April 2012
  • APril 30 late p  Kenton Leon “Kenny” Mosley, II, 54, see OBITUARY page
  • April 30 late p We corrected Mr Taylor's spelling.
  • April 30 late p  No updates until we get the next juicy Communicator out the door sometime Tuesday afternoon.
  • April 30 p Very Special Birthday Wishes to Rex Taylor of Harrision. Want to send a birthday card? Mail to 10845 Widen Ridge Rd Clay 25043
  • April 30 p  From the email bag: Lost  1 yr old female bluetick beagle from Hansford Fork. missing on Saturday, Reward for information regarding the disappearance and return.. 587-7998
  • April 30 p  REWARD   stolen craftsman weedeater with chainsaw end on it reward is $100 cash please call 1-3045874025 with any info you have.
  • April 30 a We're polishing off the month of April and getting ready for a new one. Yesterday evening a four wheeler wreck brought reality back to Spring. It makes sense to be careful.
  • April 30 a Several people are sending over events referencing facebook postings. Won't work. You have to email classifieds, events, and the like. Sorry
  • April 30 a Coming this week, CAEZ , Library , and Town Council meetings as well as the next edition of the Communicator. If  you didn't pick up a copy of the last edition, you should. This time around builds on the front page zoning coming our way article.
  • April 30 a  Nearly 300 people voted during the first three days of early voting now in progress at the Courthouse. Why take a chance on being sick, car breaking down, or worse on May 8th. Vote now Vote often.
  • April 27 p 52% of all registered voters are Demorats and that number is declining
  • April 27 p  29% of the voters are Republicrats and that number has increased just a tad since 2004.
  • April 27 p The big growth area is the number of those registering as Independents. That number has doubled during the last few years and now amounts to 17% of all West Virginia ballot markers.
  • April 27 p In this state, an Independent voter can ask for either a Demo or Repub ballot. For instance, in this Primary election, there are no choices for Republicrats to mark in this County.
  • April 27 p Have drugs you no longer use? Someone passed away and want a lawful way to dispose of their narcotics?     Saturday from 10 to 2, no questions asked, Drug Take Back Day in front of the Courthouse.
  • April 27 p There's plenty to do this weekend in Clayberry. Why not bring your tent and camp over at the JG Bradley Campground then take in some great things to do.
  • April 27 p There's still plenty of trout in Buffalo Creek and Lake Sampson.
  • April 27 p Tonight Paul Cottrell's bluegrass group will perform up at Big Otter Community Center
  • April 27 p Pig Roasts, Bingo, Yard Sales one every corner... Come visit the Great Nation of Clay this weekend.
  • April 27 p When Assessor candidate Peter Triplett made public that the current Assessor was planning to retire and had already purchased a retirement home down South, he created a nightmare for incumbent Teresa Lane.    With early voting in progress, Lane is trying comback efforts.
  • April 27 p Triplett, Lane,  and others have their vehicles covered with campaign signs and parked right in front of the Courthouse where early voting is now taking place.  Yesterday, Lane's vehicle was not there on Main Street.
  • April 27 p  Yesterday, Election officials received complaints on campaigning too close to a polling place. Violation?    No so according to the Sec of State's office. The law is black and white. Parking on the far side of a public roadway ain't no violation.
  • April 27 p  Also, all workers in the County Clerk's office wear polo shirts and T's embrodiered with the name of the office and their name. They've been doing that for quite some time.
  • April 27 p Calls went to Charleston that Triplett was campaigning inside the Courthouse by wearing the "company" shirt.   Trangression? No so according to the Gold Dome in Charleston
  • April 27 p Anonimous blogs like Topix offer nothing of substance. It appears the Lane encampment is now working the blog sphere in an attempt to take back some ground before the May 8th Pirimary Election.
  • April 27 p Election Season, a great time of year!
  • April 26 p Over 100 voters came up Wed for the first day of no excuse make your mark today voting.
  • April 26 p Have you? Why take a chance on getting sick and missing your chance to have a say in the future of Clayberry.
  • April 26 p Radio station came back on Thursday afternoon. Turns out the station manager over there didn't know what he was doing..... again.
  • April 26 p 10:35pm  Over in Maysel, Frontier DSL speed : 395 down and 59 up.
  • April 26 p   Word on the street has it that the Railroad group would be closing down their much needed campground over at Dundon.
  • April 26 p BC&G RR Co Op Prez Jerrold Murphy say, ain't so. True the caretaker is moving out this month but according to Mr Murphy: we can only say whether or not we will continue to subsidize the operation, and provide volunteer labor. So if it is to be closed May 1, I guess that would have to come from CAEZ, not from us.
  • April 26 p We're getting emails in support of the County Commission hiring an out of county applicant for the 911 Director job. The jest of em, we don't care where the employees come from , we just want quality folks running the ship.
  • April 26 p Always glad to receive emails and keep em comin'.
  • April 26 p On the topic of  Larry Darryl and Darryl trying to operate the election year folly...
  • April 26 p Some in the county have been quite verbose that if the dispatch center is moved to County Clay, we can do a better job. Currently, there are a couple well trained dispatchers on duty to serve us over in Nicholas County.
  • April 26 p Commissioner Linky has made it clear, when the  costly local center opens, they intend to operate with just one dispatcher on duty or at least until some law changes in 2013 forcing us to have two on duty. Let's see now, we have a brush fire, some one not breathing, and a Badge needing information... one dispatcher is going to go over reaaaaaaaaaaal well.
