JANURARY 2004 NEWS
Jan 31 am Even with the temperature
hovering at 12 degrees, over 150 folks came out for last night's Music
Extravaganza at the High School. Mo Truman and friends put on one heck
of a fine show.
Jan 31 am Keep up on Girl's B Ball
news over on our ADVISORY page.
terday two more candidates filed for the
Sheriff's race. Get this both are Jim Paxtons. One Jim is retired Deputy
Jim Paxton and the other is Veronica Butcher's son, Jim Paxton . With 11
now running for one spot, should be a dandy May primary.
Jan 31 am This is it clickers. Tonight
at midnight is the deadline for filing for Election 2004. Want to have
a voice in your child's education? We still need several more candidates
for the School Board race.
Jan 31 am The Queen Shoals Boil
Water Order from Dec 17th has finally been lifted.
Jan 31 am A kindergarten pupil
told his teacher he'd found a cat, but it was dead. "How do you know that
the cat was dead?" she asked her pupil. "Because I pissed in its ear and
it didn't move," answered the child innocently. You did WHAT ? !
?" the teacher exclaimed in surprise. "You know," explained
the boy, "I leaned over and went 'Pssst!' and it
didn't move."
Jan 30 am At 4:45 am the calls went
out, Clay County Schools will be operating on a 2 hour delay. Around
6:45 am the sound that every kid loves to hear: Clay
County Schools will be closed Friday Jan 30th. Go back to bed.
Jan 30 am Tonight Mo Truman
performs at Clay High. Bring the family or come alone, no one should miss
this show. Details on EVENTS page.
Jan 30 am Last night didn't
go so well for the Lady Panthers. Not so for the Middle School teams. See
ADVISORY page for the Lady Mustang's win. Clay Middle's JV squeaked past
Spencer 13 to 16 while CMS Varsity hot dogged it all the way to a
54 to 19 victory.
Jan 30 am If you're thinking about
running for office. It's time to stop thinking and get over to the Courthouse.
Last day to file for office is Saturday night at midnight. With just a
handful running for school board, it's time to get off your duff and make
a difference in Clayberry. And you Republicans... pitiful!. Just Dave Mullins
running for office? Get with it you bunch of pukes. Run for office!!!!!!!!!!!
Jan 30 am Thanks for the emails.
Answer to Thursday's election question... Randy Schoonover ran on
the Republican ticket and lost in the General election to Joyce Gibson
in t he Assessor race.
Jan 30 am Earnie Sirk had
a plan. Get enough signatures and call a special general membership meeting
of the Clay Development Corp to force CDC to comply with their own nepotism
policy. Translation: Employee of the corporation should NOT be on the committee
that votes in their own policies and governing Board of Directors. Nice
plan, but Sirk may be trumped.
Jan 30 am When Sirk went over to
the CDC office Wed with his signed petition in hand, CDC employees had
already set up their very own little special meeting for this coming Monday
Feb. 2 at 11 am. Get it? CDC employees could NOT take a chance on
outsiders ( that's Sirk and others) messing in their own little nest. The
Family run agency plans to once again throw off the general members they
don't like and the general members that ask too many questions.
Jan 30 am And the Sheriff's race
is starting to heat up a tad with candidate Mathew Bragg slurring candidate
Hunt's name. As soon as he heard about the smear, Roger Hunt called up
Bragg and cautioned the young Bragg, you start slinging mud, and there's
plenty to sling right back at you pal!!!!!!
Jan 30 am So who is Superintendent
Link going to appoint Monday night to fill Scott Legg's position on the
School Board? Greg Gency? Maybe his employer, the Clayberry Bank doesn't
want him running for office.... Others have spoke up and said they would
like to be appointed to the School Board. Who? Lynn Drake and Denise Taylor
for sure. Could Link's choice be Ric Tanner? Keep in mind, who ever
is appointed to the Board Monday night will be faced with the vote on where
to locate the new consolidated school. What ever the vote and where ever
the school, lots of voters will be peed off.
Jan 30 am How many men does
it take to open a beer? None. It should be opened by the time
she brings it.
Jan 30 am Why do women
have smaller feet than men? It's one of those "evolutionary things"
that allows them to stand closer to the kitchen sink.
Jan 30 am Scientist
have discovered a food that diminishes a woman's sex drive by 99%.
It's called a wedding cake
Jan 30 am How do you know when a
woman is about to say something smart? When she starts her sentence with
"A man once told me ..."
Jan 30 am Why do men
die before their wives? They want to.
Jan 29 am We had several clickers
correctly guess the answer to yesterday's question. Yelp, it was Johnny
Wooofter who ran for Sheriff in '68 and garnered just 58 votes and in 1980
grabbed just 40 votes.
Jan 29 am Here's another election
question? In the mid 1970's ( '76 I think), ex Senator Randy Schoonover
ran for Clay County Assessor. What political party was he affiliated with
back then? Use the email link below for response.
Jan 29 am Great big Happy
Faces to all the Ivydale A Honor Role recipients: Diana Dubites, Monica
Duffield, Morgan Bass, Tyler Tanner, Samantha Murphy and Ashley McCracken,
Rachael Sweeney, Michael Conn, Josh Edgar, Ashley Lambey, Brittany Schwartz,
and Jason Brown
Jan 29 am CMS Coach Shawn Krajeski
has some interesting thoughts over on our ADVISORY page. Well worth the
walk.
Jan 29 am Our Southern border
colony of Clendenin made the news a year back when the mayor ( Queenie
we called her) went against a Circuit Court order banning radar guns in
her metro. She's gone but Cop troubles aren't.
Jan 29 am New Mayor Donna Gillenwater
seems to be earning her place in Clendenin history. Gillenwater hired two
untrained cops without consulting the Police Commissioner or Town Council.
According to state code, the Mayor can only hire a Chief of Police. Since
the two were hired a few weeks back, resignations have been flowing in.
Half the Council, then the Police Commissioner , then the street department
and most recently, the town's only trained police officers, Jason Crane
and Lonnie Thomas.
Jan 29 am So who are those two new
untrained recruits causing such a stir? Jamie Sams and Zack Conrad. Recognize
the names? Jamie is the son of Clay County Commissioner Jimmy Sams and
Zack is the son of two term Clay County Sheriff Larry Conrad. Commissioner
Sams and family have several businesses in the Clendenin area.
Jan 29 am Some folks say Earnie
Sirk is the laziest thing on earth. No so if yesterday's efforts are counted!
Sirk was seen working, yes even walking the streets of Clay for most
of the morning when the temps were in the 20 degree range. It appears Wide
Glide's mission was to gather enough CDC by law mandated signatures to
force a general membership meeting of that oh so private social service
provider, Clay Development Corporation, (CDC). No word yet on whether he
succeeded.
Jan 29 am We're getting down
to the wire clickers. Midnight this Saturday is the deadline to file for
office. So far, we have no one running for the County Surveyor and
incumbents Judy Moore & Mike Asbury have no challengers. With four
seats open on the school board and only 8 folks trying for the spots, we
could sure use about 10 more candidates. Cost to file for school board?
Just $25. Word on the street has it that Greg Gency is being courted
to join the school board ranks.
Jan 29 am Have you had your
teeth cleaned and x-rays taken in the last 6 months? Did you know you can
have it done for free at the WV University of Technology's Dental Clinic
at Montgomery? Beginning again this month, Tech's dental hygiene students
will clean and x-ray your teeth. Basic cleaning and other preventive treatments
are offered, and x-rays are available to take to your dentist if treatment
is needed. There are no eligibility or income requirements, just call 304-442-3345
to schedule an appointment. Not only will you benefit, students have the
opportunity to get their training and experience they need. Certifiied
dentists are instructors and there are 18 chairs available for patients.
Students will begin offering their services again the 3rd week in January.
Call now to schedule an appointment
Jan 28 pm Brrrrrrrrrrrrr .. Even
with the sun poking through the clouds, man it's cold outside this afternoon.
Maybe it was the cold weather last night, our Clay High Girls B Ballers
fell to the Braxton Lady Eagles 56 to 39.
Jan 28 pm Carolyn Rogers is co owner
of Town and Country Restaurant in Clay. A few weeks back she was arrested
for having a Virginia license plate on the vehicle she drives daily. When
Rogers refused to sign the ticket, Officer Delk handcuffed her and took
her off to Magistrate Court land. The middle aged wrong doer says she ain't
guilty, that the truck ain't hers and instead belongs to her daughter in
VA who also pays the insurance and such. That ticket and case is now working
its way through Magistrate Court.
Jan 28 pm Three days ago, Ms Rogers
asked the County Commission to investigate Officer Delk. That, she felt
since he got kicked out of the State Police Academy, he should be considered
unfit for Deputy duties. That was Monday around 11 am. Here's the new twist.
Jan 28 pm Right after asking for
the investigation and while driving the two blocks back to her eatery,
Deputy Belt gave her another ticket for the same thing. Rogers felt
the second ticket for the same thing and the thing already in the court
system was harassment. One note in passing, a witness to the ticket writing
told Belt he should be wearing his seatbelt. The law is the law you know!
Jan 28 5
am Clay County Schools will be on a 2 Hour Delay this morning. Go back
to bed !
Jan 28 am And the winds howled,
the shutters rattled all thru the night. Winter is here. Greetings
there WV PSC clickers. Glad you stopped by the site.
