Backdoor Opens
Oct 24 2022
Bernie Howe
Just above,
that's Bernie Howe who has called Clayberry home for about a
year or so. His education and background is extensive. That
foundation includes experience in economic development. A
bunch of it.
Whether it's a coach, business owner, or govt. leader, all have to have a plan in place and follow it if any success is going to come their way. For football coaches. that's a game plan. For govt., it's called a strategic plan. Now with a state park and tourist draw front and center, our need for a strategic plan has never been more important. Aaaah, we've never had such an animal. Enter Mr Howe
The first thing on Monday's Oct 24th County Commission meeting agenda was Howe and his idea that a strategic plan needs developed right now. Howe, "The time is now."
His 8 minutes of info, in a nutshell: He's willing to develop such a plan, it's needs done now, and once OK'd, use it as a guiding path for the next five years of growth. One example of something that would draw fresh $$$ into County Clay would be geo-caching.
Know what that is? As best we can decipher, geocaching is a game of using map/compass coordinates to find secret stashes hidden around the county. Apparently it's a heap big bunch of fun and people are willing to drive here in search of the illusive hidden items.
With Howe willing to spearhead that strategic plan, what was the CCC response?
Nothing.
Not one word on Gosh that's a good idea or let's look at this.... or we will help you get this started.
Nothing.
Time will tell if the Commissioners take a second look at the generous offer.
Whether it's a coach, business owner, or govt. leader, all have to have a plan in place and follow it if any success is going to come their way. For football coaches. that's a game plan. For govt., it's called a strategic plan. Now with a state park and tourist draw front and center, our need for a strategic plan has never been more important. Aaaah, we've never had such an animal. Enter Mr Howe
The first thing on Monday's Oct 24th County Commission meeting agenda was Howe and his idea that a strategic plan needs developed right now. Howe, "The time is now."
His 8 minutes of info, in a nutshell: He's willing to develop such a plan, it's needs done now, and once OK'd, use it as a guiding path for the next five years of growth. One example of something that would draw fresh $$$ into County Clay would be geo-caching.
Know what that is? As best we can decipher, geocaching is a game of using map/compass coordinates to find secret stashes hidden around the county. Apparently it's a heap big bunch of fun and people are willing to drive here in search of the illusive hidden items.
With Howe willing to spearhead that strategic plan, what was the CCC response?
Nothing.
Not one word on Gosh that's a good idea or let's look at this.... or we will help you get this started.
Nothing.
Time will tell if the Commissioners take a second look at the generous offer.
Commissioner Schoolcraft and King seated, Clerk Connie Workman Standing
A couple
weeks back a carpet bagger came to Town in search of a new
wallet. Data Max is the name of the company and the feller was
offering old property tax bills from deadbeat taxpayers. The
CCC was overjoyed at the prospect of additional revenue. They
hired Data Max.
For this meeting, the DataMax contract was cancelled with a unanimous vote. After being asked about the change of heart, turns out, state card prevents strong armed tactics from tax collectors other than govt agency lawyers.
Rest at ease readers, you can continue being deadbeats for a while longer.
Five months ago our House Delegate rep Roger Hanshaw came to town peddling his election year game plan of a fresh new pot of $$$ free for the asking, $250 million to be exact. Back then he suggested to govt leaders, hurry up and get your forms in right a way.
That election year vote ploy seems to have run aground.
County Commission turned in its application for $1.45million to upgrade the old Courthouse into a Welcome Center and historical area. The Town of Clay applied for free money to rebuild all the sidewalks.
For this meeting, turns out, the correct applications for the grant request are just now becoming available. Those that applied in a hurry like Hanshaw demanded, they did so on the wrong form. Up front our elected leaders were almost making fun of the shame process.
We've been reading about the opioid epidemic lawsuit and settlements in the Court system. That settlement will be in the billions with a big chunk suppose to land here in W Va.
This agenda called for OKing the settlement.
There's always a "but".
Our Commissioners had no idea how much the settlement amounted to, when it would come, nor how big a chunk attorneys and the State would keep. They signed the settlement none the less. Guess something is better than nothing.
Our guess. Strictly a guess mind ya. Lawyers will get their cut first, somewhere north of 20% followed by the State taking 50% and then after all the other hands are full, Clayberry will wind up on the hind teat with less than 30%.
Item #10 on the agenda was providing 911 employees a $2 per hour raise bringing them up to $12/hr to start.
Both Fran King and Commissioner Connie Kinder voted against the increase. There was silence. Something had just happened, something that wasn't planned or expected by Commissioner Dave Schoolcraft.
For this meeting, the DataMax contract was cancelled with a unanimous vote. After being asked about the change of heart, turns out, state card prevents strong armed tactics from tax collectors other than govt agency lawyers.
Rest at ease readers, you can continue being deadbeats for a while longer.
Five months ago our House Delegate rep Roger Hanshaw came to town peddling his election year game plan of a fresh new pot of $$$ free for the asking, $250 million to be exact. Back then he suggested to govt leaders, hurry up and get your forms in right a way.
That election year vote ploy seems to have run aground.
County Commission turned in its application for $1.45million to upgrade the old Courthouse into a Welcome Center and historical area. The Town of Clay applied for free money to rebuild all the sidewalks.
