Dec 8 2021
Clay County
Commission (CCC) came together in open session on Dec 8th at
10am. Commissioner Connie Kinder was not to be seen. Saw
something interesting. The Health Dept's PA, Angela Brown, was
on hand for the meeting. Nothing too odd about that except,
but in the past, Director Phillina Brown has been the person
in attendance. Hmmmmmmmmm...
The thang about CCC meetings, often, discussion turns to interesting topics. Such was the case on Dec 8th. As best we can understand....
The thang about CCC meetings, often, discussion turns to interesting topics. Such was the case on Dec 8th. As best we can understand....
From the left, County Clerk Connie Workman, Commissioners Schoolcraft and Fran King
First up on the
agenda was none other than Mr Money Bags, Terry Martin. If
you've been reading about the recent blow up with Health Dept
officials, Nope, we don't want your $3million,.... some
wonder if Martin would ever return. He did. His remarks
included: this place is full of %%$$##@! idiots.
He didn't say that but it sure looks good in print and he should have said it!
What he really brought to the table was: with the arrival of billions in COVID funds for internet service in rural areas, it's time for the local Broadband committee to get in gear and be ready to receive the new loot. He said there would be a 2pm meeting that afternoon for that purpose; It's time to reapply for HUD funding for the Nebo wawa line extension project with two public hearings planned soon; and, With new HUD funds available and after talking with David Schoolcraft, $$$ may be available to move the 911 center to a new building on top of some ridge.
Of course, on that last part, that's a reference to the sneak attack four months ago to rob the Coon Hunter Assoc of their Triplett Ridge digs.
Next... CCC Prez Fran King asked about needed money to rebuild the backside of the Courthouse. She was talking about the drainage issue on the river bank side where the parking lot is slipping away and taking underground sewer and other drain lines with it. Bad new from Terry Martin. He told the group, funds (like for the 911 Center) can not be used for Courthouse upgrades.
Remember up above when we talked about interesting discussions.... here goes
Fran King reported on Cam Stewart purchasing the old Valley Fork School building from the CAEZ.
Gary Stuber works thru some govt program a couple days a week at Central Appalachia Empowerment Zone (CAEZ). Gary was in attendance for this meting and opened with an update on the struggling operation.
There's been some simmering issues going on in CAEZ land. We're talking about the CAEZ refusing to rent their Dundon Lodge building to three of the railroad contractors while they upgrade the BC&G RR spur going up thru Swandale. The contractors were willing to pay $3000 a month for the place, as long as they were allowed to use the kitchen and washing machines there. The contractors wanted to rent the place for 4 months or so, all Winter.
Keep in mind, CAEZ has to keep the electric turned on during the Winter months as well as the wawa and heat. Last Winter they closed the Lodge down and made no income from the place while paying the utilities out of pocket.
That's where the doo doo hit the fan.
The Franster is on the CAEZ Board and had a burr up her saddle. She was peeeeeturbed big time over the decision.
She asked Stuber directly if it was true that the RR folks were turned away over something as stupid as not allowing use of the washing machine and kitchen. Stuber said his Board turned rental offer down over that issue.
Stuber tried to make the dumb decision more palatable. Something about, gosh, we don't let anyone using the Lodge like coal miners and construction workers to use the washing machine / dryer. Stuber came back with something along the lines of: We don't want the washer / dryer damaged. Blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
You could see the lather forming on Ms King's head. About that same time, Commissioner Schoolcraft was holding his head in his hands.
King said she had been getting complaints about the CAEZ decision. She added that this was not good for the county. She said she was not happy!
For once Fran was correct. Each night the workers stay in the County, CAEZ would have got some $$$ and businesses in this county would have received fresh money from things like fuel, food, beer, among other things.
The 35 minute meeting was over way too quick.
