Former Local Doctor, Daughter Killed in Crash
Former Local Doctor, Daughter Killed in Crash Save Email Print
Posted: 11:59 PM Dec 3, 2008
 Last Updated: 8:17 PM Dec 4, 2008
 Reporter: John Griffith
Email Address: john.griffith@wsaz.com
52 comments
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UPDATE: Thursday @ 6pm
By Carrie Cline
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A surgeon, a philanthropist, a giving spirit. Dr. Jeff George saved others' hearts while giving of his own. The renowned former Huntington heart surgeon died Wednesday night in a car accident near his home in Roanoke, Virginia.

His 14-year-old daughter and only child also died in that accident. But, Dr. George leaves behind a heartwarming legacy.

Tim Jenkins runs a miniature horse program for children. But, he says he's only able to give his heart to others because Dr. Jeff George saved his.

“He’s primarily the reason I’m still here,” said Tim.

Dr. George was a heart surgeon at Huntington's St. Mary's Medical Center for more than twenty years. During all of that time, Charlotte Pauley worked closely by his side. She was his personal nurse and dear family friend.

“Patients would come in who were obese and he’d tell them you need to help yourself first and lose weight. After you lose about 50 pounds, come back and then I can help you. That’s the kind of person he was, he wouldn’t just operate to operate. He actually cared about the people,” said Charlotte.

Helping people was what Dr. George lived for in and out of the operating room.

The hospitality house serves adult families who live more than 50 miles away and whose loved ones are in local hospitals. It's also a temporary home for adult patients who are undergoing various outpatient treatments. It’s here primarily because of Dr. George’s commitment.

“He had the motivation and inspiration for it,” said Jo Fannin, Comfort House Executive Director.

But, for as much as Dr. George did, it was Lillian Dick's vision that sparked the dream. 17 years ago, her grandson was born with cancer. The family stayed at a hospitality house when he underwent surgery in Philadelphia. They wanted to see something similar in Huntington.

“We knew Huntington needed something like this and we made it happen,” said Lillian.

Nearly two years ago, Dr. George moved to Roanoke, Va., to work at a facility there. But, even though he was many miles away, he still made this house a priority.

The Jeffrey George Comfort House has served more than 18,000 people from 42 states and 12 countries in the ten years since it opened. Dr. George's daughter, Hannah, was 14 and a horse lover. The two are survived by wife and mother, Teresa.


ORIGINAL STORY
ROANOKE, Va. (WSAZ) -- A former Huntington doctor and his 13-year old daughter, Hannah, were killed Wednesday night in an auto accident on Interstate 81 near Roanoke.

Doctor Jeff George had strong ties to the Huntington, West Virginia, area. His local philanthropy led the Hospitality House to change its name in his honor--to the Jeffrey E. George Comfort Hospitality House.

WSLS-TV in Roanoke is reporting that George's SUV flipped over a guardrail and caught fire. (read WSLS' story)

He worked as a cardiovascular surgeon at St. Mary's Hospital in Huntington until he and his family moved to Virginia last year. There, he worked at the Carilion Clinic.

"Tonight at Carilion we are in shock and heartbroken by this tragic loss. We are trying to do what we can to support his family," said Eric Earnhart, spokesperson for Carilion Clinic.

Dr. George attended medical school at West Virginia University.

Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for more information.
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Posted by: Dakota Weant on Dec 20, 2008 at 12:21 AM
Hannah and Dr. George went to my church, and then I got to know Hannah really well. She was a really nice girl, and I am sure I will miss her. My condolence is with her family, especially for Teresa. May God bless and be with you forever.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 6, 2008 at 03:33 PM
MY HEART GOES OUT TO THIS FAMILY FOR THE TERRIBLE LOSS THEY HAVE SUFFERED.HE TOOK CARE OF MY OWN DAD IN 1993.WE ARE NOT BODIES WITH SOULS...WE ARE SOULS WITH BODIES.MAY GOD BE WITH YOU THRU THIS TRYING TIME.
Posted by: nannyof8 on Dec 5, 2008 at 08:44 PM
My thoughts and prayers to Dr.Georges family, thanks to this talented surgeon and the Lord above I am alive and well today. I thank the Lord for sending Dr. George to me when I needed him and my heart breaks for his wife and family , may God be with you and give you strength.
Posted by: Jamie on Dec 5, 2008 at 08:28 PM
I worked with Dr George for 8 years at St. Mary's. Dr George was not only an excellent, caring surgeon, but he had a heart made of gold. Dr. George was there for me every single day when I needed to call him at him asking him about what to do with my Grandfather who was not doing well in another facility. Dr. George not only taught me about vascular surgery, he gave me the love that I have for doing vascukar surgery today. You will truly be missed, Dr. George, not only as a surgeon, but as a man with a heart filled with compassion and gold. Teresa, my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of your deepest and darkest sorrow. May God give you the strength and courage to carry on thru this tragic ordeal.
Posted by: Karen on Dec 5, 2008 at 06:48 PM
What a great loss for human kind here on earth. Dr George was an excellent surgeon I feel touched by God with a tremendous skill to help people. He preformed my moms heart surgery in 1998 and she recovered well. In 2000 as a student surgical tech, I had the honor to observe an open heart surgery with him. During his procedure he ask me if I had every touched a beating heart before and I replied by staing no. He then gave me the opportunity to do so. This was the most awesome experience I have ever had in my life. How many surgeons with all the stress they carry daily would ever give a student that opportunity. That speaks volumes to the type of man he was. For his wife I pray that God would wrap his loving arms around her and comfort her in the greatest loss she will ever endure. My prayers are with her.
Posted by: Rachel on Dec 5, 2008 at 04:33 PM
I became friends with Jeff when I worked at St. Mary's and when I left to relocate to Columbus we kept in touch. Dr. George was the definition of a truly amazing man. Despite his excellent surgical skills, truly caring bedside manner, and wonderful teaching approaches, he was a wonderful family man who loved and spoke of Hannah and Teresa proudly. The community has lost a great man. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife as she grieves for two of the most wonderful people I have ever met. Teresa you are in my prayers.
Posted by: ROSETTA (HILL) on Dec 5, 2008 at 04:08 PM
I ALSO WANTED TO SAY THAT AFTER DR GEORGE DID MY DADS HEART AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT IN 1993 THAT MY DAD WAS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR OVER 2 MONTHS AFTER BECAUSE HE LOST ALL OF HIS TOES AND ONE LEG DUE TO SEVERAL COMPLICATIONS AFTER SURGERY DR GEORGE WAS ALWAYS THERE FOR US. ONCE DURING THIS STAY THE LUNG DOCS TOLD US THAT WE SHOULD JUST TAKE DAD OFF THE BREATHING MACHINE BECAUSE HE WAS GOING TO DIE. WE CALLED DR GEORGE TO THE HOSPITAL TO TALK TO HIM BECAUSE HE WAS THE MAIN MAN. ALL SEVEN OF DADS KIDS WENT IN A ROOM WITH THE DOC. I ASK HIM 'IF THIS WERE YOUR DAD, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?; AND I QUOTE I WOULD GIVE HIM MORE TIME BECAUSE HE JUST HAD SURGERY 10 DAYS AGO. WE ALL AGREED TO KEEP THE MACHINE ON HIM AND WE WILL ALWAYS THANK DR GEORGE FOR THAT. MY DAD LIVED 12 YEARS AS A TRIPLE AMPUTE AND RAISED A ONE ACRE GARDEN FOR YEARS. MY DAD ONLY HAD ONE ARM ACCIDENTLY SHOT IT OFF ON A HUNTING TRIP AT THE AGE OF 15. GOD BLESS HIS WIFE AND FAMILY.
Posted by: maggie on Dec 5, 2008 at 12:28 PM
Oh my goodness! We have to lose our angels while the devils get to roam the earth. I dont believe anyone should have to die but why do killers and other evil people seem to get everything and such wonderful people have to leave the ones they love? What an awful thing to happein right before Christmas. God Bless the family. May they find comfort. My prayers are with them.
Posted by: P.J. on Dec 5, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Not only our community but the entire world has lost an irreplaceable person.My family mourns the loss of Dr. George and his beloved daughter as is they were our own. We became acquainted with Dr. George in 1992 when he saved our fathers life. Ever since then he has been our family. That's the way Dr. George made you feel, like family. God be with his wife and family and may they find comfort in knowing how many lives have forever been altered by the George family. Our love and prayers extended respectfully.
