November 2010
Nov 29 a Johnnie Oran Moore,
81, of Indore, see OBITUARY page
Nov. 29 a The kids are back in school.
There is peace at home once again.
Nov. 29 a Tonight at 6pm, at the radio
station, tourism growth committee will be meeting. Their goal is to grow
the existing attractions by providing a media blitz in early Spring. Purpose:
pulling more jingle into the local economy.
Nov. 29 a Do you serve on volunteer
Board? Tuesday evening the Extension Office is hosting Board training in
downtown Clay. Might be a good opportunity to figure out what you're doing
wrong and improve the performance of your organization. Details over on
ADVISORY page.
Nov. 29 a On Friday most headed
to Charleston, Summersville, or Spencer to start their Christmas shopping.
Today many are busy online looking for good deals. Think what a difference
it would make to this county if you included local businesses in your shopping
plans.
Nov. 29 a Remember, few of those big
box stores contribute ANYTHING when it's time to support local groups.
Nov. 29 a Most of us depend on
Microsoft Word for our typing needs. It's a good program but it costs real
$$$$. There is an alternative to that hefty purchase,
Nov. 29 a Open Office is a free with
no malware or other tag alongs that looks and behaves identical to Word
and is available via free download
here.
Note: if you're still on dial up, forget it, the download would take hours
and hours.
Nov 29 a Note #2: Be sure to save your
documents in the "Word compatability mode". By doing so, anybody using
the costly Word program will be able to open, view, and use your Open Office
document.
Nov 29 a You just saved yourself $300.
Your Welcome.
Nov 29 a The Communicator comes out
Tuesday. We're in shut down mode until we get that rascal all typed up
and printed.
Nov. 28 p This last full week of Nov.
2010 is in the history books. It was the traditional week off from life,
the week of Deer Camp.
Nov. 28 p Schools were closed down
and many local stores operated with a skeleton crew or also closed. not
many actually made it to the woods but it was nice to have a week away
from normal life.
Nov. 28 p Rain followed by too
warm and then too cold left most bucks standing on all fours. That's bad
news for those that grow crops and motorists.
Nov. 28 p Families came together
for Turkey Day. We over did it but it but a nap took care of most of the
damage.
Nov. 28 p Actual increase in Black
Friday sales from last year amounted to about .03%. Shoppers are having
a hard time spending money they don't have. Washington doesn't understand
why sales aren't up.
Nov. 28 p 25 degrees was felt
Sunday morning. Although bright sunshine warmed the afternoon, we know
winter is truly here. The last of the burnt orange and burgundy colors
have left the hillsides. Winter has arrived.
Nov. 28 p Why isn't there any local
news? Even the politicians took time off being outrageous last week.
Nov. 28 p Communicator comes out Tuesday.
Email over your buck pics, letters to the editor, and whatever else you
think of. Deadline is noon Monday.
Nov. 28 p Now for another nap....................
Nov. 26 late p Lula Ruth
Sears Erskine, 80 of Maysel, see OBITUARY page
Nov. 26 late p Lambert
C. Fitzwater, 81 of Lizemores, see OBITUARY page
Nov. 26 late p Now recovering
from the turkey day coma....
Nov. 26 late p Even when we post
that we're taking a holiday break, we still post if something goes on.
There have been no posts because Clayberry politicians have stayed out
of the spotlight.
Nov. 26 late p When the first
Windows operating system was introduced by Microsoft, Ronald Regan was
in the White House, John Hughes was introducing touching teen stereotypes
in "The Breakfast Club," and a young singer named Madonna was hitting the
road with "The Virgin Tour." Twenty five years later, Windows, Regain,
Hughes, and Madonna are still very much at the center of our tech, political,
and pop culture discussions. Windows
turns 25 this weekend.
Nov. 26 late p There was a time when
industry and production spurred on the US economy. Since the Regan administration
leadership, the nation has switched to a burger flipper economy where 70+%
of the domestic product is from consumer spending. With the final sales
blast being Christmas, hence the title Black Friday, the last chance for
corporate interests to pull the last nickel from your pocket.
Nov. 26 late p Those that fell for
the Black Friday discount bait and switch efforts, headed to the big box
stores, they saw something missing. Long gone are the deep discounts common
just three years ago. Instead, regular and full price items
were repackaged in a hyped up market campaign.
Nov. 26 late p Consumers are much wiser
these day keeping their credit
cards tucked in their wallets.
Nov. 26 late p Others are waiting
for Cyber Monday for deep discounts. Be real careful about those Monday
online negotiations especially if you're on company owned puters.
Nov. 26 late p Now back to reality:
Little
progress has been made against Taliban fighters and the Afghan government
remains weak and rife with corruption, according to the Pentagon's
semiannual report to Congress on the war in Afghanistan.
Nov. 26 late p How different
are we when we behave like the governments we take down? The last bastion
of free speech just got the axe: Homeland Security Department's
customs enforcement division has gone on a Web site shutdown spree, closing
down at least 76 domains this week, according to online reports.
No trial . Not even a Court order.
Nov. 26 late p And if all that doesn't
bum you out, the topping for the cake... The nation's number one Herbal
American, Willie Nelson, was arrested for having pot on his bus.
Nov. 26 late p The Federales tell us
the importance of groping are crotch and full body scans. We're fighting
terrrorism they proclaim on govt TV stations. Even as they are spewing
those claims, the belly of each aircraft is loaded with commercial shipping
containers and none of those are checked.
Nov. 26 late p There was a grass roots
effort to protest such busting of search and seizure law set for the day
before Thanksgiving. Instead of allowing such a media frenxy of citizen's
taking back the country .. the Feds turned off the body scanners and everyone
walked right thru the portals.
