March 2009
March 31 p Belated: Cecil Zickafoose,
92, see OBITUARY page
March 30 late p May Day May Day
Non profit 101.7 FM is having antenna problems. They're in reaaaal need
of a bucket truck to get to their 40 foot up in the air antenna ASAP, maybe
Wed afternoon or Saturday if weather permits. Anybody got one for an hour
or less? Call Pete at Clay Auto or Andy at 304 587-8353. They're
trying to get everything in working order before home CCHS baseball games
get underway.
March 30 a While you're waiting for
your pink slip or the boss is away, here's a great way to waste some company
time. Many government agencies use the Govt Deals web site to sell
everything from lost and found items to buses, ambulances, guns to
watches. Pretty cool site.
March 29 p some weeks are more
revealing than others. last week was a good one
March 29 p Politics as usual:
In the first two months of this year, at least $250,000 of bail-out
funds returned to Washington in the form of campaign finances.
March 29 p After years of mountain
top rape, Congress introduced legislation to ban the practice. Obama De
Bama gave the word to stop issuing MTR permits, to put them on hold. Almost
immediately, King Coal cried foul with great big crocodile tears everywhere.
March 29 p More local, in the West
Virginia Legislature, Senator White introduced a bill to stop the equally
dumb practice of injecting hazardous mine waste back into the ground.
March 29 p It was a good week for environmental
groups and those that think the earth is important.
March 20 p Here in Clayberry, Commissioner
Mike Pierson showed his hand (maybe other parts too) when he called the
ace cub reporter a parasite on the county. Strange, it's Mikey taking a
teachers salary and a County Commissioner salary at the same time.
March 29 p At issue was support for
a local initiative to grow tourism during the summer months with Darryl
and Darryl saying heck no to any such effort.
March 29 p During his diatribe, Pierson
said AW had been bad mouthing his bread and butter, the school system,
for years and Pierson didn't appreciate it.
March 29 p Truth is the truth. The
Mel Gibson look alike has been reporting on Clay County and West Virginia's
dismal educational system for over a decade. Stuff like: pathetic back
room deals by the school system; education stops after the 4th grade; over
70% of our high school graduates have to take bone head college classes;
and, a real sad college going rate.
March 29 p Some parents don't believe
it. It's all true and backed up by report after report. Now, even the head
of the US Ed Dept Arne Duncan is saying the same thing. Here's the
complete audio on how tax dollars are being wasted on educational practices
that don't work, too much time being spent on teaching the test and big
changes coming. Duncan says we are not at a point to be proud of
our educational system.. We have slipped. He says that art, music, dance
should be part of the system and NOT just teaching the test. Get this..
in the audio, Mr Duncan says states have dummied down standardized
tests (WestTest for instance) to look good. Ever hear that
before? How refreshing!
March 29 p Those on food stamps received
a 13.6
% increase.
March 29 p One time Senator Schoonover
was given a third chance after testing hot for cocaine. He will spend the
next 6 months in drug rehab.
March 29 p Another local made it to
the Charleston newspapers mid week: Autumn Faulkner, 26, was arraigned
on a sexual assault charge Thursday and was being held at Tygart Valley
Regional Jail. State Police Sgt. G.L. Stalnaker said the boy's parents
apparently did not know about the relationship, which had been going on
since at least last year. Faulkner teaches at Elkins Middle School. Randolph
County Schools Interim Superintendent Terry George told The Inter-Mountain
that he's taken steps to keep Faulkner from working in the school system.
George declined to provide specifics Thursday. Faulkner was arrested Wednesday
after an anonymous tip to the state Department of Health and Human Resources.
March 29 p Local business leader and
BDA member Jim Knotts got a reprieve last week when the West Virginia Supreme
Court rescheduled his appeal on 129 counts of sexual assault to minor in
his care. Rescheduled to April 29th clickers.
March 29 p Cold and rain returned to
Clayberry last week. Didn't slow down the music or dancing at Big Otter
Community Center Friday night nor the attendance at the Saturday night
BDA Consignment auction.
March 29 a Jenevie Brown, 84,
of Indore, see OBITUARY page
March 27 late p William Nutter, see
OBITUARY page
March 27 a From Cindy Willis on the
topic of summer jobs: We will hire 10 summer tutors for our summer
school program. Applications are available at the high school or
at the Board Office. This is in addition to the Energy Express student
positions.
March 27 a According to the gospel
of Darryl #2, we tell a out right lies....
March 27 a Obama's budget plan
would take national debt up to about 80 percent of gross national product...Historically,
it's been about 40 percent? True
.
March 27 a Under Obama's budget
plan, families making over $250,000 are "going to lose their mortgage deduction,
their charitable deductions? Answer:
Nope, not true at all.
March 27 a Tens of billions
of dollars (from taxpayer-funded bailouts) ... flowed straight through
AIG into the coffers of foreign corporations and foreign banks? Answer:
Absolutely
100% True.
March 27 a Plenty going on this
weekend in the great Nation of Clay. Music and dance tonight with Short
Times making the music; Big Gospel Music Jam Saturday night as well as
the ever growing BDA Consignment Auction; and, a great Hunt Expo Sunday
afternoon. See EVENTS page for details.
March 27a Not sure if it's the fresh
Spring air or that the stench of W gone, but it feels better!
March 26 p Hot from DC: U.S.
Senators Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN) today introduced
bipartisan legislation that would prohibit the dumping of mining waste
into streams, effectively ending the practice known as mountaintop mining.
The
Appalachia Restoration Act would amend the Clean Water Act to prevent the
dumping of what is known as “excess spoil” from mountaintop mining into
streams and rivers.
March 26 p How much coal comes from
mountain top removal rape? Answer: Less than 5%
March 26 p Saw something sad
this morning. It's name was Randy Schoonover. Before Judge Cadle Schoony
begged for mercy, one more chance in life. The hearing was called after
our one time Senator peed hot for cocaine two weeks ago.
March 26 p His first break came
after getting caught peddling Rx meds and the Court gave him home confinement
instead of hard jail time. Schoonover's second big break came this morning
when the Judge allowed the ageing, sagging, bent over Clayonian, a chance
at drug treatment instead of prison.
March 26 p If successful in drug rehab,
the Judge said he would do away with the balance of probation.
March 26 p It's up to Randy Schoonover
once again.
March 26 p Lets get back to the
parasite and Commissioner Pierson.
March 26 p Pierson is peed at the ace
cub reporter. Yesterday during a CCC meeting, Darryl #2 called the Mel
Gibson look alike: A Parasite on the county. What he did was show his hand
to the world. He said what he had been thinking for years.
March 26 p Since coming to office in
Jan of this year this site and newspaper, the Communicator, has raised
the issue of double dipping of tax dollars by Pierson. The issue of being
paid as a teacher and then being paid at the same time as a Commissioner.