For this meeting, turns out, the correct applications for the grant request are just now becoming available. Those that applied in a hurry like Hanshaw demanded, they did so on the wrong form. Up front our elected leaders were almost making fun of the shame process.
We've been reading about the opioid epidemic lawsuit and settlements in the Court system. That settlement will be in the billions with a big chunk suppose to land here in W Va.
This agenda called for OKing the settlement.
There's always a "but".
Our Commissioners had no idea how much the settlement amounted to, when it would come, nor how big a chunk attorneys and the State would keep. They signed the settlement none the less. Guess something is better than nothing.
Our guess. Strictly a guess mind ya. Lawyers will get their cut first, somewhere north of 20% followed by the State taking 50% and then after all the other hands are full, Clayberry will wind up on the hind teat with less than 30%.
Item #10 on the agenda was providing 911 employees a $2 per hour raise bringing them up to $12/hr to start.
Both Fran King and Commissioner Connie Kinder voted against the increase. There was silence. Something had just happened, something that wasn't planned or expected by Commissioner Dave Schoolcraft.
Black Shirt Randy Holcomb
Here it
comes readers, what makes County Clay so special.
First some background. We hear all kinds of rumors during each run up to an election. Most of that is just crap.
The run up to the May Primary election was no different. Back then we heard Commissioner David Schoolcraft had promised Courthouse workers (911 dispatchers for instance), if they would vote for his candidate of choice (Joyce Johnson) for Commission, he would give em all a $5 per hour raise.
Why Johnson? Schoolcraft has a hard time dealing with up for reelection Commissioner, Fran King. Turns out Fran asks too many questions. Turns out when Schoolcraft does some off the wall, spur of the moment, dumb bunny, costly, decision on his own, King gives him double H in private and sometimes, during public meetings. Schoolcraft doesn't like that.
We hear those rumors but that's all it is, a rumor. That's a rumor until someone confirms it.
That's what happened during this CCC meeting. The confirmer was none other than Randy Holcomb.
Holcomb and five other Badges were on hand for this meeting to eyeball those giving raises to 911 dispatchers and no one else. The Badges wanted the CCC to know, they too deserve raises.
Even with the 911 raises shot down, Randy took the moment to question Schoolcraft about that just mentioned rumor, campaign year promise made 6 months ago.
As soon as the words rolled off Holcomb's lips, Schoolcraft's head went down. He didn't say another word. He had been caught and in front of the peanut gallery.
Schoolcraft has shown a propensity to do stuff behind the scenes and had just got caught again.
Maybe "stormed out of the Courthouse" is strong a language. But, we're going to use that. As soon as the meeting was done, he had his notes under his arm and left the building without another peep.
Now that the rumor has been dispelled, let's hep on another load.
Joyce Johnson will take her perch on the CCC Jan 1st. Her son JD Johnson is the 911 Director. JD lives in the same house with Joyce. Based on the little we know, to avoid a conflict of interest lawsuit, Ms Johnson can NEVER vote on any matter relating to 911 service or raises for her son and the entire 911 staff.
Get it? Schoolcraft is screwed! How so? It takes to two Yes votes to give those campaign raises. Commissioner Kinder just showed her hand when she voted Nay on a 911 raise.
What a great public meeting it is when we find out what's really going on in the backrooms.
AW
First some background. We hear all kinds of rumors during each run up to an election. Most of that is just crap.
The run up to the May Primary election was no different. Back then we heard Commissioner David Schoolcraft had promised Courthouse workers (911 dispatchers for instance), if they would vote for his candidate of choice (Joyce Johnson) for Commission, he would give em all a $5 per hour raise.
Why Johnson? Schoolcraft has a hard time dealing with up for reelection Commissioner, Fran King. Turns out Fran asks too many questions. Turns out when Schoolcraft does some off the wall, spur of the moment, dumb bunny, costly, decision on his own, King gives him double H in private and sometimes, during public meetings. Schoolcraft doesn't like that.
We hear those rumors but that's all it is, a rumor. That's a rumor until someone confirms it.
That's what happened during this CCC meeting. The confirmer was none other than Randy Holcomb.
Holcomb and five other Badges were on hand for this meeting to eyeball those giving raises to 911 dispatchers and no one else. The Badges wanted the CCC to know, they too deserve raises.
Even with the 911 raises shot down, Randy took the moment to question Schoolcraft about that just mentioned rumor, campaign year promise made 6 months ago.
As soon as the words rolled off Holcomb's lips, Schoolcraft's head went down. He didn't say another word. He had been caught and in front of the peanut gallery.
Schoolcraft has shown a propensity to do stuff behind the scenes and had just got caught again.
Maybe "stormed out of the Courthouse" is strong a language. But, we're going to use that. As soon as the meeting was done, he had his notes under his arm and left the building without another peep.
Now that the rumor has been dispelled, let's hep on another load.
Joyce Johnson will take her perch on the CCC Jan 1st. Her son JD Johnson is the 911 Director. JD lives in the same house with Joyce. Based on the little we know, to avoid a conflict of interest lawsuit, Ms Johnson can NEVER vote on any matter relating to 911 service or raises for her son and the entire 911 staff.
Get it? Schoolcraft is screwed! How so? It takes to two Yes votes to give those campaign raises. Commissioner Kinder just showed her hand when she voted Nay on a 911 raise.
What a great public meeting it is when we find out what's really going on in the backrooms.
AW