  • April 26 p In attempt to make the center look affordable, the least amount of equipment from the cheapest vendor with the fewest number of employees.
  • April 26 p Our guesstiment remains: the  Clay County 911 Dispatch Center will cost over $350,000 a year to operate (that's more than we bring in from voluntary fees on the telephone bills), and $1/2 million to set up the place.
  • April 26p Once again, from the git go, we're venturing into uncharted waters with the Caption of ship completely without ANY experience.
  • April 26 p That Captain of the ship is up for re election this time around and may not even be around to watch the bank account sink and new fees have to be added.
  • April 26p Who suffers, Yelp, the citizen's of this county. Last person out, turn off the light bulb.

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  • April 26 9am  Frontier DSL in Maysel 412 down and 234 up. Wow!
  • April 26 a 9:06 am, No Frontier DSL
  • April 26 a We get emails from clickers concerning the slow or no internet connectivity in County Clay compliments Frontier Tele Co. We approached Delegate Dave Walker about twisting the arm of SuddenLink  Cable Co to extend service throughout the county.
  • April 26 a After explaining that the Frontier issues are killing local businesses, Walker said he would get to work on the problem.
  • April 26 a Yesterday morning's County Commission was not the usual hide in the back done deal when it gets started, borin################

  • ls found out what the elected leaders were going to do.
  • April 26 a In addition to an awards ceremony for our two State Champion CHS wrestlers, Justin Triplett and Alex Suite, there were plenty of fireworks when locals protested the hiring Denver Brown , an out of county man, to fill the 911 Dispatch Center Director's job.
  • April 26 a Since Linky came up with the notion that this county could afford and manage it's own emergency dispatch service, Larry Darryl and Darryl have all three said, we're going to hire locals to fill the positions. Local jobs for the local economy was the battle dry from up front.
  • April 26 a Denver Brown was raised in this county and attended CHS. That was several years ago. Since then the guy moved to Kanawha County where he bought a home and holds a job.
  • April 26 a After the lad's name was made public yesterday those in the know questioned the now public decision. Truth is, our local country bumpkins had done their home work before hand and knew the guy's driver's license showed a Cooper's Creek Rd in Kanawha County address as did Kanawha County Assessor documents indicating  the home down there as a primary residence.
  • April 26 a During the warmed up discussions, Brown said he paid taxes here and still lives here.
  • April 26 a As far as we can tell, there are no Clay County property tax slips to confirm his statement.
  • April 26 a  Linky Poo told the crowd, "He's a Clay County Boy!!!" Other than Darryl and Darryl, no one was buying it.
  • April 26 a Additionally, there's salary problem. Ads for the job stated the pay scale would be $31,000 to $35,000. Mr Brown was hired at $38,000.  All kinds of red flags went up in the peanut gallery. Concerns came that had that new salary been advertised, others may have been interested in applying for the new job. No way came the reply from Linky. Our head leader said the pool of applicants was great and no other applicants were needed!
  • April 26  a After the CCC told Brown he had the job, he quit his Kanawha County position. THat was last week.
  • April 26 a  For those that don't know, all decisions made by the County Commission have to be made during a public meeting. The decision to hire was done secretly, without benefit of a public meeting setting, and without a meeting agenda. any one of those unlawful acts could be taken to Circuit Court and tossed .
  • April 26 a Brown might be a fine guy and make a great Director but when our local leadership says one thing, they're going to hire locals, and then does another, we see thru that right away and get steamed up a bunch.
  • April 26 a If that hire wasn't enough, the next hire on the agenda, this time a worker for the Clay Ambulance Service, yelp, another hire from out of county.
  • April 26 a After the meeting, one lady said she was going to get a Braxton County PO box number address so she could get hired in the Nation of Clay!
  • April 26 a For those wanting a job, see the JOBS page where Calhoun County is looking to hire dispatchers.
  • April 26 a Politicans seeking office don't want controversy just before an election.
  • April 26 a Commissioner Slinky ain't doing so well in that category. With our announcement that the CCC is quietly planning to implement zoning right after the Primary Election and now the hiring of out of county workers, Link's voter base is shrinking quickly.
  • April 26 a And boy, we hate that for the guy!
  • April 25 a There's a lot of problems in County Clay. From the inside out, it looks like we have plenty more than most other places
  • April 25 a The Communicator and this web site place the finger squarely on the backs of paid leadership.
  • April 25 a Whether it's the Commish Prez voting to add $12m in tax burden on private property owners, holding secret meetings, mismanaging our grant dollars to his own benefit, or now, hiring and paying outside his promises.....
  • April 25 a Whether it's the Sheriff using flawed judgment and high speed chases, handing out unlawful Christmas bonuses or being so careless that a bad guy drives away with a Blue Light Mobile....
  • April 25 a Whether it's the school system massaging performance into something its not....
  • April 25 Or the Assessor providing reduced assessment deals to some and leaving others high and dry while she and a Deputy Assessor campaign on company time down at the bus garage Monday morning.
  • April 25 a Today is the first day for voters to have their say.
  • April 25 a Today if the first day to vote early over at the Courthouse.
  • April 24 a Snow's gone and the sun's out. Delegate Dave Walker's latest Legislative Update column is now posted over on the ADVISORY page
  • April 24 a If you're looking for someone to cut grass or can do such work, email info today and we'll post over on the JOBS page
  • April 24 a County Commission meets Wed morning. With first word spreading that the CCC will soon consider zoning laws for this county and the recent hire of an out of county person for the 911 Director's position, sure to be  good meeting.