So serious is the impropriety, the School Board paid $500 for a Charleston
Suit to tell em: Get an Ethics Commission opinion. If here was ever such
an ethics ruling, it hasn't been made public.
March 26 p Since coming to office,
we raised H over the number of unlawful meetings held by the Commission
away from the public. Not to mention the number of sit down meetings between
Slinky and Mikey (Darryl #1 and Darryl #2) where they consider the public's
business without benefit of public notice.
March 26 p Since coming to office,
Mr Baldy successfully lodged a campaign to roll back tax values on Mom
and Pop mineral parcels amounting to well over $13m. The CCC had every
intention of breaking it off in the citizens of the county and do so without
Crisco! Their backdoor scheme was shot down for the good of the county.
March 26 p Those three items
are enough to make any behind closed door operators mad. Pierson says he
gets up each morning and reads his Bible preparing himself for the day.
Pierson says he's in office to help the people of the county. How
refreshing.
March 26 p Pierson thinks the
media reporting the facts is bad. He said Wed that such independent fact
based, first hand, seen it with our own eyes, reporting hurts the county
and keeps good people from running for office.
March 26 p Mikey is part of the school
system. He's a company man. has been for 34 1/2 years. In that capacity
he's been told what to think and do.
march 26 p So early in office and so
much doo doo on him.
March 26 p As an elected official we
expect and demand more. Clayberry (he doesn't even like that word!) demands
him to stand on his own two feet. We demand him to be thinking for the
good of the county instead of walking in lock step with Slinkinoooooger
for the good of the school system.
March 26 p It's time for Commissioner
Mike Pierson to use his own brain or step aside.
March 26 p Can't help but think of
the Neil Young line: to mean so little to you means so little to me.
March 26 p Away from the Clayberry
dumb bunnies, how something to make you feel good. Here's a
short video on Ben E King's most famous tune. DSL required.
March 26 p Thanks TL for the
link, makes the parasite feel much better.
March 25 p Clayberry, you can
breathe a little easier. The CCC rolled back your tax burdens over $13m
this morning. After Darryl and Darryl voted for the bogus increase
on Feb 17th, Commissioner Fran King asked the two to relook at the issue.
To rethink the ridiculous increase. Darryl and Darryl refused.
March 25 p By the way, every single
other county in state with mineral reserves under Mom and Pop farms voted
for the people and NOT use bogus tax value numbers to increase tax burdens.
That's every county except one, Us.
March 25 p For her remarks in public,
Slinky (Darryl #1) told King she was a bad Commissioner. She was NOT suppose
to ever ever talk out in public against the other two. Bad girl !
March 25 p Upon smelling the
rat, rats, the ace cub reporter filed exoneration paperwork to roll back
those bogus increases on all 1100+ parcels of minerals.
March 25 p This morning, Slinky said
he had been getting phone calls on the matter. In weeks past, Fran King
also confirmed a number of upset taxpayers. This morning, as smoothly as
possible, the motion was made and passed to accept the Prosecutor's
advice and roll back the $13m+ increase.
March 25 p It was very important for
Darryl and Darryl to make sure the Mel Gibson look alike receives no credit
for his following the code exoneration process. Why? They have to look
like it was just an oversight. A simple little mistake. They sure don't
want the electorate to think the CCC tried to shift the tax burden from
big coal to private home owners.
March 25 p Just a year or so back,
during a public meeting on growing County Clay, those in attendance came
up with good ideas on how to improve life in the county of little. Jerry
Slinkinoooggoooer presented his best thinking too. To solve all our problems:
1, add more beds at the nursing home and 2, run the ace cub reporter out
of the county by midnight.
March 25 p Based on his own words,
we certainly know what the Slinkster thinks about newspapers reporting
the truth and public officials catching double H when they behave like
out of control delinquents.
March 25 p This morning newbee Commissioner
Mike Pierson (Darryl #2) showed his hand. Mikey said the Communicator and
this web site does nothing but tell out right lies, twists and distorts.
He told little Mr Handsome, the rotund one, YOU ARE A PARASITE on the county!!.
March 25 p He said we made up
all this stuff to make money on the backs of good and deceit leaders. We
make the place look bad.
March 25 p Pierson is right about the
rest of the world thinking this county is full of dumb bunnies. Unfortunately,
Darryl #2 is blaming the messenger when the message (their actions) is
the problem.
March 25 p As for making money,
ANY money, Wrong! Last year, year before and on back, the Mel Gibson Look
Alike has made $0 for his 23 hour a day effort to improve life in Clayberry.
Zip, Zero Ninguno.
March 25 p Having no prior public
experience, no prior leadership in public positions, and no formal
training for public office, we think Mike Pierson is in over his head.
March 25 p This morning Mr P.
admitted to that and things (decisions) were zipping through. Always gullible,
we continue to think Mikey Pierson can improve and become a good Commissioner.
His choice of dimly lit words this morning is making that opptomision harder
to hang on to. Getting the Jerry Slinkinooooger brown stuff off his nose
and thinking on his own would be a good, fresh start for Commissioner Mike
Pierson, Darryl #2.
Need a summer job? See JOBS page
March 24 p For those planning to watch
the Jim Knotts appeal on the Supreme Court webTV, Wed.'s hearing has been
rescheduled to April 20 something.
March 24 p Don't forget the Red Cross
blood drive at CCHS Wednesday as well as the 10am gathering of the Commission.
March 24 p Those indicted during last
week's Spring Grand Jury appeared before Judge Jack Alsop today. Prior
the arraignment, all of em had a bond agreement. Most of em still ended
up in the slammer.
March 24 p Lets see now, the
Badges bust you. You get arrested. The Grand Jury indicts you, Notice is
provided each and all. Pretty cut and dry. Most anybody would know, before
making bond, you have to take a pee test.
March 24 p How dumb do you have to
be to blow a big joint the night before Grand Jury? Or do a big doobie
before going into the Courthouse? Dumb Dumb Dumb.
March 24 p One of those dumbarsses
was Mark Bullard who tested dirty for pot. Bullard was already on bond
for a one month earlier arrest on telephone harassment. For the state,
Asst Prosecutor Clint Bishoff was asked why Bullard wasn't already in the
slammer for testing hot.
March 24 p Why Clint stammered
around for an answer, Judge Alsop had a way of an arss chewing when he
told Clint, Just a plain Yes or No answer!!!!!
March 24 p Big frowning lines
were seen on the Judges forehead. Clint left the room and headed back to
Magistrate Court land.
March 24 p While on the subject of
pot and with most of our clickers already aware of new efforts to
make pot legal.... Here's one Harvard economist that says legalizing
drugs would be a real money maker tax wish and also reduce violence.
