Jan 13 2021
For most Clay
County Commission meetings, few fill up the peanut gallery.
That wasn't the case Jan 13 2021. We had a pretty good turn
out. Agenda wise, it was a big one, over two pages of action
items plus the three up front added a secret time to boot.
They went thru several estate items and committee appointments without issue
Now for the good stuff...
For over two years a local committee has been working to improve, grow DSL broadband in Clayberry. Yesterday, Commission Connie Kinder announced, the first leg of the project has now been decided. How about ya, how bad is your internet service? Out of all the county with pee poor or no DSL, the committee decided to run a new service from Downtown Clay to Bentree along Rt 16. IF you live on a side road, there was no answer on your fate. That legg of the new stuff should be completed mid 2022. The service will be connected to Dixie and that connection will NOT NOT NOT be Frontier Tele Co.
Scratching our head, that section of the county is already served by Sudden Link cable broadband which many consider to be a pretty good provider. Hmmmmmmmmmm
How about the Harrison neighborhood? According to Kinder, that area is on the list but Harrison does not have a dense enough population.
The Courthouse has been struggling with how to deal with employees with COVID 19 or quarantined after coming in contact. One big issue is the use of sick leave and funding. Decided on the 13th, Clayberry will follow new Federally mandated guidelines in the future. The guidelines include paying up to 80 hours with full pay. After those 80 days, a reduced rate of pay will apply.
Did that solve the problem. The correct answer is H no. The new policy only covers full time employees. Part timers like all the Clay Ambulance workers, they are pert timers. Instead of clearing up the issue, it got murkier.
Next door to the Courthouse is the Linkinoggor Folly, Judicial Annex. The structure houses the Clayberry 91 Dispatch Center which amounts to about 1/4 of the space. That unoccupied space is now filled with junk according to the CCC. Their plan is to get that crapola out of there in short order.
Commissioners Fran King and Connie Kinder are Boardsters for the Central Appalachia Empowerment Zone (CAEZ). Those two have also been wayward from those chores since COVID struck. Since last Summer, CAEZ has held their meeting via an internet meeting service, ZOOM.
During this meeting, Ms Workman explained why she couldn't participate. Her internet connection is so pee poor, without enough capacity, she couldn't be a part of the meetings.
The roof on the old Courthouse has been leaking for years causing a bunch of damage to the upstairs area. Almost as long as the leak has been going on, the CCC has been talking about some kind of grant opportunity for repairs. For this meeting, an update. The grant process is complete, the $36,000 grant has been awarded to local contractor, Man in the Hat Construction.
And, the CCC called for quiet time. When asked, newbee Commissioner David Schoolcraft gave the reason for going behind closed doors. He said, "personnel matters." FYI, that is not an acceptable reason for going secret. W Va's Ethics Commission demands something much more specific before tossing out the public
When Schoolcraft was provided that info, didn't matter. No Commissioner ventured, gosh, maybe we aught to check into that.
They went thru several estate items and committee appointments without issue
Now for the good stuff...
For over two years a local committee has been working to improve, grow DSL broadband in Clayberry. Yesterday, Commission Connie Kinder announced, the first leg of the project has now been decided. How about ya, how bad is your internet service? Out of all the county with pee poor or no DSL, the committee decided to run a new service from Downtown Clay to Bentree along Rt 16. IF you live on a side road, there was no answer on your fate. That legg of the new stuff should be completed mid 2022. The service will be connected to Dixie and that connection will NOT NOT NOT be Frontier Tele Co.
Scratching our head, that section of the county is already served by Sudden Link cable broadband which many consider to be a pretty good provider. Hmmmmmmmmmm
How about the Harrison neighborhood? According to Kinder, that area is on the list but Harrison does not have a dense enough population.
The Courthouse has been struggling with how to deal with employees with COVID 19 or quarantined after coming in contact. One big issue is the use of sick leave and funding. Decided on the 13th, Clayberry will follow new Federally mandated guidelines in the future. The guidelines include paying up to 80 hours with full pay. After those 80 days, a reduced rate of pay will apply.
