Vol. 7, Issue No. 20
November 4, 2019
|
|
From the Hawk's Nest, New River CTC's employee newsletter, is distributed twice a month, and we need your input!
Have story ideas or photos for From the Hawk's Nest? Send them to
the
Office of Communications
for the next edition.
|
|
“Continuous effort – not strength or intelligence – is the key to unlocking our potential.”
–
Winston Churchill
|
|
Around campus & in our communities
|
|
The photo above shows the most recent additions to New River CTC's diesel program. Huge thanks to Gary Shrewsbury for loading and hauling this equipment with his truck and trailer! Gary has loaded and transported all of the donated equipment that the diesel program has received in the past two years.
Thank you, Gary!
|
|
|
|
Mary Igo, Betul Kudurogianis and Gloria Kincaid at the Halloween Block Party on October 26. New River CTC also provided the emcee and some prizes for the costume contest.
|
|
|
Dr. Lucie Refsland Student Center dedication
|
|
We celebrated the dedication of the Dr. Lucie Refsland Student Center on the Greenbrier Valley Campus last week. Fo
r additional photos from the event, visit the
online album
.
|
|
(Left) Raleigh County Campus Halloween photo. (Right) Greenbrier Valley Campus Halloween photo. Photos submitted from Halloween have been added to an album on our
Facebook page. If you have additional photos to share, please email them to
communications@newriver.edu.
|
|
The Browning Social Services Club Halloween Bake Sale
|
|
|
|
Mark your calendar and make plans to participate in or attend next year's Volleyball 4 Autism event on April 4, 2020.
|
|
The Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce's 2019 Leadership Beckley class met at the Advanced Technology Center in Ghent for their education session. Brian Sampson gave the class a tour of the facility, and Dr. Copenhaver spoke to the class about the College and WV Invests.
|
|
We will feature additional employees in the next edition of the Hawk's Nest.
Thank you for your service!
|
|
In honor of Veterans Day, we would like to begin paying tribute to our New River CTC employees who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
David J. Ayersman
I enlisted into the WV Army National Guard in 1981 (when I was a Junior in high school) and served until 1986. During that time I was promoted to E-5 and was activated once for two weeks to help do cleanup in Marlinton, WV after a devastating flood there in 1985. I completed two years of ROTC at Marshall University and graduated in 1986 while earning a commission in the Army. I served in the Field Artillery and was stationed in Bamberg, Germany for most of that time. I was in Germany when the Berlin wall came down in 1989. I was selected for promotion to Captain, but resigned my commission in 1990 and returned home to WV to begin graduate school at WVU.
Jonathan D. Hartwell
I served in the United States Marine Corps and was motivated to join the military because of the 9-11 terrorist attacks. I went to the recruiting office and started my entry process on Sept. 12, 2001 under an open MOS* contract.
I was a diesel technician in an artillery battery and am most proud of earning my rank as Private. This was the first rank awarded, up until this rank we were considered recruits.
My military service brought about a personal character transformation. Also, in an open contract, you are placed where you are needed most. I had no prior mechanical experience, however my ASVAB scores were exceptionally high in mechanical thought and application, so that is where I was placed. Afterward, I developed an interest in the field, used my GI Bill to attend a diesel college, undergraduate and graduate institutions, and have been involved with diesel technology in some aspect or another ever since.
*(MOS) Military Occupational Specialty
|
|
|
|
PEIA Finance Board Public Hearings Coming in November
|
The PEIA Finance Board wants your input! Proposals for Plan Year 2021 (Benefits from 7/1/20 – 6/30/21) are being finalized now.
We have scheduled public hearings around the state as follows:
Tuesday, November 12, 2019 -- Telephonic Dial in: 304-410-0513, Conference ID: 304-410-0513.
Conference will begin promptly at 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 13, 2019 -- Morgantown WVU, The Erickson Alumni Center, One Alumni Drive
Tuesday, November 19, 2019 -- Charleston The Culture Center, Capitol Complex, 1900 Kanawha Blvd., E.
Wednesday, November 20, 2019 -- Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center, 200 Armory Dr.
Thursday, November 21, 2019 -- Martinsburg Holiday Inn, 301 Foxcroft Avenue
Schedule for each location:
5-6 p.m.
Customer service and hearing registration. If you have questions about claims, benefits or the proposals being discussed, we’ll have staff on hand to help you. Everyone attending the hearing must register. If you want to speak at the hearing, indicate that at registration. Note: This will not take place for the telephonic meeting.
6-8 p.m.
Public hearing. The proposals for Plan Year 2021 will be presented, and members of the board will take input from the audience.