March 24 p After a bunch of web surfing,
here's a fairly
balanced report on Obama De Bama's decision to halt mountain top removal
mining. While many in this state, county, are OK with deep mining
operations, many, many are against the raping of our mountains with MTR
mining.
March 24 a There's a bunch going on
this week.
March 24 a This morning at 9 am the
Spring Class of indictees appear in Circuit Court to say not me judge,
I didn't do it.
March 24 a This afternoon at
4pm Llyn Drake called a special meeting of Council to approve a new budget.
March 24 a Wed morning the Larry Darryl
and Darryl meet at 10am with a big long agenda. Expect a very subdued
rolling back of $13,000,000.00 in bogus tax value increases.
March 24 a Jim Knotts is appealing
the very foundation of his 129 sexual assault charges before the WV Supreme
Court on Wednesday. Not sure of the exact time, the big robes don't set
that ahead of time but you can watch the day long court fun action via
a high speed connection on your puter.Here's the Supreme
Court web site. Just click the big button to watch.
March 24 a Our Business Development
Authority has been working (or not working) on their very
own web site for well over a year. After spending a bunch of $$$ here's
their dismal web place.
March 24 a Private citizen Wallace
Brown set up his karate website in
less than 30 minutes with a cost of $20 or so.
March 24 a The high dollar BDA site
lists a June 08 ground breaking event in their news section. No links work.
Brown's site is very plain but provides lots of info and current current
events on their schedule page.
March 23 p Betty Hamrick Friend, of
Ivydale, see OBITUARY page
March 23 p From the email bag: Master
Gardener Applications are due to the Extension Office by Friday, March
27th. For more information, please call 304-587-4267
March 23 p Decades ago residents
of Punkin Ridge were suppose to get water service. Federal $$$ were found.
Customers signed up. Unfortunately, on at least two occasions, those Federal
dollars were diverted to more prominent neighborhoods. Punkin Ridge didn't
matter.
March 23 p It has taken over
20 years but residents of Punkin Ridge now have "city" water flowing. Life
is good. Now if those folks can afford to pay for the service!
March 22 p Mabel R. Mullins, 85, of
Bickmore, see OBITUARY page
March 22 p It's too darn pretty to
be inside doing a weekend wrap up.
March 22 p Basically, we made it thru
another week, our elected and appointed officials remain about as dumb
as a box of rocks or worse.
March 22 p Our harping about Darryl
and Darryl increasing mineral assessments over $13 m on small land owners
and the real chance that they will have to eat their vote... we have an
update.
March 22 p Seems Senator Randy White
has his ear to ground. He introduced SB-624 which ( if passed) would exempt
Mom and Pop family land from natural resource property assessment taxes.
You can throw shoes at Darryl and Darryl or write Senator White with your
words of support for the new bill.
March 22 p Sunshine, blue skies, and
warm temps. Get outside, turn the garden, wash the car, go fishing
at Lake Sampson, clean windows, pick up some litter.... just don't stay
inside today!
March 21 a There's expiration
dates on about everything from water to paint. Our school system says it's
perfectly safe to use outdated flour in the lunch program. Read the new
Communicator.
March 21 a Happy Birthday Matthew Goode
March 21 a Happy Birthday JE Vaughan
March 21 a Here's a complete list of
salaries
paid to county school superintendents around the state. That's the
official list. Had the data seekers turned to the second page of the
Somber Super's contract, they would have added another $15,000 in untaxed
income.
March 21 a Here's the comparison salary
list for teachers around the state. Can't forget the school
service personnel.
March 21 a Here's something to
make you upset, thirteen of the largest recipients of the government's
massive bailout failed
to pay more than $220 million in federal taxes, congressional investigators
said yesterday, prompting a new round of accusations that banks were abusing
the financial rescue program.
March 21 a We hear a lot about
banks but here's something on credit unions. Federal regulators on Friday
seized control of two large institutions that provide wholesale financing
for U.S. credit unions, a move they say was needed to stabilize
the credit union system.
March 21 a There was a time when you
landed a govt job, you were set for life. THose days are long gone. Even
the US Post Office is getting rid of 150,000
top positions.
March 21 a Don't sit at home all sad
eyed. Get out and have some fun this weekend. Looks like the weather is
going to cooperate too.
March 21 a Check out the EVENTS page
for the Appleseed Rifle Shoot today and Sunday. Want to make
some $$$$? Take your junk over the BDA Consignment Auction at Two Run.
Fun too.
March 19 p Warren Lee Comer,
86, see OBITUARY page
March 19 p Local historian Jerry
Stover needs some help. He's looking for archaeological sites located on
the original JG Bradley coal mine holdings. The stuff that hard to find
and covered over or nearly covered over. Graves and historic sites are
in his cross hairs. Can you help? Email Stover at jerrystover@frontiernet.net
March 19 p You won't believe
this but... The Communicator is all done and printed. should be on the
new stands around 2pm Friday. Our lead story provides all the details on
the CCC preparing to revote, get rid of, that bogus $13m tax value increase.
24 pages of solid information second to none.
March 19 p Shade of James Bond ....
Presenters at the CanSecWest security conference detailed on Thursday how
they can sniff data by analyzing keystroke vibrations using a laser trained
on a shiny laptop or through electrical signals coming from a PC connected
to a PS/2 keyboard and plugged
into a socket.
March 18 Late p And the winners
of this Spring's Grand Jury include: Lant Bird; Denny Bird; Anthony Ramsey;
Karen Tanner; Michael Tanner; Jesse Dwier; Joseph Wesse; Christopher Canter;
Mark Bullard; and Steve Perdue. All the details in Friday's Communicator.
March 18 Late p There's a rumble growing
on the school system using out of date commodity flour. The stuff went
out of freshness last Oct. Details you know where on Friday.
March 18 Late p Happy Birthday
to ANDREA FERREBEE .
March 18 p Delegate Dave Walker has
his weekly Legislative Update column on the ADVISORY page
March 18 p Last Saturday during the
Town Hall Meeting, Senator Randy White spoke on a nasty coal practice of
injecting toxic waste into the ground. That practice can effect ground
water, drinking water.
March 18 p Seems Sen White
is doing more than talk. From an Environmental Council notice:
Sludge Safety Project will release: Citizens’ Report on Underground Sludge
Injection: Water, Health and Alternatives. The
report includes unreleased data from the West Virginia DEP’s findings to
date on SCR15, the resolution to study underground coal slurry injection.
The report also includes data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
the U.S. Geological Survey and other sources.
Noon Thursday,
March 19, 2009; Senator Tomblin’s Press Conference Room
Speakers: Senator Randy White (D - Webster); Rev. Dennis Sparks, Executive
Director of the West Virginia Council of Churches; directly impacted coalfield
residents who are members of the Sludge Safety Project, www.sludgesafety.org.