  • April 24 a As for zoning and the government's ability to tell you when, where, and what kind of improvements you can do on your own private property.... the average guy on the street doesn't understand the slippery slope of government regulation.
  • April 24 a Called a flood plain ordinance, it doesn't matter if you live on top of a mountain or creek side, the ordinance, zoning. applies to you.
  • April 24 a Calhoun county made the big mistake of implementing zoning in that county. Here's an online notice to Calhoun county taxpayers that lets them know, before you can do ANYTHING to your property, the government has to come and inspect what you're up to. Don't miss the part about paying a permit fee before electric can be even hooked up.
  • April 24 a Our local Commission under the current leadership is heading down that same path.
  • April 24 a We had to wait until 10:17 this morning to do a web post. Before then, Frontier's internet speed was all but none existent. At 10:17 this morning, the Maysel area was served with a blazing 380 kbps download and 112 up speed.
  • April 24 a With that up speed, adding pictures to this site is all but impossible.
  • April 24 a Come on SuddenLink!
  • April 23 p Commissioner Link's election year push has been the creation of a costly 911 Dispatch Center beside the Courthouse. The idea (no matter the cost) is to have a nice photo op before the May 8th election.
  • April 23 p From the get go, Team Link has said they want the center here to create local jobs. At several meetings Larry Darryl and Darryl proudly boosted that 4 or 5 full time jobs and many more part time Clayonians will be hired when the place is opened.
  • April 23 p Newspaper ads went out for the 911 Director's position. The listing provided job duties and top pay range.
  • April 23 p  Last week the CCC interviewed four candidates for the 911 Director's position. Those turned down, those that actually lived in Clayberry, were notified at the end of last week.
  • April 23 p Wed morning is the next County Commission meeting. The agenda calls for naming the successful applicant and announcing his salary.
  • April 23 p For those attending or otherwise, remember, the whole idea was to hire LOCALS, to boost the local economy, to keep the money in this county.
  • April 23 p IF the hire goes to an out of county person, that along with fingering $20,000 from the BDA for the 911 Center, and the upcoming county zoning  vote,   May 8th could be a reaal bad day for the Slinkmeister.
  • April 23 a  A bunch of Clayonians spent the last few days planting Spring> 
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    blaze Saturday with early planters buying up cold sensitive plants like peppers and tomato. Man oh man, the freshly turned dirt with brought green plants in nice neat rows, beautiful.
  • April 23 a Hanging baskets of colourful flowers were also scarfed up. Little ole ladies left and right wanted the fresh color as they rushed winter away for another year.
  • April 23 a Mother Nature doesn't get in a hurry clickers.
  • April 23 a Temps this morning around 34 and a dusting of wet ice and snow coupled with even lower temps expected tonight and more snow ....
  • April 23 a time to replant.  $$!!@##
  • April 22 p  Richard Elmer Paintiff, 86, of Duck, see OBITUARY page
  • April 22 p Click the weathercast button to the left. Snow is in the forecast.
  • April 21 late p How come that blankity blank guy doesn't update the website!!!!
  • April 21 late p The same reason many are suffering in the Frontier Tele Co service area!
  • April 21 late p At 8:50 tonight the download speed was 163 and up was 56/  At 9:15 pm Frontier provided a whopping fast 174 down and 57 up.
  • April 21 late p It felt like the passing lane on the interstate at 9:30pm when downloads raced along at 294 with uploads coming in at 82!
  • April 21 late p We do have some news. Word has it that SuddenLink cable company is building into the Town of Clay over thru Maysel and then headin' back down Rt 4 to complete the loop to Clendenin.
  • April 21 late p If that happens, it'll be a new day on Clayberry or at least part of Clayberry.
  • April 21 a With a hint of rain in the air, happy Saturday morning to each and all.
  • April 21 a Tonight Harold and Terri Allen are performing down at Taylor Books in Charleston as well as Landau Murphy over in Summersville. Enjoy Spring 2012. Get out and do something today.
  • April 21 a TV news crews were back in County Clay Friday. The center of attention was once again our always huggable, Top Badge.
  • April 21 a Look for the Sheriff to make a TV appearance on TV-13 Sunday morning during the Decision Maker show with Bray Cary.
  • April 21 a  For those wondering, the definition of Clodhopper is , a rude rustic fellow.
  • April 21 a On average, states that don’t levy personal income taxes had more job growth during the past decade than the national average.
  • April 21 a On this date in history, in 1910, Mark Twain died.
  • April2 1 a Twain: Be good and you will be lonesome
  • April 21 a Twain:   When we are young we generally estimate an opinion by the size of the person that holds it, but later we find that is an uncertain rule, for we realize that there are times when a hornet's opinion disturbs us more than an emperor's.
  • April 19 a Welcome to the 110th day of the year. 18 hours of a light drizzle yesterday is bringing out gardens and flowers. Great.
  • April 19 a It's also bringing up the weeds and God's smack to man, the lawn.
  • April 19 a What's going on in Clayberry? Today and tomorrow all the little teenyboppers are preparing for the Clay High Prom. In small town America, nails are being done, hair is getting styled, guys are trying to find something other than boots to wear with their Tux.