Jan 28 am Here's a question
for all you long time Clayberry election watchers. Who ran for Sheriff
in 1968 and got 58 votes? The same guy ran again in 1980 and received 444
votes. Hint: the guy still runs around Clay on a daily basis and
some folks (MK for instance) says the guy got in trouble during his
military service days because his spear wasn't shiny enough. Email your
answer using the link below.
Jan 28 am In the latest edition
of the Communicator, buried somewhere in the juice, is mention of Clay
Roane coming out of secret session, telling the peanut gallery no decisions
were made and in the same breath, mention that the twice a month PSD meetings
had been reduced to once a month. Doesn't that sound like a Hmmmmmmmmmm......
Jan 28 am Word came yesterday, the
twice a month meeting schedule would continue as normal until the Board
voted otherwise. Sure sounds like someone put the word to our $100 per
meeting Boardsters, there are rules they must follow. Isn't that refreshing
Jan 28 am And in passing, there's
water leak near Ovapa.
Jan 28 am Just a few years back
the Town of Clay leadership haphazardly got involved with the building
of a high dollar sewer treatment plant. In Nov. 2003, Mr. Elk River washed
away much of the bank separating the poop factory from the Elk. Monday
evening another 6 feet slipped toward the mighty Elk. Will get pictures
today and post late Wed evening. Of course some around the town replied
to the news with, " Good riddance!"
Jan 28 am Our school system has
plans to build a consolidated school in the Northern end of the county
to replace Ivydale and Valley Fork schools. They found what they claimed
to be a perfect site on Murphy's Fork in Big Otter. Locals in the Ivydale
area ( not wanting to loose a neighborhood school) found a better, cheaper,
close to home location with the Billy Boggs land. The two communities drew
battle lines. School Superintendent Link was in a pinch. That was before
this week.
Jan 28 am Word on the street has
it another site has been selected. This new site is located just before
the Big Otter FD building , where the old silo stands and is part of the
Dice Boggs estate. The most notable feature remembered by locals?, the
place floods at least once a year. The deal: $150,000.00 for five acres
and another 5 acres will be donated, 10 acres total. Of course none of
this has been made public during School Board meetings as is the norm for
Link land. Now let's see now, BOTH Ivydale and Valley Fork
kids will loose a local school and both groups have to travel over curvy
hillside roads. Sounds like a plan to us!
Jan 28 am OK clickers, time to come
to the rescue of Earnie Sirk. Ole Wide Glide is ready to mount a coup within
the Clay Development Corp. (CDC) stockade. Sirk wants to call a Special
session of the CDC General Membership Committee to make changes within
the social service agency based on the recent court battle and Judge's
decision. If you are a general member of the CDC and interested in seeing
improvements, please call the lardy TODAY at 304 286-3312. If he's taking
his afternoon nap, he has caller id and will call you back.
Jan 28 am For the most current account
of what happened Sept 11 on board Flight 11 click MACE
and KNIVES
Jan 28 am And did the US know
Saddamn had destroyed the biological weapon stock piles? click THE
LATEST for words from former Chief weapons inspector David Kay
Jan 27 pm Some call this pneumonia
weather. Others just call it screwy. Just the ice covered roadways away
Clayberry forcing school closings. By Monday afternoon, the sun was out
and temps were near 50 degrees. This morning the drizzle set in and predictions
call for more ice and light snow. Be real careful out there clickers
Jan 27 pm Talk about a crappy thing
to do... Early Saturday morning thieves stole 30 prize rabbits from Dave
Derby's place in Clay. Dave and family were inside asleep when the the
animals were scarfed up.
Jan 27 pm We've got another sign
up for Election 2004, Charlie Vance for the School Board District C.
With 10 already in the Sheriff's race, we've got a rumor that retired Chief
Deputy Jim Paxton is considering a bid for the office. With 10 already
in and maybe a couple more in the wings ready to jump into the political
limelight, the race is a toss up. Anyone could come out on top.
Jan 27 pm Yesterday's County Commission
meeting was noteworthy. County Commission gave their blessings on WV Water
coming into the county and giving assistance to Queen Shoals PSD with with
much needed operation and maintenance needs. The deal calls for WV Water
to provide immediate help and for the international conglomerate to study
a total package which includes taking over the entire system. Some call
WV Water Co that German corporation coming in here to steal our water.
More realistic Clayonians see an operating for safe affordable drinking
water.
Jan 27 pm Affordable? I thought
WV Water was charging high rates in WV. Answer: Yes!, BUT here in the land
of dumbarss, Queen Shoal PSD, Clay Roane PSD and Clay County PSDs ALL have
much higher water rates. 28% higher as a matter of fact.
Jan 27 pm Also during the CCC time,
local Carolyn Rogers asked that s Sheriff Deputy Kevin Delk be investigation.
Rogers was recently handcuffed and arrested for not having a valid WV license
plate on a truck she was driving. According to Rogers, the vehicle is owned
by her daughter who resides in Virginia.
Jan 27 pm Remember when Barbara
Schamberger sued the County Commission last year? When they appointed Daniel
Grindo to the Prosecutor's vacancy? According to Commissioner Sams, Judge
Wilson ruled in the CCC's favor, the elected ones did NOT violate state
open meetings as Schamberger contended. And the cost to tax payers? $16,000
in attorney fees. Back during the appointment process, Mathew Bragg was
outspoken. Bragg contended that it would be cheaper to hold an election
($10,000) for the vacancy instead of appointing Grindo and the almost for
sure lawsuit. For once Bragg was right.
Jan 27 pm You can tell it's
an eleaction year, wanta be politicios are showing up at public meetings.
Yesterday Republican Sheriff candidate Dave Mullins and CCC candidate Brian
Holcomb attended the CCC get together.
Jan 26 am As of last night, Clay
County Schools are operating on a 2 hour delay Monday. For the latest in
school closing info, go to the state schools web site. Click SCHOOL
DELAYS to see em all.
Jan 26 am If you dare to get out
on the highways, there's stuff to see today. This At 10 is the County Commission
meeting at the Courthouse. There's several interesting topics to be covered.
Fred Sampson is to speak on the newly rethunk County Land Use Plan; Reps
from Queen Shoals PSD are to ask the CCC to allow WV Water to operate their
water system; a peed off Carolyn Rogers plans to tell the elected ones
about the actions of a deputy sheriff, our guess is Deputy Delk; Gail Rogers
will speak on Economic Development for the county.
Jan 26 am Last week our three blind
mice headed to Charleston to ask for emergency funding for Queen Shoals
PSD. Here's an interesting note. 11 months ago when Clay Roane PSD eagerly
took over Queen Shoals, QSPSD owed them about $12,000. Three weeks ago,
it was announced that debt was down to $300.00. Last week when QSPSD was
taking their system back from Clay Roane PSD, that debt had jumped back
up to almost $9000.00
Jan 26 am This afternoon Clay County
Communications, WYAP radio station holds its monthly Board meeting at Two
Run. That's 1 pm and the world's invited.
Jan 26 am There's a real nice job
opening over on the CLASSIFIED page for a live in caretaker at the Carbide
Camp.
Jan 26 am Big Otter Fire Dept.
is selling green reflective house number signs that attach to roadside
mail box posts. $15 gets you looking good and easy to find. Full Info over
on the EVENTS page.
Jan 25 pm For the week that was....
Three items of note. Tuesday night during the School Board meeting, as
Scott Legg was resigning, awards were giving out. Lots of pictures and
smiles from ear to ear. another photo op for the powers that be. That was
Tuesday. By Thursday, the Charleston Gazette released new findings on our
WV school systems. Once again the truth made the front page, Clay County
along with a hand full of others local systems were listed in the sub par
performance category. Despite the staged photo ops, the truth was once
again front page news, our kids are getting a sub standard education
Jan 25 pm This second week of ELECTION
2004 brought out even more candidates for office. The election process
is in full swing with 10 candidates in the Sheriff race. With jim Samples
in the Prosecutor's race along with Wayne King, the test will be: Our Clay
County voters ready for a new face and a fresh start for Clayberry. The
face of the School Board may be changed this year as incumbents RB Legg
and Gene King are up for the nod plus two the seats held by Fran King and
Scott Legg. Four of the five slots are available for the taking. Perennial
Sheriff Randy Holcomb emailed us and asked that we not refer to him by
his nickname, Poopy.
Jan 25 pm Although elections are
important and lots of fun, the more important item from the past week.....
WV American Water. Our pathetic, elected and appointed local leaders have
allowed millions of dollars in grants and loans for water line and extension
projects to lay in a drawer for 6 years. Now there is a major change clickers.
One of the first decisions of the newly formed Queen Shoals PSD was to
invite WV Water to come into the county and see what the mega giant could
do for the Southern end of the county, Glen, Bomont, Queen Shoals. Big
cheese Dan Bikerton attended a public meeting and his words were
hopeful. There may be a way 145 local customers could benefit from the
outside help. It's a new day for Queen Shoals and as Lizemores, Bickmore,
and others find out about this promising avenue, they too may hop on the
WV Water band wagon and finally see clean descent potable water for their
homes in this decade.
Jan 25 am As the week ended, Clay
Middle School B Ballers took a thumping from Ripley as the Clay High girls
continued winning as they put it all over Calhoun on the 23rd.
Jan 24 am The Communicator is out
and about.... for the most part. We were late getting the thing put together
and the delivery lady was NOT able to get to all the distributors ( 5 counties)
before they closed Friday night. That'll be completed by early afternoon
today. 20 pages this time around!