The Citizens’
Report on Underground Sludge Injection: Water, Health and Alternatives
will advance debate on SB568 which provides, “That effective May 1, 2009,
new permits or modifications of existing permits may not be approved for
the underground injection of coal slurry until the studies required by
Committee Substitute for Senate Concurrent Resolution 15, dated March 9,
2007, are submitted to the Legislature and it determines that the injection
of coal slurry underground is not harmful to human health and the environment.”
March 18 a Donna Joyce Holstein,
76, of Bentree, see OBITUARY page
March 18 a Grand Jury finished up their
work Wed mid day. The list of newbees should be available sometime today.
March 18 a Randy Schoonover was arrested
last week after flunking a pee test. As of Wed afternoon, he remained in
the slammer and no hearing date for his transgressions has been scheduled.
March 18 a Deadline for Friday's Communicator
is late this afternoon.
March 18 a We've had a worthless and
failed
drug war for decades. Obama De Bama seems to have a different approach
to wasting billions including less restrictions on pot. Hurrayyyyy!!
March 18 a On the other hand, Obama
is considering Veterans
paying their own health care costs. Bad Bad Bad move.
March 17 p Cathryn Melissa “Catty”
(Nelson) Barger,76,of Wallback, see OBITUARY page
March 17 p Communicating to the electorate
is a tough challenge for any politician. Senator
Randy White has just launched a new blog to keep us informed and a
place to receive input.
March 16 p Tuesday morning the Spring
Grand Jury convenes with cases brought by the Prosecutor and anybody else
that wants to see justice in Clayberry. Probably won't have the new class
of indicted until Wed sometime.
March 16 p Clay County School
Board meets Tuesday night (normally held on Mondays) to accommodate RB
Legg. The big
long agenda includes putting a Clay County Bank ATM gizmo at CCHS.
March 16 p Without a doubt the most
comprehensive BC&G railroad site as well as a great source of other
info on life in Clay County during the big coal era of JG Bradley.
Here's Mr Stover's web
portal. Make sure the boss is going to be away for at least a couple
hours before clicking this link.
March 16 p About 90% of all jail
inmates are suffering from alcoholism or drug addiction, with a public
perception that treatment is generally available, when it is not. Read
about the mental health crisis in West Virginia.
March 16 p More people are calling
and emailing about scoundrels, Darryl and Darryl. some are suggesting bringing
shoes to the March 25th CCC meeting and pull a Dubbya. Nice idea and it
sure would be fun to watch em duck.... a better approach may be to come
to the meeting and give them your two cents worth up front and public..
march 16 p Help Help: someone gave
us a check for $29+ for a prescription to the Communicator. We have the
check from C.N. but have lost the name and mailing address for the new
reader. If you're CN, give us a call ASAP to straighten up the mess.
March 16 p We've been horsing
around with the publication date of The Communicator for two months. Mondays,
then Tuesdays and Fridays. Our plan, our newest plan is to once again go
back to the Friday pub date with deadline for submissions being Wed afternoon.
Email your stuff ASAP. We're coming out this Friday.
March 15 p That TARP money, Dubbya's
TARP program, what was suppose to rekindle the banking industry and jump
start our economy.. turns out, 200 of the banks that received funds plan
to give it back. Others are saying no way Jose. Seems they'd like the money
but don't
like the new strings attached.
March 15 p Did you know there are two
wars in progress? For more than six years now, the United States
has in fact been fighting two wars, with more than 170,000 troops now deployed
in Iraq and Afghanistan combined. The military has openly acknowledged
that the wars have left troops and equipment severely strained. There is
now a top
to bottom review of military policy in progress.
March 15 p They may also want to review
Russia's plan to set up bases in Cuba
and Venezuela.
March 15 p Bernie Madeoff has a net
worth of at least $826
m. Many are saying, his dirty rotten tactics of out on the limb greed
are just the tip of the iceberg.
March 15 p The last seven days brought
out much of the bad, the stuff that keeps Clayberry sucking hind teat and
dead last in most polls. For instance...
March 15 p Last Monday Clay Town
Council held a special meeting where they quit their bickering long enough
to sign contracts to gain access to $200,000 in grant monies to improve
the look of downtown Clay. Unfortunately, the public meeting was less than
public. No one knew they were having the meeting. Open meeting Law says
in black and white, the media will be told of meetings.
March 15 p Mid week, Larry, Darryl,
and Darryl met in regular session. One taxpayer showed up to protest giving
Fola Coal major tax breaks. During the discussion, Commission Prez
Slinky said they followed state tax dept recommendations 100% of the time
and that's the reason for reducing big coal assessments to the tune of
$6,000,000.00+. When asked why they didn't follow tax dept recommendations
on private individuals resulting in raising tax values $11,000,000.00,
Slinky poo said either the guy wasn't listening or was unable to understand.
March 15 p He's right , the public
can't understand why Darryl and Darryl would break it off in us without
Crisco.
March 15 p Prior the CCC meeting, the
pesky ace cub reporter filled out tax exoneration papers for all 1100 parcels
that the CCC agreed to increase. The exoneration process is for ANYONE
that finds an obvious mistake in property evaluations. With the Feb 12th
State Tax Dept letter as proof of the obvious errors, the process is now
in progress.
March 15 Abut the only thing left for
Darryl and Darryl to do is come up with a way to save face. Some way to
put a spin on it so the public doesn't know they increased our tax
values $11,000,000.00 while reducing coal taxes.
March 15 p Good luck!!!
March 15 p For the last three months,
Randy Schoonover has been seen running and walking in downtown Clay. When
asked, he said he wanted to get into shape and compete in this year's Boston
Marathon race. When asked, he also said he was living clean and completely
away from drug use.
March 15 p Felon and one time Senator
Randy Schoonover headed back the big house after failing a pee test last
Thursday. Cocaine seems to be the evil found in the pee. Another sad day
for Schoony and County Clay.
March 15 p Snow covered the ground
Friday morning. Winter continued.
March 15 p Saturday afternoon
all our State Senators and Delegates met for a public meeting in Clay.
It was great that they all showed up for the question and answer session.
Time will tell if any good comes from the gathering.
March 15 p Gloomy skies and light rain
covered Clay Sunday. It was a time for napping on the couch with the TV
blaring. Outside we waited for a return to spring weather.
March 13 Late p Finally, we have
an environmentally friendly Senator, Randy White. It's
about time.
March 13 Late p Uh oh, we forgot
to post the big dinner dance at the Big Otter FD. It's now on the
EVENTS page.
March 13 p Rex Leroy Skinner,
81, of Duck, see OBITUARY page
March 13 p That exoneration appeal
for those 1100 over valued parcels.... it ain't dead.
