Published: March 27, 2008 10:35 am         

Coalition 'upbeat' about chance to get VISTA worker

KEYSER - The Healthy Mineral County Coalition is "very upbeat" about the possibility of getting an AmeriCorps VISTA worker, according to chairman Dr. Wayne Spiggle.

Reporting for coalition member Gerri Mason, who has been working on getting a VISTA worker for the group but was unable to attend Tuesday's coalition meeting, Spiggle said two VISTA positions have been approved for the county.

"Both of them will work through Gerri's office at the Family Resource Network, but one will be assigned to specifically work with us to help promote the coalition," he said.

Mason is setting up a recruitment committee for the purpose of seeking workers to fill the positions.

"We'll go out and beat the bushes," Spiggle said, adding that the job is perfect for college students, as part of their payment is a stipend for education.

"It's also a good opportunity for newly retired people," he said, noting that the VISTA positions come with excellent health care benefits.

In other business discussed by the coalition members Tuesday, Dawn Mallow of the Mineral County Aging & Family Services announced that the agency will sponsor its annual Senior Olympics June 10-13 at Potomac State College.

The college has agreed to house the senior athletes in the dorms this year, so Mineral County is "hoping to have 150 seniors come to Keyser for the games," she said.

"The Olympics have turned out to be a really big thing for the seniors," Carol King, also of Aging & Family Services, said.

"When the games are over for one year, they immediately start to plan for the next year."

The Healthy Mineral County Coalition will meet again at noon May 27 at the Mineral County Health Department.

Contact Liz Beavers at lbeavers@times-news.com.