June 2003 News
June 30 am Last day of the month,
the year is half gone and the berries are all ready for pickin and jams
and jellies. Where does the time go?
June 30 am last night over the scanner,
around 8:30 came the call of shots fired on the back street of downtown
Clay. Dispatcher said caller reported gunshots, maybe 22 caliper in size,
and there were kids in the area. The call for law enforcement went out.
A few minutes later, dispatch called again and raised Deputy Rider. According
to 911 dispatch, more shots and closer to the caller. Law needed
June 30 am Unit 2 , Rider said he
was working something to do with stolen goods and it would be a while.
Never heard ANY traffic from Town officer Butcher.
June 30 am According to County Clerk
Judy Moore, Clay Ambulance Service finances are improving! With all bills
paid as well as payroll, the Ambulance Service has $12,600 in their accounts.
Of the $20,000 County Commission approved "nest egg", the just in case
of an emergency pool they can draw from, only $3000 has been used.
June 30 am We've got a big week
clickers. Lots of meetings and even some baseball action. This week, the
new Clay Town Council meets at 4 on Tuesday as does CAEZ at 4 and again
at 6. We'll keep you posted on other meetings and such
June 30 am For parents and grand
parents, this is the season to travel, to travel and see District and Regional
baseball action
June 30 am This past weekend, the
11-12 year old Clay All Stars took a 4 to 2 thumping from Braxton. They
play again tonight (at Braxton), at 5:30pm and take on that nasty Summersville
team.
June 30 am Tuesday is the opening
stand in Gilmer County for the playoff action in the Middle League for
13 -14 year olds. Clay takes on the Braxton team beginning at 8pm.
June 30 am Come out and enjoy some
good ball playing and support the locals kids.
June 29 am Charles Duffield
see FUNERAL page
June 29 am As far as a weekend
wrap up of the last week's action in Clayberry, it was banner to say the
least
June 29 am After years and years
of being absolutely solid in backing the WV PSC plans to consolidate the
three public service districts in the county, our County Commission did
some rethinking and for now anyway, officially put consolidation on held
at least until: Clay Roane PSD gets their audit report done, actually started,
and at least until after the CCC has their day in PSC court July 17th.
June 29 am And the bomb shell hit
Thursday. Clay Roane PSD Chair Melissa Postelwait brought it out in the
open: The PSD has records missing big time from the 20002 fiscal year.
Stuff like the checkbook and savings accounts records as well as give a
reason for loosing $. According to Postelwait, the water provider has had
a 40% water leak for some time.
June 29 am Now we sure don't
want to take up for Postelwait, she is the person in charge BUT BUT
June 29 am This ain't the first
time records have disappeared, the first time for big time water leaks,
nor the first time questions came up on security of the operation. But
it IS the first time the PSD has brought the info to the public's attention
without having to pry it out of Boardsters!
June 29 am And finally for a weekend
wrap up, the sun came back. Dry, hot and sunshine galore.
June 29 am We'll post again for
the upcoming week's events Monday morning first thing.
June 28 am The weekend is
here and not soon enough for many
June 28 am Seems the Ovapa Church
of God had some troubles over in Roane County. Commission Mathew Bragg,
a member of the congregation, came to the rescue. Full details from the
Roane Reporter, click MONEY
RETURNED
June 28 am The latest press release
on the US Supreme Court's decision on sodomy is now posted over on the
ADVISORY page
June 27 pm Who said: I think you
should do a better job picking Board members? Find out today in the Communicator.
June 27pm The Communicator left
our door around 1 and should be at all news stands in the five county network
by 4pm. Enjoy
June 27 am During yesterday's public
meetings, Clay Roane PSD announced that many of their 2002 financial records
are now missing In those misplaced records are the checkbooks
and savings account records
June 27 am In addition to
some of the 2002 Clay Roane PSD records missing, nearly all of the 2000
, 2001 records are gone
June 27 am Did we mention Clay Roane
PSD lost nearly 40% of the water they produced for the Queen Shoals service
area? Sure can't forget to mention, those records were not
kept in a locked file drawer but rather a duffle bag!
June 27 am Full details in TODAY's
Communicator which should hit the news stands around 5pm.
June 27 am Oh one last tidbit
before you go crazy with rage, the $650,000 Punkin Ridge water line extension
project provides $100,000 to pay off a $50,000 bank loan, the loan where
the money was to suppose to be used to purchase new meters and such. Since
the meters were never purchased, the rest of the $100,000 loan is again
designated to purchase new water meters. Well, maybe this is the
last teaser for this morning, also in that $650,000 project is funding
for Clay Roane to buy a new truck!
June 27 am And of course, where
do you get your in depth news reporting? the Communicator, today at 5pm.
By the way, for the clickers in the northern end of the county, Big Otter
GO Mart will now be selling the paper along with Rusty's Exxon station
at the I 79 exchange.
June 26 am To consolidate
or not, that is the question. Today at 2 pm, the County Commission will
decide whether to consolidate Clay County PSD, Clay Roane PSD and Queen
Shoals PSD into one big time water provider. The WV Public Service Commission
has wanted this for years. According to to the boys in Charleston, a regional
water agency will be much cheaper to operate. Let's see now, will postage
be cheaper? Will it take less maintenance dollars? Will the public have
better representation?
June 26 am That big decision plus
a bunch more coming today at 2 pm. We'll report on the decision in this
Friday's Communicator.
June 26 am Clay County PSDs Boil
Water Order has been lifted.
June 26 am Clay Roane PSD meets
tonight at 7pm on Main Street .
June 26 am Should have seen the
pool today. Lots of kids and fun. Here's what to do clickers. Load up the
car, drop off the booger lickers over at the pool and then come to that
Commission meeting at 2. Commissioner Sams turns the air conditioning down
reaaal low. Nice! Oh, by the way... you can't leave the kids at the pool
overnight.
June 26 am Now for some cool stuff...
Getting ready for the 4th of July, check out this web site . Once there
just click the mouse and watch the fireworks, FIREWORKS
June 26 am Time to make fun
of our dimly lit Prez. To see Dubbya dance click W
June 26 am Every time John Ashcroft
opens his mouth or another freedom is taken from us, the membership of
the ACLU increases another 1000 members. For those looking for a source
for civil liberties issues click ACLU
of WV
June 26 am And over in Roane County,
their school system is making it just fine WITHOUT a high dollar school
levy. Click GOOD MANAGEMENT
June 25 am Denver R.
May, 88, of Wallback, see FUNERAL page
June 25 am That CDC vs Earnie Sirk
hearing scheduled for this morning has been CHANGED!!
June 25 am According to our sources,
a continuance was asked for by CDC. No new court date has been set.
June 25 am With temps in the 80s
Tuesday and predicted to top out near 90 today, how about a dip in the
Clay pool. It's open you know.
June 25 am This Iraq war is
becoming more costly each day. The talking heads are now predicting
occupation since the war end will take more lives than the actual war did.
And one American loss is one too many.
June 25 am Take a look at
the new Clay County PSD trailer on Main street. Notice the Town's alley
there? The one that allows access to the main water supply line to the
storage tank. Look where the PSD has cut off a portion of the alley.