Nov. 26 late p So much for constant
vigilence and homeland security.
Nov. 26 late p As shoppers head out
the door this morning at 6 am, snow flakes were in the air. Winter is here.
the Christmas season has begun.
Nov. 25 a The best of Thanksgiving
wishes to you and yours.
Nov. 25 a We're taking a couple days
off to the family thang.
Nov. 23 a On this second day of blast
bambi season, Clayberry remains warm but is soggy wet. That certainly cuts
the rattle of fallen leaves but it also sends more hunters back to camp
or home.
Nov. 23 a We know its holiday
time. Frig's are overflowing with the makings for the big Thursday meal.
Kids are back home from college or jobs afar. Little kids are already bored
with video and TV.
Nov. 23 a There is little doubt the
Town of Clay water plant will be delayed as issues brought by the
contractor remain unsolved. During last week's meeting of the parties,
all fingers were pointing at engineer Jim Hildruth as the guy responsible
for the questions raised.
Nov. 23 a Don't forget, engineering
for the long stalled Clay wa wa plant were originally drawn up by Chapman
Technical. When Council got into a peeing contest with that firm, the firm
was tossed and everything started over. Who paid for those original plans?
We are.
Nov. 23 a As for Boyles and Hildruth,
the current engineer outfit.. somebody refresh my memory. That group had
a chance to engineer the most recent Clay Roane PSD water project and that
Board chose not to allow the company to do the work. Isn't that right?
Nov. 23 a Over in Calhoun County, earlier
this year, Jim Hildruth with Boyles and Hildruth made front page regional
news when the "reworked" the layout of who could bid on a water line extension
project in that county raised more than one eyebrow. Lawsuits continue
over in Calhoun.
Nov. 23 a We're in a mess clickers.
Nov. 23 a Not sure if any of our clickers
will be flying this holiday season but..... 'It is not comfortable to come
to work knowing full well that my hands will be feeling another man’s private
parts, their butt, their inner thigh,' one told the
BoardingArea blog. 'Even worse is having to try and feel
inside the flab rolls of obese passengers and we seem to get a lot of obese
passengers!' Another said he had a huge problem dealing with a 'large number
of passengers... daily that have a problem understanding what personal
hygieneFur is.'
Nov. 23 a There you have it clickers,
want to make a stand against Govt. groping, don't take a bath and make
those folks hold their noses as they work for their dollars.
Nov. 23 a In last week's Big Robe decision
on Irene Nelson being competent enough to pen a last will, an opinion from
Black Robe Ketchum: Time and again, I
see lawyers presenting “experts” who testify about matters that are easily
within the everyday knowledge and experience of a lay juror. This unwarranted
testimony adds great expense to the litigants, and lines the pockets of
self- proclaimed experts. It is bad enough that litigants must pay exorbitant
hourly rates to lawyers, much less pay fees for unnecessary expert testimony
in their search for justice.
In this case, a lawyer was hired as a paid expert to testify as to the
intent of the decedent, and whether undue influence was exerted upon the
decedent. Are juries so dumb that they must hear a hired lawyer's expert
opinion as to a person's “intent” or “undue influence”? Pretty soon expert
lawyers will be paid to opine as to which car ran the red light in traffic
accident cases, and what each car driver was thinking during the collision.
I wonder, how much did this egg cost the appellant? How can a “big city”
lawyer from Huntington be allowed to testify in rural Clay County about
a testator's intent to make a will, and whether the testator was acting
under some influence that was undue? The law is clear that an expert's
opinion evidence is inadmissible on any matter to which the jury is as
competent to render an opinion as a paid lawyer expert from Huntington.
Nov. 22 a Linda Kay Drake,
52, see OBITUARY page
Nov. 22 a The Sunday Wrap Up has been
updated. Might want to reread when you get a chance
Nov. 22 a Welcome to the opening day
of blast em while you can, Bambi season.
Nov. 22 a All of Clayberry has shut
down for the annual get away from work and home duties fun time.
Nov. 21 a What an interesting week...
Nov. 21 a Monday night during the School
Board meeting, senior Boardster Gene King went ballistic during the hiring
of five substitute school cooks, janitors, and bus drivers. King was peed
because his hiring choice was not in the group. So peed was Gene , after
dressing down those at the table, he refused to ride back with the other
Boardsters.
Nov. 21 a About as soon as the meeting
was over word sneaked out that Gene's choice hadn't turned in the application
in a timely manner. Under the surface, another person who was hired during
the process, had turned in her application late.
Nov. 21 a For the coffeehouse crowd,
the hiring of Jim Haynie as a sub brought the most head turning. Haynie
was a long term administrator at CMS & CCHS and retired a couple
years back. Bringing back a high dollar pensioner while others are in need
of entry level jobs, is one big Hmmmm.....
Nov. 21 a Wed morning Larry Darryl
and darryl convened a County Commission meeting. Picking from that public
gathering...
Nov. 21 a Govt money bags middle man
Terry Martin informed the CCC that the Queen Shoals PSD water extension
project was 99.99999% complete. The project came in under budget, was well
done, and went ahead of schedule. Martin attributed that to contractor
EL Robinson who paid close attention to detail by keeping a qualified person
on the job.
Nov. 21 a The cost of saving and rehabbing
the old Swinging Bridge jumped to $540,000 according to Eco Dev Director
Amanda Moore. Sure sounds like a bunch for replacing 8 boards and adding
a chain link fence so drunks don't stagger off into the Elk.
Nov. 21 a Moore's comments included
a need for a long range strategic plan to guide us thru the next decade.
How refreshing to hear a govt employee finally saying what every successful
business in the world knows as a bed rock fundamental principle, plan and
follow it to the T.
