Non profit Elk River Trails Foundation is an independent, advisory only group made up of volunteers from Kanawaha, Clay and Braxton Counties. Behind the scene, the Foundation has worked to grow good stuff along ERT State Park. Examples include the purchase of the old Newt Bragg house in Dundon and establishing Clendenin as a hub for the trail. As far as we know, most of their meetings have been held in Clendenin since inception a couple years ago.
  Somehow, someway, we got wind that the group was going to meet in Clayberry in the BDA building in beautiful Two Run. That word came just minutes before the assembly. Hot diggity dog! Something new to attend.
  On July 28th at 6:30pm, Boardsters arrived. They were just returning from their holding over at Dundon, the Newt Bragg house. Inside the room were 12 in attendance and another 4 or 5 participating via ZOOM conference calling service.
  Ken Tawney handled the MC duties. Next to Tawney was our own Mitch Deboard who serves as a VP.
  Money wise, don't think the group is rich in coin. In the Foundation's general account, there's just $12K. In a separate "dedicated" account, there's another $75K or so.
  Much time was spent discussing an upcoming fund raiser to be held in the Fall down in Clendenin. Craft beer, chili cook off, and live music are the centerpiece of the mid day festival. Much of the group was all hyped up on the event. As for details, flyers, radio spots, brochures, we haven't seen any here in County Clay. It appears that the Foundation thinks using social media is good enough to make everything work.
  A discussion came on that problem. Mr Tawney: we're just getting started, there's a bunch of stuff that needs done, PR is one of those things, and truth is, we don't have the manpower to get it all done.
  A bunch of us know the evil of social media and refuse to participate. That leaves most of us out of what sounds like a darn good time next month.
  Before the blow out news, some tidbits
  The contractor working to restore the old BC&G RR tracks is in  need of a cheap way to get rid of the old railroad ties; Fran King suggested "chipping" the wood and then using it along the tracks as weed deterrent; the CCHS shop class will board up the old Newt Bragg house to keep vandals away; George Workman volunteered to brush hog the yard around the house; and, a the new State Park maintenance building in Pisgah will not have public restrooms.
   Speaking of pinching a loaf, plans are still in the works to have four outdoor facilities along the trail. Nothing yet, but sounded like, sanitary outdoor facilities are coming.
   ERT State Park will have it's first full time Park Superintendent in place this Sept.
  For the last 27 years of this newspaper's existence, we thought, Clayberry had a lock on dysfunctional meetings and clandestine operations. We were wrong.
  The Foundation is a round table of many professionals with a common goal. During this meeting, there was much in the way of sidebar conversations and jumping from one topic to another at a moment's notice. As for the clandestine part, the organization has an executive committee that meets away from the main Board and handles many decisions on their own. We have found, during our time on the job, those executive groups often leave their full Boards in the dark.
   OK, now for the lead in to the big blow out announcement, some background.
   28 years ago when the Business Development Authority first organized, they came up with two focus points. A committee was formed to study building a steam engine rail ride to grow tourism. Second, the BDA set up a committee to expand river access points along the Elk. The access points (4) were established. As for the train ride, that notion was poo pooed due to liability issues with steam boilers blowing up.
  23 years ago, Roger Nutter with the BC&G RR Co Op went to the CAEZ and sought help with growing a train ride on the old spur line. During that public meeting, Frank Jorgenson provided info to the CAEZ and Co-Op along the lines of: running a steam engine along side hikers, that's  a dangerous no no.
  Seven years ago, that same Frank Jorgenson brought pretty maps and reports on growing a train ride up Buffalo and a hiking trail along the Elk from Gilmer Station down to the Charleston Farmer's Market.
  Most of us have known for decades, tourism is the only good future for Clayberry. There have been many stumbles along the way.
  More recently the Jorgenson plan has gained traction and the State has gotten on board with the long skinny hiking trail. Two months ago, W Va State Parks took over ownership and operation of the Elk River Trail State Park.
  We now have about 32 miles of a smooth coated path for hikers, bicyclers, horseback riders and horses pulling carts. In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, stats show, over 22,000 people used ERTS. That's lots of new $$$ coming into our local economy
   FEMA funding to the tune of $5.7M arrived for repairs to the BC&G RR spur line which was damaged during the June 2016 Great Wash Out. The contract calls for the repairs to be completed in 300 days.
  In each and every report, public statement, and pr piece, it has been very clear, no motorized vehicles would be allowed on ERTS. In big bold print, emphasis was put on, NO ATVs allowed... period. Something about Federal railroad law makes such a real no no.
  Many in this county have watched the Hatfield McCoy trail grow 10 fold. Real money is rolling in around that nationally known ATV trail. Our local folks think a hiking trail sucks for dead air with no viable future for our economy.
  For those that live along ERTS or own property along it, those folks have been pee'd off from first mention. Many of em have used the RR rights of way for decades to get to their homes and camps. Others they have used the rights of way to ride four wheelers for fun. Change is something that doesn't come easy in these parts. During the last four weeks, there has been a growing chorus of: the hiking trail sucks, it will never work, and and and, we want access to our land. While those people's needs are important, from the git go, they have NEVER had a right to drive on the railroad's property. Never.
  Here comes the blow out readers....
  During the July 28th Foundation meeting, Frank Jorgenson said: we will provide vehicular access to land owners in the Queen Shoals and Camp Creek neighborhoods of County Clay along ERTS.
  There was silence.
  Gulp!
  Everything changed with that one sentence from the Head Honcho of the Railroad.
  So shocking was the statement, the about face, one guy in the room asked, "Is this official?"
  Jorgenson reiterated, vehicular access WILL be provided, and "It will be done".
  Gulp again!
   Think about it
   Granny holds a big Turkey Day dinner and 20 vehicles or more show up to bite the bird.
   "Vehicular" traffic would have to include ATVs.
   If the variant of use applies for Queen Shoals and Camp Creek, how about the rest of ERTS.
   So... someone sets up a business along ERTS, can delivery trucks use the gravel topped path to bring in weekly supplies?
   If this new admission holds true, the peace and serenity of ERTS will be all gone as well as our tourism based economy. Someone once told the Ace Cub Reporter, County Clay could screw up an anvil. We might be seeing that adage once again.
   It's a sad day for Clayberry.
AW