March 13 p On Tuesday the ace
cub reporter filled out exonerations for those 1100+ parcels of minerals.
Assessor Lane called up the Top Dog Tax man questioning the legitimacy
of one person making the demand for so many others. The guy on the phone
said he thought it was a go but would check with his tax legal begals
and call Lane back. That was Tuesday
March 13 p That was Tuesday. Friday
afternoon Ms Lane said she had tried to reach the guy, Jeff Amburgey without
luck. She added that as soon as she reached him, she would call the Mel
Gibson Look Alike and let him know.
March 13 p Three days into the process,
it's still alive! No one has said Mr Tubby can't file the exoneration papers
for everybody. Using the system and bucking the demands of the CCC, $11,000,000.00
in tax values could be returned to the people of Clayberry.
March 13 p It's been a nice week for
everyone but Darryl and Darryl.
March 13 p So what got Randy Schoonover
caught? Word on the street has it this way.
March 13 p One time Senator Schoonovy
tested hot during his most recent pee test. His explanation wnet something
like: I didn't do no cocane. Someone else was snorting the powder from
a plate and I happened to eat off that same plate.
March 13 p If that coffeehouse story
is true, what a crock of BS.
March 13 a Johnny Samuel
McDonald, Jr., 50, see OBITUARY page
March 13 a Snow on
the ground, cold, and it's Friday the 13th. Yikes!
March 13 a after retiring from teaching
a second time, Dave Derby is back in the real estate business with Bonnie
Young Realty. 304 587-2502
March 13 a Tonight Basket Bingo for
the Boy Scouts. Tonight great music up at Big Otter Community Center. Our
Legislative delegation will be at the Lion's Club Casino Sat at 1pm. Janey
Keylon Bingo Sat over in Roane County. Saturday Conisgnment Auction at
Two Run..... See EVENTS page for details.
March 13 a Don't say there's nothing
to do in Clayberry!
March 13 a An update on yesterday's
posting. Assessor Lane sounded to be supportive of fair taxation in Clayberry
and was not holding back with her help to get the exoneration form properly
filed.
March 13 a During Wed's CCC meeting
where Slinky was was quietly mumbling how much the exoneration would affect
the windfall increase to county coffers, his cyphering was for the amount
changed for the school system. Hmmmm.... thought he was a County Commissioner
not
a school system employee?
March 13 a Are you feeling poorer?
You should. Household net worth dropped by $5.1 trillion from the
prior quarter to $51.5 trillion. For the full year, net worth dropped by
$11.2 trillion, reflecting steep declines in the housing and stock markets.
The declines in household net worth were the largest since quarterly and
annual records began in 1951 and 1946, respectively,
said the Fed -- the U.S. central bank.
March 13 a When the Govt gave banks
billions with no strings attached, they all had their hands out stretched.
When Obama De Bama included accountability in his plan, more than 200 major
banks said no thank you, we don't want it.
March 13 a Citigroup Inc Chairman
Richard Parsons said on Thursday that the bank does not need any more capital
injections from the government
March 13 a The radio station
gang is experiencing transmitter problems and are away of the crappy signal.
They're planning on purchasing a brand new transmitter ASAP.
March 12 a Get your coffee cup and
gather round my little clicker buddies, we have a story to tell.
March 12 a Back in Feb Commissioners
Mike Pierson and Jerry Slinkinoooooger voted to increase the tax value
of over 1100 parcels of coal reserves. That was a $11,000,000.00
increase on the value of tiny parcels held by individuals. No not an increase
on Big Coal, but Mom and Pop farms and land in heirship. The people that
are unable to hire an attorney and fight such outragious increases.
March 12 a That increase was approved
by Darryl and Darryl over the objection of the state tax department folks
in Charleston. What??? On Feb 12th, the State Bean Counters
in Charleston begged our Commission and every other Commissioner in the
state to NOT use the new bogus figures but instead, keep tax values on
the Mom and Pop operations at 2008 levels.
March 12 a In every other county where
there's coal, the County Commissions voted not to screw the citizens.
March 12 a For the complete run down,
all the needed background info, all the juicy details, read the latest
Communicator.
March 12 a According to County Assessor
Teresa Lane, in the entire state, only the Clay County Commission voted
to go against the grain and use bogus figures to raise your taxes. That
was at the same time, they (that's Darryl and Darryl once again) voted
to reduce big coal taxes by $6,000,000.00.
March 12 a Are you mad? Ready to impeachment
the slimy pukes? You've got someone in your corner. Read on.
March 12 a First some back ground.
Anytime you find an obvious error on your tax statement, you can go to
the Assessor, fill out a Tax Exoneration Form, prove where the goof up
is, and forward to the County Commission. During each CCC meeting, usually,
item #3 on the agenda, Larry, Darryl & Darryl vote to approve
all Exonerations. Without exception, each time the Assessor forwards an
obvious screw up, the CCC has OK'd the reduction in tax value or tax burden.
That's 100% of the time clickers! Everytime!
March 12 a Get your second cup of coffee...
we'll wait... Ready
March 12 a Tuesday afternoon, March
10th, Mister Mischief Maker himself, the ace cub reporter, went to the
Assessors office and filled out an Exoneration form for each and every
parcel which was wrongly increased in tax value.
March 12 a Mr Balding Tubby said he
could prove and document each and every parcel on the 32 page list was
obviously in error. His poof?
March 12 a He pulled out the State
Tax Department letter dated Feb 12th which stated in no uncertain terms,
the official figures are bogus. So bogus, the Tax folks recommend NOT using
the figures and instead, go back and use old tax values.
March 12 a Appalled, Assessor
Lane pulled out the state tax code trying to see if such an exoneration
was legal. Finding very little ambiguity in the code, Ms Lane called up
the head Tax Honcho in Charleston.
March 12 a That guy on the phone,
his initial response to each question, Yes it can be done. As the teleconference
ended, he said he would check with his legal department and get back to
Lane. It sounded like, the Mel Gibson look alike was
the first person ever to ask for such an exoneration for the people and
their holdings.
March 12 a How serious is Darryl and
Darryl taking the threat of losing $11m in tax value right after giving
Big Coal a $6m tax break? Very. Another sip of coffee... OK?
March 12 a During Wed's Commission
meeting, CCC Czar Darryl was mumbling figures on how bad such a roll back
would affect them. He had that worried work on his face. Instead
of a one time windfall tax bonanza this year, if the exoneration
succeeds, the Clay County Commission would have to live within their current
budget minus what they gave away to King Coal. Wouldn't that be tragic?
March 12 a What ta do What
ta do..... Either the County Commission can fight the Ace Cub Reporter's
exoneration demand for 100's of people that got screwed or
or or
March 12 a What always happens when
Politicians get caught with their hands in the jar??????????