Nov. 21 a The Clay Humane Assoc has
been the center of attention for a couple weeks. During Wed's public CCC
meeting, Holly Cunningham provided copies of their business license and
501 c 3 status. Their contact number is 304 286-4222.
Nov. 21 a For those wanting the Humane
volunteers to take an animal, forget it, they are over packed big time.
Nov. 21 a Quietly ever so quietly,
Town Council held a meeting where they, their attorney and the water plant
contractor sat down in Town Hall to settle differences on why the contractor
walked off the wa wa plant site two months ago.
Nov. 21 a No rock throwing mind ya,
but certainly tense frustration was felt by all at the meeting. Seems the
contractor folks found discrepancies in the engineer's drawing. Stuff was
missing from the plans. In other for instances, questions came on what
kind of wiring and pumps were suppose to be used.
Nov. 21 a When the demand was made
to return to work Monday morning, the frustrated Contractor said Nope.
Look for a costly court battle to follow.
Nov. 21 a Town water customers in the
Maysel area lost service Thursday morning when the storage tank went dry.
The problem of no wa wa was quickly corrected. A bigger, long standing
question returned. As a matter of course, even with crap floating in the
wet stuff and frothing with discoloration, Town operators chose NOT to
inform the users of the conditions via a Boil Water Order. The chewy water
remained Sunday afternoon.
Nov. 21 a the Big Robes
under the Gold Dome in Charleston settled a long standing family feud when
they voted to overturn a Judge Jack Alsop Courtroom decision. At issue
was the mental stability of now deceased Irene Nelson and the validity
of her most recent will.
Nov. 21 a Disputing the lower court's
decision and highly paid expert witnesses, the Robes said the lady was
completely competent and the 2006 will stands.
Nov. 21 a A high court decision will
not heal the wounds or mend fences.
Nov. 21 a In Clayberry, we prepared
for
Deer Camp, the Appalachian Holiday tradition where everything shuts down
the first week of buck season. We bought beer, ammo, new weaponry, ATV's,
better mud riping tires, and headed to find a good location for hunting.
Nov. 21 a 1000's of those grill, fender,
bumper, crunching critters will be taken by just a handful of hunters.
Truth is, most get fired up for buck season but few actually get in the
woods.
Nov. 19 a Not sure what a "Toothless
Ruth" is but it is coming to Pat Naylor's bar tonight and Saturday. Sounds
like fun. Big Otter Community Center if offering up bluegrass talent Allegheny
Outback. There's some kind of bingo action at a
grade school this evening but no one bothered to email us the info. No
info, no hyping.
Nov. 19 a The Bingo we know about is
Cash Bingo sponsored by the radio station. The non profit is trying to
stay on the air. You can help by playing Bingo and who knows, you may even
go home with some jingle and prizes in your pocket
Nov. 19 a Check out the EVENTS page
for details
Nov. 19 a Clayberry we have a problem.
Nov. 19 a During prime building season,
construction of the new Town of Clay water plant came to a screeching halt
two months ago. Yesterday, the contractor, Town officials, engineer, and
funders met to try and work out their differences. After setting
thru 90 minutes of finger pointing, here's what we gathered.
Nov. 19 a The contractor walked off
the job site two months back after being unable to get answers, clarifications
from the engineer, Jim Hildruth. Without answers, the work could not continue.
Phase one of the plant was to have been completed August 1st
Nov. 19 a During the Thursday afternoon
gathering, Hildruth refused to reply to any questions and when asked something,
pointed to the Town's attorney for a response.
Nov. 19 a The Town's attorney kept
asking for clarification of the 12 contractor questions but provided no
answers. About the only thing he did say... he didn't like the tone of
the questions, he (town) would never agree to some of the accusations,
and as for the questions, answers would come as soon as they could.
Nov. 19 a It was obvious, the contractor
and the engineer were steamed up, at a logger head is what they said during
the meeting.
Nov. 19 a Where's the burr? the
contractors noted several for instances (12 of em) where needed information
is missing from the blueprints. Stuff like what kind of wire to use, if
the application called for three phase power, and what kind (if any) pump
is needed at an application.
Nov. 19 a No answers were provided
as the Town's attorney demanded work commence again on Monday Nov. 22nd.
With no answers in hand, the contractor replied something like " How the
heck can we restart work if we have the same questions now as when we quit?
Nov. 19 a The Town's attorney maintained
a hard arss edge, not budging from his "answers will come when we can"
stance.
Nov. 19 a The contractor wouldn't budge
an inch from their we ain't coming back until we know what to do position.
The meeting ended with the contractor saying his time had been wasted coming
to Clay, refusing to return to duty and ready to go to the next level.
Next level, hmmmm ....
Nov. 19 a Since we've always strive
for a loftier perch than that of an attorney, putting 6 and 2 together,
here's what we think.
Nov. 19 a Since this is an independent
contracted job, maybe the town, their attorney, couldn't answer those questions
for fear of violating some contractual law.
Nov. 19 a As for Jim Hildruth's hard
arss, ain't answering no questions position, it could be, if he answered
one question, that might be admitting to some kind of deficiency in his
plans.
Nov. 19 a Town leaders are absolutely
in the dark on what to do, what direction to head. The people paying for
all this, we will come up short.
Nov. 19 a No one needs to be
an attorney to understand, instead of getting a shiny new plant on time,
we are heading down a lengthy, costly, court battle road.
Nov. 18 mid am Water faucets
are dry as popcorn in the Maysel area this morning. Terry Traub is
"on it" according to Dwana Murphy. Problems seems to be at the Maysel water
tank, booster station.