Posted by: Madison on Dec 5, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Hannah and I went to school together, and I just can't beleave that happened to her and her father. They didn't deserve that. I wish her mother the best, and i hope God is with her in this time. Even though Hannah and I didn't talk a lot she was always nice to me. I love and miss her very much.
Posted by: A mom of 3 on Dec 5, 2008 at 08:22 AM
Hannah George was a true sweetheart. She was always very polite and carried a smile with her at all times. My kids had the opportunity of playing with this wonderful child on many occassions. Those play times will be forever cherished. Ride your beautiful horse, Hannah,along the golden streets of Heaven. Your sweet spirit will forever live. I pray that God surrounds Teresa with his TOP angels and give her something to hold on to.
Posted by: Teresa on Dec 5, 2008 at 07:31 AM
I was so shocked and heartbroken to hear about Dr. George and Hannah. I used to work with him and he was not only an outstanding surgeon but an outstanding person as well. Dr. George was kind,witty,and always pleasant to work with. I am so sorry he and his daughter will be greatly missed.
Posted by: JUST3FRIENDS on Dec 4, 2008 at 11:16 PM
OUR PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS GO OUT TO DR GEORGES WIFE AND FAMILY DR GEORGE TOUCHED OUR FAMILY WHEN WE NEEDED HIM THE MOST. WE HAVE LOST A GREAT MAN AND DOCTOR REST IN PEACE DR GEORGE AND HANNAH WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU!
Posted by: Angel on Dec 4, 2008 at 09:43 PM
I have known the family for years and they were a great and loving family. They had the love that every family could only dream about. God Bless you Teresa. Jeff and Hannah was such good people. I dont know how you are going to cope with this. god will help you through this.
Posted by: sue on Dec 4, 2008 at 07:15 PM
Our thoughts are with his wife and family!
Posted by: Scared 4 Life on Dec 4, 2008 at 06:30 PM
I could not believe this when i woke up this morning and my husband told me about dr.george he was a kind dr. he helped the many dr.s that worked on my husband in 2006 at st.mary's hospital my husband would not be here..i send my condolences and smypathy to the family.he will be missed.
Posted by: Beth Ann on Dec 4, 2008 at 06:10 PM
Prayers are with the family.
Posted by: Lisa on Dec 4, 2008 at 04:53 PM
What a tragic loss to the medical field. Dr. George did surgery on me twice and sat down with me to make sure that I knew and understood everything that was going to happen with the surgery, and even with my third surgery(within a month)that his partner was going to do, not many dr.s do that anymore. He was a very kind and compassionate dr. And will be missed my many. My heart goes out to his wife and family, my thoughts and prayers too.
Posted by: Blessed to have woked with Dr. George, on Dec 4, 2008 at 04:12 PM
My heart and prays go out to his family. I had the privilege of working with Dr. George he was a wonderful surgeon. Dr. George was always wonderful to his patients and the staff working for him. Dr. George will always be remembered for his caring of people and the common respect he gave everyone he came in contact with. He will truly be missed by those who were privilege to work with him. All thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Posted by: Annonymous on Dec 4, 2008 at 03:13 PM
I was so devistated when I heard of this accident. I was blessed to have Dr. George operate on my daddy in 2006. I wasn't soon after he left the area . We could not have asked for a better doctor to perform my daddys open heart surgery. He was so down to earth talking with us & answering any question we had! Thank GOD for Dr. Jeffery George!
Posted by: Kelly on Dec 4, 2008 at 02:47 PM
Dr.George did open heart surgery on a dear friend of mime in june of 04. He not only done it well, He later saved his life when is was crashing on the unit after the 3rd day. He came right out of surgery to save my friend. He was an amazing man and Doctor. I wish his family and friends well and they will be in my prayers !
Posted by: Kim on Dec 4, 2008 at 02:02 PM
everyones comment is only about the DR what about his DAUGHTER???????? God bless his family>>>>>>>>
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 4, 2008 at 01:28 PM
This is truly tragic. Dr. George performed emergency surgery on my uncle several years ago and, with the Lord's guidance, saved his life. He was a very kind and compassionate man who will be missed. I'm sure his daughter was as kind and intelligent as he. My prayers to his widow and family.
Posted by: anonymous on Dec 4, 2008 at 01:22 PM
I KNEW JEFF FOR MANY YEARS AS A PARTNER,COLLEAGUE AND FRIEND.HANNAH WAS A LOVELY YOUNG LADY WHO ADORED HER FATHER.THEIR LOSS IS IMMEASURABLE,AS IS THE VOID IN MY HEART.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 4, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Dr. George was in my opion one of the greatest surgeons of our time. His compassion was remarkable. The class he gave to the profession will be missed. To his wife and family I am truly saddened by this terrible accident. I hope God will be with you in your time of greif. I can only imagen your loss at this time. Please know that we all are praying for you.