  • April 19 a Time to shine up the vehicle, figure out how to tie  a  necktie, and get someone to buy you a 12 pack for after prom action,
  • April 19 a Most kids have figured out, the WesTest thang, it doesn't affect them one bit and it's really just something the Pentagon worries about.  For all intent and purpose, school is over for students. It's time for field trips, movies, and screw off time.
  • April 19 a from the email bag: I was at the Huntington Band Festival today, and one or two of judges who had adjudicated at the Chapmanville Band Festival said both Clay High School and Clay Middle Schools were two of the best prepared bands that participated at the event.  Since I am a retired band director, and Clay is where I first started, it made me proud to hear those comments.  To the directors, and the band members,  I would like to say, Congratulations.  Getting one ratings is not easy, and takes a lot of dedication.  Keep up the good work!  Gerald Simmons, Hurricane, WV.  gerald.simmons@hotmail.com     PS:  If there are any Moore's, Griffiths, Rogers, Shamblins, Stalnakers, Simmons, or Jenkins in your bands, you are probably related to me.
  • April 19 a  from the email bag:  CONGRATULATIONS TO WESTLEY MULLENS  LIZEMORE FIREFIGHTER/EMT FOR BEING ACCEPTED TO WVU MEDICAL SCHOOL
  • April 19 a Farmer's Almanac: If everybody has their wisdom teeth yanked out, why do we have them in the first place?
  • April 19 a  Other than providing dentists and oral surgeons with a steady source of income, wisdom teeth are useless to us now, but our ancestors needed them. Primitive human beings ate meats so tough that the extra molars in the back of the mouth aided them in ripping and chewing the flesh. As humans evolved, our brains became larger (well, for most of us) and our face positions moved farther downward and inward. Our protruding jawbones moved backward, making the jaw itself shorter -- hence, no room for those back teeth! Most people's jaws no longer have the capacity to accommodate these teeth and, thank goodness, we don't need them for meat-eating.
  • April 19 a  Farmer's Almanac   if you cut your hair on a full Moon, your hair grows healthier and faster. Is this true?
  • April 19 a  According to folklore, if hair is cut during the Moon's waxing phase (between new and full), growth is encouraged. The opposite will occur if hair is cut during the waning phase (the day after the Moon is full to the day before it's new).
  • April 19 a On this date...   Born 1968: Ashley Judd (actress); Born 1979: Kate Hudson (actress); 1995: Oklahoma City bombing
  • April 19 a   1775: The American Revolution began with the first shot fired at Lexington (no one knows from which side). The "shot heard round the world" (a reference from Ralph Waldo Emerson's poem "The Concord Hymn") occurred at the North Bridge in Concord later that same day. It was the first exchange where colonial militiamen were ordered to fire upon British soldiers.
  • April 18 p   John Henry Ghee, 64, of Lizemores , see OBITUARY page
  • April 18 p   Does anybody else wonder, with all the new treatments, why is there more cancer today than 20 years ago?
  • April 18 p We might want to check what we rub, smear, spray, wipe on our bodies.
  • April 18 p It's called pinkwashing. That's a term used to describe companies that position themselves as leaders in the fight against breast cancer while engaging in practices that may be contributing to rising rates of the disease. We’ve all seen the beauty products dressed up with pink ribbons and cute promotions. Unfortunately, many of these same corporations continue to use chemicals that are linked to cancer. For instance Avon, Revlon and Estee Lauder.
  • April 18 p  Safe Cosmetics .org offers a list of common products we use and their troubling ingredients. Use the advanced search feature near the bottom of that page.
  • April 18 p Don't forget about the little snot lickers either.  Product tests released by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics in March 2009 found two chemicals linked to cancer, 1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde, in dozens of bath products for babies and kids, including Sesame Street character brands and even the iconic "pure and gentle" Johnson's Baby Shampoo. None of the products tested listed 1,4-dioxane or formaldehyde on the label. Two and a half years later, Johnson's Baby Shampoo is safer in some countries, but not everywhere. Our October 2011 analysis of this product in 13 countries found formaldehyde-releasing chemicals have been replaced in some parts of the world, but not in the U.S. or Canada, among others. For more push here.
  • April 18 a From the email bag:  the CCHS Concert Band received a "Superior" rating this year at the Region V Band Festival in Chapmanville.  They received straight 1's from each of the three judges scoring a perfect score on a scale of 1-5 (1best-5 worst). These students have something to proud of today!  Receiving a superior rating is equal to winning a regional or state championship in the world of music. It shows what our students are capable of doing at Clay High and I am very proud of them.      Brian Burge    CCHS Band Director

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    and now hiring. See JOBS page.
  • April 18 a This is the last day to apply for a Black Shirt job with the Poopster. See JOBS page now.
  • April 17 p Where do you get the real story on what's happening in County Clay? There's one source and that's the Communicator.
  • April 17 p The latest edition is now available on news stands around the region.
  • April 17 a Clay County Special Olympics will be held at Maysel Park today beginning at 9:30am.
  • April 17 a Sorry for the short notice, we just got the email last night.
  • April 16 late p  David Lonnie “Redneck” Douglas, 58, of Ivydale, see OBITUARY page
  • April 16 p New links added to the LINKS page
  • April 16 p Forgot to mention something in the morning post
  • April 16 p In addition to those mentioned, another group of folks were hard at this weekend (and last) fighting a brush fire on Elkhearst Road. Hot tough work and often not mentioned unless the fire is near your house, business, power pole or gas meter.