And for that matter, on the NAPA side of the trailer, sure looks like the
eves are well past the edge of the property line.
June 25 am Wanting water.
Been following the water extension project for years? If so, you know the
plan has been for the County Commission to consolidate the local public
service districts into one regional agency. During the last CCC meeting
there seemed to be a change of thought on the consolidation plans. Almost
a breath of fresh air.
June 25 am During this Thursday's
CCC meeting, the agenda calls for a formal vote on whether to consolidate
or not. Sure to be a good one clickers. Be sure to stop over at the Courthouse
at 2pm THURSDAY to view the action.
June 25 am The Communicator comes
out this Friday. Get you classifieds in now as well as any chatters. Remember
the chatters must be signed.
June 24 am Greetings clickers
of the world. We got an Oppps. Mentioned in yesterday's post... Punkin
Ridge Hearing - Thursday. We goofed. There is a Clay Roane PSD meeting
Thursday evening at 7pm.
June 24 am Today at 6 pm all the
TSA students head off to Florida for 6 days of fun and competition.
June 24 am Our Assessor's office
was working in the Big Otter section of the county Monday. Today might
be a good time to hide that new boat, Harley, etc. Who knows, maybe throwing
a frig or two out in the front yard might help tax wise too.
June 24 am We've added the last
of the Clay Middle School pictures on the PHOTO page and the pictures from
the June 10 Town election are now visible.
June 24 am Mark your calendars
for Wed morning, 9 am. Head over to the Courthouse and watch the Earnie
"Wide Glide" Sirk vs Clay Development Corp. (CDC) hearing. Be there early
for a good seat. Leave the popcorn outside, not allowed in Circuit Court
land. At issue is violation of the social service providers by laws which
resulted in Sirk being tossed out last July. If the Court gives the nod
to Sirk, Sirk could be back on top as Board President. Fun Fun Fun
June 24 am Now lets see if
you can figure this one. Clay County PSD says that buying the new double
wide office trailer will NOT increase water rates. Over the last 12 months
Clay PSD has been housed in free digs in the basement of the old Courthouse.
That means they haven't had to pay for electric, water, sewer and such
since the County Commission covers that for them. During that same time
period, the PSD has managed to just keep its head ( financially) above
water.
June 24 am It sure seems like, when
they move into their new digs, with the added utility charges..... ahhhhh
Can anyone say, rate increase time?
June 24 am Why did the Cookie go
to the hospital? He was feeling crummy.
June 23 am BOIL WATER ORDER
for
Clay County PSD customers North of Spread Park.
June 23 am Yesterday was the
first dry day with sunshine and warm temps in weeks. People got out of
their homes, enjoyed the outdoors, watched Clay Jr. League put it all over
Calhoun in double header action out at RT Sizemore Memorial Park at Maysel
and more.
June 23 am The more part is what
hurts . Sunday afternoon scanner listeners heard the chatter from a motorcycle
wreck at Procious, no injuries, and later in the afternoon, the fatal
crash at Big Otter. Full details are posted over on the Hur Herald web
site. CLICK
TWISTED METAL for pictures and details
June 23 am There's a full week of
action coming this fourth week of the month. We'll post as we see it. County
Commission meets, Clay Roane PSD meets, and a public hearing is scheduled
for those wanting water out Punkin Ridge.
June 23 am And the action is not
always good action. Early last week a couple out near the ball park
at Maysel were vandalized. Locked doors did not stop a pry bar. All their
stuff was gone thru but little was taken they thought. Broad day light
too! Only later did they discover the spare keys to the
car were missing. Near the end of last week, the thugs returned, after
dark, late, and tried to use the stolen key to swipe the vehicle. Quick
thinking and a burglar alarm scared off the punks. Are you next? The days
of leaving the house open and keys in the car are long gone even for tiny
Clayberry.
June 23 am The story goes that a
woman heard these hissing sounds coming from her puter just before it went
kapooy. Later a snake was found living inside the CPU. True or false? True.
Full story, click AHHHHHHHH
!!!!
June 23 am ARe you really
bored this morning? Like to pop those sheets of packing bubbles?
Here they are only on line. Click BUBBLES
June 23 am And finally for this
morning, all the gossip on your favorite movie star and famous personalities,
click FAMOUS GOSSIP
June 22 am Hello Rochester New York,
thanks for stopping by too.
June 22 am Water was the topic of
many this past week in Clayberry. And not just the rain . Here's our weekly
wrap up ....
June 22 am Early in the week
storms wiped out parts of our southern border colony, Kanawha County. Long
time reader and contributor to The Communicator, Vera Beasley, was
hit very hard with over 8 feet of water in her Rt. 114 home near Capitol
High School. Here in Clay, on Friday morning, power was out most of the
morning of WV Day. Tree damage to electric lines.
June 22 am Clay County PSD's new
double wide trailer made it to downtown Clay this past week. Although brand
new, many feel that having a trailer set up on Main Street and right beside
our historic Clay County Courthouse is less than a desirable situation.
Clay County PSD issued a still in force, Boil Water Order for the service
area above Spread Park.
June 22 am Punkineer water service
got one step closer to reality this past week as funders from Charleston
brought to Clay Roane PSD, resolutions for signing. Still short $100,000.00,
but closer than other stalled projects in the county.
June 22 am Over 100 kids attended
Camp Mustang at Clay Middle School while others braved summer school trying
to pass flunked courses.
June 22 am Hard working Clay
High students made the front page of the DEP newsletter for efforts to
clean up dumps around the county. Click CLEANER
for a first hand look see.
June 22 am The summer has started
off quiet and wet and remained so. Gardens are water logged with fungus
and wilt taking their toll. Even the rose bushes turned yellow from too
water!
June 21 am BOIL YOUR WATER CLAY
COUNTY PSD NORTH OF SPREAD PARK.
June 21 am Last night for the first
time in weeks and weeks, stars were visible in the night sky. Maybe just
maybe, that **## rain is gone
June 21 am Is WV really such
a cheap place to live? The cost of living and all? Well, not so for water
prices. According to the WV Public Service Commission web site, the average
price for municipal water in WV is $24.55. Around the state examples of
pricing for water service are: Fairmont -$16.88; Parkersburg - $18.98;
Charleston/Huntington - $ 36.23; Morgantown - $ 5.92(Yes, $ 5.92); Wheeling
- $12.21 and sitting down are we?... Clay County PSD $50.28.
That's more than twice the average cost for others buying 4500 gallons
of wa wa.
June 21 am So how do we compare
on a more regional basis? Lexington - $17.39; Baltimore - $12.70; Columbus
- $10.43; Richmond - $18.45; Pittsburgh - $26.25 and once again, Clay County
PSD $50.25. Don't laugh Clay Roane PSD subscribers, you cost
is just as bad! Ditto for Queen Shoals PSD customers!
June 21 am The plan has been
for Clay County PSD to take over all the other PSDs in the County and make
one biggy PSD to serve the entire county. Three days ago, Clay County PSD
threw a wrench in the gear of progress by protesting such a consolidation.