Posted by: Heart Patients Wife on Dec 4, 2008 at 11:59 AM
Oh my, I can see just from these posts here just how wonderful,kind,caring,thoughtful and generous (and the list goes on) this man really was,My heart,thoughts,prayers and condolences go out to the Great dr's family and friends as well as all of YOU who knew him professionally or otherwise,it touches YOUR lives as well in some form or another.. its all our great loss when we lose a Dr like Dr. George,they are truely one of a kind and very hard to find with kindness and compassion for his patients and families. He and his daughter will be GREATLY missed and May God bless those of you he touched and saved, as well as continue from above to help save those lives who need them..they make an awesome team..God & Dr.George..an unstoppable team!! You and your sweet daughter will deeply be missed and may God keep his wife and family and friends close and guide them to peace and ease their heavy hearts!!!!
Posted by: Eric on Dec 4, 2008 at 11:43 AM
I had the privilege of knowing Jeff as a tennis friend. He was a wonderful person -- a real gentleman. Of course, his brilliance as a surgeon goes without saying. He will be greatly missed, as will his daughter. All thoughts and prayers are with his family, especially his wife Teresa. I can't imagine what she must be going through.
Posted by: dd on Dec 4, 2008 at 11:34 AM
Such a sad day it is. My prayers are with his family. He was such an excellent surgeon as well as a wonderful person. For a 13-year old child to be taken away is such a uncomprehendible loss, also. I am in shock. May God surround all their families.
Posted by: Broken Heart on Dec 4, 2008 at 11:28 AM
Dr. George did surgery on my dad. He save his life. I'm so saddened by this tragic news. I will keep the family in my prayers. I'm so sorry for their loss. My sincere condolences to them.
Posted by: Rosetta on Dec 4, 2008 at 10:51 AM
Oh my LORD! He saved my dads life back in 1993 at St. Marys Hos. My dad had aortic valve replacement and two days later on a Mon. morning my dads heart stopped. Dr George shocked his heart fifty some times but he lived because of Dr. George and the good LORD. Dr. George didnt give up. I remember rushing to the hosp. and I saw an old model car parked at the front door of the Hosp. with the car running and the door left open and I found out later it was Dr. George's car. I saw him several times after Dads surgery and he was always very friendly. I baked cakes for his office staff and him and he sent me a nice letter once. My dads heart problem was a birth defect and I was told last week that I will have to have an arotic valve replaced in the next 5 to 10 years. I always said if I ever did I would travel to were Dr. George was so he could do it. I loved that mans skills, personality and the stong will he had to do his very best on everyone he took care of. God be the family.
Posted by: Pam on Dec 4, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Dr. George performed open heart surgery on my father 4 years ago this month and along with taking great care of my father, he was so kind to our family. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family as they deal with the loss of these two precious loved ones.
Posted by: OHIO on Dec 4, 2008 at 10:13 AM
Dr. Geroge was a very caring physician and a great person and truley remarkable surgeon. He did a quad bypass on one of my family members she coded twice while on the table he stated the whole time with her and sent his first asst. out to tell us what was going on the whole time. She is a live a well today because of his skills as a surgeon. We have lost a wonderful,remarable compassionate and caring surgeon.DR GEORGE WILL BE DEEPLY MISSED I'm praying for his family and sending my deepest condolences & sympathy to them. I am also sorry to hear about his daughter. If she was anything like him she would have been a great person just like him. I agree heaven has gained to two great angles. GOD BLESS THIS FAMILY....
Posted by: Bev on Dec 4, 2008 at 10:10 AM
This is such a horrendous loss for the medical profession. Dr.George was a very talented and caring man who went far beyond his duties as a surgeon. The added loss of his beautiful daughter just makes it more heart breaking. God be with his family.
Posted by: samantha on Dec 4, 2008 at 09:59 AM
If Doctor Jeff George's family is reading this, I just wanted to give my condolences to you. I know how it is to lose a family member in an accident. I am terribly sorry.. Thank-you for such a great job you did operating on my grandma after she had a life-threatening heart attack.. I appreciate all of your great doings and my prayers are with you.. My grandma never had another heart attack, stroke, or open-heart surgery after Dr. George operated on her.. Thank-you soo much!!! my condolences go to you..