Jan 24 am We're trying to
give a little more coverage to sports this year. The Lady Panthers continue
to kick butt. Latest write up on the triumph over Calhoun can be found
on the ADVISORY page as well as a few pics. Enjoy
Jan 24 am We don't know of any new
filings for elected office from Friday
Jan 24 am With reports of a major
winter storm coming our way, Clayberry goes wild. It's almost like, we've
never had now before. Check the forecast and keep an eyeball toward the
window. This was one could be the season's best.
Jan 24 am Earnie Sirk
has a way of getting around. After being reinstated by Judge Alsop to the
Clay Development Corp (CDC) general membership role two weeks ago, the
Two Run Senior Center Nutrition Site gave him the green light to represent
Clay County on the 5 county Multi Cap Board of Directors in Charleston.
Jan 24 am Need a puter? Got a new
listing over on the CLASSIFIED page.
Jan 24 am THERE WAS A LITTLE
GIRL who had a little curl! Right in the middle of her forehead
And when she was good, She was very, very good But when she
was bad she got a Fur coat, jewels, and a sports car.
Jan 23 am Last night around 11:30
Superintendent Link could be heard over the scanner, well, the wind chill
is suppose to be 5 below zero, It's your call.
Jan 23 am Ten minutes later the
teachers were notified: CLAY COUNTY SCHOOLS WILL BE
ON A TWO HOUR DELAY FRIDAY MORNING.
Jan 23 am To check out other school
closings and two hour delays, hop over to the State Ed web site, click
I'm
walking, Yes in deed, I'm walking...
Jan 23 am And who would of
believed it, Scott Legg and Buckshot Butcher have both filed for the Sheriff's
race. Let's see now, that's Gibson, Morris, Poopy, Butcher, Bragg,
Hunt, Legg, Mullins, Triplett and Boggs.. that's ten so far for one job
and there's still over a week left to file
Jan 23 am Making the school board
race a little more interesting, Dave Derby filed for a District B opening
against Gene King. We've got five so far for four openings. Come on clickers,
call someone, get them to run for public office.
Jan 23 am Even more better, Clay
County's own Jim Samples put his name in the Prosecutor's race. Samples
once ran the ambulance service followed by Clay Primary Care before heading
off to law school. Now if we could just get Schamberger to run too
Jan 23 am Full details on Election
2004 in today's Communicator.
Jan 23 am Last night during the
Solid Waste Authority Dawn Whiteley received a 2 buck on the hour pay increase.
Jan 23 am And another dandy Clay
Roane PSD meeting was held last night. Get this, Queen Shoals PSD plans
to have WV Water come in and run the system for them. Imagine that, a company
with money, management experience, and trained people coming into this
county to provide quality water. Nayyyyyy, it'll never happen. We don't
deserve it. Full details in t he county's only source for news and views.
the Communicator should be on the news stands around 4pm this afternoon.
Jan 23 am And boy did we make a
boo boo. Two weeks ago we reported WV Water charges 46.23 for 4500 gallons
of water. That $46.23 includes a Kanawha County add on fee. Those nasty
big boys in Charleston are making water for 28% less than we can. Thanks
for WV Water's Dan Bickerton for correcting us.
Jan 22 am Two weeks ago Earnie "Wide
Glide" Sirk won his court case with the Judge ordering Clay Development
Corp to reinstate his General Membership position. Since then Sirk
has asked for a copy of who's on the General Membership and
Board of Directors. As of Wed Jan 21st at noon, his request has gone unanswered.
Wonder what the wide one is up to? We'll have the details in Friday's Communicator.
Jan 22 am It's be official this
morning, Town Chief of Police Buckshot Butcher will file for the Sheriff's
race. If there anyone left in the county not running for the 4 your $39,000
job? As of 2:30 yesterday, Scott Legg has NOT filed. With Scott Legg resigning
from the School Board Tuesday night ( District B), long time District A
Boardster Gene King could file. He did just that yesterday. Gene has been
living in District B for over a number of years while illegally representing
District A.
Jan 22 am Tonight at 6, the Clay
County Solid Waste Authority meets in regular session. Listed on the menu
, a secret session to discuss employee matters. At 7 Clay Roane PSD meets
at the CDC building on Main Street. Come up clickers , bring some hot chocolate
and have some fun.
Jan 22 am During last week's Special
Clay Roane meeting, a torqued up Chair said she was going to sue the Communicator
if they printed one mealy mouth word in the paper. Two days ago Postelwait
( so that's how you spell it) called an apologized. She said she was under
a lot of tension and the stressed just popped out.
Jan 22 am So what are PSD rules?
What does the WV Public Service Commission say about: Your water meter
not registering accurately and you demanding it be tested ( section 6.5);
What quality of water do they have to provide (section 5.9); Do they have
to keep a record of complaints (section 4.5c); all the official definitions;
Can a fire department demand a fire hydrant be installed (section 4.1.h)
Just click this INFO
LINK and take a good long read or download it for future reference.
(thanks MH)
Jan 21 am Hello JTB down in Summers
County. Good morning.
Jan 21 am The Communicator comes
out this Friday. If you want an event or classified listed, email the info
before Thursday at 5pm.
Jan 21 am Last night Clay Middle
School played hard and with good ball handling, kept well ahead of Walton.
Final 35 to 29. Tonight Clay High takes on Calhoun ( away game).
Jan 21 am During last night's School
Board meeting, Kim Sams was named to replace resigned Fran King. Scott
Legg bailed out last night and plans to run for Sheriff. The Board did
not vote on a location for the new consolidated school yesterday. It appears
they are leaning toward the Big Otter site, Murphy's Fork. Mention made
that the State Road gang may pay to widen the access road to the site.
Seems the powers that be have been working behind the scenes to secure
the project.
Jan 21 am Just four year's ago the
Business Development Authority was interested in the same and the state
officials said $3 million would be needed to do the widening and
the money was not available from state coffers. Maybe it was just who was
doing the asking.
Jan 21 am What's for Supper? For
the kids today, spaghetti, roll, salad and milk. Yum Yummm
Jan 20 am Clay County Schools were
put on a 2 hour delay last night at 9:45. Check your Charleston radio stations
for the latest updates. And man it's chilly outside!
Jan 20 am Tonight is the big School
Board meeting. Who will replace resigned Fran King? Is Scott Legg resigning
to run for Sheriff. Will King's replacement be put on the Board before
the vote to purchase Billy Boggs land for the new consolidated school?
Will Link and gang go out on the limb and poo poo Boggs' offer to sell
9 acres of prime real estate cheap? We'll post as soon as we know.
Jan 20 am If you're tired
of business as usual in Clayberry, get off your duff and go file for office!
Now is the time! For instance, there are for sure 3 openings in the school
board race, Gene King, Fran King, and RB Legg. If Scott resigns, that makes
4 openings. Two elections back we had 14 people running for school board.
If that happens this time around, we could have 4 brand new boardsters.
Wouldn't that be refreshing.
Jan 19 9:45pm
Clay County Schools were placed on a 2 hour delay!! Check Charleston
radio stations for further updates as the snow howls!
Jan 19 am Over on the ADVISORY
page is the write up on Saturday's Lady Panther game. If others want to
email over sports stuff, we'll create a home page button. Let us know clickers
if you're interested in a lucrative career in spending a bunch of time
writing sports stories without compensation.
Jan 19 am Back in Dec Elk Power
asked for a rate increase. Here's the latest from the WV Public Service
Commission web site: 03-1901-E-30D ELK POWER
COMPANY DATE OF ORDER: 12/18/03
ORDER THAT THE STAFF MOTION FOR ADDITIONAL TIME TO FILE ITS FINAL STAFF
RECOMMENDATION IS GRANTED IN PART SO THAT STAFF IS REQUIRED TO FILE ITS
FINAL RECOMMENDATION BY JANUARY 16, 2004; ETC.
Jan 19 am Normally our weekend wrap
up comes on Saturday. We got side tracked so on this holiday Monday, the
week that was... Last Monday politicians and want a politicians lined up
to file for office. Election 2004 was off and running. By week's end, the
Sheriff's race was packed with 8 contestants. With Wayne King on the ballot
for Prosecutor, the coffee house crowd joked: If he gets elected, the county
will have to raise their fire insurance coverage!
Jan 19 am By Tuesday, property owner
Billy Boggs put it in writing: School Board, if you want my 9 acres for
the new consolidated Ivy Fork school, you got to tell me by Jan 20th or
the price doubles.
Jan 19 am Wednesday evening during
his speech before the Legislature, Gov Wise echoed words locals have known
for years, school consolidation sucks and kids are on buses way to long.
Even as Bob proclamied the end of consolidation, Clay County plows ahead
to close two community schools.
Jan 19 am During a Special Clay
Roane PSD meeting, the Chair massaged wording and got away from the truth.
Only after a Punkineer spoke up did the truth come out, the most recent
water outage in the Queen Shoals water system was a result of operators
NOT checking the storage tank. Just after the meeting of Clay Roane PSD
Chair Melissa Poeseswaist threatened a lawsuit if a local reporter repeated
what was said during the public meeting. With threat in hand, we responded.
Possewaist had made the full circle from concerned community activist to
consumant payday chomping at the public trough, government as usual, insider.