From the WV Public Service Commission web site, this: 01-0713-PWD-PC
CLAY COUNTY COMMISSION AND ROANE COUNTY COMMISSION
LETTER PROTESTING THE CONSOLIDATION OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE DISTRICTS IN
CLAY COUNTY FILED BY CLAY COUNTY PSD (CLOSED/ENTRY)
June 21 am You're a Clayonian if
you burn your yard instead of mowing it
June 21 am You're a
Clayonian if you keep flea and tick soap in the shower
June 21 am You're a Clayonian
if the Salvation Army declines your mattress
June 21 am Hey let's
talk about Clay Devlopment Corp. (CDC) for a minute. CDC has said over
and over, they are a private corporation and their "books" are not
public record. Maybe just as well. Their latest IRS Form 990, from the
2001 record year indicates some issues like : total assets at the beginning
of the year were $313,427 with the ending asset balance of just $115,429.00;
net assets fell $85,933 in 2001; total revenue amounted to $360,573 while
total expenses grew to $401,976.00. Know what that means? Yelp, they
were in the red in 2001.
June 21 am Total receipts for CDC
peaked in 1999 at $991,969.00. According to Form 990, CDC Director Betty
Stalnaker took in $40,148.00 in 2001. Of course that was two years ago
and at least one raise ago. Raises? Yes, those were the raises given the
main 7 staffers and the raise not mentioned in Board meeting minutes.
June 21 am Another one of our secret
non profit groups, Clay Primary Health, didn't do too much better Assets
went down $48,721 between 2001 and the end of 2002. Sort of a snapshot
view for Clay Primary Health for the year ending June 30th, 2002: Revenue-
$2.069 million; Expenses - $2.124 million; Assets - $1.708 million; and
Liabilities stood at $1.089 mil.
June 21 am Primary Health's Board
of Directors operates in secret and does not adhere to WV Open Meeting
Laws. The Board consisted of Helen Morris, Morgan Triplett,
Rosemary Canfield, Mary Truman, Greg Gency, Nancy Murphy, Norma Wallace,
Lolita Nutter, Joyce Gibson, and Max Moore (Chair) at last year's end.
Director Richard Jarvis earned $65,348.00 during that same reporting period.
Doctor wise for the year ending June 30th 2002, Leela Patel - $ 115,000.00;
Kiram Patel - $110,000.00; Steven Craft - $87,335.00; Balakrishna Prabhakar
- $82,460; Victoria Dobbins - $ 67,808.00.
June 21 am And finally before
closing, You know you're a Clayonian if you consider your license plate
personalized because your father made it!
June 20 pm The Boil Water Order
continues for Clay County PSD subscribers. Se post below from June 19pm
update.
June 20 pm For many June 20th, WV
Day is a holiday. For others, the lack of electric service made it a holiday.
Most of Clay County went black around 6:50am this morning. Elk Power trucks
were working the Hartland Lizemore side of the county. One tree was spotted
mashing down on power lines just South of Pierson Lumber Co.
June 20 pm Around 11:28am electric
service was restored for most of the county.
June 20 pm With Clay Middle School's
Camp Mustang finished a day early, summer school continues today but without
bus service. Since today is a state holiday, bus drivers wanted holiday
pay for service. Didn't happen. Kids are on their own today to get to and
from summer school duties.
June 20pm You might be a Clayonian
if you keep a can of Raid on yout dining room table.
June 20 pm You might be a Clayonian
if you know how many bails of hay your car will hold.
June 20pm You come back from the
dump with more than you took.
June 20 pm Last night's
sudden down pour left creeks running hard and young corn stalks beat to
the ground. Today, the Elk River is solid mud and about 6 feet above summer
pool. With gray overcast galore, more rain can be counted on.
June 20 pm With all the mud and
yuck, tomorrow's CCHS car wash scheduled for GO Mart, Two Run, might be
a big success. All proceeds go to the dance team.
June 20 am Clyde E McCune,
see FUNERAL page
June 19 pm At 5:50pm, a major
storm ripped thru Clay County leaving many without electricity. By
8pm, most service was restored. And man ol man did it ever rain. Even the
ducks had raincoats on.
June 19 pm BOIL
WATER ORDER BOIL WATER ORDER BOIL WATER ORDER
Clay County PSD issued a Boil Water Order at 8:30pm June 19th. PSD
officials found a main line water leak just above Spread Park near
the Mt Home Road. As of 8:30pm there is NO water service in that area.
BOIL YOUR WATER CLAY COUNTY PSD WATER USERS.
June 19 pm This afternoon
Clay Roane PSD met with funding agencies for the Punkin Ridge water line
extension project. With a unanimous motion in hand, the PSD is pressing
on to provide wa wa to 30 or so homes in the Procious area of Clayberry.
At least twice during the meeting, it was stated, there would NOT be a
rate increase for this project... NOT . Clickers, you might want to circle
the date on your calendar.
June 19 pm While Punkineers get
one step closer to water service, not so for Tucker's Bottom who have waited
for 10 years. At one point, maybe 8 years ago, our County Commission promised
Tucker's Bottom residents, you will receive water service before ANYBODY
ELSE IN THE COUNTY.
June 19 pm Of course, Punkin Ridge
was promised water 20 years ago and never got it. Back then, backdoor politics
moved water dollars to "special" areas of the county and away from Punkin.
Could that happen again, this time around. The answer is YES. According
to Virginia McDonald, if the entire PSD service area is included and considered
in the grant and loan request applications, the money CAN be moved around
and or away from the original area... I.E. Punkin Ridge. WIll that
happen this time around? Doubtful since there are now many eyes watching.
June 19 pm and now for the important
stuff in life. We're talking about "breaking wind". Ever wonder why wind
like that happens, why stuff stinks? Get all your answers now, click
BREAKING
WIND
June 19 pm And how about why "logs"
have different colors, why bird poop is why, for the whys and hows of poo
poo, Click ALL THE POOP
June 19 pm Can you tell we were
bored and had little news to report???
June 19pm Here's a pretty
nifty aerial map site. By clicking this link, you can see in darn
good detail homes, roads, rivers and such compliments of the US Geological
Survey. Click THAT'S
ME DOWN THERE
June 19 am Happy 5th Anniversary
to Roger Scott McKinney from your wife who loves you very much.
June 19 am Wasn't that nice...
June 19 am Make plans now
for Saturday, according to Don Jarvis, the Clay County Pool is open and
and and Saturday admission is FREE for the Little Kids. Even better, the
forecast calls for sun!
June 19 am IF you're over 60, walk
over to the ADVISORY page for details on the Farmer's Market plans to come
to Clay.
June 19 am Today at 1:30 is a special
meeting of the Clay Roane PSD. Agenda calls for discussion of funding "concerns."
Don't know exactly what that means, but if you're a Punkineer and in need
of water, better be there
June 19 am We've seen a real change
of attitude recently at the County Commission. At last week's meeting,
the Commissioner's held up a vote to press on with consolidating the local
water service providers. The consolidation deal is mandatory according
to the WV PSC. For years, locals have complained about the high cost of
water in the county. Recently even Commissioner Sams acknowledged the outrageous
prices charged for wa wa.