Nov. 18 a They spend $20 m a year and
have technology grants out the whazooo but don't bother checking the school
system web site for the CCHS Basketball schedules. Ain't there. We've got
em over on the ADVISORY page
Nov. 18 a For those wandering when
the Sheriff's Office has to defend its actions in Federal Court ..... The
Stump Morton case goes before Judge Copenhaver Nov. 30th, 9:30am. To get
all the details bundled up, the pretrial conference is slated for Monday
Nov. 22nd at 11am
Nov. 18 a On this day in history:
1820: Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer discovered Antarctica; 1865: Mark Twain's,
The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, was published; 1883:
U.S. railroads adopted four standard time zones; Died 1886: Chester Arthur
(21st U.S. president); Born 1908: Imogene Coca (actress); Born
1923: Alan Shepard, Jr. (astronaut)
1928: The animated short, Steamboat
Willie, was released featuring Mickey Mouse; Born 1928: Mickey Mouse (cartoon
character); Born 1942: Linda Evans (actress); 1959: Ben-Hur, the film epic
starring Charlton Heston, premiered in N.Y.C.; 1960: The Chrysler Corporation
announced the discontinuation of its DeSoto line of cars, in production
since 1928; Died 1969: Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. (patriarch of the Kennedy
family); Died 1994: Cab Calloway (bandleader); Died 2002: James
Coburn (actor)
Nov. 17 late p Mary Bush Hill, 52,
of Wallback, see OBITUARY page
Nov. 17 late p Health
insurance companies gave $86.2
million to the US Chamber of Commerce last year to oppose the health
care reform bill, tax records show. Companies such as UnitedHealth Group
Inc. and Cigna Corp. funneled the money into the Chamber of Commerce's
anti-health reform campaign after Democrats began talk of increasing regulations
on the insurance industry
Nov. 17 late p A small band of volunteers
called the Buffalo Creek Watershed Assoc, is trying to improve stream quality
in the feeder creek from Widen to the Elk River. The band met Tuesday
evening at the Courthouse.
Nov. 17 late p after some cleaning
out the trash work parties this year, they're ready to start sweetening
the creek to better suit a trout population. They have the $$$ to purchase
the first 25 tons of 95% calcium carbonate lime but not a supplier close
enough to Clayberry.
Nov. 17 late p If they can come up
with a near by supplier or some way to transport the stuff cheaply, they
can get the first lime station up and working this fall.
Nov. 17 late p If anyone can help,
get ahold of George Workman ASAP.
Nov. 17 late p Read the morning post
on School Board meeting... Go ahead take another sip of coffee and catch
up. ... Done ? ,,, Ok
Nov. 17 late p O Gene is the supreme
politician. He feels which way the wind is blowing and then works his magic.
During Monday's Bd meeting , Gene wanted a needy feller hired. His new
band of elected Boardster Brothers voted otherwise.. Gene King was,
is, peed big time and told all that and more. Politics always
factors in the mix.
Nov. 17 late p New Boardster
Dave Mullins wants perks for the school service personnel brought to the
table and passed. Mullins AND Gene have agendas. Board Prez RB has never
voted against anything the School Administrators have desired.
Nov. 17 late p Veteran Boardster Beth
Cercone has gone against the grain more than once. It wasn't so long ago
that Cercone told the Board and those in the peanut gallery that she had
heard of a hire long before the job was even posted. She is the wild card.
Nov. 17 late p That leaves newbee
Morgan Triplett as the pivot person and the one to court.
Nov. 17 late p If Gene peees off the
others too much, they will leave him out in the cold. If Dave pees off
O Gene much, he will work his stuff and Mullins will get nowhere with his
plans.
Nov. 17 late p It's all politics
clickers in Clayberry. Winter School Board meetings are going to be great
entertainment!!!
Nov. 17 a Any family, any business
needs a business plan. Actually they need a short term and a long term
plan. Without such a well thought out road map in place, you can't get
anywhere. For the most part you just spin your wheels and react to immediate
issues facing ya. When you're battling those immediate problems, there
is little strength left to see the big picture and stay on track.
Nov. 17 a That's what County Clay has
been doing since the beginning of time. We've never had a long term business
plan.
Nov. 17 a In current Communicator,
there is first mention of such a thang by a govt administrator.
Nov. 17 a How refreshing.
Nov. 17 a The lead article covers the
Tommy Young Sr and Jr sentencing hearing. Good reading. About as soon as
we got Clay County's most read newspaper out the door yesterday afternoon,
the youngest of the Tommy Tommy Young clan, Jacob, was sentenced to the
slammer over in Braxton County. Jacob details coming.
Nov. 17 a Clayberry, a very fertile
place for a real newspaper.
Nov. 17 a Monday evening the
School Board met over at Lizemore Elem. Senior Boardster Gene King was
not happy with the hiring of five substitute service personnel.
He was so peturbed, he refused to ride back to town with fellow Boardsters.
Nov. 17 a O Gene wanted one of
his friends hired and that didn't happen.
Nov. 17 a Why is a substitute, part
time, get a days work once in a while so important? We have several retirements
coming this year and those on the sub list have a leg up in the hiring
process.
Nov. 17 a Jim Haynie retired
from the school system a couple years back after serving decades. since
retiring Jim Haynie has built a successful lawn care business in the region.
Wifey Joann currently serves as an Asst Superintendent.
Nov. 17 a Jim Haynie was one
of the five folks hired Monday night to be a substitute.
Nov. 15 p the old Courthouse is an
important part of growing tourism in the county. the Historical Society's
Library, in the old Courthouse will now be open each Saturday from 10 to
2pm. With that schedule change, there's one more thing to do when visiting
Clayberry. More in Tuesday's Communicator
Nov. 15 p The Clay Humane Assoc has
been under the scope for the last three weeks or so after a guy from Dille
(who didn't want any mention of his contact number made public) thought
the group was operating without proper credentials. With that not
being the case, and with full documentation available at the County Clerk's
office, Holly Cunningham wants the world to know, they cannot accept any
more dogs and cast right now, they are packed to the rafters with 45 now
in their charge.