Jan 19 am Word came Friday that
we had reached another milestone in Dubbya's war to control oil reserves
belonging to another, we lost our 500th soldier in war. Thousands more
lay in hospitals horribly disabled and disfigured.
Jan 19 am Here in Clayberry, Friday
evening, shots were fired on Red Bud Road as a Chevy truck with three young
men inside bee lined it back to Murder Mountain with Deputies, green shirts
and one civilian in pursuit. According to Tommy Young Sr., local deputies
shot out the rear window of his red Chevy pick em up. Young Sr cried foul,....
again.
Jan 19 am Word spread quickly that
the State Road had agreed to pay to widen the road to a proposed consolidated
school site on Murphy's Fork. We asked around and found no one willing
to confirm the $3 million road widening project. With rumors in hand, Valley
Forkettes smiled as their preferred school site was again on the table.
Jan 19 am As Clay High girls put
it all over Richwood, the weather changed and by Sunday mid day, snow had
returned to the County of Clay. Over the scanner, call after call of vehicles
in the ditch and damaged. For the most Sunday, Clayberry stayed home, watched
the boob tube, and kept the stove stoked.
Jan 18 am Doesn't it seem like Jan
1 was just a day or so ago. We're over half way thru the month.
Jan 18 am Congratulations to Tony
and Connie Myers. Just married yesterday
Jan 18 am Saturday afternoon Clay
High Girls' Lady Panthers put it all over Richwood, 71 to 34. Megan Cole
was high, reaaaaal high scorer with 35!
Jan 18 am Go this from the Humane
Society: LOST 3-4 mo. old, f, Black Lab mix. Has toes on all 4 feet,
and also white toes. Answers to Emmalee, and has been missing for over
a week. If found please call 286-2502 or 651-2501.
J an 18 am Usually about now we
provide a weekend update. We're postponing that for now. Friday evening
scanner listeners were treated to some kind of shooting out Murder Mountain.
Over the scanner came names, Ronnie Summers, Tommy Young Jr. , something
about a red Chevy pick up with three occupants, and something about shooting
the lock off a gate. Police went to work.
Jan 18 am We spoke with Tommy
Young Sr Saturday afternoon. From Tommy Sr comes this info: Around 1 am
Saturday morning a state trooper, Deputies Rider, Belt and a civilian were
on his property at Murder Mountain. Rider prevented Young Sr from getting
close to the other cops and the civilian. Just away from Sr.'s home was
the red Chevy pickup and the youthfuls including Tommy Jr. were no where
to be found. Sr confirmed that Jr. had been driving a red Chevy on Red
Bud Road. It gets a little confusing clickers, but it sounded like Jr.
confirmed shooting at a deer after dark and when a cruiser drove past,
the boys skidaddled on down the road.
Jan 18 am Here's the interesting
part, according to Tommy Young Sr., the cops used a shogun to blast out
the rear window of the parked truck. The Cops! Sr talked to Sheriff
Fields Saturday who told him his deputies would not do such actions. Sr
contacted the State Police to investigate the alleged actions of the Black
Shirts only to be told, that wouldn't happen. Sr is once again crying foul
and police harassment.
Jan 18 am As of 3:30pm, and according
to Young Sr., no charges have been filed against his son, and there hasn't
been a police report on the charge that local law enforcement used a shotgun
to blast out the rear window and windshield of his truck.
Jan 18 am So how can anyone
tell the shotgun blasts came after the truck had been parked and the kids
long gone? The glass damage. When the rear window was blasted out, the
chard's remained undisturbed on the bench seat and the shot from the rear
blast pushed glass out on the hood. Four 12 gauge shell casings can be
seen along the truck indicating a fresh blast scene. We hope to get pictures
before the truck is moved.
Jan 17 am Happy Weekend to all and
thanks for stopping by. No new candidates filed for office Friday. What
do we do on Friday night for excitement? Some go to ball games while others
set dumpsters on fire. Such was the case last night at 6:45pm behind RT's
store on Main Street. Firetrucks, lights, sirens, the whole ball of wax.
Jan 17 am Rumor on the street
has it that the original site for the new consolidated Valley Dale Elem.
is back on the table. Through some quick negotiating, the DOH is about
ready to agree to pay ($3 m) to widen the access road to the Murphy Fork
site. If that is the case, we would have two sites available
for a new school. Sound good? Well, no
Jan 17 am With an election looming,
the school board will have to pick one place over another. Which ever place
ain't selected, those folks are going to be real upset. Maybe upset enough
not to go along with the insider's choice for school board. For example,
if the board seats a Fran King replacement and that replacement doesn't
vote for the Ivydale site for a school, what chance does the newbee have
at getting elected in May. Ivydale is the largest precinct in the county.
Jan 17 am Senator Shirley Love has
a new web site. Click LOVE
to take a look.
Jan 17 am Someone on e bay tried
to auction off the entire state of WV. Many bids came in before ebay caught
on and shut the page down. To see a report on the selling of WV click WORTH
LESS THAN YOU PAID.
Jan 17 am And our poetry for
today: MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB Her father shot it
dead Now it goes to school with her, Between two
chunks of bread.
Jan 16 pm Job opportunities over
on the CLASSIFIED page
Jan 16 am This afternoon around
5, Senator Shirley Love will offer his Legislative Update on WYAP radio.
To listen in just click the homepage button WYAP-LP and follow the directions
Jan 16 am We've finally got some
competition in this year's Magistrate race. Incumbents Mike King and Jeff
Boggs have decided to run for office. Russell (Rusty) Whiteley has paid
his fee and is also in the race. As for Prosecutor? Still only Wayne King
in it. Look for current Prosecutor, Daniel Grindo to file in Braxton
County. Others in the county are encouraging Asst. Prosecutor Barry Koerber
to run. And what about the School Board race? Only RB Legg, Beth Cercone
and Kim Sams have thrown their hat in the ring.
Jan 16 am Last night, Clay Roane
PSD held a Special meeting at the Procious Water Plant. The place was packed!
During the meeting, the Board OKed selling their property at Newton, the
old Newton Fire House for $10,000 to Phillip Linger. Ever so quietly five
years ago, the PSD purchased the nice red, metal, huge, building for over
$30,000.00 During later WV PSC hearings, no one could find a record of
the purchase, or vote of the purchase, or even where the money came from.
Buy for $30,000, sell for $10,000.00, now that's the way to show fiscal
responsibility!
Jan 16 am As for the most recent
water leak (Monday Jan 12th) in the Queen Shoals service area which left
some customers without water, Clay Roane PSD Chair Postelwait said that
the tank went dry from normal usage during the meeting. Think she is telling
the truth? Most did. Much later and after questioning from Punkineer
Celia Coon , the Chair was forced to admit, the tank went dry because employees
didn't check it and allowed it to go dry! Postelwait was caught!
Jan 16 am Also during the meeting,
Boardsters all but said, they had had enough crap from Queen Shoals customers
(and now the Queen Shoals PSD Board) to last a life time. Basically, Queen
Shoals PSD has but one decision to make, whether or not to allow Clay Roane
to do their meter reading and billing. The bogus from the beginning Operation
and Maintenance Agreement of the Queen Shoals water service area is off
the table. During public comment period, Queen Shoals resident Mike Hall
raised some very serious issues of the Clay Roane PSD Chair Melissa Pastelwait.
According to Hall, Pasteewait messed up some one's trailer underpinning
while searching for a water line to disconnect. Using her best statesmanship
and suave, the ever so meek and timid Passewait responded, "That's
a Bold Face Lie!!!!!!!!"
Jan 16 am What makes meeting going
so fun is not the actual meeting but the after meeting activities. As the
meeting ended, Poselwiat turned to that ace cub reporter and said something
along the lines: IF one word of this (Mike Hall story) gets in the paper
I will sue you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The rotund reporter commented how
much Pusewait had changed since getting on the Board. How just a few months
earlier she had fought to make public meetings public and to get the public
out to meetings. After saying she knew her rights and how no one can print
a lie ( referring to tearing up someone's underpinning), she repeated her
lawsuit threat of suing the Communicator for reporting what was said
during a public meeting.
Jan 16 am It's always fun to attend
public meetings. It's just as much fun to watch our paid public servants
squirm when they get caught up in the moment and loose any brain power
expected of a public servant.
Jan 16 am And darn sorry for the
spelling of Pusewiat. This keyboard must be all goofed up
Jan 15 pm With a new dusting of
snow covering the county, time for some internet housekeeping.... Have
an old couch or TV you need to get rid of? See ADVISORY page. Like to have
your teeth cleaned and x-rayed for free? See ADVISORY page now. Somehow
we overlooked today's funeral service for Gary Wayne Taylor. Sorry.
Jan 15 pm Tonight at 7, Clay Roane
PSD will be holding a Special Meeting with Queen Shoals PSD at the Procious
Water Plant. That's at the PLANT!!! Are you interested in what's going
to happen with your water service, who will operate your system, and who
maintains it? Over a year ago, a WV PSC Judge ordered meetings to be held
where the public can come and listen in. Someone must have forgot that
decision. Unless you want to be outside with your nose pressed against
the door, better come early, seating is none existent at the plant.
Jan 15 pm As for the water leak
and the tank running dry four days ago, Chair Postelwait said this morning
at 9:30am, there wasn't a leak in the Queen Shoals PSD system but usage
drained the tank dry and left many without wa wa Monday evening. Service
crews did find one meter busted and it was replaced Wed evening.