June 19 am Morgan Gibson announced
yesterday that if all goes as planned, he will be a candidate for
Sheriff in 2004.
June 19 am Not Bad gifts (link on
home page and above) has a buy 1 and get the second gift for 50% off going
on now.
June 19 am Godfather's Pizza opened
just a couple weeks giving Clayonians a nice choice to choose from. Godfather's,
the old Exxon station at Lizemore has a killer thick pizza. But soon another
pizza player will enter the arena. Town and Country Diner will
offer pizza, real home made stuff.
June 18 am Clay County PSD's
big new double wide trailer is now setting on the water providers Main
Street Clay lot. After it being there just a few hours, some are already
complaining. Something about a trailer located beside a historic Courthouse
in a business district.
June 18 am During yesterday's Clay
County PSD meeting, Office Manager Cindy Schoolcraft responded to questions
on the current year's budget. According to Schoolcraft, the agency will
finish the year ( June 30) in the black and do so without touching any
of their insurance pay off money from last year's June 13th fire.
June 18 am While on the subject
of Clay County PSD. Talk came on the PSD purchasing a small back hoe in
the near future. Maintenance man Sam Taylor is to get $ estimates, cost
of a trailer to haul the unit around on. Taylor estimated that a used unit
would cost around $15,000.00. In the last 12 months, the PSD
has rented a back hoe and operator, cost, just shy of $5000.00.
June 18 am Here's one a date to
mark down. This Thursday, 1:30pm, Clay Roane PSD is holding a Special Board
meeting at the CDC senior center on Main Street to discuss the Punkin Ridge
water project. The just posted agenda calls for big cheese from Charleston
Virginia McDonald to speak on funding concerns. Be sure to attend Punkineers.
June 17 pm Yesterday's Town
of Clay Election Canvas revealed that the two challenged ballots were accepted
and counted in with the 149 others who voted June 10th, last Tuesday. As
a result of the two additional ballots...nothing changed.
June 17 pm The Communicator provided
and in depth report on the last County Commission meeting. Details were
given on the issue of water service providers and financial accountability.
The end result being, the County Commission held up a vote to consolidate
all the local PSDs into one massive regional agency.
June 17 pm Over ten years ago, the
CCC got into the consolidation mood. Since then, and with the WV Public
Service Commissions nudging and approval, have continued down the path
of consolidation. That all changed last Thursday when the three blind mice
refused to continue such efforts. Discussion was strong. Full details in
the latest edition of the only paper in the county that provides real news.
June 17 pm There is now more
info. This morning, the Clay County PSD approved a letter of consolidation
protest. Keith "Mr. Happy" King said his agency wanted to wait a while
on consolidation, until the other PSDs get their financial house in order.
Also during the Clay County PSD meeting, after repeated efforts to get
people to sign up for proposed water service ( water line extension project,
Lizemore, Fola, Ticker's Bottom areas), efforts are failing. They still
need almost signatures before the project can even go to bid.
June 17 pm Going to be big time
traffic congestion this afternoon as the Clay PSD double wide trailer gets
hauled into town. Also, need a little extra $. The PSD needs a carpenter
or two to construct the new deck and awning for the double wide. See Cindy
or Beverly at 587-7579.
June 17 pm And for an international
clickers, Yes, it looks like it's going to rain again today!. That makes
6 weeks in a row of rain at least on every other day of the week.
June 17 am Linda Carol Summers
Lane, see FUNERAL page
June 17 am How bad is and was the
flooding just South of Clay County? The Charleston Civic Center has been
opened as a shelter. With the rain continuing for the next few days,
Kanawha County is in for more troubles and Clay County may not be far behind
judging by the water level in the Elk River. Keep an eye peeled Clayberry.
June 17 am Today at 10 am Clay County
PSD holds their Board of Directors meeting in the basement of the old Courthouse.
June 17 am The front page lead story
in the most recent edition of The Communicator deals with last week's meth
lab bust by local law enforcement. In 2000, 97% of all clandestine lab
seizures in the US were meth labs. In 1999 there were 7528 lab seizures.
June 17 am News is light this week
in Clayberry. If things don't pick up soon, we'll start making stuff up.
June 16 am Old timers use to say,
they shouldn't put those rockets into space, they mess the weather
up every time they punch a hole in the clouds! Today the weather
is reallllly messed up.
June 16 pm Big time flooding just
to our South in Kanawha County. Rt. 144 and 119 both blocked due to high
water and mud slides. Real bad around Coonskin Park heading into Charleston.
With water rising quickly, employees in the Fed Ex building on Greenbrier
Street took to the roof for safety. With water so swift, life boats were
un able to get the folks off the roof. Luckily by noon thirty today, the
water in that area went down and the workers were rescued. Kids at Coonskin
were unable to leave this morning. All along the Elk, South of Clendenin,
many main and side roads were impassable.
June 16 am One mobile home became
real mobile as high water washed it off its foundation and pinned it against
a bridge backing up even more water.
June 16 pm Part of the Kanawha Blvd.
washed away near Magic Island.
June 16 pm With more rain predicted
this evening, things don't look so good for those living along the banks
of the Elk and its tributaries.
June 16 am We really didn't get
around to a weekend wrap up yesterday but briefly, last week...
You can never predict the voters of Clay County. Lots of new faces on Town
Council as a result of last Tuesday's election where new to politics, Phillip
"Fatman" Morris garnered the most votes. With King Arthur winning
the Mayor's opening better than 2 to 1, the wanta be politicos of old...
we'll they're gone.
June 16 am Last Wed the Green
Shirts busted two meth labs on Leatherwood with three arrested and
sent off to the can Friday night before midnight.
June 16 am Rounding out last week,
over on Hansford Fork, the body of Linda Summers Woods Lane. Cops and crime
lab units responded quickly and worked thru Saturday evening.
We've left last week's posts below for your review in case you missed them.
June 16 am As this week gets
going.... This afternoon, at 5, is the vote canvass at Town
Hall ( water plant). With Morgan Gibson, husband of Joyce Gibson saying
publicly that the Attorney General's office was contacted about controversial
ads printed during the race, Monday's election canvas might be interesting
and worth the trip to town. Joyce ran for Town Council and well... she
lost big time. Stomp your feet. Stomp your feet!
June 16 am Beginning at 6pm
our elected School Board meets in regular session at the Board office on
Main Street. Most likely a short one but why not attend. You might catch
them at something
June 16 am For the teeny bopper
crowd, Camp Mustang begins today at Clay Middle School. Nearly 150 new
to CMS are expected to attend.
June 14 pm This post will
make more sense if you slide down to last night's Late pm posts.
June 14 pm The body found last night
was that of a middle aged woman named Linda Summers Woods,... Lane. Married
3 times and a former Postmaster from the Southern end of the county.
As late as 2:45 today, State Police vehicles were still on scene.
June 14 pm Taken to Central Regional
Jail last night around midnight, Allen Glen McClain, his wife Lori, and
Mark Anthony Stone.