Nov. 15 p We're in typing mode to get
the Communicator out the door Tuesday afternoon around 4pm. No updates
until we get that puppy to bed.
Nov. 14 a From the email bag: Did
anybody witness the altercation between two women on the Go-Mart
parking lot yesterday 11-12-10, around 3:30. I need a witness that
might have seen it, it involves losing my 3 grandkids. If anybody saw anything,
please call me at 587-7263 or my mother's # Alyce F. Bragg at 587-7630.
Any help would be appreciate. Thanks, Patty Bragg Haynes.
Nov. 14 a With most of the fall colors
all blown away, on a very quiet damp Sunday morning, a look back on the
last few days.
Nov. 14 a The deadly and without merit
wars rage on and no one even mentions the nearly 6000 killed in action.
Newly elected Republicrats keep hitching up their britches as they spew
plans of change. It's all BS but from a different mouth on a
different day.
Nov. 14 a We got to see Tommy Young
Sr and Jr. on the 8th. Both appeared to be in good spirits as they awaited
sentencing for swiping about everything that wasn't nailed down over the
last decade. Sentencing didn't happen. Instead experts have to decide the
value of all stolen items. With shackles at his ankles, on his way out,
Sr turned, smiled, looked at his family and said, "See you all later".
Nov. 14 a Town Council convened a secret
meeting on Tuesday to discuss their recent audit report. Although the Recorder
says the audit came out clean, sure raises a red flag when the whole discussion
has to be held in secret.
Nov. 14 a After their secret time,
Council held a public meeting where they once again went secret for an
hour. This time they discussed who screwed up the wa wa plant project where
contractors walked off the job two months ago. Getting the plant up and
running in a timely manner is now off the table. How bad is it? An attorney
has now been hired to handle everything. Watch for a costly lawsuit.
Nov. 14 a During Wed's County
Commission meeting, Prez Slinky told the world he hadn't found a certified
surveyor to replace resigned from office Jesse Sizemore. Certified?
Nov. 14 a According to state code,
the only requirement is to be an alive Clay County resident. There NO other
requirements.
Nov. 14 a The Braxton County
Visitors Bureau is handling the workload to complete a "water trail" on
the Elk River. The idea is to dress up the stream and entice visitors to
come and spend money. With Braxton handling the entire notion, Clayberry
has a chance of seeing a tourism project completed.
Nov. 14 a A couple weeks ago
some guy from Dille raised issues with the Clay Human Assoc. He questioned
whether they were even licensed to do business in the county. After that
meeting, the guy asked that his contact info not be mentioned.
Nov. 14 a Holly Cunningham with the
local Humane group addresses County Commission on the 10th and provided
Larry Darryl and Darryl with all pertinent paperwork.
Nov. 14 a So why can't we deal with
stray dogs , cats, mistreated farm animals? For that matter, why can't
we elect real leaders, come up with a long term plan to grow Clayberry
jobs, and see an increase in business licenses.
Nov. 14 a Answer: Change skeers us
and we don't want it.
Nov. 14 a The entire week was absolutely
beautiful with bright blue skies and warm sunshine. Instead of working
around the homestead, Clay County loaded up four wheelers and headed to
the woods to scope out tree stand sites for the upcoming Appalachian holiday:
buck season.
Nov. 13 a Roy (John) Quentin
Stephenson Sr., 70, see OBITUARY page
Nov. 13 a Doesn't it feel better already?
Smokin Joe is gone. If you look at any of the state government web sites,
that stock mug shot is all gone. Thank goodness.
Nov. 13 a In the 2010 fiscal year,
mail carriers delivered 6
billion fewer pieces of mail than in 2009. Is it possible the
US Postal Service could go broke, out of business?
Nov. 13 a With bright sunshine today,
men, you know what you have to do.
Nov. 13 a Weed whack for the last time,
wash the car, sweep the vehicles. clean windows, finish cutting down the
garden bramble, cover the grill, haul out last summer's trash, help with
the holiday decorations,
Nov. 13 a Or claim you have to go pick
up some parts for the whatever. If you get by with that excuse ..
a Go Mart cup of coffee and chit chatting can take an hour.... stop by
the Farm Store for more intense side bar discussions .... don't forget,
setting up the tree stand and stopping at the car part places for further
deviation.
Nov. 13 a Getting out of home duties,
an American tradition!
Nov. 12 a My lands, it's another beautiful
sun filled Clayberry day. Put on your short pants and enjoy it while you
can.
Nov. 12 a On this day: Born 1917:
Joseph Coors (brewer); Born 1922: Kim Hunter (actress); Born 1929:
Grace Kelly (actress and later known as Her Serene Highness Princess Grace
of Monaco); 1936: San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge opened; Born 1945: Neil
Young (musician); 1956: Largest iceberg on record (208 miles long, 60 miles
wide) discovered by U.S.S. Glacier
Nov. 12 a Tonight is a big purse
bingo fun time over at the Lion's Club Casino and Bill Greathouse's Rocky
Branch band up at Big Otter. Saturday night is the consignment auction.
Nov. 12 a Even seen any of Keith Lahti's
pottery? You aughta. Beautiful stuff. Lahti is hosting a pottery show in
the northern end of the county Saturday and Sunday. Did we say beautiful
stuff?
Nov. 12 a Check the EVENTS page for
details
Nov. 12 a In between is great weather.