March 12 a They come up with a photo
opportunity where THEY (CCC) lay claim to saving the Nation of Clay
from unjust taxes and taking credit themselves
March 12 a See for yourself. State
Code 11-3-27 is now posted over on the ADVISORY page, this site. read that
last part of the code again. If the Assessor agrees with the
Exoneration, the County Commission SHALL provide the relief.
March 12 a Wittle Mista Swinky may
be caught!
March 12 a Stay tuned, story is developing.
March 12 a Aren't you glad you supported
this site with a check last week!!! The only source for great Nation of
Clay news is right here on Clayberry, your home away from home!
March 12 a Finish off your coffee and
got to work. Thanks for tuning again.
March 11 p Earl E. Pardue, 84,
see OBITUARY page
March 11 p Johnny Samuel McDonald,
Jr., 50, see OBITUARY page
March 11 p Guilty of selling
Rx drugs a couple years back, one time Delegate, one time Senator,
Randy Schoonover, has been on home confinement with mandatory pee testing.
March 11 p Around 2pm Wednesday afternoon,
he tested hot. Top Badge Holcomb had him under lock and key real quick.
He's now lodged in CRJ.
March 11 p What a sad ending
for guy on the down hill slope.
March 11 a CCC meets this morning at
10 am. Great fun and free too
March 11 a The Clay Housing Authority
has a lot on their plate. Stuff like, serious mold and mildew problems,
crumbling metal steps to apartments, units that are so tore up they're
unrentable, and such. Yesterday the group met and spent much time changing
by laws to allow them to toss off a member that hasn't attended a meeting
in months.
March 11 a Pity they just didn't call
up William Boggs and ask him to resign the appointment.
March 11 a Monday afternoon Clay Town
Council held a special meeting. Other than Council, no one knew about the
gathering. Without the public in attendance, the group voted Yes on the
resolutions to proceed with $250,000 in grant funding to fix up the downtown
area with new sidewalks, benches, and period lighting.
March 11 a Under the dome, Gov Smokin
Joe is pushing a bill to require students to be in class 180 days a year.
It's a high profile effort, politics as usual. As is the case
with most school efforts, it's a sham.
March 11 a Instead of politicking
the bill, maybe the Legislature should be looking at the number of school
days when in fact, less than half the students show up due to buses
not running routes.
March 10 a Lets see now...
Clay Housing Authority changed it's monthly meeting date and time from
Wed @ 1pm to the second Tuesday at 10 am. That's this morning in the Commission
room.
March 10 a Clay County PSD will
hold its monthly meeting this morning at 11am.
March 10 a The Larry Darryl and Darryl,
the County Commission, will meet Wed morning at 10 am.
March 10 a The radio station is experiencing
transmitter problems. Translation: weak signal and spotty reception. They're
working on it.
March 10 a In counties where
people have a backbone, things can change. Can school personnel be fired?
Yes if teachers
and staff band together.
March 10 a One of Clay County's own,
David Mathew Hanshaw, ended up lodged in Central Regional Jail last night
with three felony charges.
March 10 a King Coal has a bad name
in the Appalachian Mountains. They've earned their position Here's
an example. Way up on a hillside, little bitty family cemetery, been there
for years, and all of a sudden, the
graves are gone.
March 10 a "The average CEO makes
$10,000 more every day ... than what the average worker makes every year."
True
or
false?
March 10 a Obama De Bama made a bunch
of campaign promises. Now 50 days into his Presidency, here's how he's
doing, 17
promises kept, 2 busted.
March 8 a Seven days ago today,
there was snow on the ground and temp hovered around 10 degrees. Such a
nice change. Not so with the rest of Clayberry.
March 8 a Last week Clay Town
Council held another one of their outrageous meetings where the rift between
elected leaders widened. Political posturing has left the group unable
to do anything but bicker. Recorder Llyn Drake tries to do the Mayor's
job behind his back and neither will talk to the other. Council person
Betty Murphy works hard to negate everything the Mayor does or tries. The
meetings are held at a time when Arthur Jarrett is unable to attend.
Council person Jerry Stover sides with Murphy most of the time and the
rest he's more of a Rodney, "Can't we just all get along?" Glady Lanham
is just not in the picture
March 8 a Experienced Joyce Gibson
saw what was happening but it was too late. Mayor Brown already had on
his pouting face and Gibson was unable to get him to budge an inch. Llyn
Drake continued her path of self leadership only.
March 8 a By week's end, word was spreading,
the very grants (streetscape, $250,000) they were fighting about, we're
in danger of being pulled and given to a more deserving town somewhere
else.
March 8 a Then came the Business Development
Authority meeting where absolutely nothing was accomplished continuing
a 13 year trend of disorganization and disarray. Half way thru the meeting,
BDA members including the Chair spoke out against the efforts of the county's
other economic development group, the CAEZ.
March 8 a In attendance, CAEZ Director
Connie Lupardus fought back asking for examples of the CAEZ stealing BDA
ideas and running with em. The BDA CAEZ rift has been
there for years and it exploded Thursday night. The truth is,
who gives a S*** who gets the job done, just get something, anything, done!!!
March 8 a It's spring time and the
BDA has done nothing to grow tourism, nor build on the Filcon site near
Ovapa. They can't get a working BDA web site up and running after months
of effort and spending 100's of dollar to do so. They even thought their
most recent Roundtable meeting was good for the county, a success.
March 8 a As the BDA fights, Clayberry
still waits for the first, full time, non government, employee to come
into the county as a result BDA efforts. Not one so far.
March 8 a With the latest Communicator
now being digested, people are getting riled up over the Darryl and Darryl's
vote to screw the citizens to the tune of $13,000,000 in new tax value
burden while giving Big Coal a bigger tax break all the while, Fola Coal
waited until after the tax reduction to lay off 65. Around the county,
people are talking impeachment. Truth is, the only way to get rid of em
is on election day.
March 8 a It was a sad week for public
meetings in Clayberry.
March 8 a Temps moderated at week's
end bringing out sandals and short pants. It felt good to get away from
gloves, sweaters, and heavy coats. Boaters headed for the river. Around
the county , dirt was turned over, lettuce and onions were planted. Easter
flowers started to show green. Cars were washed. Rocks were placed to cover
up winter driveway ruts.
March 8 a This web site concluded
its annual online begging campaign. Many clickers heard the plea and responded.
Thank you. For those that lost the address, Delta; 2278 Main St; Clay WV
25043.
March 8 a Each day the ace cub reporter
takes about a half dozen pills. Some white and round, others orangey red
and oval. Sometimes those little rascals end up on the floor and unseeable.
March 8 a Last night the teen aged
son mentioned that he had stepped on one of the pills with his bare foot
which got stuck between his toes. After walking in the bathroom and back
, he pulled the lodged pill out and put it back in the bottle.