If you can’t attend a hearing in person, please submit comments to the Finance Board in writing to 601 57th Street, SE/ Suite 2, Charleston, WV 25304-2345 or via e-mail to: PEIAComments@wv.gov
|
|
|
Defensive Driving: KNOW YOUR “NO-ZONES (Blind spots)” FOR COMMERCIAL TRUCKS & BUSES
Fleet Management provides monthly driving tips to provide agencies with a way to promote good defensive driving techniques ensuring the safety of state vehicle operators. For November 2019, Fleet is providing information on
"no-zones" or blind spots for commercial trucks and buses
.
Though many assume truck drivers have a better view of the road because they are higher off the ground and have larger mirrors, trucks actually have bigger blind spots. Staying in a truck’s blind spot means that the truck driver cannot see you or your car, posing a huge safety risk and potentially leading to a serious accident. Learn where the blind spots are, give trucks plenty of space, and pass promptly to keep you and the drivers around you safe.
Staying Aware
Keep away from the sides of the truck.
A truck’s increased size means bigger blind spots, so it is crucial to be aware of where these blind spots are. Sections of the lanes on either side of a truck, particularly on the right side, are not visible to the truck driver and therefore extremely dangerous for other cars to drive through.
If you must drive through these areas to pass a truck, use caution and pass as quickly as safety allows. Signal early and let the driver see you before you pass.
- Make sure you can see the truck's side mirrors. If you can’t see the driver in their side mirror, it is likely they can't see you either. Not being able to see the side mirrors indicates you are in a blind spot and should move out of that position as soon it is safe to do so.
- Watch for signals. When driving behind a truck, you can’t see what is happening up ahead and must rely on the signals of truck driver in front of you. Stay observant and keep a close eye on the truck’s turn signals and brake lights so you can be prepared for them to stop or turn with some advance notice.
Be patient with slow-moving trucks.
Having a patient mindset can be just as crucial as staying aware of blind spots. Remember that trucks cannot maneuver as easily as smaller cars, which is particularly important in emergencies. Be cautious and respectful when driving around a truck to help keep yourself and everyone around you safe.
- Avoid honking (unless in an emergency situation), aggressive driving, and weaving through traffic, as these cause distraction and could ultimately result in a crash.
Driving in front of a Truck
Give ample space when in front.
Trucks cannot stop as quickly as a car or motorcycle, so it’s particularly important when driving in front of a truck to to give the truck driver plenty of space in case they do need to stop. If can see the truck’s headlights in your rearview mirror, you are out of the front blind spot and a safe distance in front of the truck
Driving behind a Truck
Avoid tailgating.
A truck's large size means that truckers do not have rearview mirrors and must rely on side mirrors to see cars behind them. Driving behind a truck also means you cannot see what’s happening in front of them. Stay out of the no-zone directly behind the truck and give the truck plenty of space to slow down or stop.
- You should leave about 20-25 car lengths, or a four-second distance, between you and the truck in front of you.
- As often as possible, try to keep both of the truck’s side mirrors visible in front of you. This allows the truck driver to see you and be aware of you as well.
- In poor weather conditions, leave even more space between you and the truck.
Take extra care when turning.
Trucks will sometimes need to swing wide to make a turn, taking up additional lanes, so be extra aware if you are beside or behind a turning truck.
- Give the truck plenty of space.
- Don’t cut between the truck and the curb and be aware that trucks cannot slow down as quickly as smaller vehicles.
Passing a Truck
Signal early.
Passing a truck means you will have to go through a blind spot, however briefly. Show the driver you intend to pass as early as you can, so they have enough time to see you and prepare for you to pass.
Don't linger in the blind spots.
Pass as promptly as possible and don’t linger in any of the truck's blind spots longer than necessary. This area is where you are in the most danger if a truck driver loses control, tries to change lanes, or gets into an accident.
- Avoid passing on a truck’s right side. This is a truck’s worst blind spot because it extends further back and makes it even more difficult for a truck driver to see you coming up beside them
- Give yourself room to merge. You should be at least two car lengths ahead of the truck before merging back into the same lane. This ensures that you stay out of the truck's front blind spot and helps you avoid cutting the truck off.
- Don’t slow down. After merging back into your lane in front of a truck, maintain passing speed and only slow down when you have a safe distance between you and the truck.
|
|
New River CTC does not discriminate in its educational programs or in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, veteran or military status, disability, or genetic information or any other status or condition protected by applicable federal or state laws. The following office has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the College’s non-discrimination policies relating to disabilities, sex or other forms of discrimination: Peter Hoeman, Director of Student Success, 304-929-5027.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