Have you been to County Clay? It's a nice time to do just that.
Nov. 12 a So how secret was Town Council's
closed door session ? So top secret, they locked the front door just in
case the 50 year old + crowd on the outside made a dash for the inside!
Nov. 11 late p Virginia Athelene
Naylor, 94, of Elkhurst, see OBITUARY page
Nov. 11 p For Clayberry:
Nov. 11 p $1.8m for water
Nov. 11 p $1.16m for highway
Nov. 11 p $950k for the water plant
Nov. 11 p $592 k for early education
Nov. 11 p $477k for Clay Primary Health
Nov. 11 p $434k for special kids
Nov. 11 p $410k+ for at risk school
kids
Nov. 11 p $172k for Clay Primary Health
to keep their fine staff
Nov. 11 p $115k for Town of Clay policing
Nov. 11 p $25k for Clay Ambulance
Nov. 11 p That's $6,144,164
for County Clay from Federal Recovery Funds.
Nov. 11 p Does anybody see $6m+ in
improvements?
Nov. 11 a There's never been a good
war. There are good Vets. Today is a Thank a Vet day. For all the vets,
You Are Appreciated
Nov. 11 a After being rescheduled a
couple times, the Health Dept Bd convened a grievance hearing earlier this
week. The complaint (s) were brought by Director of Nursing, Sanatarian,
and Environmental Health officer Jay Carper against Health Director Linda
Klotzbach.
Nov. 11 a Klotzbach plans to fire Carper
and put it in writing.
Nov. 11 a Some consider Carper, arrogant,
uppity, a little too big for his britches, and/or aloof. Having said
that, none dispute his qualifications for the job nor abilities to get
the job done.
Nov. 11 a Carper is claiming that Linda
is directing medical duties of which she is not certified or skilled to
do; he's bringing to the table many financial "problems" that Klotz would
rather keep out of sight; and issues on who is really in charge of the
Health Dept, the Board of Directors or the Director. What brought all this
to a head was when Klotz ordered Carper to do something that was against
his medical advice. He's a RN by training if you didn't know.
Nov. 11 a Since that disagreement,
Klotz took away all of Carper's medical duties leaving the Director of
Nursing solely to check septic tanks in the county.
Nov. 11 a Without management training,
classes, schooling, when challenged, Linda often reacts poorly, shooting
from the hip without taking the time to think thru a problem.
Nov. 11 a An impartial arbitrator
heard the grievance. He's got a couple weeks to make his decision. The
Bd of Health ( Joe Morris, Don Samples, Mary Sizemore, Joyce McLaughlin,
and Wallace Brown Jr) does not have to adhere to the arbitrator's
advice. As a matter of fact, the Bd doesn't even have to wait for his determination
before making a decision.
Nov. 11 a Our guess is , is Linda Klotzbach
or Jay Carper is going to get fired.
Nov. 11 a Beth Hubbard earned a Master's
Degree in Public Health. She worked at the Health dept. before abruptly
resigning last summer. Our guess is, Hubbard saw things going on that shouldn't
be and couldn't put up with the current management. There have been other
good employees to bite the dust under the watch of Linda Klotzbach.
Nov. 11 a A board decision is coming
shortly. But it might not be over then. Under civil service rules, greivances
can be appealed and appealed before ending up in Circuit Court.
Nov. 11 a Sunshine is everywhere today.
Get out and have some fun today clickers.
Nov. 10 a State law requires each government
agency to submit to what we call an audit. Either the state comes in or
the agency hires a CPA of their liking and a costly waste of taxpayer $$$
is performed.
Nov. 10 a We call it an audit but on
the front page of each report is always the words: This ain't no audit.
In fact, all the money changers do is compare bottom of the column amounts
with checks written. They do NOT compare invoices to pay outs.
Nov. 10 a After each audit a report
is prepared and made public. That making public is usually done at a public
meeting. That's until now
Nov. 10 a Last night Clay Town Council
scheduled an hour of secret time to go over their audit report. Must
have been reaaaaaaaaaaaaal bad to have to keep secret a public financial
document.
Nov. 10 a When Council opened the meeting
to the public, they went secret again for another 55 minutes. This time
around it was over the worked stopped wa wa plant. Everybody was mums the
word, tight lipped, after secret time number 2. One thing is for sure,
high dollar attorneys are brought in to clean up a mess. The only question
is, who made the mess, the contractor or the Mayor?
Nov. 10 a Lowell Drake is the guy you
see around most special occasions with his video camera recording history.
The norm is for Lowell to be laid back and away from the spotlight.
Last night he wasn't.
Nov. 10 a Mr Drake was very firm with
his demand to have Town owned puters stripped of a desktop background picture
found on each puter at the wa wa plant and office. "I want that picture
removed! Or, you'll be in trouble!!
Nov. 10 a Drake says he took the picture
in 1997 somewhere near Ivydale and someone must have stolen it from him.
the picture is very special because State Road crews have since wiped out
the trees or something like that.
Nov. 10 a That picture, the one Lowell
says he took, comes packed in each windows operating system purchased
around the world. You've seen it many times. Named "Autumn" by operating
designers, it's the one of a country lane flanked on each side with fall
colors on maples with a fence on the right side.
Nov. 10 a Council agreed to remove
the mass marketed desktop background but told Lowell to go see Bill Gates
if he wanted the picture removed elsewhere.
Nov. 10 a IF IF IF Drake took
that picture now used by Bill Gates around the world, and he can prove
it, Clay County will have it's first ever, home grown, gazillionaire.
Nov. 8 p So guess how many years Tommy
Sr and Jr. will spend behind bars? Did I hear 10? Someone say 30 years?