  • April 16 a Sch Board meets Tuesday at 6pm over at Clay High
  • April 16 a  Want sweeter onions?   If your onions are too strong and spicy, you haven't watered them enough. Don't be fooled by healthy-looking green stalks. The stalks will be green even if the onions are too dry. The secret to sweeter onions is water, water, water.
  • April 16 a  Can you use last season's seeds this year?    Sure, if they are not more than four to five years old. All the seeds might not germinate, but you'll have plenty that do. By contrast, pepper and corn seeds last only about two years.
  • April 16 a   PUZZLE:  I am a word of four letters; in me may be found a verb, an animal, a viscid liquid, a science, a conjunction, and a preposition.      Answer below.
  • April 16 a If you're waiting on local government to do good, you've been waiting 154 years and counting. Around Clayberry, it is always hard working volunteers who make it happen. For instance.....
  • April 16 a  In the Northern end of the county,  at the Big Otter Community Center, each Friday night volunteers open the doors for great music, food and dancing. Friday night was no exception.
  • April 16 a Also in the North, Big Otter Fire Dept volunteers put on a heck of a ramp feed Sunday afternoon in addition to protecting the citizens.
  • April 16 a Saturday morning a very small band of volunteers organized and ran the Lake Sampson Fishing Derby for the kids. With nice weather and plenty of freshly stocked trout, over 200 kids and parents enjoyed a morning at the lake. Best of all, every kid there received a nice gift of their choosing.
  • April 16 a Each year there's a ton of work done to the Little League Field at Dundon. This year new dugouts were built on the T Ball field as well as brand new fencing. Saturday afternoon teams from the county and region came to Dundon for opening day fun. Moms Dads, Grandparents working hard for the future of County Clay. Their continued efforts are often overlooked.
  • April 16 a Just think what it would be like if the County Commission invested in the volunteers that do the heavy lifting. Instead, Larry Darryl and Darryl continue robbing the piggy bank for costly election year antics.
  • April 16 a From the Farmer's Almanac: Where would one get a "kit and caboodle" and why would you want one?     The words "kit" and "caboodle" have Dutch origins. A "kit" was a tankard or drinking cup. A "boedel" was a general term used to mean one's property or household effects. Later, "kit" became synonymous with the pack of tools a soldier carried. "Boodle" became slang for money, especially tainted money. Various permutations of these two words evolved and now they are used together to indicate "a whole lot" or "everything and everyone."
  • April 16 a Puzzle answer:   Star - sat - rat - tar - art - as - at
  • April 16 a Communicator comes out Tuesday afternoon. No updates until we get that puppy to bed in the morning.
  • April 13 late p  Lose your dog? A brown long legged female with white feet and a white blaze on her chest ( Heck that sounds like a girl I use to know) found in the Hansford Fork area. 304 587 2242
  • April 13 a 27 degrees yesterday morning and 32 at 6:45 today. Brrrrr...
  • April 13 a Got some good news. After a long long absence, Bill Triplett and Big Otter Bluegrass returns to the Big Otter Community Center. Music starts at 7pm. Better come early , the place will be packed.
  • April 13 a That old lawnmower you say you're going to fix.... how about that broken table in need of repairs for the last 2 years .... or alasss a lack,  that favorite but broken drill, light, hammer, lawn chair.... it's time to toss em. Today and Saturday the Solid Waste Authority is holding the once a year, Get rid of the Junk days .  They're taking about anything but propane tanks. See EVENTS page for details.
  • April 13 a It's a full day of fun tomorrow when a hard working group of volunteers host the Youth Fishing Derby over at Lake Sampson followed by the Little League Season Opener over at Dundon Field.
  • April 13 a With the JG Bradley Campground open for business, it's a great time to come to Clayberry and spend a couple days.
  • April 13 a  Getting govt folks to communicate with taxpayers is a real problem in County Clay. For instance on Monday Queen Shoals PSD water service stopped in the Glen area. For well over a day and a half, the tank and lines were dry. During that time, no notice was provided customers.
  • April 13 a When service was finally restored, and crud was running thru the pipes, again, no notice, no boil water order was issued.
  • April 13  a   With many elderly and sick people in the service area, safety should always be priority one. It ain't for customers of Queen Shoals PSD.WV Water Company down in Charleston provides the wet stuff for QSPSD.
  • April 13 a  Yesterday we posted on the top secret behind the scenes County Commission meeting held two weeks ago where new flood plain maps were received and first talks were held to implement zoning in Clay County. We put the monkey squarely on the back of the Commission Prez Slinky who when asked, refused to even acknowledge the unlawful meeting was held.
  • April 13 a Expect first official word of the plan to come right AFTER the May 8th Election. When you see Slinky out on the campaign trail, you might want to ask why he's so secret about zoning and more important, back on March 17th 2007, where over 300 showed up to a public hearing to say no to zoning (flood plain ordinance) law and what part of NO did he not hear?
  • April 13 a After yesterday's post, emails came explaining that zoning regs are on the books around the country and may even help grow an area.
  • April 13 a Regs are important just not these. Here's what they amount to...
  • April 13 a If implemented, you will have to get a permit before starting any repairs around the house or property. For those living in flood plain areas, and that's a bunch of us, the govt will tell you what you can do with your own property and whether you can add that outhouse, garage, porch, and more.
