Deborah Turner explains some of the programs available to local groups through the PEIA Pathways to Wellness Program during Wednesday’s Tucker County Commission meeting.
By Beth Christian Broschart
The Parsons Advocate
PARSONS – Deborah Turner spoke about the PEIA Pathways to Wellness Program during Wednesday’s Tucker County Commission meeting. Turner said that Butch DiBacco would be serving as the coordinator for the local program.
“This program has been in existence for 23 years and it is a part of the PEIA program,” Turner said. “We are trying to bring wellness to the work site several different ways. We do a six-week water program to encourage people to drink more water during the day.”
Turner said there are also program including a six-week walking program, and it is up to you what you want to choose.
“We have on site fitness classes,” Turner said. “We pay for people to do a two-year program where you meet with an exercise physiologist and a dietician. It is a wonderful program. PEIA pays for the bulk of the program and there is a monthly copay of $20. We also offer a Face to Face program for people with diabetes. People can meet with a diabetes educator and it is done through local pharmacies.”
Turner said they offer classes in stress reduction and lifestyle coaching.
“We have an extensive website that has a lot of useful information on it, www.peiapathways.com,” Turner said. “All of these programs are available to anybody with PEIA insurance that is at least 18 years old.”
Sandy Frank provided Commissioners with an update of the 2015 Run For It.
“Once again, it was a big success,” Frank said. “We had almost 30 Tucker County teams supporting causes from libraries, community development and more. Not only does the race bring financial support to these organizations, but it also raises awareness to their causes and puts them in connection with donors.”
Frank said the $5,000 the Tucker County Commission donated leveraged more than 17 times the amount. She said $86,000 was distributed to Tucker County teams.
“Since the race began in 2007, it has brought in $478,000 to Tucker County and has funneled $430,000 to our surrounding communities,” Frank said. “That brings a lot of people into Tucker County. This year, we saw 800 to 900 people from all over W.Va. come to the race, and 245 racers from out of state – some from as far as Washington state and Texas.”
Kathy Kahler, president of the Tucker County Ambulance Authority Board, said she was coming before the Commission to request ‘a large sum of money to cover back pay for some on-call time.’
“So this issue began approximately six months ago when Sheila, our director became aware through information from the employees that perhaps we were paying them incorrectly when they were on call,” Kahler said. “Sheila very wisely contacted the Labor Board, and sent them a request for an opinion if we were in compliance with labor laws. We were not.”
Kahler said when Sheila found out they were not in compliance, she stopped having people take call and alerted Kahler and the authority’s attorney.
“The labor law has been changing over the years, and years ago, it was okay to have people volunteer for call,” Kahler said. “The laws have evolved and now you cannot restrict the employees’ movement unless you are paying them minimum wage, even if they volunteer for us.”
Kahler said J.T. Hodges is the authority’s attorney and said he estimates they owe people back pay of $63,288.
“In addition to that, we have to pay FICA, plus unemployment and workers compensation on top of that,” Kahler said. “What we are requesting is $63,288 from the County Commission. As you know, we don’t have any excess of funds.”
Moore asked for a written statement. “I think we need some figures and calculations,” Moore said.
Commission members voted to table the issue until more information is received.
Tucker Community Foundation Director Rob Burns asked Tucker County Commissioners to sponsor a Land and Water Grant for the Tucker County Boulder Project.
“We received one grant from them and we are matching them with private donations,” Burns said. “We are not asking for money today, just your sponsorship with the grant itself.”
Burns said the grant this time is a little bit more competitive and that is why he is asking for county support. He said the grant is for $50,000.
Commissioner Lowell Moore said the group needed to make an amendment to the Sept. 23 minutes. He asked Commissioner Diane Hinkle to read the amendment.
“On the Sept. 23 minutes we had an order submitted for board applications or reappointment to a board and in a work session, we made the following changes,” Hinkle read. “Effective Sept. 23 by the Tucker County Commission, the following guidelines are to be followed by Tucker County boards, committees and authority boards of Tucker County:
A written request for an appointment or reappointment for a county board, committee or authority board is submitted to the Tucker County Commission, the following will occur: Applicant will submit completed board application. Any application for appointment or reappointment should be submitted to the Tucker County Commission and can be forwarded to the county board for their review. The Tucker County Commission has the final approval of the appointed or reappointed board member. If any board is responsible for identifying the time limit of the appointed or reappointed member, including the start of the term and the end of the term. The board application form is posted on the County Commission website.”
Stan Dragovich thanked Commissioners for their donation for bags for the CERT team. He said they ended up making up 7 bags.
The next Tucker County Commission meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Dec. 9 at the Tucker County Courthouse Courtroom.