Jan 15 pm Wayne King filed for the
Prosecutor's position yesterday. So far he's the only candidate for that
office. Where's Barbara Schamberger when we need her? And Jim Samples,
we could sure use you too!
Jan 15 pm Special call for help
from WYAP radio station. CAEZ donated the non profit group a lap top computer.
The new puter needs programmed with Windows 95. Because of it's age, the
unit does not have a CD rom. WYAP is looking for a Windows 95 program on
3 1/2 inch floppy disc. Does anyone have such a historical item? If so,
please email them wyap@frontiernet.net
Jan 14 pm At noon today and according
to Clay Roane PSD Chair Melissa Postelwait, there's still a big problem
in the Queen Shoals service area. The thinking today is, maybe there
wasn't a leak in the pipes Monday but maybe the tank went dry from usage.
Yesterday, when they had some of the lines valved shut, the tank filled
to 19 feet. Today at noon, the tank had but 3 feet of water. The Boil Water
Order for the Queen Shoals service area remains in force. Boil it first
Jan 14 pm Tomorrow's Special Clay
Roane PSD meeting may be another winner. Two items are on the agenda, OKing
the sell of the old Newton building and the Operation and Maintenance Agreement
with Queen Shoals PSD.
Jan 14 pm It appears
a bunch of potential candidates for the May Primary Election are
laying low for now. Why is that? Well.... take the school board race
for instance. Fran King quit the Board (District A) to run for County Commission.
Word has it, Boardster Scott Legg (District B) plans to also quit and run
for Sheriff . So there's an opening in District B too. 30 year veteran
of the School Board Gene King is up for reelection this time around as
is RB Legg. Gene represents District A but lives in District B which is
illegal of course. If Legg runs for Sheriff, then that vacancy (District
B) would allow Gene to legally run from District B, where he know lives.
But then, what happens to long time educator and one time state Senator
Jim Dawson? Behind the scenes, negotiations may be on to squeeze
Gene King from office
Jan 14 pm But then it gets confusing...
We keep predicting Jim Dawson would be appointed to fill Fran King's spot.
Can't happen! Jim Dawson lives in B District. Dawson could only be appointed
to fill Scott Legg's spot ( if he runs for Sheriff).
Jan 14 pm We've got an update on
the Billy Boggs offer to sale the Ivydale property tot he school system
for a new Valley Dale Elem. School. Boggs gave the School Board until Jan
20th to decide on his $150,000.00 offer for 9 acres. After the 20th, the
sell price goes to $300,000.00. Boggs is forcing a decision. A decision
that could greatly pee off all Valley Forkette parents and or the Ivydale
folks. Those peed off parents are also voters! The May Election could
be a dandy.
Jan 14 pm It's time readers. Call
a neighbor, maybe think about it yourself, it's time to run for office.
Two elections back, 15 people ran for office. If that many people signed
up this time around with 4 (3 for sure right now) seats up for grabs,
well, anything could happen. Anything!
Jan 14 am Ralph Ray Rogers, 73,
of Ovapa, see FUNERAL page
Jan 14 am Just got this email: HELLO
Clayberry, This is Sgt Pritt from Okinawa Japan, son of Marlin and Becky
Pritt. I would just like to say that this web site is very helpful to those
that can't be there . I discovered it about a year ago and I enjoy
reading it. Just remember that there are some of clay all over the world.
Sgt James M. Pritt; Kadena AB Okinawa Japan
Jan 14 am How about it clickers?
Lets let em know we care. Maybe a few emails to a fellow Clayonian serving
in the armed forces. Cut and paste this address: James.Pritt@kadena.af.mil
Jan 14 am This year is starting
off like last year, more water breaks. According to Clay Roane PSD Chief
Water Operator Jennifer Traub, Queen Shoals sprung a leak Monday afternoon
and as of Tuesday at noon, they hadn't located the water line break. The
Queen Shoals tank went dry Monday afternoon but by turning off some of
the customers (upper Valley View out to Bill Naylor's place), the tank
had refilled to 19 feet. Of course for the customers without wa wa... well,
they ain't too happy
Jan 14 am Clay County PSD
met Tuesday. Pretty quiet little 14 minute meeting with one exception.
As they were hiring attorney Jim Lane to do right of ways ($20,000) for
the Lizemore Tucker's Bottom water line extension, mention was made of
our own Wayne King. PSD Chair Keith King," Be sure not to get Wayne King..
they're having to redo some of his work now." Always interesting at public
meetings clickers!
Jan 14 am As for filing for office,
people are stepping up to the plate. Add Robert Boggs to the list of Sheriff
candidates. That makes 8 so far. RB Legg signed to run again to represent
District C and Beth Cercone signed up to run for the School Board as well.
Remember Beth? Graduated from CCHS in 74, earned her masters in Tenn; taught
math at the high school, kids in the school system, and now works on the
college level? Let's see, educated, bright, a mind to work... we sure as
H don't want that on the school board! Almost as bad as Roger Hunt running
for Sheriff, 4 years as a narc detective in a big city.... Get rid of that
guy too!!!!!
Jan 14 am A few months back several
people
asked to have their water tap fees returned to them. They were peed that
water lines had not been built and little progress had even been made in
getting started with new service. Paul Dobbins was one of the folks. After
several said they wanted their money returned, a motion was made and passed
to stop anyone from getting their $.
Jan 14 am Dobbins has taken the
old Procious PSD to court to get his $200 fee returned. The court papers
(03-C-218) mention that he's tired of waiting and wants his $$$.
Dobbins has even hired Jerome Novobilski to handle the task.
Jan 14 am Now keep this quiet clickers,
just wait until a jury finds out that the PSD Chair hasn't paid her own
tap fee. Ohhh Boy. The case was scheduled for Jan 20th but we think it'll
be rescheduled.
Jan 14 am This Thursday is
a Special Clay Roane PSD meeting at the Procious Water plant. Wonder what
will happen to Queen Shoals there?
Jan 13 am Mr. Gary "Brownie"
Thomas, 69, of Duck, see FUNERAL page
Jan 13 am Today at 10 am Clay County
PSD meets in regular session in their Main Street Clay double wide trailer.
Jan 13 am Walk over to our PHOTO
section and click WINTER for a bunch of nice snapshots of here and there.
If you want to keep keep a copy for yourself; Go to the page, find the
picture you want, click on it to enlarge, once enlarged, right click and
highlight (mouse) "save picture as", and click. That's all there is to
it
Jan 13 am In front of Tim Hopkins
Insurance Agency was a great big gas leak yesterday. Beginning around 11:30am
the stink was everywhere with emergency crews working late into the afternoon
just to get the gas line shut down. In front of Tim's office could be seen
bubbles leaking out of the pavement. The area under his pavement sounded
hollow and in danger of collapsing.
Jan 13 am During yesterday's County
Commission meeting a couple big things happened. One, Bev King was named
new interim Director for the Clay County ambulance service. 2, Our elected
boys up front voted to put an Emergency Excess Levy on the May 2004 ballot.
The Levy, if passed, will bring in an additional $170,000 per year from
land and vehicle assessments and will be distributed to the three volunteer
fire depts. plus the ambulance service.
Jan 13 am And we're now in the most
joyous time of the year, Election Season! The 12th was the first day to
file for office. There is some kind of tradition in these parts to be the
first to file for office. Yesterday (as of 11:45am) Running for Sheriff:
Joe Morris, Randy Holcomb, Mathew Bragg, Morgan Gibson, Roger Hunt, Dave
Mullins, and Donny Triplett. Triplett is the brother to Commissioner Peter
Triplett. For County Commission, representing District A: Fran King, Harald
Fields and Brian Holcomb so far. Over in the School Board race for District
A: Earnie Sirk and Kim Sams. Incumbent Assessor Suzi Legg has one challenger
so far, Teresa Lane. Teresa is the sister to Commissioner Jimmy Sams.
Jan 13 am Lets talk about up for
reelection School Boardster Gene King. King has served District A for 30
years. For the last 2 years, O Gene hasn't lived in A District. State code
requires a Board member to live in the District he represents. Gene's "domicile"
is in District B, Town of Clay. With Gene living in B and no openings this
time around on the ballot in B District, something has to give!
Jan 13 am Most likely, District
B school Boardster Scott Legg will resign his spot and run for Sheriff.
By doing so, a vacancy in B District will come about and Gene King could
be put on the ballot representing "B". Of course, we're in the Great
Nation of Clay where state code means little. King commented yesterday:
Sen Robert C. Bird doesn't live in Sophia WV and can run for office and
If it's good enough for the Senator, then it's good enough for him!!
Jan 12 am Good Monday morning world
wide clickers, and a great big hello to Paul Friend and brother in law
Don B. Big time happy face to Deanna Stephenson at University
of Charleston. Just finished a 4.0 fall semester Saaaaaluuuteee!
Jan 12 am This morning at 10
our County Commission meets in regular session. Lots of the table today
like, Mitzie Adkins is resigning as Ambulance Director, who gets her spot?
The vote comes today on asking the voters to decide if they want an emergency
service levy added to their tax burden. For answers, brave the cold and
attend this morning's public meeting.
Jan 12 am Also today is the Women's
Health Fair. See EVENTS page for details.
Jan 12 am Last Friday Clay Roane
PSD had for sale their building out at Newton, the old Fire Dept. structure.
