City residents are encouraged to attend this meeting and send feedback to the student teams and the City of Buckhannon by calling City Hall at (304) 472-1651 or emailing callie.csams@buckhannonwv.org.