1994-1995 Harry Singer Foundation National Essay Contest

Alternatives: Proposals For Local Governments Struggling With Limited Resources
Teacher: Ed McCall

Meadow Bridge High School, Meadow Bridge, West Virginia

1st Stacey Gilkeson          2nd Audrey Brandstetter     3rd Patti Reed

"We accepted the challenge of finding a way to continue saving money and stretching the resources of local government."
Dustin Gwinin, Meadow Bridge High School, Meadow Bridge, West Virginia

 "Is it possible to form a proposal that would save money and stretch the resources of our local government? Yes, thanks to the Harry Singer Foundation's essay contest, we have been able to prepare 'Alternatives' in the way we go about overcoming financial problems that would build a better community for all Meadow Bridge citizens."
Crystal Stallman Meadow Bridge High School, Meadow Bridge, West Virginia

"In the spirit of Al Gore's Reinventing Government proposal, we are exploring ways to stretch the resources of our local government."
Kelly Martin, Meadow Bridge High School, Meadow Bridge, West Virginia 

"How could we possibly fund such an extravagant project? For starters, we planned to ask for donations from local and private organizations such as the Kiwanis Club, Alumni Association, and School Improvement Council. On the county level, funding could come from the County Commissioner and the County Board of Education. É Diana, Ramona, Harmony and I began to flip through the pages of a West Virginia Blue Book and with the help of our government teacher, we chose the committees that would possibly fund such a project."
Daronna Bowles, Meadow Bridge High School, Meadow Bridge,West Virginia

"A decision was reached to round up volunteers to do the work. Salaries were way too expensive to hire workers. The group felt that the people of the community really wanted to see this park come to life and they believed they could come together and make it happen. Two local engineers were contacted and were more than happy to help out."
Patti Reed, Meadow Bridge High School, Meadow Bridge,West Virginia

"Many residents of Meadow Bridge own farming equipment and would be willing to donate such equipment in building the park. Also, many have vocational talents which could contribute to the work funding. In my opinion, volunteer services which could definitely be of use are often ignored. Ron Patterson is a highly trained engineer, Thomas Acord is a skilled welder, and many of the school's vocational students would be willing to share such skills as masonry, carpentry, and other mechanics. If people were hired to do these jobs, the park would no longer be economical."
Ramona Acord, Meadow Bridge High School, Meadow Bridge, West Virginia

"Those helping their community could be given memberships to the natatorium [swimming pool and gain the] personal satisfaction of knowing they contributed in building the only park in Meadow Bridge."
Audrey Brandstetter, Meadow Bridge High School, Meadow Bridge, West Virginia

"By using the needy to help build the recreational area it would lower the cost because the salaries paid to the needy helpers would not be as high as the salaries required to pay certified and licensed workers. Using the needy would benefit the community in other ways too. It would give the needy a purpose and possibly the training needed so that they could find jobs, support their families, and not be dependent on the state and federal government. [This] could lower taxes and benefit the community as well as the [entire country]. I feel that this proposal is a really wonderful idea. The community wanted a recreational area, and they felt it was important. Perhaps the recreational area would even lower the crime rate." [What about the 'certified and licensed workers?']
Lisa Kincaid, Meadow Bridge High School, Meadow Bridge, West Virginia

"People in the community could volunteer materials, and their services through working to help build and establish a recreational area on the desolate land owned by the school. Machinery could be donated by people who have it.  Workers would not only come from volunteers, but perhaps we could work with the Health and Human Services and give training to the needy people in the community."
Lisa Kincaid, Meadow Bridge High School, Meadow Bridge, West Virginia

"Ten elected officials were also asked to participate in the polling, but they refused to speak to the students conducting the polls. Numerous excuses were given such as they were in a meeting, they were out of town or they were on a break. These excuses from officials, including Jay Rockefeller, Bob Wise, Gaston Caperton, Nick Rahall and Robert Byrd, led the students to believe that they were not as interested in their communities as they had proclaimed to be during elections."
Rebecca Mullins, Meadow Bridge High School, Meadow Bridge, West Virginia

"A fourth group of students contacted a private contractor. His rates were unbelievable and he was not willing to negotiate."
Patti Reed, Meadow Bridge High School, Meadow Bridge,West Virginia  

"The plumbers, electricians, and carpenters would have to be licensed."
Bethany Fox, Meadow Bridge High School, Meadow Bridge, West Virginia

"If Meadow Bridge succeeds in this project, it could inspire sur-rounding communities to also join in and enhance their community. It also would make good use of what is right now wasted land, and would get something done about the flood problem that exists in that area of the community."
Laura Claypool, Meadow Bridge High School, Meadow Bridge, West Virginia

"Are alternatives the answer? Yes, if they are done right. Our class is exploring ways to save money and stretch the resources of our local governments. Many alternatives have been discussed within our class and community. All the ideas are good but will they work for us?"
Shannon Harrah, Meadow Bridge High School, Meadow Bridge, West Virginia

"A time incentive would be that some of the workers from the community would work faster so that they could use the recreational site. Another incentive would be that the value of the real estate in Meadow Bridge would increase with the building of the park. A disincentive would be that if the value of the land increased, the area property taxes to be paid would increase also."
Bethany Fox, Meadow Bridge High School, Meadow Bridge, West Virginia

"Incentives for people who donated things could be a personal award and their name on a bronze plaque on the wall. Also they could receive free pool privileges for a specified amount of time. The Meadow Bridge natatorium and baseball park could be named after the late Kevin Hunt. He was a beloved member of our school before being killed in a tragic car accident. This park is the kind of thing Kevin would have wanted for the community. It would be very helpful to young and old alike. It would keep the young people off the streets and out of trouble. It would also give some of the retired people of the community the recreation they deserve. They have been active members of our community for many years and its time to give them something back."
Kevin Harper, Meadow Bridge High School, Meadow Bridge, West Virginia

 "The size of our community, the lack of resources it has, and other impossible barriers, such as money and space, would not make this project impossible, but [would make it] unlikely."
Harmony Burwell, Meadow Bridge High School, Meadow Bridge, West Virginia

 "The next group's job was to find out what kind of license would be needed. They also found out the reasons for the license and if there were any exceptions. One license they would need for sure, is a building permit. They also inquired about the need for insurance. They [learned] insurance was very important because [without insurance] if someone gets hurt the [city] would have to pay for the hospital bill and medication. They also had to talk to the planning department to figure out how the park would be set up with the natatorium, arboretum, baseball/softball field, playground (slide, swings, monkey bars, and the merry-go-round), and a fitness trail."
Brandy Roberts, Meadow Bridge High School, Meadow Bridge, West Virginia

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