Nov. 8p All wrong
Nov. 8 p This morning in Federal Court
the Judge never got to sentencing. Instead the center of attention was
on how much value should be applied to all the items stole by Tommy Young
Sr and Jr. Turns out, the dollar value has a big affect on the number of
years applied to jail time.
Nov. 8 p Sense the stolen equipment
wasn't new for the most part and had damages like drilled out ignition
switches, the total value should be well under $1/2 m. Prosecutors sounded
more comfortable with a cool $1m figure.
Nov. 8 p An equipment expert from Sheffield
Ohio was suppose to appear this morning but didn't. Turns out a deer mashed
his vehicle on the way to the Courthouse,
Nov. 8p With the Judge's schedule booked
solid for the next couple weeks, don't look for sentencing until sometime
in Dec if then.
Nov. 8 p Don't get all excited clickers.
Both Sr and Jr. are safely spending their nights behind bars until the
sentencing date.
Nov. 8 p Town Council meets Tuesday
at 5pm for a top secret meeting with auditors followed by a public meeting
at 6pm
Nov. 8 p County Commission gathers
Wed morning at 10 am.
Nov. 8 a At 7 am It was 27 degrees
in Clayberry
Nov. 8 a This morning at 10 am, Tommy
Young Sr and Jr. are to be sentenced in Federal Court down in Charleston.
If it happens, its been a long time a comin. Guesses abound on length of
time behind bars. Ours: Jr. gets 10 years with Sr locked up for 20
Nov. 8 a Tuesday in Circuit Court,
all those indicted last week will come before the Judge and plead not guilty
Nov. 8 a Tuesday afternoon, after a
secret meeting, Clay Town Council will meet in rescheduled session.
Nov. 8 a Stay tuned clickers, you never
know what may go in this week.
Nov. 7 a Orla Delma "Dell" Fitzwater-Bass
formerly of Valleyfork, see OBITUARY page
Nov. 7 a The General Election
was main event during the last seven days. Horribly skewed by top secret
corporate smear campaigns for personal interest, for the most part, Americans
saw thru the take over of the government and used their own brains to make
decisions.
Nov. 7 a Every candidate said they
would lower taxes and create jobs. They all lie. Once elected and in their
cushy seats, the landscaper will look no different. Promises Promises Promises
Nov. 7 a The economy, growth, new demand
can't increase with a shrinking middle class.
Nov. 7 a Regan is remembered well but
it was this President that cut tax rates on the top wealthiest but forgot
to cut government spending. Clinton put the country in great financial
posture with a huge surplus but is remembered for having an out of
control electric zipper. Poor ole Dubbya was our Corporate owned President,
the one that single handily put us in the second great depression and left
us in deep debt.
Nov. 7 a A third fourth or fifth major
party has been needed for years. In 2010 we got the Tea Party. Some are
saying with John Boner ( isn't that how you say Boehner?) in power, we've
also got an orange party.
Nov. 7 a Sadly there was no attention
to our two wars in progress nor the number of failing government programs
that service the youth. Attention getting Social Security did get some
time on the tube. Truth is, the Social Security program is well funded
for another 29 years and is not contributing one penny to the deficit.
Nov. 7 a Rep. John Boehner, presumptively
the next Speaker of the House and a longtime rhetorical foe of earmark
spending in its present form, told a Fox News host on Thursday that the
proposed ban on congressional earmarks he'd been talking up was officially
off the table. When Republicans controlled Congress from 1994-2006,
earmark spending went from under $8 billion to over $29 billion.
Nov. 7 a Higly paid taking heads provided
reason after reason for the changing of the guard. Fact is, all that
matters is good jobs for those that want to work. That's it!
Nov. 7 a Closer to home, Republicrat
Capito will return to DC this time with the full support of Clayberry,
a first for the last three election cycles. Equally inept, Smokin Joe will
head off to the big gold dome to replace the late Robert C.
Nov. 7 a Indictments came this week
in County Clay. After years of running the streets and with old felonies
galore under his belt, Johnny Morris caught the eye of the Grand Jury.
Not so in the case of nephew Jamie Morris who now walks free.
Nov. 7 a Friday night the CCHS Panthers
polished off the 2010 season with a win over Van.
Nov. 7 a Cold weather hit Clayberry
hard this week. The mention of possible snow wound up the kids in hopes
of a snow day. Didn't happen. Sunday morning the thermometer registered
as long as 23 degrees.
Nov. 7 a After a week of confusion,
computer and bank clocks are now once again correct with the returned eastern
standard time hours here.
Nov. 6 a Hot Diggity Dog! The Panthers
finished off the season last night with a big win over Single A Van. Hoooraaah!
Nov. 6 a Snowflakes reported Friday
afternoon out Peach Orchard road.
Nov. 6 a This morning temps hovered
around 28 degrees. Those first steps on a wood porch were slipping sliding
away to say the least. With a leashed dog pulling ya, even more exciting!
Nov. 5 a CAEZ's Ken Eskew Sr., see
OBITUARY page
Nov. 5 a Tonight's the last Panther
home game of the season. Going to be chilly but a great time to come out
and support the home team. It's also Senior's night and a tailgate party.
Nov. 5 a Indoor fun includes
the Big Otter Community Center. Details over on EVENTS page.