June 14 pm Little League finished
up today with Valley Fork the Champs with just 3 losses. It's always good
to see a new to the are business support the youth of the county. Such
was the case this year with Market Express sponsoring Little League. You
might to say thanks to Ed Blake for his $. You might want to say thanks
by buying one of his Godfather pizza. Try a great big thick one. Yummy.
June 14 pm Went pretty well
for Clay's big League team as they put it all over Summersville 14 - 4
in the first game. Their 2nd effort was washed out at thunder and rain
closed down action around 5pm today.
June 13 LATE pm We've got some action
in Clay under the brightness of a full moon. A little after 8:15pm the
call came in for Town Cop Buckshot Butcher to baby-sit 3 in cuffs.
Tpr. Bailey was the arresting officer. Since Bailey just popped a meth
lab out Leatherwood on Wed, the guess is, the three arrests are related.
Peering in the window around 9:45pm, 2 men shackled to the floor with a
h>
Transfer interrupted!
tside the old Courthouse, 9:45ish,
sat Mayor Arthur Jarrett talking to Jimmy Woods. By 10 Arthur had retired
to his home with Woods down on Main Street talking in the shadows to three
other men.
June 13 LATE pm About this
same time came the call that a body had been found out Hansford Fork area.
The directions went, top of the hill, turn at the old cemetery. Around
8:45pm and by the light of the moon, an ambulance driven by Tony Long ,
no sirens on, was seen escorting the Braxton County Medical Examiner to
the site. The state crime response team has been called into action.
As of 9 pm, they're not on location out Hansford Fork.
June 13 LATE Behind the medical
examiner was the new black Ford Deputy 4WHD ( Deputy Rider) and a few minutes
later came the black mid size Sheriff cruiser.
June 13 LATE Are the
arrests related to the body found? Don't know. Doubt it as a matter
of fact. But wherever drugs are found, bodies often turn up.
June 13 LATE LATE 10:36pm
Officer ( sounded like Bailey) told other law enforcement that from
the left turn area at Hansford Fork, would have to blocked off to keep
people out as the crime response team gets under operation.
June 13 LATE LATE 11:03 Buckshot
to Unit 443, asked if Green Shirts wanted him to transport three to jail
after arraignment. Response : No
June 13 LATER 11:17 911 Dispatch
calls for law, domestic three miles past Golden Delicious Apple sign
near Bomont. Woman fired warning shot. Man violating restraining
order. Woman scared
June 13 LATER Scanner comments:
they're trying to get a generator set up and 4 wheeler running out Hansford
Fork
June 13 LATER 11:36pm Tpr Bailey
and DNR Unit 444 down at Magistrate Boggs office and done.
June 13 Last 11:37pm
Back at Hansford Fork crime scene, Sheriff Fields, " Any need to keep the
road blocked?" Deputy Rider, " Just use your own judgment."
June 13 LAST Midnight:03 Bailey
and DNR #444 taking one female and two males to Central Regional Jail.
June 13 LASTEST The full moon
does it every time clickers. As soon as we can get names attached to the
three arraigned and the body we'll post right here on your only source
of immediate news for Clay County. Night Night.
June 13 pm The
Communicator made it out the door around noon thirty with delivery to all
the distributors by 4pm. Get it while it's hot
June 13 pm Yesterday's County Commission
meeting was a 2 and 1/2 hour hum dinger. Lots of juicy concerns raised
by the three blind mice over the fate of regional water projects. The barbs
were directed at in attendance WV PSC big cheese Geert Bakker. Also, Commissioner
Triplett made the motion to discontinue paying liability insurance for
the volunteer fire departments in the county. And get this, the fire dept.
reps left happy! Full details , three pages of coverage in today's Communicator
June 13 You know what happened a
year ago today? The Clay County PSD office on Main street burnt to the
ground after the water supply from the Town of Clay went to zip. One year
ago today.
June 13 Full details on the
Alan McClain meth lab bust too.
June 13 pm Heavy duty morning rains
sent creek water a rushing. Some areas are now flooding in the County.
Watch out local clickers, it's bad out there with more predicted for this
evening.
June 13 pm Tomorrow the Clay pool
opens for the season. Usually, volunteers fill the pool with river water
and then treat it. This year with the Elk the color of coffee and thick
enough to plow, the Town of Clay donated treated water to fill the county's
only public pool.
June 12 am And talk about rain.
We really saw it yesterday. What started off as a pretty nice day went
all to pieces by 3pm. In parts of WV along the Elk River, residents saw
flash flooding after 2 to 3 inches of rain within an hour. Parts of I 64
were shut down where standing water made driving impossible. In the county,
lights and power went off.
June 12 am Here's one ready to boil
over. Yesterday work continued on the foundation for Clay County PSDs new
double wide trailer soon to be on Main Street and serve as the water provider's
office complex. Our County Commission filed a formal protest against the
purchase of the trailer. With the trailer on the way, with the foundation
already being prepared, the WV Public Service Commission is preparing to
hear the CCC's complaint. For a complete look at the dispute, head over
to the WV PSC site, click NO
PERMISSION GIVEN
June 12 am We told you last week
the new CellOne tower was powered up and ready to rumble. Well it took
until yesterday for the communications to actually get going. Right now
the promises of great reception haven't panned out. Just two miles from
the tower, at Bullard's Exxon, there's no reception, in the Town of Clay,
the signal is very weak, and even on top of Triplett Ridge.... bad.
June 12 am Remember Bob Ore? Bob
is the Republican that ran against Commissioner Sams last election cycle
and came close but lost to the incumbent Sams. Ore has since moved
down to Clendenin and ran for the Mayor's position. In the four person
race, Ore came in third with 50 votes to his name.
June 12 am We're just now getting
the reports of the State Police finding a meth lab out Leatherwood way.
As of storm time, the green shirts were waiting for an emergency response
team to come, check out the site, and clean up the hazardous drug manufacturing
location. Drugs clickers, we got em in every corner we look!
June 12 am Today is a big day for
Fire Depts. in the County. Our County Commission (meets at 2pm) will decide
on insuring the volunteer groups for the coming year. Cost: around $18,000.00.
June 12 am Later today, 7 pm, the
Clay Roane PSD convenes for another round of action at the CDC building
on Main Street. We think this meeting will be worth braving the storms.
We anticipate another secret time where accusations of fudging the time
sheets will be discussed. Just a guess clickers but a darn good hunch since
the same issue has come on a regular basis for over three years.
June 12 am And a message from
CLAY FM. The company that serves out their internet radio signal will be
down for maintenance sometime late tonight and again on Friday. Listening
directions to the left and near the top. Lots of classic country all today
or at least while the server is working
June 11 Noon:21 pm ,
over the scanner, to all law enforcement, be on the look out for a grey
dodge car with male occupant with rifle. The dispatcher said the guy was
fleeing police after being involved in a Spencer shooting.