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 4, 2008 at 09:56 AM
This is the saddest thing. My family owed so much to this wonderful physician. He did by-pass on both my mother and father and without him, our lives would have been so different. He saved the lives of many people over the years and the world will miss this man. My thoughts and prayers go out to his co-workers and to his family.
Posted by: Virginia on Dec 4, 2008 at 09:34 AM
I worked at St. Mary's when Dr. George first came to Huntington to practice. He was such a wonderful man and physician. My heart goes out to his wife. I can't imagine how devestating this must be. It's an incredible tragedy. My prayers are with his family and all those whose lives were touched by him.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 4, 2008 at 09:31 AM
Although I didn't know Dr. George, I'm praying for his family and sending my deepest condolences & sympathy to them I am so sorry to hear about him and his daughter My thoughts & prayers to his family Sounds like he was a wonderful doctor and person
Posted by: Pat on Dec 4, 2008 at 08:56 AM
Such a sad day! We have lost a wonderful and caring surgeon. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. Tell your family everyday how much you love them. You never know what lies ahead.
Posted by: Joanne on Dec 4, 2008 at 08:52 AM
Sincerest condolences to his family, friends, patients and the entire community. May the Lord look after and keep you.
Posted by: sarah on Dec 4, 2008 at 08:49 AM
I am devastated for his wife and family and my prayers go out to her.. I worked at St. marys on the cardiac unit where dr. george was a cardiac surgeon.. He was a great surgeon,and guy.. He also assisted in my father in laws surgery.. We loss, but heaven gained a great angels, with him and his daughter.. God bless his family
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 4, 2008 at 08:40 AM
I did not know the doctor, but it's obivous he touched alot of ppls lives in the tri-state. My heart & prayers go out to his family.
Posted by: Debbie on Dec 4, 2008 at 08:24 AM
I worked with Dr. George when he first moved here and he has operated on two of my friends, such a tragic loss.
Posted by: tim on Dec 4, 2008 at 08:20 AM
the loss of doctor jeffrey george is a great loss to our area and to this country. He was a truley remarkable surgeon. He did a three-way bypass on me in 2000. he was truley a remarable doctor who took time to go over everything with me and my family. he will be truley missed in his profession and the medical community.
Posted by: Craig on Dec 4, 2008 at 08:09 AM
Dr. George was a good man. My mother volunteered at St Marys for many years. This good doctor was so compassionate in his relationship with her and all who met him. God bless his family as we pray for them. What a tragedy and what a loss!
Posted by: Tammie on Dec 4, 2008 at 07:39 AM
What a huge loss. Dr. George was a kind and giving man and Hannah a beautiful, young lady. They will both be missed so much that words just cannot express. May God be with Theresa and the rest of the family and friends.
Posted by: Gail on Dec 4, 2008 at 07:18 AM
Dr. George was a very caring physician and a great person. We will pray for his family for the loss of two precious lives.
Posted by: SUE on Dec 4, 2008 at 04:17 AM
DR GEORGE WAS GREAT. HE DID MY MOMS CANCER SURGERY AND TOOK OUT HER ESOPHAGUS AND PUT PART OF HER STOMACH IN HER NECK. YEARS LATER I PASSED HIM IN THE HALL AT THE HOSPITAL AND I ASK HIM ABOUT MY MOM. HE SAID HE COULDNT DO ANYTHING AND STILL LOOKED AT HER FOOT THAT WAS TURNING BLACK. HE WAS SUCH A SMART CAREING DOCTOR.OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH HIS FAMILY.
Posted by: Christina on Dec 4, 2008 at 02:59 AM
It is sad to hear such a tragedy. He did my husbands Triple bypass surgery 8 yrs ago and did a great job to keep him alive. I only wish there was a way to keep him alive and his precious daughter. My heart goes out to the family. May God be with you.
Posted by: TAMMY on Dec 4, 2008 at 01:41 AM
DR GEORGE WILL BE DEEPLY MISSED I WAS A PATIENT OF HIS EIGHT YEARS AGO FOR LUNG CANCER AND CANCER FREE THE DAY I WAS RELEASE FROM THE HOSPITAL HE WAS A VERY GOOD DOCTOR HE WILL BE MISSED VERY MUCH HIS FAMILY WILL BE IN OUR THOUGHT AND PRAYER.
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  • Posted By: Fixed that for you: Any one who is paid by the general public, us, should have no problem taking urine tests. After all they are in the pubic debt for paying them. Its simple NO TEST, NO CHECK. This is not an attempt to violate rights, it is an attempt to enforce the publics right for our money to go to people in government and on welfare who can be TRUSTED.
  • Posted By: Chris to WSAZ: To all the workers and employees of WSAZ: Thank you for being there and allowing comments about the news.Our family watch only WSAZ news and enjoy each of you. I know that the recognition that you receive is little to none,but you deserve better.This goes out to the producers,cameramen,to everyone behind the scenes and the ones that are seen too. Thank you for having the best news program available to the public. God Bless Each and Everyone of You. Chris