Special note. We mentioned the 2 pm meeting of the three county Broadband Committee just above. Connie Kinder is the CCC rep on that Committee. Ms Kinder did not attend that important meeting. That means, we're already behind in getting the free $$$
Special special note. During Gary Stuber's orations, he told the world, this newspaper told lies. He was referring to coverage several months back where we reported, the CAEZ would benefit $30,000 from renting that flood prone Lodge building.
We were wroo..... wrooonnn........ hard to say but, we were wrong. If the CAEZ had rented the place for the full Winter they would have received $24,000.
We stand corrected and appreciate to no end being called liars by Gary Stuber.
AW
He didn't say that but it sure looks good in print and he should have said it!
What he really brought to the table was: with the arrival of billions in COVID funds for internet service in rural areas, it's time for the local Broadband committee to get in gear and be ready to receive the new loot. He said there would be a 2pm meeting that afternoon for that purpose; It's time to reapply for HUD funding for the Nebo wawa line extension project with two public hearings planned soon; and, With new HUD funds available and after talking with David Schoolcraft, $$$ may be available to move the 911 center to a new building on top of some ridge.
Of course, on that last part, that's a reference to the sneak attack four months ago to rob the Coon Hunter Assoc of their Triplett Ridge digs.
Next... CCC Prez Fran King asked about needed money to rebuild the backside of the Courthouse. She was talking about the drainage issue on the river bank side where the parking lot is slipping away and taking underground sewer and other drain lines with it. Bad new from Terry Martin. He told the group, funds (like for the 911 Center) can not be used for Courthouse upgrades.
Remember up above when we talked about interesting discussions.... here goes
Fran King reported on Cam Stewart purchasing the old Valley Fork School building from the CAEZ.
Gary Stuber works thru some govt program a couple days a week at Central Appalachia Empowerment Zone (CAEZ). Gary was in attendance for this meting and opened with an update on the struggling operation.
There's been some simmering issues going on in CAEZ land. We're talking about the CAEZ refusing to rent their Dundon Lodge building to three of the railroad contractors while they upgrade the BC&G RR spur going up thru Swandale. The contractors were willing to pay $3000 a month for the place, as long as they were allowed to use the kitchen and washing machines there. The contractors wanted to rent the place for 4 months or so, all Winter.
Keep in mind, CAEZ has to keep the electric turned on during the Winter months as well as the wawa and heat. Last Winter they closed the Lodge down and made no income from the place while paying the utilities out of pocket.
That's where the doo doo hit the fan.
The Franster is on the CAEZ Board and had a burr up her saddle. She was peeeeeturbed big time over the decision.
She asked Stuber directly if it was true that the RR folks were turned away over something as stupid as not allowing use of the washing machine and kitchen. Stuber said his Board turned rental offer down over that issue.
Stuber tried to make the dumb decision more palatable. Something about, gosh, we don't let anyone using the Lodge like coal miners and construction workers to use the washing machine / dryer. Stuber came back with something along the lines of: We don't want the washer / dryer damaged. Blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
You could see the lather forming on Ms King's head. About that same time, Commissioner Schoolcraft was holding his head in his hands.
King said she had been getting complaints about the CAEZ decision. She added that this was not good for the county. She said she was not happy!
For once Fran was correct. Each night the workers stay in the County, CAEZ would have got some $$$ and businesses in this county would have received fresh money from things like fuel, food, beer, among other things.
The 35 minute meeting was over way too quick.
Special note. We mentioned the 2 pm meeting of the three county Broadband Committee just above. Connie Kinder is the CCC rep on that Committee. Ms Kinder did not attend that important meeting. That means, we're already behind in getting the free $$$
Special special note. During Gary Stuber's orations, he told the world, this newspaper told lies. He was referring to coverage several months back where we reported, the CAEZ would benefit $30,000 from renting that flood prone Lodge building.
We were wroo..... wrooonnn........ hard to say but, we were wrong. If the CAEZ had rented the place for the full Winter they would have received $24,000.
We stand corrected and appreciate to no end being called liars by Gary Stuber.
AW