June 11 pm And with most any election,
there are sore losers. Such is the case now as the fallout from yesterday's
Town Election becomes public. Word spread last night that the Attorney
General's office in Charleston had been alerted to allegations of election
fraud. Full details as we get them this Friday
June 11 pm Charleston Newspapers
reported this morning on the awarding of Federal grant announcements for
police departments. Back last winter when the Town laid off Chief of Police
Tommy Myers, Myers went to work on getting such a grant to fund his position.
Didn't work. Even with $78.1 million awarded, Clay got zip
June 11 pm Clay has got a boat load
of TSA students heading to Florida to attend national competition. The
price tag, most coming from school levy funds is in the thousands. Wal
Mart if Summersville just announced , they're doing their part. Wal Mart
granted Clay Middle School $500 for the trip.
June 11 am Willie Lloyd Carr, see
FUNERAL page
June 11 am Remember four years ago
when CAEZ loaned Filcon $140,000 to get their filter making equipment into
the county? Remember last Dec 5th when Sheriff Fields auctioned off the
Filcon equipment to CAEZ? Sort of sounds like CAEZ bought the same
stuff twice.... but wait there's more!
June 11 am Yesterday during the
auction by the ROANE COUNTY SHERIFF, CAEZ bought the same &&**
equipment back again. Yelp, with only two bidders to be heard, CAEZ bought
the one time, $ 2 million valued equipment back for $201.00. Not a typo,
$201.00. Full details this Friday in the Communicator
June 11 am And now the results from
yesterday's Town of Clay election. By more than a two to one margin, King
Arthur Jarrett won by a land slide. New Town Recorder... drum roll please...
Little Murph, Dwana Murphy.
June 11 am And who's the number
one vote getter in the Town Council bids? A brand new face, first time
in politics, fresh into his retirement years, Phillip "Fatman" Morris.
With four other slots open, those winners are Betty Murphy, Billie
Jane Zegeer, Sally Legg and Frank Childers III. As far as the rumors on
vote buying, who got peed at who, what political empire just crumbled,
who spun his tires after the results were announced, and who said what
about who.... it'll cost you 50 cents and you have to wait until this Friday
afternoon in that little paper.
June 11 am We just added the
last of the Clay Middle School pictures over on the PHOTO page as well
as several new ones on the This and That page.
June 10 am Hello MT in Tampa,
glad to have you along
June 10 am The Clay County
PSD meeting scheduled for this morning at 10 has been rescheduled for nest
Tuesday
June 10 am As for the Roane Sheriff
Cole auctioning off the Filcon filter making equipment yesterday, we think
it happened. Interesting little note.... the ad for the auction ran in
the Roane Times Record twice. BUT, the first notice did NOT include the
time of the auction. If anybody wanted to challenge the auction or the
outcome , they probably could.
June 10 am Today
is the Town of Clay election. With lots of candidates to pick from and
only about 100 expected to come out and vote, it's a toss up. Every votes
counts. Why vote? We may not have a say in who gets elected for President
but we do locally. VOTE!
June 10 am Mayor candidates
include incumbent Arthur Jarrett and challenger Glen Nichols. Both have
experience and shortcomings as well.
June 10 am In the $400 per
month Town Recorder opening, there's Dwana Murphy Linda Moorehead and Cathy
Butcher. Dwana is currently the town clerk and has some experience at the
job. Linda Moorehead has been recorder before back when Leonard Williams
was Mayor. Cathy Butcher has no public service experience in the area.
June 10 am And there are a bunch
of them running for the $100 a month Council spots: Betty Murphy, Frank
Childers III, Joyce Gibson, Sally Legg, Rena Moore, Billie Jane Zegeer,
Okey Burroughs, Phil Morris, Wanda Chambers, Buckshot Butcher, and Paige
Willis. What a field! Will the incumbent slate hold together?
From the experience end of it, Betty, Joyce, Okey, Wanda and Sally have
it. Newcomers to Clayberry politics are Phil "Fatman" Morris recently retired
from the State Road; Rene Moore, Billie J Zegeer, and Frank Childers, the
youngest of the candidates. As for Buckshot and Paige, we don't think
they have served in an elected capacity before this time around although
Paige has held appointed positions on the county level. 11 contenders and
only 5 openings.
June 10 am We'll post the results
tonight late. Check back then.
June 10 am New vehicles over on
the CLASSIFIED page
June 9 pm We're off and running
with another action packed week of life in small world America, Clay County.
Thanks for stopping in and stop back often. We always post daily and often
post with an afternoon update around noon.
June 9 pm Last night's big time
wind storm left thousands in the state without power. Most of the
wind damage was to our North and West. For the most part, Clayberry went
without damage.
June 9 pm This morning at
9 was the auction of the FIlcon filter making equipment at the old Newton
Fire Dept. building. No word yet on the results.
June 9 pm Tomorrow is the
Town of Clay election . Voting takes place at the Clay Fire House. We'll
post the results late Tuesday evening. With about 300 voters within the
municipality, we expect about 100 to come out and vote.
June 9 pm Thursday is the Clay Roane
PSD meeting beginning at 7pm. Always fun to watch those guys.
June 9 pm And with the sun finally
out, it's time, it's time to pick those cherries, mulch the garden, seed
those bush limas and get the fall beets ready.
June 8 am And for the week that
was, we won't even talk about all the rain, day after day, hour after hour
with out hardly a peep from the sun.
June 8 am The back door negotiations
continued in preparation for the this weeks' Town election. Who is
supporting who? Who gets dropped from the slate? Shawnee Hills clients
were herded into the absentee voting booths and given assistance as to
how to vote. As late as last night, King Arthur was huddled at the water
plant with a select hand full of political hopefuls. By June 10th,
Tuesday evening, we'll know if their tactics worked.
June 8 am This past week we found
out that Central Appalachia Empowerment Zone (CAEZ) had money to toss away.
They have to hand out $45,000 by this month's end in order to qualify for
another $100,000 give away! During last Tuesday's CAEZ meeting, in
an attempt to dispose of the $, CAEZ leaders voted to loan out $15,000
to a brand new Braxton County business (not really even in business yet)
and do so without pay back insuring collateral. The Board passed around
a picture of the business owners' home, a beautiful deluxe home before
voting to give away the $15,000 WITHOUT a lien on the home but instead,
the only collateral being, a home computer and a 1994 Chevy truck. One
Braxton County Board member said, " What do we care? It's not OUR money!"
June 8 am As for the CAEZ paid for
Filcon filter making equipment, CAEZ Director Jerry Sizemore commented
, he just wants out of the mess. The Roane County Sheriff will auction
off the goods Monday June 9th.
June 8 am For kids and teachers
alike, the big event was the last day of school. For the most part, we
couldn't even tell that school was out. Why? Because for the last 6 weeks,
education had not been a part of the school day. Instead of reading writing
and arithmetic, the norm, kids participated in.... movies, fields
trips, , ball games, and days off for about everything from being able
to tie a shoe lace to keeping their mouth shut. High School graduation
came last weekend with Clayberry Bank President Scott Legg the speaker
over the objections of the graduating class who petitioned ( nearly 100
of the 105 graduates) to have Buck Davis provide the orations.
