May 4 2021
Michael Martin and Micky Boggs at the helm
It's tough to watch
a long standing organization fall apart. That's been the case
for the last two years with the Central Appalachia Empowerment
Zone (CAEZ). 25 years ago, the non profit was vibrant with new
projects and ideas popping up monthly. Boardsters from the
five county service area regularly attended monthly meetings.
That's all different now adays. Heck, 18 months ago, someone let it slip out during a meeting, the CAEZ had lost their non profit IRS designation. For the past 24 months, we're trying to remember even one new project brought forth by the group. In the Fall of 2019, Board Chair Michael Martin told the assembled, CAEZ was in real peril.
The long time Director bailed out over a year ago. No replacement has been announced. Truth is, there is no $$$ to cover a salary. Steering the ship has been part timer Gary Stuber who is paid thru a govt program.
CAEZ held their monthly meeting May 4th in the Dundon Campground lodge building. Clayonian Micky Boggs chaired the indoor gathering. Other Clayberry Boardsters were nowhere to be found. Those AWOL included, Linda Rhodes, Fran King and Connie Kinder.
Financials revealed the part time Office Manager (Michelle) has not be paid. Michelle told the Board, they are paying past due ( 3 months worth) bills now. Braxton County Boardster Ron Facemire, after reading thru the financials, "Is any more money coming in?"
CAEZ is banking on claiming $55,000 that is setting in some account but claimed by the West Virginia Housing Fund. CAEZ attests, the $55K is actually rent money earned by them. They have been squirming over the money for more than 2 years with little progress seen.
In the way of new info, some notes
There are a bunch of railroad cars setting on the tracks North of Frametown. According to Boardster Facemire, the cars have been setting there for months and are the responsibility of a Nick Smith. Facemire continued, he has been told, the cars have to be moved.
No one knew the condition of the ERTS trail bed North of Duck nor if it was open to the public.
As for progress reports, updates from Nicholas and Roane Counties, there weren't any. Reason? No reps from those counties were present.
Gary Stuber announced that he will be having surgery and will be off work for at least a month, maybe longer.
In our guesstimate, that leaves no one to answer the CAEZ phone at their Valley Fork office. But, read on, that problem may settle itself soon.
CAEZ owns the old Valley Fork Grade School building. Since the purchase ($200K) many years ago, they have tried to rent space there with little luck. Between a serious black fly infestation, lack of parking, pathetic heating systems, and pee poor internet service, few renters have stayed long.
Now, someone is interested in purchasing the place for $125,000.00. Based on the conversation around the conference table, it sounded like the offer was made some time ago and the idea has been kept from the public. Boardster John David, "Why is this the first time we're hearing about it?.... Where would the CAEZ office go?"
Chair Boggs admitted, if something goes wrong there, something breaks, they don't have the $$ to make repairs.
With all quietly admitting the obvious, Michael Martin, instead of hiring an appraiser, let's make a county offer of $150,000 and be done with it. All nodded in agreement.
The only money making venture for the agency is their campground at Dundon. As for growing camping spaces or adding cabins, there's a problem. Their existing septic systems are now operating at capacity.
That's all different now adays. Heck, 18 months ago, someone let it slip out during a meeting, the CAEZ had lost their non profit IRS designation. For the past 24 months, we're trying to remember even one new project brought forth by the group. In the Fall of 2019, Board Chair Michael Martin told the assembled, CAEZ was in real peril.
The long time Director bailed out over a year ago. No replacement has been announced. Truth is, there is no $$$ to cover a salary. Steering the ship has been part timer Gary Stuber who is paid thru a govt program.
CAEZ held their monthly meeting May 4th in the Dundon Campground lodge building. Clayonian Micky Boggs chaired the indoor gathering. Other Clayberry Boardsters were nowhere to be found. Those AWOL included, Linda Rhodes, Fran King and Connie Kinder.
Financials revealed the part time Office Manager (Michelle) has not be paid. Michelle told the Board, they are paying past due ( 3 months worth) bills now. Braxton County Boardster Ron Facemire, after reading thru the financials, "Is any more money coming in?"
CAEZ is banking on claiming $55,000 that is setting in some account but claimed by the West Virginia Housing Fund. CAEZ attests, the $55K is actually rent money earned by them. They have been squirming over the money for more than 2 years with little progress seen.
In the way of new info, some notes
There are a bunch of railroad cars setting on the tracks North of Frametown. According to Boardster Facemire, the cars have been setting there for months and are the responsibility of a Nick Smith. Facemire continued, he has been told, the cars have to be moved.
No one knew the condition of the ERTS trail bed North of Duck nor if it was open to the public.
As for progress reports, updates from Nicholas and Roane Counties, there weren't any. Reason? No reps from those counties were present.
Gary Stuber announced that he will be having surgery and will be off work for at least a month, maybe longer.
In our guesstimate, that leaves no one to answer the CAEZ phone at their Valley Fork office. But, read on, that problem may settle itself soon.
CAEZ owns the old Valley Fork Grade School building. Since the purchase ($200K) many years ago, they have tried to rent space there with little luck. Between a serious black fly infestation, lack of parking, pathetic heating systems, and pee poor internet service, few renters have stayed long.
Now, someone is interested in purchasing the place for $125,000.00. Based on the conversation around the conference table, it sounded like the offer was made some time ago and the idea has been kept from the public. Boardster John David, "Why is this the first time we're hearing about it?.... Where would the CAEZ office go?"
Chair Boggs admitted, if something goes wrong there, something breaks, they don't have the $$ to make repairs.
With all quietly admitting the obvious, Michael Martin, instead of hiring an appraiser, let's make a county offer of $150,000 and be done with it. All nodded in agreement.
The only money making venture for the agency is their campground at Dundon. As for growing camping spaces or adding cabins, there's a problem. Their existing septic systems are now operating at capacity.
What Ta Do What Ta Do
It sounds like, local businessman Dave Pierson has come to the rescue and agreed to move the rascals on the cheap ($1400) and do so before the June deadline.
No ready cash, no strong revenue sources, no Director, no pay for the Office Manager, the only part time worker (Gary Stuber) going on medical leave soon .... you can see the future
During this May meeting of the CAEZ, Michael Martin uttered the first real notice of the group's demise. Long time Boardster Martin told the assembled, the work of the group is about done and, it may be time in the future to disband the CAEZ. No one spoke up to save the non profit.
Five or 6 years ago we printed something along the lines of, last person out of the CAEZ, please turn off their light bulb.
AW