Nice big place with huge electric garage doors and office space too. Only
one bidder showed and his offer was just $5000.00. The PSD paid over $30,000
for the place 5 years ago.
Jan 12 am Over on the PHOTO page
are a bunch of new pictures on the This & That and Elected Official
links and we've added the last of the scenes on the FALL page as well.
Enjoy.
Jan 12 am Since were talking politicians
and such...At New York's Kennedy airport yesterday, an individual later
discovered to be a public school teacher was arrested trying to board a
flight while in possession of a ruler, a protractor, a set square, a slide
rule, and a calculator. At a morning press conference, Attorney general
John Ashcroft said he believes the man is a member of the notorious al-gebra
movement. He is being charged by the FBI with carrying weapons of math
instruction.
"Al-gebra is
a fearsome cult," Ashcroft said. "They desire average solutions by means
and extremes, and sometimes go off on tangents in a search of absolute
value. They use secret code names like "x" and "y" and refer to themselves
as "unknowns", but we have determined they belong to a common denominator
of the axis of medieval with coordinates in every country. "As the Greek
philanderer Isosceles used to say, there are 3 sides to every
triangle," Ashcroft declared.
When asked
to comment on the arrest, President Bush said, "If God had wanted
us to have better weapons of math
instruction, He would have given us more
fingers and toes. "I am gratified
that our government has given us a sine that it is intent on
protracting us from these math-dogs
who are willing to disintegrate us with calculus disregard. Murky statisticians
love to inflict plane on every sphere of influence," the President said,
adding: "Under the circumferences, we must differentiate their root, make
our point, and draw the line." President Bush warned, "These weapons of
math instruction have the potential to decimal everything in their
math on a scalene never before seen unless we
become exponents of a Higher Power
and begin to factor-in random facts of vertex."
Attorney General
Ashcroft said, "As our Great Leader would say, read my ellipse. Here is
one principle he is uncertain of: though they continue to multiply, their
days are numbered as the hypotenuse tightens around their necks."
Jan 11 am Lenora "Chub" J. Gray,
67, of Clay, see FUNERAL page
Jan 11 am Just drive down Main Street
and you can see about anything.. Saturday afternoon 4:10, those leaving
the girl's basketball game at CCHS got to saw a real nice cat fight in
front of the Clay County library. As boys stood around and cheered, a red
car and grey pick up drove off after the fight. Over the scanner, at 4:26pm,
came a call over the scanner, a Sabrina Daniels needed police assistance
near the Rite Aid building.
Jan 11 am First day to file for
office isn't until Monday but the way we've got it figured, there are already
8 candidates for Sheriff: Morgan Gibson, Poopy Holcomb, Donnie Triplett,
Joe Morris, Dave Mullins, Mathew Bragg, Roger Hunt, and Scott Legg. Watch
for even more to enter the race making the May primary election completely
up for grabs!
Jan 11 am With Fran King resigned
and Scott Legg having to resign if he runs for Sheriff, that's two openings
in the school board race. We only know of two candidates for sure, Kim
Sams and Wide Glide running for office so far. Up for re election this
time around are RB Legg and Gene King.
Jan 11 am Check out girl's b ball
action on the ADVISORY page.
Jan 11 am We got this email in the
bag yesterday and thought we'd share it: Wanted: leadership
for our county, in both the law enforcement area and the county commission.
Crimes are committed, video catches it, and nothing is done! And it happens
again! we all know who is doing it, and yet nothing is done! Why? Hardworking,
honest people are
having their property taken
or destroyed or both, and nothing is done. Now the people in charge want
us to vote for them for another office, are you serious? Do they think
we are stupid? Our current list of candidates includes people who were
fired or quit or
whatever, there past jobs because
they didn't do them right, and now they want us to vote for them for another
office. Is that what we are going to do? Do we think they will make things
better? I DON'T THINK SO? We need leadership, honest, hardworking,
common sense
leadership before our county
will prosper. Who will step forward?.........
Jan 11 am And now for the week that
was. Lots going on this week. During Town Council meeting, following Open
Meeting Laws will finally be adhered to; as far as receiving money stolen
from an ex-employee, hasn't happened yet. Tuesday evening's CAEZ meeting
was pretty much the normal little of nothing meeting except that Elizabeth
Sampson got fired up on the performance of the Director Jerry Sizemore.
Although not spoken, it was as if Sampson was saying: Straighten up or
get out.
Jan 11 am The premier meeting this
time around was Clay Roane PSD where cops were called in to escort an irate
spectator. True she was threatening in nature but no water for days and
cooped up at home with dirty dishes, dirty clothes and a stinky family...
well who wouldn't be peed big time. As Deputy Belt and Town Cop Butcher
entered the packed meeting hall, the blonde was telling PSD Chair Postelwait,
maybe Postel should be talking less and listening more. Many nodded their
heads in agreement
Jan 11 am And the kids were set
free Friday due to slicky slicky road conditions.
Jan 11 am Finally from last week,
Judge Alsop said no to behind the scenes backdoor tactics employed by Clay
Development Corp (CDC) to keep their little private social service provider
private. One time CDC Chair Earnie "Wide Glide" Sirk took his case
to Circuit Court and won big time. The Judge ordered Sirk back on the General
Membership roles with full voting privileges.
Jan 11 am This week's schedule to
be posted late Sunday evening. Enjoy the family today.
Jan 10 pm Ten days into the month
and winter is finally here. Road conditions were treacherous yesterday
as the schools were closed down after a two hour delay. Fender benders
kept wreckers and emergency service folks busy. Even Prosecutor Grindo
got involved with a fender bender around 7:45am yesterday.
Jan 10 pm Tonight's Clay High
Girl's Basketball game has been changed to 1pm this afternoon. Get out
and support em
Jan 10 pm And the big news for the
day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In the Earnie Sirk vs Clay Development Corp (CDC)
lawsuit... Wide Glide won. The judge ordered Sirk back on the general membership
roles with full privileges. Sirk had done what scores of others tried and
failed. He beat the in-house family clan at their own game. Watch for this
to develop real soon.
Jan 10 pm With Judge Alsop's ruling
in hand, watch for many many others to regain a CDC general membership
seat and push for reform within the troubled organization.
Jan 10 pm The number planning to
enter election cycle this year continues to grow. 2 days ago, Randy "Poopy"
Holcomb confirmed that he would file for the Sheriff's race first thing
Monday morning. Watch for Scott Legg to do the same thing along with Donnie
Triplett, Morgan Gibson, Roger Hunt, Mathew Bragg, Dave Mullins, and now......
Joe Morris!. You can always tell when Morris is running for office, he
starts waving at fellow motorists going down the road. The only quesion
there is: What party will he file under.
Jan 10 pm The School Board is wide
open with just Kim Sams and Earnie Sirk planning to file. Yes that's right,
Earnie Sirk!!! Bet Link's shorts are all bunched up with that announcement.
No word yet on candidates in the Assessor race other then Teresa Lane,
that's Commissioner Sams' sister.
Jan 10 pm Check out this week's
Communicator for details from last Thursday night's wild Clay Roane PSD
meeting where cops were called in to manage the crowd. In the way of an
update, There is a Special Clay Roane meeting set up for for this coming
Thursday night. The guess is, an irate Clay Roane Board will hand back
operation of the Queen Shoals system to locals. Clay Roane boardsters don't
like it when their short comings are talked about in public.
Jan 9 am 4:44 am Clay County
Schools are on a two hour delay. Go back to bed after reading the home
page weather report.
Jan 9 am Margaret L. Laxton,
72, of Ivydale, see FUNERAL page
Jan 9 am Happy Birthday wishes to
Robynn Brooke McGlothlin of Sand Fork Clay County.
Jan 9 am And what a meeting
it was. Last night over 35 people attended the Clay Roane PSD meeting.
All in attendance we're unhappy with water service, water quality and had
experienced water outages between Dec 17th and Jan 2nd. About half way
through the meeting one lady was removed from the meeting by Deputy Belt
and Town Cop Butcher. For the most part no real answers were provided the
public. Full details in today's Communicator. Should be on the news stands
around 4pm.
Jan 9 am One more note from
last night's meeting. Parents (also water customers of the PSD) raised
concerns over the School system not adhering to Boil Water Orders and allowing
students to drink from tainted water supplies. PSD Chair Postelwait told
the crowd she asked Link in Dec to come up with a county wide policy for
BWO situations. Just a few years back, Link refused to provide safe drinking
water during BWO situations. After saying he would supply safe drinking
water ONLY if he was ordered to do so..... that's exactly what happened!
Maybe our $70,000 per year Super has a short memory.
Jan 9 am Last Sunday evening, the
Southern States store in Clay was vandalized. A window was popped
out and $2000 worth of ammo and knives were stolen. Earlier this week a
pick up truck was retrieved from the Elk. Locals think it was the vehicle
used to steal a bunch of ATV's recently.
Jan 9 am And boy do we have a looloo.
You'll never guess who's running for school board this time around from
District A. The new contender is none other than... well, you'll
have to pay your 50 cents to find that one out.
Jan 9 am Randy Holcomb confirmed
he will be at the Courthouse bright and early Monday morning to sign up
for the Sheriff's race.
Jan 9 am So what are we going to
do with Scott Legg? What office will he go after? Assessor or Sheriff?
Scott in the Assessor race would sure make for some dandy news coverage
but the coffee house crowd is now predicting that Scott Legg will throw
his hat in the Sheriff's race.