June 8 am And as has been the case
since FDR turned us into welfare beggars four generations ago, the "checks"
came again. The vast majority of Clayberryites ran to their mail boxes
and then to the bank to cash their monthly allotment.
June 8 am Now fully 6 months into
the new year, our county leadership has done nothing to: provide new water
service to those without, done nothing to provide job creation or job retention,
and done nothing to curb the ever increasing number of arson and burglary
incidents within over 342 square mile county of poverty and ill hope.
June 7 am Greetings Saturday morning
clickers. Look out side, forget any outdoor activities today, rain followed
by more thunder storms, followed by more rain.
June 7 am The long dragged
out days of field trips, movies and no education has come to an end. School's
out for the summer. Here in Clayberry, our school system spends
the year teaching the SAT 9 tests . The result has been that our little
banny roosters can strut around bragging about how well we perform among
other under acheiving county school systems. So obvious is the practice,
the entire SAT 9 package has been tossed out and replaced with the WESTtest.
June 7am That doesn't appear to
be the case over in Calhoun County where those administrators provide
a well rounded liberal arts education, one that students can use for the
rest of their life. Over on the hurhearld web site, mention is made, and
predictions on the upcoming year's WESTtest. Click HERE
for the skinny.
June 7 am Remember back in
Dec when then Commissioner TIm Butcher finally made it to a Commission
meeting and pushed hard to appoint Daniel Grindo for the Prosecutor opening?
During the push for the Braxton County native and resident, Mr. Grindo
promised to move to Clay County if appointed to Prosecutors position. He
hasn't done that yet and it sure looks as though that ain't about to happen.
June 7 am In this week's Braxton
Citizen Newspaper, Mr. Grindo has a huge bold half page ad telling
all of Braxton County, he has opened a law office there and wants their
business. His big time newspaper ad includes " Representation you can rely
on!!" Of course, here in Clayberry, previous Prosecutor's have said, the
position here demands full time attention to do a good job.
June 7 am The coffee house
gang often contends that Grindo has done a less than stellar job since
Tim " No Show" Butcher put him in office. In April, during a welfare fraud
case, eyebrows went up as those in the peanut gallery questioned his before
trial case work. That case, State vs Peggy DeBoard was tossed out
by Judge Alsop and in May, the case was tossed out completely.
June 7 am And the behind the
scenes political haggling continues. With just three days before the June
10 Town election, take a look who's out talking to the 300 voters. Will
the slate hold together? Who's bailing out? Who is, behind the scenes
politico, Norman Wilson promoting?
June 7 am Norman Wilson is
in a very elite club. Wilson is one of a very few that organized
his own write in campaign for Mayor a few years ago and won, beat the official
candidates hand down.
June 7 am Linda Morehead was elected
Town Recorder a few years back and served with Mayor Leonard Williams.
Morehead was later by Betty Murphy. Morehead is once again running
for the Recorder position with Betty seeking a Council spot after serving
as Recorder for about 800 years.
June 6 am Fola Coal was issued a
mountain top removal mining permit June 3. The permit allows for over 1700
acres of Clay County ( on Leatherwood) beauty to be ripped apart, watersheds
to be destroyed, family homesteads to be forever destroyed with of it done
in the name of progress. Of course, if past practices are an example, few
Clay County residents will so much as get a short term job from the rape
June 6 am Start rounding up all
that scrap metal junk INCLUDING REFRIGERATORS Clay County has recycling
days coming July 10 11 12. Those old cars can be brought in as well. Details
coming shortly
June 6 am Clay County PSD employees
Sam Taylor and Jimmy were seen Thursday afternoon ripping up parking meters
in front of the PSD property on Main Street. A new double wide trailer
will arrive soon to replace the building that burnt one year old June 13th.
The actions of the PSD are troubling for our County Commissioners who have
lodged a formal complaint against PSD Chair Keith "Mr. Happy" King. CCC
does not approve of the big $ being spent for an ugly double wide on Main
Street while free office space is available to them.
June 6 am Yesterday afternoon Clay
Development Corp. (CDC) held their annual General membership meeting. Lots
of folks showed up. The crowd overflowed into the sidewalk. The big
long celebration didn't last long as a rep from Rite Aid came over and
told the group," You've got five minutes to move them cars from our lot
or we'll tow them away!" The party dispersed quickly. It is our understanding,
none of the general members were told they are being sued over actions
taken by themselves last year during the General Membership assembly
June 6 am So why the big crowd this
year? If the guy suing them , Earnie Sirk, should win in court and
be put back in as CDC Board President, a unified group, a group supportive
of the current power brokers within the agency, must be in place to toss
Earnie's big stinky butt out on the street for a second time!
June 6 am Sometime this weekend
we'll post some news from the CAEZ meeting this past week. Check back Saturday
sometime in the afternoon.
June 5 pm In this mornings post
, we goofed. Most have been the water we drank last night. The regular
meeting of Clay Roane PSD is NEXT Thursday not tonight. The 5 pm thangy
at Clay Roane is accurate
june 5 pm We've got a municipal
election slated for June 10th. It's always fun to watch who and what's
going on in small town America. Like, yesterday those in the care of the
old Shawnee Hills agency , not Prestera, were brought over to Town Hall
to vote absentee. While voting, one of their Counselors aided them in the
voting process. Three weeks ago The Communicator published a paid political
ad supporting the slate: Arthur Jarrett for Mayor; Recorder Dawana Murphy,
Wanda Chambers, Okey Burroughs, Billie Zegeer, Sally Legg, and Betty Murphy.
June 5 pm That ad, which mentioned
that one time Mayor Joyce Gibson was forced to retire, seems to have created
quite a stir. Ms Gibson is now a candidate for Town Council and her daughter
in law, Cathy Butcher, is seeking the Recorder's opening. Husband Morgan
was real verbose June 3 during a public meeting at the Courthouse. According
to Mr. Gibson, Joyce was NOT forced to retire but did so for health reasons.
He went on say the Town finances were NOT in shambles at the time of her
resignation. Of course most in the county remember two years ago when Joyce
Gibson left office, the town was more than in shambles, it was nearly bankrupt.
Employees were laid off, hospitalization coverage was canceled, venders
cut off credit accounts, no Town Police, a $50,000.00 loan was secured
just to keep the lights on, and according Town leadership, Jeff Krauklis,
during the Council meeting where Ms Gibson's hand written letter of resignation
was read, there was money enough for just one month of operation! At best,
the 2 years of Gibson leadership was inadequate to say the least.
June 5 pm And now, letters have
been mailed out to the 300 or so voters in the Town of Clay. That letter
is now creating a stir. Should be a fun time election night!
June 5 am It may be hard for
our international clickers to believe but, here in the outback, there is
NO cell phone coverage. None. Back last Summer, CellOne started construction
of a tower up on the hill behind the Foodland store at Two Run. Construction
was halted as property owners haggled over rights of ways.
June 5 am Now nearly a year later,
the equipment is in and the power is on. Sometime today ( we think) the
signal will be beamed from a Northern tower to our new tower and WHAAAMMMOOO,
we will have cell phone service! The 20th Century finally making it to
Clayberry. Already our school system is working on a plan to stop students
from carrying and using the devices even tho the phones have been important
rescue tools during hostage taking and shooting sprees around the country.