  • April 13 a  During the last effort for a flood plain ordinance in 2007, it came to light, the govt would have mandated that some houses and trailers would have to be moved or put up on stilts before ANY addition could be built.
  • April 13 a Private, heavily taxed, and then the taxers tell you what you can do with it.
  • April l 13 a Zoning is not for everybody.
  • April 13 a Before you vote, be sure to ask Linky if he supports flood plain ordinance zoning.
  • April 12 a The two states with the highest rates of teen pregnancies are Mississippi and New Mexico.  Neither state requires that sex ed be taught in schools.  Mississippi law stipulates that when sexual education is taught, that abstinence be the main method of contraception proscribed. 37 states currently mandate that all sex education include information on abstinence, 26 of whom insist that abstinence be taught as the main method of pregnancy prevention. More here.
  • April 12 a The local radio station is doing something interesting tonight. They're holding their monthly Board meeting live and on air. Listen in beginning at 6pm. Talk about transparency!
  • April 12 a  And now the other extreme.
  • April 12 a  Back in 2007, Big Suits from Charleston came to Clayberry and told the County Commission that this county MUST vote in a New Flood Plain Ordinance (FPO). The guy all but said the world will end without implementing "zoning" in County Clay.
  • April 12 a At first the County Commission seemed in favor of such restrictions on use of private property. Only after public hearings in March of 2007 and outcries to "hang the bums" did the CCC rethink their stance and vote against zoning in Clayberry.
  • April 12 a If implemented, before you could add on to your house, build a porch, add an out building or about anything, the taxpayer would have to submit to a permitting process where the govt would tell you where and IF you could make improvements to your own property.
  • April 12 a One other thing, that permit would have a direct route to the Assessor's office where added taxation would be applied to your annual burden.
  • April 12 a Back in 2007, after around 300 showed up for two public hearings, most thought the CCC had learned their lesson, the people had spoke, and the issue was dead.
  • April 12 a Wrong O Clayberry.
  • April 12 a Two weeks ago, a quorum of the County Commission met with FEMA officials to accept new flood plain maps and hear the opening volley of new Flood Plain Ordinance rules they want voted into law for this county.
  • April 12 a It's coming clickers and it's all hush hush.
  • April 12 a Anytime there's a quorum of the CCC and they're discussing something that will be voted on, that a meeting and requires public notice via a posted agenda. They didn't.
  • April 12 a The secret meeting included invites to Town leaders who will be forced into voting to approve more restrictive private land use regs if the county does such.
  • April 12 a Yesterday, during the Commission meeting, one guy asked Linky about the hush hush meeting and to please bring the public up to date on what's going on in secret.
  • April 12 a  Up for reelection next month, Commission Prez Jerry Linky Poo was not willing to say one word about  the back door approach to zoning. His terse reply was " I don't have anything."
  • April 12 a Nip it Nip It at the Bud!!
  • April 12 a   It's very important to keep everything away from the public, the voters, until after the May 8th contest.   With campaign season in full bloom and the incumbent candidate poised for another 6 year term in office, it might be a good time to ask Linky about keeping such an issue under  wraps and how he plans to vote on limiting land owner rights.
  • April 12 a  More Coming as we get it.
  • April 11 a The 2012 Apple Festival gang has a new video ready for your viewing and listening pleasure.
  • April 11    7:03 am  It's spitting snow in Clayberry ##!!!***
  • April 10 p County Commission meets Wed morning. A look at the agenda doesn't reveal much in the way ot excitement. Still, you never know and it might be worth a trip into town for a watch see.
  • April 10 p As a matter of fact, it's pretty quiet in Clayberry right now. As ole timers say, it's quit before a storm. Maybe that's what's happening right now
  • April 10 p Friday is the first day of the annual get rid of the junk days sponsored by the Solid Waste Authority. Here's your chance to clean out that back closet, back room, barn, yard and for that matter that pile of junk down the road.
  • April 10 p Start stacking your junk now but remember, you can't take it over to Pierson's until Friday morning.
  • April 10 p FYI Clay Roane PSD is talking rate increase time. Their next meeting is Thursday evening, 6:30pm, at the Procious Wa Wa Plant.
  • April 10 Roadside vendor Karen Pringle, The Ramp Lady, returns to sell ramps Wed as you head into downtown Clay.
  • April 10 a Referencing yesterday morning's notice of the CCC misappropriating $20,000 earmarked for BDA use.....
  • April 10 a for govt., $20,000 isn't much money. Those guys have a lot more zeros than us on the outside. The problem is, trust and ethics.
  • April 10 a When you have a Commissioner say there wouldn't be a problem if the news doesn't pick up on the funds walking from one account to another, well ....  there's the real problem.
  • April 10 a One time Boardster Mike Boggs has a lawsuit against the BDA. In his Court case, Boggs contends that the BDA doesn't have good record keeping, they don't keep track of where the $$$ goes and receipts to prove it.
  • April 10 a  Here's one more example of what Boggs is talking about.
  • April 10 a Fran King wrote the grant for the $20,0000 five years ago. Her, the intent of the BDA, was very clear. The idea was and still is a good idea of providing a leadership person with professional office space to conduct business.
  • April 10 a Norman Johnson and family have operated Country Short Stop for years. Located in the middle of the thriving Harrison community, Johnson is the go to man for Stihl weed whackers, chain saws and repairs.
  • April 10 a  A few weeks back we heard thru the grapevine than due to family illness, the Short Stop would be closing.
