Morgantown Dominion Post
26 March 2007
By Evelyn Ryan
Two major topics - regulatory policy and the environment - will be discussed at the second annual Mon River Summit, scheduled for April 16 at Waterfront Place, Morgantown.
Those attending can choose between a panel on regulatory policy and commerce, or one discussing environmental status and future strategies for the Monongahela River and recreation, said Matt Cybulski, outreach manager, Community Visions Foundation.
Registration is being taken for the day-long event. The $30 fee includes morning and afternoon break refreshments, and a sit-down lunch. River-related displays will be scattered through the meeting area.
Registration forms are available on the Web at www.monriversummit.org. Info, or to rent booth space; Cybulski, 292-3311 or at matt@morgantownvision.org.
The summit is the brainchild of the Mon River Recreation and Commerce Committee, a group interested in maintaining the river's part in the area economy. Cybulski is part of the committee.
"Last year we had three breakout sessions," he said, "but this year we will only have two simultaneous sessions. These are the issues people want to focus on."
The schedule for Mon River Summit 2007, which opens at 8 a.m. April 16, includes a 9 a.m. keynote address by Patrick Donovan, executive director, West Virginia Ports Authority; 9:15 a.m. recap of Mon River Summit 2006 by Brad Allamong, president, Morgantown Area Chamber of Commerce; and 10:15 a.m. panel on proactive river development strategies.
West Virginia first lady Gayle Manchin will speak at the 12:15 p.m. luncheon.
"We are delighted that the first lady will serve as our luncheon keynote speaker," Allamong said. "We understand that the first lady is a huge proponent of volunteerism, and the MRRCC is one of the chamber's many active volunteer committees."
Summit discussion sessions are at 11:15 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. A recap of the day will begin at 3:45 p.m. Sessions will allow attendees to register their concerns about current problems and to propose creative solutions or original opportunities.
Co-chairs for the two sessions are: regulatory, David Weaver, DMJM Harris, and Wally Venable, Upper Monongahela River Association; and environmental, Ralph LaRue, BOPARC operations manager, and Frank Jernejcic, state Division of Natural Resources fish biologist.
Last year's summit "was fantastic," Cybulski said, with 130 people attending. The evaluations were "very favorable," he added. "People liked the general idea of having a summit, and they liked the idea of having government officials, interested citizens and businesses all in the same area discussing important river issues."