Nov. 5 a Indictments are in from Wed's
Grand Jury. They include
Nov. 5 a Jessie Boggess II Malicious
wounding x 2, wanton endangerment with firearm, manufacturing a controlled
substance
Nov. 5 a Johnny Roland Morris delivery
of a controlled substance
Nov. 5 a Henry Stutler sexual assault
1st degree x 2, sexual assault by a parent or guardian x 2
Nov. 5 a David Dexter Lane sexual assault
x3, sexual abuse x 1, sexual assault by a parent or guardian x 4, incest
x 4, assault , sexual assault 2nd degree x 3
Nov. 5 a Kenton Leon Mosley driving
under the influence 3rd offense, driving while revoked 3rd offense
Nov. 5 a Craig Holcomb possession with
intent to deliver x 3, possession to be used in manufacture
Nov. 5 a Dustin Blancet possession
with intent to deliver
Nov. 5 a Bobby Pauley Jr burglary conspiracy
x 2, petit larceny
Nov. 5 a Erin Kane burglary, conspiracy
x 3 dest of property, petit larceny
Nov. 5 a Chevon Linville burglary,
conspiracy x 3 , dest of property, petit larceny
Nov. 5 a Amanda Hamrick welfare fraud
Nov. 5 a Nathan Butcher welfare fraud
Nov. 5 a Raymond Brown welfare fraud
Nov. 5 a Debra Brown welfare fraud
Nov. 5 a There is no mention of Jamie
Morris being indicted. That means, Jamie Morris will have all charges dropped
and he's a free man once again.
Nov. 4 a The Business Development Authority
meets today at 5:30pm in the CCC room at the Courthouse.
Nov. 4 a We sat thru all the election
ads followed by the talking heads synopsis on what really happened.
Nov. 4 a For sure, it was the young
vote that failed to show up and mark a ballot. In the under 30 age category,
less than 1/3
cast a ballot in 2010 than did in 2008.
Nov. 4 a There is nothing in the US
Constitution about a 2 party system. Not even mention of parties for that
matter. With three Tea party members now in the Senate, all of a sudden,
we have a three party system in America. How did they do it in 24 months
while the Libertarians and Greens haven't? They took a party instead
of forming a brand new one.
Nov. 4 a Maybe a similar group needs
to form on the Demorat side, one with some backbone and gonads.
Nov. 4 a Another certainty, the folks
that Sarah Palin campaigned for, well, they didn't do so well. Thank goodness
for that.
Nov. 4 a Did you notice that
John Raese didn't even carry his own home county. He didn't.
Nov. 4 a Remember Joe Barton from Texas?
He's the Rep that apologized to BP. Remember him now? Guess who's
gong to head up the
House Energy Committee. You got it.
Nov. 4 a They spent billions
and ain't it great that so many wanta bees got
nothing in return.
Nov. 3 p We planned to update the site
with the results from the Fall Grand Jury. As of 3:45 today, they are still
working behind closed doors.
Nov. 3 p Probably be Thursday before
the indictments are public.
Nov. 3 a On this day in history:
1868: Ulysses S. Grant elected president of the U.S.; 1883: In California,
the poet and outlaw calling himself "Black Bart" made his last robbery
when he stole a Wells Fargo strongbox from a stagecoach. A handkerchief
left at the scene led to his arrest; 1900: The first automobile show in
the United States opened at New York's Madison Square Garden under the
auspices of the Automobile Club of America; 1908: William Howard
Taft elected as president of the U.S.; 1914: Mary Jacobs granted
patent for first modern bra design ; Born 1921: Charles Bronson (actor);
Died 1926: Annie Oakley (sharpshooter); 1930: Detroit-Windsor
tunnel opened; Born 1933: Michael Dukakis (politician); 1936: President
Franklin D. Roosevelt reelected for second term; Born 1949:
Larry Holmes (boxer); 1957: The U.S.S.R. launched space satellite
Sputnik II, carrying a dog; 1975: Good Morning
America debuted with co-hosts David Hartman and Nancy Dussault; Died
1990: Mary Martin (actress); 1992: Arkansas Governor
Bill Clinton was elected 42nd President of the US. Five women won Senate
seats, including Democrat Carol Moseley-Braun, who became the first African-American
woman senator; Died 1998: Bob Kane (creator of the comic, Batman)
Nov. 3 a And today, all those nasty
campaign ads disappeared.
Nov. 2 late p Read em and weep
Nov. 2 late Unofficials election
results. 2456 people voted in Clayberry or about 30%
Nov. 2 late p US Senate
Joe Manchin 1414; John Raese 920; Jesse Johnson 80; Jeff Becker 16
Nov. 2 late p 2nd Congressional: Capito
1482; Virginia Graf 875; Phil Hudok 39
Nov. 2 late p 11th Senatorial Greg
Tucker 1358; Adam Milligan 759, Tom Thacker 105
Nov. 2 late p House of Delegates 33rd
Dist Dave Walker 1184
Nov. 2 late p House of Delegates 29th
Dist Marshall Clay 361; Margaret Staggers 525; John Pino 462; Dave Perry
488 and seven write in votes
Nov. 2 p The Communicator made it out
the door this afternoon and into the arms of the waiting public.
Nov. 2 p Included in the pretty good
reading is the write up on Jonathan Humphrey being sentenced to 20 years
behind bars after pleading to 10 counts of kiddie porn via movie download
Nov. 2 p 101.7 FM will be providing
national election results, coverage from 8 to 2am.
Nov. 1 a Happy first day of cold weather
months. **^^##!!
Nov. 1 a The Town of Clay is shutting
off water service this afternoon so they can switch water supply lines
to a storage tank. That lack of service will affect those living up Ivydale
way, Triplett Ridge and Hartland communities according to Dwana.
Nov. 1 a Schools closed this afternoon.
Nov. 1 a This afternoon at 1pm the
Board of Health meets for a special meeting. Agenda indicates employee
complaints will be discussed, decided. Our guess, the finger is pointing
at Director Klotzbach. Just a guess clickers.
Nov. 1 a Communicator comes out
Tuesday afternoon sometime. No updates until we get that thang typed up.
Well.... unless a public official does something dumb.