  • Posted By: redbaron: in response to pablo on comment dated 01/06 - EXCUSE ME!! I do believe FIREFIGHTERS also risk their lives for total strangers and no they are NOT law enforcement!
  • Posted By: omg: I am so sick and tired of hearing how public school teachers are indebted to the public for their salary. Many of you are so freakin nosey that if your neighbor stopped too fast, you'd have to get a crane to remove your head from their rear. I am so tired of this drug test line. Teachers deserve to pee in peace and so do you. Why should teachers be forced to have their personal lives paraded all over the news? That is exactly what would happen. If a typical joe blow got fired from the coal mines for drugs, it wouldn't make front page news. A teacher being fired for drugs would. You people expect teachers to be the mother, father, grandparent, clergyman, counselor, as well as the teacher. You don't do anything with your kids but expect the teacher to fix all the problem you create. Some of them probably need drugs by the time they are done raising your spoiled kids who think the world owes them something on a silver platter. Take your own drug test before you get pregnant.
  • Posted By: Sophie: Re: The student (Hinzman?) being expelled for using foul language after being bullied & beaten on school grounds; you should not have been expelled for expressing your hurt, anger & disgust. You were a victim and did nothing. It is unreasonable to punish the victim - so what if he cussed - I'd cuss too if someone beat the beegeebers out of me. The kid who beat you should receive jail time & counciling; the kid who filmed you & released it on U-Tube should too. It has often been said that television is desensitizing our children so badly they have no empathy for others. This is a prime example. I hope the school board will have enough common sense to clear this victims school record of the incident as he should not have been expelled, and get him counciling also as such a trauma will surly have an effect on a young life.
  • Posted By: Boyd: Any one who is employed and gets paid by the general public, us, should have no problem taking urine tests. After all they are in the pubic debt for paying them for their work. Its simple NO TEST, NO JOB. This is not an attempt to violate rights, it is an attempt to enforce the publics right for federal, state and municipal employees who can be TRUSTED.
  • Posted By: George: As a parent I have no problem being drug tested. I'll stand in line right behind Katy.
  • Posted By: goodorbad: I look at it like this-if you dont have anything to hide, shut up and do the test!
  • Posted By: Rick: I think all teachers should be drug tested, I drive a transit bus for our county and I want the public to know I am drug free and teachers should want everyone to know the same, that their children are not in the care of people on drugs,if you have nothing to hide why object to random testing I know I don't
  • Posted By: Tea: I can't even imagine that our teachers have not been drug tested up until this time. Anyone who refuses should be fired. These are our children!!! People take drug test when they don't even work with people, let alone children. These are government jobs and we should have a say in what they have to do.
  • Posted By: Ari: Cheers to Rob-I feel ya!
  • Posted By: joe: I have worked for companies all over this nation and have had to take drug tests. Why should teachers be exempt from this practice? It is now common to be randomly tested(and I have been) so what makes a teacher any different than a steel worker. I can say proudly that I passed but I have seen those who didn't. They chose to use drugs and lost their jobs I didn't.
  • Posted By: Katy: As a teacher, I have no problem being randomly drug tested...as long as you agree to drug test the parents who enter the doors of my school as well. Most teachers deal with students who are exposed to/use more drugs and alcohol than any of the teachers. If these students or parents who are using drugs (and are not drug tested) enter our schools, the safety of the teachers and students are at risk. Since children spend more time with them, let's randomly drug test PARENTS, too!!!
  • Posted By: stephen: Why the heavy emphasis ont he damage to property and life Israel is doing . Where was the media uproar for years that Hamas was rocketing Israel irespective of innocent israelis.. Hamas is actualykilling their own citizens by firing rockets from UN schools and residents. Why does UN allow Hamas to use facilities for attacking Israel, then complain when Israel responds to protect their territory and citizens. Israel targets military targets, respons to from whence rockets or gun fire comes. What would we fire at if Huntington was attacked?Why does the media not put bla,e where balame belongs, and give moral support to the aggreived.What would America do if attacked? to whom would we listen? Russia, Saudi Arabia,Iran?.Media get REAL! Who has given Hamas and the Palestinians millions with which they could buy weapons---American taxpayers money!