Jan 9 am So who will Super link
appoint to replace Fran King? Jim Dawson was asked Wed night if he was
the choice. His response, " I've been hearing that on this web site. If
scott bails out of his School Board position, that's another slot Link
will get to fill.
Jan 9 am Expect the Board to decide
on the new consolidated school location during the jan 19th meeting.
Jan 7 am Like a pig with a
nose ring, our local school administration has closed school after school
year after year. The last such attempt, HE White Elem., was stopped by
a group of rag tag parents and community activists in the court system.
Meeting after meeting they screamed to our deaf leadership: Long bus rides
are bad for education; there are no savings when bus expenses are included;
kids do better when they are near home; and the community quickly dies
when the local school closes. 9 years later, yesterday as a matter of fact,
lame duck Gov. Wise made the front page of the Charleston Gazette saying
that exact same thing. Gov., Did it just sink in? The link
to the Gazette is over on our LINK page.
Jan 7 am Although there are NO Agendas
posted, tonight at 7, Clay Roane PSD meets in regular session in
the CDC building on Main Street. With many customers doing without water
for days over the Holiday season and others experiencing nasty wa wa unfit
for a dog to drink, it will be interesting if any of them show up to voice
their complaints. For many in this county, sitting on their butts and complaining
to a neighbor is about as far as any complaint gets!
Jan 7 am During Tuesday's Clay Town
Council meeting, Recorder Dwana Murphy announced that they were changing
their ways and comply with WV Open Meetings Law. Starting in Feb., they
will post their meeting agenda three business days prior to the meeting.
With the Town now complying with State Code, that leaves just the School
Board breaking the law. Maybe someday they too will feel obligated to set
the example for the youth of tomorrow and obey the oath they swore
when accepting a position of public trust.
Jan 7 am Rumors have it that land
owner Billy Boggs is asking $300,000 for the Ivydale dirt for the new Valley
Dale school. Not so!!!! The selling price is $150,000 plus th eold
grade school at Ivydale. We've got the official letter of intent from Boggs
that was presented to Super Link before Last Monday's School Board meeting.
The signed notarized letter, dated Dec 26 2003, was not mentioned during
that gathering. We'll print the letter in its entirety in this week's Communicator.
A bone fide offer at a fair price, now that should make the Valley Forkettes
mad!!!
Jan 7 am Denise Taylor has
now thrown her hat in the Election 2004 ring. Watch for her ads starting
this week in the Communicator. Don't forget, first day to sign up for the
election is this coming Monday.
Jan 6 pm Man it's staying chilly
willy today at noon the temps remained in the teens with snow on the ground.
Tonight's prediction is near zero. Bring in the brass monkey for sure
Jan 6 pm During monday night's School
Board meeting, the elected ones and Supt. Link decided to head out in the
school van this Saturday and try to find an alternate site for the proposed
Ivy Fork school. Action starts at Tudors, 8 am this Saturday. Of course
some are wondering if such a private trip is legal. There's a quorum and
they will be discussing stuff they will later have to vote on.
Jan 6 pm Just got this from the
Clay County Dept. of Health: Clay County Health Department
will only give immunizations, birth control supplies, etc., on Tuesday
and Friday, 8:00 AM ? Noon. No exceptions. In Clayberry, if
you run out of condoms or the pill on a Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, or
the weekend, you're on your own clickers!
Jan 6 am Hey we've just about got
this repaired puter back together. Only thing left is to get the picture
part back up and configured just right. Today is our first attempt.
Jan 6 am Emma Ann Smith, 62,
of Strange Creek, see FUNERAL page
Jan 6 am Yesterday's Clay
Roane PSD Boil Water Order for Valley Fork, Newton, and Wallback is still
in force. Boil it first please. The main line break occurred yesterday
morning real early at McColgin Gap where the road is slipping away and
where the stop lights are situated. Yes, international clickers, Clay County
West Virginia has two working stop lights and no one, not Mike King nor
Johnny Wooooofter has shot them out!
Jan 6 am During yesterday's
Town Council meeting, it became public that the new sewer plant (Log factory)
is in real danger of slipping into the Elk River. Mayor Jarrett said he
contacted our State Senatorial Delegation and asked for funding ($200,000)
to keep the poop factory from floating down the river. Jarrett said recent
floods have sent the river bank sliding about 7 feet so far. As far securing
FEMA flood relief money... the Town waitd too long to apply.
Jan 6 am During last night's
CAEZ meeting, mention was made that the grass roots agency may be interested
in purchasing the defunct Filcon Inc industrial site near Ovapa if the
Clayberry Bank would be willing to cut them a deal. When Filcon shagged
out of the county, they left behind a $144,000 debt on the property and
the lien holder, the Clayberry Bank, foreclosed in 2002. Last month's court
battle with our Business Development Authority gave the Bank full power
to sell off the property. The county purchased the land for $90,000 and
then improved the site with a $50,000 state grant.
Jan 6 am We've still got 6 days
before filing begins for the 2004 primary election but we've got a slew
of Sheriff candidates! Donnie Triplett can be added to that list of potential
vote seekers which now includes: Dave Mullins, Mathew Bragg, Morgan Gibson,
Roger Hunt, Poopy Holcomb, Ronnie Walker.....
Jan 6 am The Communicator comes
out thsi Friday. If you want your classified included, email now. Ditto
for any community events. Email now
Jan 5 pm Just when you thought
life was returning to normal, Clay Roane PSD issued a new Boil
Water Order (BWO) this morning at 9:30am. All water
customers in the Valley Fork, Wallback and Newton areas are to boil water
before consuming. Looks like another main line break. This
morning at 10:24 the National weather service provided an advisory of up
to 1 inch of snow and wind gusts up to 35 mph. Watch for wet roads to get
icy bad real quick. Watch out clickers!!!!! Now for last night....
Jan 5 pm Behind the scenes and without
public input, Superintendent Linkinooooger came up with a drawing and plans
for a consolidated school to replace Valley Fork and Ivydale Elem. The
School Building Authority funded the proposal except for the cost of buying
the property and site preparations. After getting the nod from the big
boys in Charleston and with the money in hand, well 1/2 million of it anyway,
Link decided it was time to include the public.
Jan 5 pm About as soon as the public
heard about the "solid" Big Otter site on Murphy's Fork road, Ivydale residents
including Mr. Wide Glide, Earnie Sirk, went to work to find a school site
nearer their end of the county. They were successful. When the dust settled,
the Billy Boggs land, the 9 acre Ivydale site, was the only acceptable
spot to be had. It has road access, three phase power, water pressure,
and the land has already been leveled. The site Link had picked out, beside
Sheriff Fields' home, would cost over a million dollars to develop. Some
residents along Murphy's Fork have come out against the new school.
Jan 5 pm Here's the clincher....
Four years ago, our school officials promised residents in the Valley Fork
area, the new school would be located close to them at the Big Otter exit
of I 79. Now that ain't going to happen and Link and our elected School
Board have a bunch of Valley Forkette parents HOT.
Jan 5 pm Last night during the School
Board meeting, Valley Forkettes came to tell Link: You made a promise and
emphatically, they want their kids near to home. Using his best smooozing
skills, decisions were put off to a later date. The School Board
appeared to want the new school at Big Otter. At one point, Boardster Gene
said they would just condemn someone property and take it!!!
Jan 5 pm Even with his well honed
administrative face on, Link already knows, based on cost and time constraints,
the school will go on the Boggs property at Ivydale. Yesterday the school
board received a signed notarized statement from Boggs that he would let
them have the 8 to 10 acres for $150,000. Being politically savvy, our
top man knows to hold off that decision until the May election gets a little
closer.
Jan 5 pm Last night Boardster
Fran King resigned from office and announced her candidacy for County Commission.
The Board will announce her replacement during the next board meeting.
Jan 5 pm If you're interested in
running for office, this might be a great year to do so. Looks like a bunch
of people will try for County Commission and a like amount for Sheriff.
With many in each race, it's ripe for an upset candidate to wiggle into
power. Watch for the insiders to back away from Sheriff candidate and front
runner Mathew Bragg.
Jan 5 am From my recent attempts
at trying to install a new puter power supply, most of the smoke
and smell of burnt plastic has dissipated. We got a used unit from WV Surplus
Properties in Dunbar and it's about half way back up to speed. Most likely
by Wed morning, we'll be back to good with pictures again on the home page.
Jan 5 am And thanks DD for the offer
of help.
Jan 5 am Clay Middle School varsity
put on a heck of a show last night as they defeated Richwood 51 -33. Nothin
but fast paced action and good ball playing by Clay Middle. Tonight CMS
takes on Spencer ( I think). Come out and see ball playing at its best.
Action starts at 7:30.
Jan 5 am Today Clay Town Council
meets at 4 followed by CAEZ at 6pm.
Jan 5 am You'll have to check back
a little later today for all the juice from last night's School Board meeting
where Fran King resigned and big time discussion was held on the thorny
location issue of the proposed Ivy Fork / Valley Dale Elem. school. Should
be on the web by 10 am today
Jan 5 am Thinking about running
for office this year. Lot's are. Donnie Triplett is considering a bid for
Sheriff as is Ronnie Walker and Randy (Poopy) Holcomb is sniffing around
as well. Denise Taylor is considering a run for elected office from A District.
Bryan Holcomb has been said to be considering a run for CCC. Better than
canned soup, this might just be on great election year!!
