Lookin BAck to Sept 2001

Clay/Roane and Procious PSD Update

        Lots of stuff going on between these two county water service providers. In addition to the very confusing merger deals, loan financing arrangements, and the continuing efforts to consolidate all PSDs into one mega PSD, there are now employee issues. With that being said, Clay Roane PSD met in regular session Sept 6 and again in special session Sept 16. First the regular meeting.  

   With PSD Chair TG Cruickshank at the helm and with Boardsters Roy Ellis and Gary Whaling present, the Sept 6 meeting got going just a few minutes late. After clerk Trina Neff read the previous meeting minutes, Gary Whaling brought to the table the recent layoff of field worker Ric Burdette. Whaling reminded everyone that Burdette had asked to be laid off, He quit. Ms Neff said that Burdette had been denied unemployment benefits and she had called the state unemployment office for clarification. According to Neff, the lady there said that Burdette was not really laid off since he had asked for the lay off, that, it was of his own free will. Cruickshank, Basically , he quit. Whaling continued that Burdette had talked to him at his house before going= on vacation and based on what they had learned, the PSD should not sign Burdette's  lay off slip so he could receive unemployment checks. Whaling said he was not trying to be hard nose but, right is right and wrong is wrong.    

   Back to old business, and after an inquiry by Mr Cruickshank, Neff informed the Board that Jim Williams (Wallback) did not have an illegal water tap as had been suspected. WV PSC Dave Foster did the investigation and found that Williams was hooked up on a well and not the PSD service.   

   Randy Samples, an applicant for the Burdette job, was present and gave a brief presentation. PSD agreed to meet with Samples after the regular meeting.
    After a recent water rate increase, the PSD appears to have the extra loot for pay raises. Motion made and passed to give Trina Neff a pay increase of 25 cents per hour. Currently she is paid $7.00 per hour. Additionally, the raise is retroactive to June. Cruickshank, A Will the check bounce?@ Laughter.   

   On the issue of spending even more money, Mr. Cruickshank encouraged the group to get geared up for when the water moratorium is lifted. Recently the PSD was approved for a $50,000.00 loan. Each meter will cost $75.00. PSD agreed to purchase $36,000.00 in new touch read meters for future expansion plans. Whaling asked if the supplier has a return policy if the water line extension plans don't materialize. No one had an answer for that question. To reassure, TG Cruickshank commented that the long standing water moratorium  will be lifted by the end of September.   

   Motion made and passed to accept the recently approved water rate increases for customers. Mention made that water operator Bobby Burdette now has his driver's license back.  

   And near the end of the hour long regular meeting, the Clay Roane PSD Board voted themselves a pay raise. TG, We don't have the money for that. Apparently they do. Board members passed the motion and will now receive $75.00 every time they show up for a meeting.  

   Gets a little more interesting here readers. Clay Roane PSD held a special meeting at 10 am Sept 16. Regulars, Bill Bragg from Goodwin and Goodwin law firm along with a big black and white dog were present. The dog was pretty. Bragg was there to get papers signed on a $295,000.00 loan that will be used to pay Procious PSD out of debt. The money will come from the WV Infrastructure Council at 0% interest. Boardsters centered on the fact that they do not have to pay back the loan themselves but rather.... here it is folks!!!!!!!.... the $295,000.00 loan will be tacked on to the next project to come along in either Roane or Clay County. Get it? Roane Countians may have to pay back the loot for the Clay County mistake made years ago over in Procious land.
     Here's another clinker. According to Mr. Bragg, lenders are very skeptical of this arrangement, Bragg, A RUS doesn't care for this. RUS is another lending agency and according to Bragg, they are concerned that the next homeowner that wants hooked up, will have to bear the $295,000.00 debt. After hearing these concerns, the PSD went ahead and signed the papers to process the loan. If all goes as planned, on September25, at Northgate Business Park, the final papers will be signed by all parties involved.
         It now appears that if the powers-that-be can twist the arms of the lenders, the loan can be had, the merger between Clay Roane and Procious PSDs can be done, the new regional water plant can be built, and customers of the system can enjoy some of the highest water rates in the state for the next 40 year s. Progress!  AW