  • April 10 a Here's the good and OFFICIAL news. They ain't. Mr Johnson let us know, there may be some slow down in getting repairs completed, but the business would remain up and running.
  • April 10 a There's a local business that the county really needs and we're glad to here they're staying.
  • April 10 a  The BDA leases the old State Road garage from the DOH. For about three years, in that building, there has been a fledgling auction business. It was a good idea and a great location for an "incubator" for growth.
  • April 10 a  Unfortunately the current operator walked out on the BDA leaving behind $1000 in past due bills as she left the county. That's the bad.
  • April 10 a Clayberry is still in need of an attraction like a professionally run, once a week, auction house. How about you? Why not give it a try? If you don't, then the BDA is going to come up with some dumb bunny notion for the building and waste all that space. Call BDA Chair Tommy Fitzwater and EcoDev head honcho Amanda Moore at the Courthouse
  • April 9 p Well Tenders, Grass Cutters, Tree Cutters Needed, Bodywork, and Deputy jobs, all over on the JOBS page now.
  • April 9 a The good, bad, and the ugly
  • April 9 a THE GOOD. Last week a group of volunteers showed their worth by continuing efforts to grow trout fishing in Clayberry. The Buffalo Creek Watershed group added 600 pounds of monster trout to the now cleaned up tributary of the Elk where 100s of folks have enjoyed the hard work with smiles and family time. Growing thru tourism, that's good.
  • April 9 a Volunteers raising Lizemore FD funds thru hot dog sales; The Communicator working to improve the county with a voters registration drive; volunteers cleaning up roadways by picking up trash; all for the good.
  • April 9 a THE BAD    Last Thursday during the BDA meeting, Boardster Mike Evans brought to the forefront a question on what happened to a $20,000 BDA grant that was suppose to be used to build a structure to house the county's Economic Development Director. During the discussion, it came to light that the $20,000 was formally redirected for the purchase of office equipment (computers, file cabinets, desks, chairs, phones, supplies, projectors, and such) via a change of scope process.
  • April 9 a In attendance, County Commissioner Mike Pierson, told the group, instead of the BDA properly using the $20,000, the County Commission took the $$$ and redirected it to their pie in the sky, pet project, the located next door Jerry Slinky Judicial Annex building and 911 Center.
  • April 9 a  With Pierson saying there was no chance the BDA would get the money back, eyebrows went up over the real possibility that the BDA (and the county) getting in deep stuff over misappropriation of funds. Pierson, said not to worry unless some media outlet made such unlawful actions public.
  • April 9 a THE UGLY   With the cost of goods increasing daily, every govt agency and non profit group in the county needs additional funding. The first line for such funding is the County Commission.  More often than not the Commission, Larry Darryl and Darryl,  have enough coal severance $$$ stashed away to keep worthwhile projects and needs, up and running.
  • April 9 a For instance the Library is in need of a fire alarm system and soon, roof replacement. When asked by the Library Manager, Linky said no, end of subject. For the Library to receive state funding matches for operations, local govt agencies including the County Commission are needed to cough up dollars. Last year and again this year, those hard to get state tax dollars are , will be, returned, due to the CCC not stepping up to the plate and providing those local funds.
  • April 9 a That's just one example. Commish Prez Slinky has told others (decisions made away from the public meeting setting), don't even ask, No.
  • April 9 a  Why? Much of the local dollars have been diverted or are being saved for the election year folly, the Clay 911 Dispatch Center. County programs suffering while the guy up for reelection waves a great big smile around the Courthouse for his project. Now that's REAL UGLY.
  • April 9 a On this date in history:
  • April 9 a Died 2004: Harry Babbitt (sang with the Kay Kyser big band on such hits as "The White Cliffs of Dover" and voiced the laugh of Woody Woodpecker)
  • April 9 a 1962: Golfer Arnold Palmer won his third Masters Tournament
  • April 9 a Born 1926: Hugh Hefner (editor & publisher); Born 1932: Carl Perkins (musician)
  • April 9 a  1865: Confederate general Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union general Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, ending U.S. Civil War
  • April 8 2012  Delbert W. Murphy, 88, of Maysel, see OBITUARY page
  • April 6 a Greeting World and beyond. Weathercasters are calling for the next three days to be filled with bright sunshine and temps in the 60's. It's a great time to visit County Clay.
  • April 6 a For kids, this is the first day for Spring break. For teachers, it a screw off day at school and the last one before a week off. For govt workers, it's a day off work and time for some fun.
  • April 6 a Tonight County Line will be performing at Big Otter Community Center.
  • April 6 a Yard sales on every corner beginning today
  • April 6 a  Hot Dog and Voter Registration drive Saturday from 10 to 5
  • April 6 a 600 pounds of trout coming to Buffalo Creek plus a tagged fish tournement too
  • April 6 a How can it get any better this? Well....
  • April 6 a Ramps are up and ready for digging
  • April 6 a The bright sun will pull up even more Molly Moochers by Saturday afternoon
  • April 6 a It's important to have a home grown Legislative Delegation. Here's an example
  • April 6 a  Delegate Dave Walker read yesterday morning's post where we raised concerns over the Hartland Bridge replacement project's slow pace... zero pace
  • April 6 a He went to work on the phone
  • April 6 a By Thursday afternoon at 4pm, he had answers. According to Walker and after talking to a Big Suit at the Highways department:  the bridge is still top priority; there was a delay renewing Corp of Engineer permits; there's still a rough edge in acquiring nearby (needed for construction) heirship property; bids should go out in April; and construction is still slated for May.