Jan 5 am This computer stuff
is real confusing. Put in one cable a little different and the whole puter
starts smoking. Then when you take the hard drive from the fried unit and
install in the other backup puter, it too starts smelling like tires on
fire. Needless to say, until the puter is figured out and the smoke clears
from the house, posting will be limited and pictures will be zip. Sorry.
Jan 5 am We've got a big week of
action coming. Monday evening look for Fran King to resign from the School
Board during the Board meeting beginning at 6. Tuesday brings the Clay
Town Council together at 4 pm as well as CAEZ at 4 ( Eco/Dev Committee)
and again at 6pm.
Jan 5 am Hard to believe but it
sounds like the water problems in the Queen Shoals water district have
settled down. Not one irate water customer emailed today.
Jan 5 am For those that don't check
this site over the weekends, here it is one more time from Saturday. Commissioner
Bragg said he had not heard from one water customer and had not received
one complaint. During Friday's Commission meeting he asked people
to call him if they're not satisfied with water, water service or life
in general. His number is 587-2226. If those out of town, be sure to ask
the operator to reverse the charges too.
Jan 5 am Election 2004: RB
Legg and O Gene King are up for re-election in May. Gene has served District
A for 30 years. State Code says a school board member must live in the
county he or she represents. Mr King has lived in District B for over 2
years. With him living in B, he would have to run for a slot there. Problem,
District B already has the maximum number of reps (2) with Scott Legg and
Dave Pierson. Since neither Dave nor Scott are up for re-election, something
has to give.
Jan 5 am Rumors have circulated
since Thanksgiving that Scott Legg will run for some other elected office.
If that happens, Legg would also have to resign from the School Board before
filing Jan 12th, next Monday. Won't this be fun??? Our Superintendent will
get to select two new Board members of his choosing. Jim Dawson (lives
in District A) immediately comes to mind but who's his other choice...
the new person must reside in District B. Who could that be......
Jan 5 am Motorists noticed a 30
foot radio tower going up across from Go Mart Sunday morning at the radio
station. Currently WYAP-LP as they are called, can be heard around
the world on the internet. Their connection link is on the left on our
home page. Many in the county have said "Radio station? It ain't
never going to happen!!!" Some in the Eco/Dev community have even
poo poo'd the idea. Well....looks like those folks are one step closer
to being heard on the car radio.
Jan 4 am Edith Verna Pringle,
79, of Omar, formerly of Clay County, see FUNERAL page
Jan 4 am Robert L. Clifford,
77, of Belleville, see FUNERAL page
Jan 4 am You nay be wondering why
the postings have been coming a little slower the last couple of days.
Our computer blew up. Even with the help of Jeremy Hamrick and the parts
from Computer Plus... the @@## thang won't work. Until we can figure out
the problem and do some fix up, posts and pictures will be appearing a
little slower. You can guess what we'll be asking for during the
Feb fund raiser.
Jan 4 am We've got a new County
Commission President. New man is none other than Peter Triplett. 'happened
during Friday morning's gathering where discussion turned to the
upcoming Emergency Services Excess Levy vote. All indications are, the
Commissioners will make their formal decision during the next regular session.
Jan 4 am One more note from Friday's
County Commission meeting. Commissioner Mathew (HAC) Bragg said he hadn't
heard one word about the water problems in the county. That no one had
called him with a complaint. No one, not one. He said during the meeting,
he would like to help out any one he could and provided his phone number
for anyone with a complaint or needed help. OK clickers, here's your chance.
Let's make Commissioner Bragg earn his keep, his telephone number
is 587-2226. Remember he's not
received one complaint.
Jan 4 am Friday afternoon
around 3pm, Clay Roane PSD Chair Melissa Postelwait said that the water
situation is much improved, that another line break was repaired Thursday
evening, the tanks are full, and everyone within the Clay Roane
Queen Shoals service area has water.
Jan 4 am Friday evening around
7pm a fight broke out in the Go Mart, Two Run parking lot with
one of the males stringing blood inside the conveneince store from his
broke nose as he asked for help.
Jan 4 am Friday evening, on TV 3,
the lead story was Queen Shoals remaining waterless. Yelp, that's Fridy
evening. As empty milk jugs were being filled with yucky looking water,
the news anchor said something like: Queen Shoals residents are starting
the new year off like they finished Christmas.. no water.
Once again Clay County has made the headlines.
Jan 2 am Rosie Marie Workman, 74,
of Moultonboro, NH, formerly of Clay, see FUNERAL page
Jan 2 am Just
got this in the email bag, might want to put iton your frig: WATER FOR
SALE. BRING YOUR OWN BOTTLE. 286-2802
Jan 2 am Our County Commission
meets this morning at 10am. On the agenda is election of a new CCC President.
Curent President Sams said at the last meeting, it wasn't going to be him
again. Be there or be square
Jan 2 am Yesterday we received an
email from a WV PSC fellow asking us to be more accurate with who and when
folks in the Bomont, Queen Shoals, Procious are with and without water.
Thanks for the email of course but the truth is, the folks in the Clay
Roane Queen Shoals PSD areas are paying top dollar for a service they ain't
getting and the condition continued as late as last night, Jan 1st.
Jan 2 am For instance, one guy called
to say his water (Elkhurst Rd) was brown as chocolate milk and he was calling
to file a formal PSC complaint ASAP. That was at 6:35 yesterday. Another
guy called at 6:50 yesterday and said he had just lost all water in the
Glen area of the county.
Jan 2 am From our email bag came
this yesterday: If you're in my neighborhood anytime in the next
... whatever ... feel free to come by & take a gander at the water
bottles filled with the water we got straight from the spigot outside the
Clay Roane PSD water plant. They're easily recognizable by the 2-inch
sludge in the bottom & the undescribable color.
I'm thinking about selling them to anybody who has in-laws or other undesirable
houseguests coming or maybe putting them on display at stragetic areas
along Clay County borders as a way of keeping the riff-raff out.
Better yet, go fill up your own quart jar at the plant spigot & take
it to the health department. I'd suggest Kanawha-Charleston for more
reliable results ......
Jan 2 am We understand from locals,
another water line leak was found Jan 1 in the Queen Shoals PSD system.
Jan 2 am Last night, Yes on a Holiday,
our Business Development Authority met. Much of the meeting hour was spent
discussing the ups and mostly downs from 2003. Much discussion centered
around loosing $90,000 worth of taxpayer paid for land ( Filcon Inc) and
some angle to get it back or at least save it from turning into another
trailer park. Without a business plan for direction, last night's meeting
was much like all of last year's meetings, just idle talk of not having
enough money to do anything, how the CAEZ has usurpted their authority,
and how the world seems to be passing this county to the way side.
Check the ADVISORY page for CPR
training
Jan 2 am We forgot to mention our
men and women in service during yesterday's new year opener. Sorry. As
we celebrate the new year in the land of wealth and plenty, let's
not forget those across the ocean. Last year we lost nearly 500 in 288
days of combat. Click COMPLETE
STATS for the sad details.
Jan 1st NEW
YEAR, A new year, a new beginning
Jan 1 st So much for that crap....
how bad is the water situation in the Southern end of the county? Tuesday
evening Commissioners Sams and Triplett went for a first hand look after
receiving a bunch of complaining phone calls. What they found Tuesday night
wasn't too good
Jan1st Even after WV PSC help in
the form of Dave Foster and Jim Weimer ( Hello Mr. Wiener), more water
leaks. Sam Taylor from Clay County PSD was asked to help out with a valve
to fix yet another break. With an older style of piping in place, Taylor's
valve didn't work. Town of Clay's Terry Traub came to the rescue with a
properly fitting connection and the break was corrected. All is well?
Jan 1st Wrong. As late as
Tuesday evening, with the booster pumping boosting with all it's might,
the Bill ( now Pat) Schoonover tank remained dry. Bone dry.
Jan 1st As late as 5:00 pm
Wed we were still receiving emails from those without water service. With
a petition circulating to ask Clay Roane NOT to charge anyone for service
they didn't get, with another petition circulating to ask WV American Water
to come in and take over the system, locals are not happy campers.
For many it's been 14 days without a steady, potable supply of water.
Jan 1st One lady let us know she
sure wasn't happy..... With a little water coming thru the lines,
she decided to wash her new Christmas blouse just as a big gob of black
greasy crud came thru. Peeeeeeeeeed real bad to say the least.
Jan 1st Keep us informed clickers,
tell us when water starts and stops.
Jan 1st We're in a new year, 2003
is just a memory and what a memory! Just think about it: JD Morris
locked away; replacement Scott Legg replaced by Greg Gency and then replaced
by a complete outsider; across the way, Gassaway Branch Manager Fran King
was fired and replaced; local powerbrokers were sent to the foreclosure
block; The Town of Clay's June election netted 4 new Councilpersons; our
first ever Clayberry taxpayer paid for industrial site given away; a new
prosecutor installed by the CCC; government paid for lawsuit after lawsuit.....
Jan 1st And as the year ended, much
remained the same, 75% of the county remained without water service and
a bunch of those with water lines didn't have water in them to use. Millions
of dollars in Federal loans and grants earmarked for water line extensions
remain unused.
Jan 1st As Hoover once said: Prosperity
is just around the corner.
Jan 1st fter the Gator Bowl , at
5 at the Courthouse, our Clay County Business Development Authority meets
in regular session.