June 5 am When you see Communicator
Editor Terry Kerns today, tell her Happy Birthday. She doesn't look a day
over 50
June 5 am Clay FM has included
that new Governor Wise spoof song during today's play list. Tune in and
Enjoy
June 5 am Now don't tell anyone
but that super secret Clay Development Corp (CDC) is holding their annual
General membership meeting today beginning at 1 pm. It's during this meeting
that new members can sign up. It was during last year's General membershit,
I mean Membership meeting that Earnie Sirk was tossed from power after
firing employee Pam Taylor. Remember.... Shhhhh ..... mums the word
June 5 am Also today, Clay Roane
PSD holds a Special meeting at the water plant at 5pm followed by their
regular meeting tonight at 7pm. the regular meeting will be held on Main
Street across from the Courthouse
June 5 am Remember back two
weeks ago we reported on a scam going around where the victim is asked
to cough up $ in return for getting college financial assistance help?
We got a call yesterday from county parent who had fallen victim to the
ploy. How expensive? For this woman, the cost was $100 per month.
June 5 am The scam part is this.
All colleges provide financial assistance packages free of charge as do
many private schools.
June 5 am
June 4 pm Back two months ago high
school kids yanked and pulled tons of junk and trash from road banks near
the Dundon ball park. Truck loads were removed and the place looked great.
June 4pm Didn't last long as some
**## SOB dumped 100 bags of trash in the same area. Clean up is planned
again. See EVENTS page for details.
June 4 pm In April 2003 Prosecutor
Daniel Grindo handled a welfare fraud case against Peggy DeBoard after
indictments were returned by the Grand Jury. Deboard worked for the
Bank of Gassawy. During the trial, many in attendance questioned the performance
of the Prosecutor over not calling a single eye witness to the allegations
of husband Mitch living at Peggy's home while Peggy drew benefits. That
april trial was tossed out after a juror had contact with Ms DeBoard during
the last day of events.
June 4 pm The case was to be retried
in may. Not going to happen. The case was dismissed the last week of May
with Ms DeBoard returning to the Bank of Gassaway this week.
June 3 am A great big rainy afternoon
to you. Sorry for he slowness in update. The Communicator went out the
door finally. There is one glitch in the sentencing of Vince Golosow story
but we'll finish it up in the next edition. Get em while they're hot
June 4 am Yesterday Town Council
met as did CAEZ. Both meetings offered insight into the affairs of county
life and will be posted later this evening.
June 4 am Also yesterday came a
presentation during a Workforce Investment Board meeting held in the County
Commission room. Our workforce Investment region consists of Clay, Calhoun,
Jackson, Mason, Pleasants, Richie, Roane, Wirt, and Wood counties. Pretty
dismal facts. The stuff leaders try to massage away. The stuff that won't
go away. The stuff few talk about. Stuff like ...
June 4 am Clay County leads
the region in the percentage of residents unable to function and do simple
things like balance a check book
June 4 am Clay has the highest percentage
of people in poverty with our per capita income less than 50% of the national
average
June 4 am 75.2% of our kids are
on free or reduced lunch programs and in our region, we have the lowest
percentage of people even looking for a job. According the to the stats
presented Wed by Mr. Ed Strong, there's only 465 people even wanting
a job in the county.
June 4 am And here's one the
school system hates to admit and would never say in public, according to
the most recent figures, 2000 -2001, less than half ( 49.7 %) of our high
school seniors even took the ACT test, the test most commonly required
before going to college. Less than half!!! As for the glowing remarks of
great performance and quality teaching, not so. During that same
performance period, 200 -2001, those that took the ACT scored and average
of just 19.6 composite which is the lowest score in our 9 county region.
June 4 am Not mentioned yesterday
during the presentation but known by many in the room, the truth is our
people know: It would be crazy to take a minimum wage job instead of living
off the government dole.
June 2 am The week is starting
off great and No we don't mean Sunday came and went without rain. We made
it thru Graduation without one major car wreck, injury and death. So many
times, the sad news of a graduating senior makes the front page under those
circumstances.
June 2 am OF course one thing good
has come from all the rain. We haven't of any arson in the last 2 weeks!
June 2 am We've got a great
week in store for us with lots of public meetings. Tonight the School Board
meets. On Tuesday , Town Council meets at 4 as does the Eco Devel Committee
of CAEZ with a full blown CAEZ Board meeting continuing at 6pm. Later
comes the Clay Roane PSD gathering. We'll post as the info comes
in.
June 2 am And finally after a long
delay, the Communicator should make it to the stands Tuesday afternoon.
June 1 am Can it be possible?
Is June here already? Must be, lightening bugs were seen Friday evening.
June 1 am Clay FM is playing a bunch
of tunes from Clay County's own, The Neal Family, today along with Southern
Grace and several numbers from the Hee Haw Gospel Quartet. Enjoy
June 1 am So what do
we do when news is light? Tell a joke. Here goes: Joe took his blind date
to the carnival. "What would you like to do first, Kim?" asked Joe. I want
to get weighed," she said. They ambled over to the weight guesser.
He guessed 120 pounds. She got on the scale; it read 117 and she
won a prize.
Next,
the couple went on the Ferris Wheel. When the ride was over, Joe again
asked Kim what she would like
to do. "I want to get weighed," she said. Back
to the weight guesser they went.
Since they had been there before, he guessed her correct weight, and Joe
lost his dollar.
The
couple walked around the carnival and again he asked where to next. "I
want to get weighed," she responded.
By this time, Joe figured she was really weird and took her home early,
dropping her off with a handshake.
Her roommate,
Laura, asked her about the blind date, "How'd it go?" Kim responded,
"Oh, Waura, it was wousy."
June 1 am And now for the
weekly wrap up. Of course rain was the main topic this past week. Some
much rain that gardening, grass cutting, and other outside duties were
all but impossible.
June 1 am The big winner this week
was Mack Samples who brought home the top prize at the Vandalia Gathering
in Charleston. Another Boil Water Order ended Friday for Ivydale
and Big Otter customers.
June 1 am A very mean looking Vince
Golosow was sentenced to life behind bars before being escorted back to
the slammer under heavy guard support. They took no chances!
June 1 am By week's end, Shelly
Moore Capito made her way into the county and explained how the development
of the Maysel Park could be an economic boost for Clayberry. She also listened
to the water needs of the Widen area among other things
June 1 am The Town of Clay prepared
fro their June 10th election as campaign posters went over all over the
place.
June 1 am Another week of education's
schooling completed with movies, field trips, and kids' days off for performing
well on the SAT 9 tests. Good scores mean nothing other than to make Link
and the School Board gang look nice on paper. So distorted are the scores,
the entire SAT 9 testing program has now been tossed out the window. Of
course another week of no education is nothing new for Clayberry, for all
intents and purposes, school hasn't been in session for four weeks
June 1 am This past week ended as
it began, rain followed by more rain, and then to make certain everything
was wet, God gave us nice thunder boomers and downpours Saturday.