  • April 6 a How's that for answers!
  • April 6 a Delegate Walker added, got any other questions, just call him at 304 548 6765
  • April 5 a Our Business Development Authority, the BDA meets this afternoon at 5:30 in the County Commission room at the Courthouse
  • April 5 a If you're wondering what teachers, janitors, and School Superintendents earn in this county, the entire list is in the current edition of The Communicator
  • April 5 a How about some updates from Tuesday evening's CAEZ meeting....
  • April 5 a  How about that long wanted and stalled sewer system over at the Campground, according to CAEZ Director Connie Lupardus, "Every time we turn around, there's something else." Translation: Still stalled.
  • April 5 a How about the Hartland Bridge?  That's the span that's nearly 100 years old and serves the only part of the county with manufacturing jobs. Just before Christmas, Clay leaders met down in Charleston with State Road Suits where they reported bids would be accepted in March 2012 with construction getting underway in July.
  • April 5 a During the CAEZ meeting, questions came on the much needed project being stalled again. No firm answers but sure that ain't been any bidding that we know of.
  • April 5 a Our guess, those Charleston Suits told us what we wanted to hear just to get us back in the outback and placid for a few more months.
  • April 5 a And wa wa. Red Derring runs a PSD over in Nicholas County. He's also a CAEZ Boardster of long tenure.  According to Red, his PSD continues to expand including $$$ for a Phase III project which  extends greater service capacity into Clayberry.
  • April 5 a That capacity could feed all of County Clay. That's an organized PSD providing a dependable service and will soon be available for our citizens. That's something to think about as the stalled for 17 months Town of Clay Wa Wa plant project lingers in Court.
  • April 5 a  Remember Red? He's the guy that came to a County Commission meeting 15 years ago offering to supply this county with the wet stuff. Back then our County Commission replied in a terse way, We ain't interested Buddy!
  • April 5 a Red's still supplying water while we drink frog pee.
  • April 4 p O Gene King is sporting great big blue spots and scratches all over his forehead. Before anybody gets the notion that Helen put the whammy on him, she didn't. Gene says he was chasing a cat in the basement and clunked his head on a 2 by 6.
  • April 4 p The floor joist survived the bashing.
  • April 4 p There's a big trout tournament this Saturday on Buffalo Creek. The first ever fun time is a fundraiser for the Buffalo Creek Watershed Assoc. EVENTS page for details.
  • April 4 p Before you head to some side road or creek bank, save that junk until next weekend when the Solid Waster Authority is hosting their annual Recycling Days over at Pierson Lumber. They're taking about anything and everything including household trash.. that's anything and everything but propane tanks.
  • April 4 a  It took us a while but The Communicator made it to news stands across the region Tuesday afternoon. Lead story is an in-depth look at the latest class of indictees by the Spring Grand Jury plus all the mind numbing antics we call life in the Great Nation of Clay
  • April 4 a More this afternoon
  • April 2 p People complain about how things are in Clayberry. We finger the blame mostly on our elected and appointed officials. One way to make change is to attend public meetings. Nothing scares leaders more than to have voters watching them.
  • April 2 p  There's plenty of public offerings this week.
  • April 2 p Tonight the School Board meets at the Pentagon beginning at 6pm. Their meeting agenda is posted online.
  • April 2 p Big mix of offerings the first Tuesday of each month when the CAEZ meets twice, 4 and again at 6pm. In between is Town Council which gets underway at 5pm.
  • April 2 p  In addition to official insight, never know what may happen in always beautiful Clayberry.
  • April 2 p Communicator arrives Tuesday afternoon. Lead story covers the details from the Spring Grand Jury. And Yes, there will be plenty on our Top Badge.
  • April 2 p Few if any updates until we get the county's only locally owned and operated newspaper out the door .
  • April 2 a  Dennie “Boots” VanMeter, 84, of Bentree, see OBITUARY page
  • April 2 a Want to be Badge? See JOBS page today.
  • April a With an agenda properly posted, it was unbelievable. Last night elected and appointed officials from across the county met at the Courthouse to plan out the future of Clayberry. During the gathering....
  • April 1 a The County Commission apologized for spending all their time improving Courthouse facilities and pledged to redirect their efforts to improving County Clay including South of the Hartland bridge.
  • April 1 a The Pentagon folks asked for forgiveness for recently passing a new Excess Levy on the backs of the poorest in the county. To make up for their efforts, RB and Kenneth both promised to stop wasting money and apply some of the $$$ to actually improving education!
  • April a CHS's Director Ron Sirk felt moved and resigned from the AD perch making way for new leadership.
  • April 1 a  Town Council walked in lockstep as they pledged to actually improve the municipality with new sidewalks, flower pots, benches, potted trees, and attractive signs.
  • April 1 a Parks and Rec's Don Jarvis jumped on the band wagon and said from now on, the ball field up at Maysel Park will be unlocked so Dad's can take kids up there to practice hitting and catching.
  • April 1 a Seeing the winds shifting, Boardsters from the CAEZ gulped and added, they will immediately set up committees that actually meet and accomplish goals for Clayberry.
  • April 1 And the long misguided BDA group stood and recommitted to growing at least one job in the county of little.
  • April
  • April

  • April a  April Fool's Day