  • Posted By: Robert: Although I feel for the employees that lost their positions at Cabell Huntington Hospital, at least more nurses were hired. I recently had a relative in the cardiac unit at Kings Daughters, in Ashland, and I was told that the nursing staff had been cut back and that no overtime was being given. This seems to be a drastic cut in patient care for a facility that spends thousands advertising that they are in the top 5% of cardiac hospitals in the country. I would be willing to wager that the Cleveland Clinic has not cut hours of those giving patient care.
  • Posted By: Boyd: If the state's budget is doing so well, why don't we use some of this money to help towns and cities in the state who are in trouble with their budget, or will this just become another pay raise for politicians?
  • Posted By: Rob: Why does everyone have to be so into using the term "racist" and have that kind of attitude. I know what my heritage is and who my ancestors were but you want to know what I consider myself? I AM AN AMERICAN! I was born and raised in this country and that's how I feel it should be. Born here, raised here.....then by God you are an American. Not an African American, not an Asian American etc. etc. You are an AMERICAN!
  • Posted By: Chris: To Ex-Officer: I agree with you 100% about the pay of police dept and the drug testing. I was formerly involved with the BCPD and had multiple ride alongs with the BCSO. I am probably one of their biggest critics due to having watch some of the bad side of the department for a long time. I wish that I could tell everything that I have seen officers do,which would put most of them behind bars or they'll lose their sheild, But retalliation is bad in our area. To the cops that do their job and do it with the best intentions, I proud of you and don't mean any disrespect. To the ones who I personally watch being more currupt then the "badguys" here,your day will be coming.
  • Posted By: Pablo: Teachers aren't the only ones underpaid. Law enforcement officers are underpaid also. And I'd like to speak about them. For example, I'm sure any parent would sacrifice their live for thier children. And several may give thier live to save their spouse. A few individuals may even do it for a close friend. But, I only know of 3 types of beings who will sacrifice thier lives for complete strangers; indeed even for people who hate them. The first would be our men and women in our armed forces. The second would be our law enforcement officers. And of course, third would be our Savior, Jesus Christ. Others are killed in the line of their employment, but not in order to save a complete stranger. Everytime a cop puts on his/her uniform, they can be a target for anyone upset about something. Even though it doesn't involve the cop personally, that very cop will give his life to save yours when a problem arises. We need to give our cops not only a wage, but a living wage and a great big THANKS.
  • Posted By: Craig: If what I am hearing is correct that Kanawha County teachers accepted a pay raise in return for submitting to drug testing, and then sued successfully so they do not have to be subject to testing, then why shouldn't we the taxpayers demand they return the raise?
  • Posted By: teresa: racist lmao i am one cherokee,german,irish,german,and who knows what else TIRED of hearing of racist comments u are either GOOD OR BAD k no skin color needed just evil or NOT
  • Posted By: Ex-Officer: I agree with Robert 100% I worked in law enforcement and loved the job but try to rise a family on less than 10.00 an hour (out of that pay for your own duty gear and gun). I believe that all public safety workers should be drug tested but i also believe that they should be paid for the job that they do. Not many people understand what a public safty worker goes through. Would you put your life on the line for this kind of pay? Remember the saying that you get what you pay for. I see this in several new officers in my area. Don't get me wrong there are still very good officers in law enforcement. Something really needs to be done about the low pay for these jobs.
  • Posted By: Garland: What's the difference between teachers and other workers(coal mineers, bus drivers, state employees,etc.)? Teachers aren't any better are they?
  • Posted By: : This is not a comment, but I would like comments on it please. What do you think of Poca High School? Racist or not?
  • Posted By: Robert: We the people, through our own self centeredness and apathy, have allowed our teachers and police officials to be some of the most underpaid people in the United States. We are trusting our childrens education and our public safety to the very people that are some of the most underpaid profesions in the U.S.. If I could change this, I would. However, I do believe that these people should be randomly drug tested. I work in the construction industry and I have no problem being drug tested. I have nothing to hide. I also believe that any person who is intrusted with the safety of others should have nothing to hide. This includes plitical officials up to and including the president.
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