March 7 Late p Lucy Maude West,
99, of Wallback, see OBITUARY page
March 7 p A little gloomy with grey
all about BUT, it ain't snowing and no sweater or gloves are needed. One
week ago today is was 12 degrees and snow was on the ground and in the
forecast.
March 7 p After 13 years in existence,
the BDA has just one accomplishment, the formation of the Saturday night
consignment auction. The whole idea was to get you and me to clean out
our closets, take the junk over to the old State Road garage, have Kayo
sell the stuff, and walk away with some jingle.
March 7 p Normally you see Brenda
Morris selling her wares beside a road in Clayberry. Now Morris is sending
stuff over to the auction. Maybe not making a fortune yet but, finally,
an opportunity for the common person to make some money in the county of
little. It's a new day.
March 7 p Ever wonder what was happening
on your birthday? Check
this link out. Be sure to right click to open the site.
March 7 p Linda McKinney was one of
those high dollar cameras with a 6 foot long lens. She's the one you see
at nearly every ball game. You also see many of her pics on our home page.
McKinney now has her
own web site where you can see your little darlins in living color.
You can also purchase a copy of those living color moments in time. Be
sure to right click to open.
March 6 p Connie J. Simon, 57,
see OBITUARY page
March 6 p Clay's Library is now hiring.
See JOBS page
March 6 p Tonight Harold Allen and
Teri Lively will be making music down at Taylor Books in Charleston. Good
music at Big Otter Community Center too. See EVENTS page for more.
March 6 p Figures released Thursday
show that nearly 12
percent of all Americans with a mortgage — a record 5.4 million homeowners
— were at least one month late or in foreclosure at the end of last year.
March 6 p From FOX news of all places...
"What do you think the nation's economy needs more of right now -- the
economic policies of Ronald Reagan or the economic policies of Barack Obama?"
Answer: The answer: Obama
49%, Reagan 40%.
March 6 p Take that MB!
March 6 p Lets say you sign your
name to a petition and that petition is submitted to the County Commission.
Is that petition public record? The West
Virginia case is now in Court.
March 6 p How about something fun to
do while you wait for the word day to close... Here's the link to
the state
auditors's web site where you can find out what each and every state
employee makes. Take a few extra minutes to compare their 08 earnings with
'07. Real interesting findings among local state road employees.
March 6 p For a newspaper,
Clayberry is a gold mine. About every place you look, there's some dumb
elected or appointed leader doing something bad, stupid, or doing nothing
at all.
March 6 p Clay Town Council has been
nuts for over a year. Between political posturing within the Council and
the continuing skirmish between the Mayor and Recorder, it's been great
fodder for The Communicator. That fun to read crap is now changing.
March 6 p The Town secured $250,000.00
in grant monies to improve the look of downtown Clay with new sidewalks,
benches, period lighting, and moving those nasty power lines off Main Street.
To start the process, Council must sign a binding resolution.
March 6 p During Tuesday's Council
meeting, with the war in full force between almost all of em, no resolution
was signed.
March 6 p Word is now coming from funders:
If you guys can't behave well in public, we're pulling the $$$ and giving
them to a more civil community. The down home crap has now turned
serious.
March 6 p Here's a quote to sum up
last night's Business Development Authority meeting. From Boardster Tommy
Fitzwater: I wish I could leave this meeting one time and say something
was accomplished.
March 6 p More details during the weekend
wrap up but in a nutshell, the BDA meeting was a good example of what's
absolutely wrong in the 342 square miles we call home. Pitiful!
March 5 a What a change! A few
days back the temps were down around 10 degrees and snow was in the picture.
Today we have bright sunshine, blue skies, and shirt sleeve weather. We
may have made it thru winter.
March 5 a This afternoon at 5pm
the Clay County Business Development Authority meets in regular session.
Some of the best entertainment value in the county, tonight's the deadline
for members to have actually done something since the last meeting. Last
time, Queen Fran King said, get your projects done or turn in your resignation.
March 5 a Some say Senator Byrd
is too old. All washed up. Send him back to Sophia.
March 5 a Might want to keep him around
awhile longer. Those earmarks Obama De Bama says ain't around anymore....
Robert C just earmarked West Virginia another $151,786,400.00. Not too
shabby for a guy that's too old to do any good.
March 5 a As for star power, Senator
Jay, well, he's a lightweight who drew in just $5,019.00.00 for the state.
March 5 a We're not talking about the
humongo stimulus bill. From that program only one project has been approved
for Clayberry. That's for the CAEZ with a guarantee of $190,000.00 for
"transportation/ housing urban development"
March 5 a Buckshot Butcher served
as a volunteer Badge for the Town of Clay during Mayor Arthur Jarrett's
administration. Three years back, Buckshot slipped on a pine cone at the
old Courthouse and fell. He later sued everybody in the county. The case
was to go to trial later this month.
March 5 a Ain't going to happen now.
The dispute has been settled out of Court. Word on the street has it that
Butcher settled for $40,000 instead of the demanded $5m.
March 5 a This is the last official
day of our online "beggin for dollars" campaign. Sure you can view this
site for nothin' but it does take some $$$ to keep it up and running and
new equipment. If you can help us out, please mail your donation to Delta;
2278 Main Street; Clay WV 25043
March 5 a For those that donated, thank
you so very much. We have enough jingle to replace the memory card and
battery in the camera, replace an ageing puter and maybe, if we can
find a good deal, replace the cheapy web cam.
March 4 a Nina “Lucille” Morris, 84,
of Clay , see OBITUARY page
March 4 a James Alfred “Jim”
Blankenship Sr. 67, of Maysel, see OBITUARY page
March 4 a Donald Ray Goodwin, 53, see
OBITUARY page
March 4 a Johnnie Holbert Smith, 75,
of Procious, see OBITUARY page
March 4 a Harry L. Martin, 85,
see OBITUARY page
March 4 a Elsie Mae Summers, 91, of
Wallback, see OBITUARY page
March 4 a Town Council met last night
and the Mayor vs Recorder continued with bickering and jabs through out
the meeting. Brown has well over $200,000 in grant funds approved almost
ready to be used to beautify downtown Clay. Each grant requires a certain
amount of matching $$$$. With Town finances, the Log Factory in particular,
in the gutter, Brown got all PO's over Council wanting scant remaining
resources to pay the bills. With a droopy lip and pouting big time, Mayor
Brown said he wasn't handling the grants any longer. He said he was dropping
off the grant papers at Town Hall for someone else to mess with.
March 4 a Recorder Drake behaved no
better often talking around the Mayor and leaving him out of the discussions.