Did that solve the problem. The correct answer is H no. The new policy only covers full time employees. Part timers like all the Clay Ambulance workers, they are pert timers. Instead of clearing up the issue, it got murkier.
Next door to the Courthouse is the Linkinoggor Folly, Judicial Annex. The structure houses the Clayberry 91 Dispatch Center which amounts to about 1/4 of the space. That unoccupied space is now filled with junk according to the CCC. Their plan is to get that crapola out of there in short order.
Commissioners Fran King and Connie Kinder are Boardsters for the Central Appalachia Empowerment Zone (CAEZ). Those two have also been wayward from those chores since COVID struck. Since last Summer, CAEZ has held their meeting via an internet meeting service, ZOOM.
During this meeting, Ms Workman explained why she couldn't participate. Her internet connection is so pee poor, without enough capacity, she couldn't be a part of the meetings.
The roof on the old Courthouse has been leaking for years causing a bunch of damage to the upstairs area. Almost as long as the leak has been going on, the CCC has been talking about some kind of grant opportunity for repairs. For this meeting, an update. The grant process is complete, the $36,000 grant has been awarded to local contractor, Man in the Hat Construction.
And, the CCC called for quiet time. When asked, newbee Commissioner David Schoolcraft gave the reason for going behind closed doors. He said, "personnel matters." FYI, that is not an acceptable reason for going secret. W Va's Ethics Commission demands something much more specific before tossing out the public
When Schoolcraft was provided that info, didn't matter. No Commissioner ventured, gosh, maybe we aught to check into that.
Richard Bernie Howell
An now for the
grand enchalda. A new face was in the peanut gallery. He never
said a word until Commission King egged him into speaking.
Turns out, the guy is Richard Bernie Howell who recently purchased the old Fred Patterson house near Ivydale. Before moving here, he was a resident of Preston County where he was active in economic development committees. His educational background three college degrees plus an MBA in management and finance.
He's one of those guys that, when he speaks, people listen. The even toned spiel was well received with those in the room leaning closer to hear his comments.
In his orations, he never mentioned , he is a candidate for the ERTS State Park Superintendent position.
What? Someone with a brain, education, good speaker?????? That's not common traits for a State employee.
Howell explained he is also certified by the State as a naturalist. We think that means, he can speak intelligently to groups about the outdoors.
As for when W Va DNR will formally announce the position, Howell thought he would have known by last November but that didn't happen.
Speaking of slow poke-itus, last month, BDA Chair Mitch Deboard told the Commission, the state would take ownership of ERTS as a State Park. He said that would happen in mid January 2021. That hasn't happened yet readers. Maybe that's part of why a Superintendent has not been announced.
Readers, if Mr Howell is selected as Park Superintendent, we have a shot at real growth. With Howell at the helm, visitors could be well served. Happy tourists means, they will return and bring in more $$$$. Great!
AW
Turns out, the guy is Richard Bernie Howell who recently purchased the old Fred Patterson house near Ivydale. Before moving here, he was a resident of Preston County where he was active in economic development committees. His educational background three college degrees plus an MBA in management and finance.
He's one of those guys that, when he speaks, people listen. The even toned spiel was well received with those in the room leaning closer to hear his comments.
In his orations, he never mentioned , he is a candidate for the ERTS State Park Superintendent position.
What? Someone with a brain, education, good speaker?????? That's not common traits for a State employee.
Howell explained he is also certified by the State as a naturalist. We think that means, he can speak intelligently to groups about the outdoors.
As for when W Va DNR will formally announce the position, Howell thought he would have known by last November but that didn't happen.
Speaking of slow poke-itus, last month, BDA Chair Mitch Deboard told the Commission, the state would take ownership of ERTS as a State Park. He said that would happen in mid January 2021. That hasn't happened yet readers. Maybe that's part of why a Superintendent has not been announced.
Readers, if Mr Howell is selected as Park Superintendent, we have a shot at real growth. With Howell at the helm, visitors could be well served. Happy tourists means, they will return and bring in more $$$$. Great!
AW