Posts Tagged Senator John Unger
An Anonymous Call
Posted by Administrator in Land of Liberty on February 16, 2010
The call first came into the West Virginia Department of Highways. A homeless person was trapped or lost off a busy entrance ramp on I-81. The Department of Highways forwarded the information to the Berkeley County Sheriffs Department. State Senator John Unger became aware of the problem, and called me seeking information about a camp in or around that area that I had filmed in. He advised me to call the sheriff and find out what the current situation was.
After calling the Sheriff’s Department and finding out the location that was in question, I went into the woods after dark. I felt that if anyone was trapped out there, their chance of survival would be very slim. After a few feet of snow, freezing temperatures, and drifting winds it would be tough.
Since the call came in to the Department of Highways, and was anonymous, there was little concrete information to go on. Without finding any tracks or signs, I called off the search until daylight. In the morning, after loading up with food, sleeping bags, and other supplies I went back out.
I knew of a small camper that was on the property. During the dark hours of the day before, I had talked with a lady that lived in it. When I arrived there in the morning, I found her and the man she shares the camper with. They were tired, out of water, and low on food. They had even run out of matches to light their heater. Once it burned out the heat would be gone. She cried as I unloaded water, can food, hot food, clothing, and two lighters.
Then I realized that maybe the anonymous caller was just a concerned citizen who knew they lived back there and would be trapped without the road being cleared. The Department of Highways could not clear the gravel road because it was on private property and they had no idea where it was located.
Senator Unger’s personal involvement in this matter forced it to a happy conclusion and just in the nick of time. Dave Starliper, a local volunteer, offered to assist in a complete grid search if needed. Once again it just goes to show what a concerned person can do to help and what an impact that help can have.
2.16.10
DJ McCoy
State of Emergency
Posted by Administrator in Land of Liberty on February 6, 2010
Governor Joe Manchin (D) of West Virginia has declared a state wide state of emergency for West Virginia due to the snow storm currently burying parts of the state. He contacted state Senator John Unger (D) and asked what more was needed for the eastern panhandle of the state. Unger contacted the Rev. Dr. Edward Grove to check on the status of the local homeless population. He offered to open the Army National Guard building as a temporary shelter if needed.
Ten humvees were dispatched to the Martinsburg City Hospital to transport medical personnel to work. These same vehicles are available to bring any homeless person in from the cold. Many of the local homeless people have moved into buildings in one fashion or another. One living room currently has eight people sleeping on the floor. It appears that a Good Samaritan has allowed them in so they wouldn’t freeze to death.
A telephone check made to a known homeless group has found them short on cigarettes but alive and well.
2.6.10
DJ McCoy