March 4 a On that Log Factory, after
spending $12,000 so far, it needs another $14,000 this month just to break
even. How much has the Poop Factory gone in the hole during the last 10
months? Answer: $54,000.
March 4 a That's the same Log Factory
former Mayor Jarrett said he was afraid to ask a rate increase for.
March 4 a That's the same Log Factory
that Recorder Drake said only a small rate increase was needed.
March 4 a That's the same Log Factory
Council voted to increase rates on last Summer and still have not provided
the necessary paperwork to the CPA>
March 4 a How much? No one knows the
amount the stink factory rates will go up by. Certainly double the current
amount is on the table. Maybe triple just to maintain the place.
March 4 Council OK'd the sewer plant
without any oversight or forethought. They believed everything the builder
and engineer said and without ANY independent thinking. The place has been
a boat anchor for the municipality for over a decade. The same thing is
now happening during the lead up to building the un needed Clay Water Plant.
March 4 a Welcome to Spring in the
land of little management and even less oversight.
March 3 p The Communicator is
now on the news stands, When you're wanting to know what's really going
on in Clayberry, there's only one source and that's The Communicator. Just
70 cents cheap!
March 3 p There's some confusion
on when the Panthers play again in WVSSAC tournament action. According
to WYAP Sportscaster TG Griffith, it's tonight, at Sissonville HS, 7:30pm.
With a victory over Herbert Hoover last night, Go Panthers
March 2 a School Board tonight.
As of Sunday night at 11pm there is no agenda posting on their web site
nor the front door of the meeting house.
March 2 a Town Recorder Llyn Drake
got all huffy over the Mayor redoing an important meeting due to improper
notice to the public. Instead of mad at Brown, she should be mad that her
government agency has to follow the law when the School board doesn't!
March 2 a Tonight the CCHS Panthers
are in home court tournament action beginning at 7:30pm. Come out &
support em!
March 2 a Lots and lots of public meetings
this week. We'll keep you advised on the often sad performance of our government
officials as best we can.
March 2 a We're in the 8th day of our
online fund raiser. For those that can, if you can help us out, great!
Send your $$$ to Delta; 2278 Main St; Clay WV 25043.
March 1 Late p Elsie Summers,
91, of Wallback entered into rest Feb. 28, 2009. Wilson-Shamblin-Smith
Funeral Home, Clay, is in charge of arrangements.
March 1 p We just finished off the
last week in Feb. The deadliest week for American soldiers this year. Last
week, there was NO front page coverage of the Oil War in ANY major news
outlet.
March 1 p Those that died in Iraq:
1st Lt. William E. Emmert 36 Lincoln,
Tennessee; Spc. Micheal B. Alleman Logan Utah; Cpl. Michael
L. Mayne 21 Burlington Flats, New York ;
Pfc. Zachary R. Nordmeyer 21 Indianapolis, Indiana ; Staff
Sgt. Mark C. Baum 32 1st Battalion, Telford, Pennsylvania;
Pfc. Cwislyn K. Walter 19 Honolulu, Hawaii;
Staff Sgt. Sean D. Diamond 41 Dublin, California; Cpl.
Stephen S. Thompson 23 Tulsa, Oklahoma; Lt. Col. Garnet
R. Derby 44 Missoula, Montana; Pfc. Albert R. Jex
23 Phoenix, Arizona; Pfc. Jonathan R. Roberge 22
Leominster, Massachusetts; Sgt. Joshua A. Ward 30 Scottsville,
Kentucky; Spc. James M. Dorsey 23 Beardstown, Illinois;
Spc. Christopher P. Sweet 28 Kahului, Hawaii
March 1 p Here at home With output
still falling at a dizzying rate, most companies are shedding unneeded
workers and cutting back the hours of those remaining. Strapped by debt
and seeing their paper wealth evaporating, many consumers are spending
as little as they can. Bad and getting worse. Many predict the worst job
loss rate in 60 years.
March 1 p There may be one good
thang about this depression. Leaders are now considering legalizing pot
and taxing the crap out of it. What a
wonderful idea.
March 1 p We don't like to talk about
it but stats are finally coming on how bad off West Virginia really is.
Our home delinquency rate during the last three months is the 14th highest
in the nation. We have the 7th highest delinquencies in prime and sub prime
mortgages. We're talking 1000s of mortgages at least 90 days past due and
climbing!
March 1 p Here at home, King Coal rules.
Fola Coal repaid Darryl and Darryl's tax value give-away by laying
off at least 50 workers.
March 1 p Local property owners openly
criticized Darryl and Darryl for raising their mineral values over $13
million. The coffee-house crowd asked: How do we impeachment those B******!
March 1 p During the mid week Commission
meeting, Commissioner Fran King asked why the decision to reduce Fola's
tax burden and raising individual values ($13m) was done while she was
away at another business. During the meeting, with the peanut gallery full,
Slinky held his tongue and spoke in nice smooth tones. Afterwards, that
wasn't the case as he told Ms King he didn't appreciate her raising ANY
questions in public and the County Commission has to look like they're
all on the same side on this. With finger pointing and blood red face,
Slinky made no advance as King fired back with both barrels.
March 1 p No matter what, the gift
given Fola will be played back by the common taxpayer owning an acre here
and there. Sad.
March 1 p Clay Housing Authority
met last week. When questions came up on why she signed a management contract
with Encore over the wishes of fellow boardsters, Lupardus said this
is a new day, a transition period and Encore is now doing soooooooooooo
much better.
March 1 p That was the third time in
five years a newly reincarnated Authority said the same words and continued
the relationship with Encore Management in Charleston.
March 1 p Friday morning the BDA hosted
a dog and pony show at a local restaurant where big wigs from around
the state presented glowing reports on how much good they can do and the
number of programs available to benefit Clayberry. 6 or so local
businesses attended. After 90 minutes of hearing the glowing reports, locals
were allowed to speak briefly.
March 1 p All those programs
at taxpayer expense and still no presence in the second poorest county
in t he second poorest state in the nation.
March 1 p Friday night the Panthers
won their final home game. Go Panthers.
March 1 p Phone dialling changed Saturday.
When trying to call your next door neighbour, we now have to dial the area
code in addition to the normal 7 digits. Most of us tried dialling without
results and wondered out loud, what's wrong with this phone.
Bad, Yes, and getting worse. Beginning in April when new area code prefixes
are issued, you'll have to know the guy down the streets' new area code.
There's got to be a better way!
March 1 Saturday evening the BDA Consignment
Auction at Two Run was packed wall to wall. In addition to getting a good
deal or maybe selling your old junk, the auction has become the place to
be, a social event where people gather and see old friends.
March 1 Saturday night, the snow,
ice, freezin rain and sleet, it didn't come. Cold Yes and few slick spots
but, all of a sudden, it's starting to feel like Spring is just around
the corner.