Town Councils
across the Nation change their complexions in split seconds.
For the Town of Clay that adage of change holds very true.
We've had elected leaders who were there just to get a pay check. Others didn't have the mental capacity to understand a situation and come up with a plan. Still others, didn't give a S!!! about anything and just set there like a bump on a pickle. We've had some that just don't show up to do their elected job.
Maybe saddest of all was the bump on a pickle part. During a meeting, someone would come up with a great idea, notion, plan, and then never follow thru at the next meeting. The good idea would just die.
Town Council changed recently with a new face and a returning face. Respectively, that would be Barry Peyton and Jason Hubbard, both newly seated Councilpersons. Council now consists of Joyce Gibson, Jerry Stover, Jason Hubbard, Renee Moore, and Barry Peyton. Town Recorder is Cindy Mullins. Heading up the list is Mayor Josh Shamblin.
Unlike for the last many decades, Town coffers are a cash cow now. COVID dollars are overflowing and for the most part are unrestricted in use. Additionally, the Town Water Plant operation is setting on over $200,000 in cash reserve. That glut comes from increased customer rates The local Log Factory is set to undergo a complete rebuild (millions) which will result in a much smaller facility (that meets our needs) and lower costs to operate.
Clayonians have little interest in ANYTHING related to govt until they need or want something. Many, maybe most, in this Land of Little, don't understand the difference between a county government and a municipal govt. For those folks, there's no hope and not worth the effort to try and explain the different levels in govt. With this opening volley, here goes with the two hour long Clay Town Council meeting held Oct 5th at the Wawa Plant building, AKA Town Hall
For the Town of Clay that adage of change holds very true.
We've had elected leaders who were there just to get a pay check. Others didn't have the mental capacity to understand a situation and come up with a plan. Still others, didn't give a S!!! about anything and just set there like a bump on a pickle. We've had some that just don't show up to do their elected job.
Maybe saddest of all was the bump on a pickle part. During a meeting, someone would come up with a great idea, notion, plan, and then never follow thru at the next meeting. The good idea would just die.
Town Council changed recently with a new face and a returning face. Respectively, that would be Barry Peyton and Jason Hubbard, both newly seated Councilpersons. Council now consists of Joyce Gibson, Jerry Stover, Jason Hubbard, Renee Moore, and Barry Peyton. Town Recorder is Cindy Mullins. Heading up the list is Mayor Josh Shamblin.
Unlike for the last many decades, Town coffers are a cash cow now. COVID dollars are overflowing and for the most part are unrestricted in use. Additionally, the Town Water Plant operation is setting on over $200,000 in cash reserve. That glut comes from increased customer rates The local Log Factory is set to undergo a complete rebuild (millions) which will result in a much smaller facility (that meets our needs) and lower costs to operate.
Clayonians have little interest in ANYTHING related to govt until they need or want something. Many, maybe most, in this Land of Little, don't understand the difference between a county government and a municipal govt. For those folks, there's no hope and not worth the effort to try and explain the different levels in govt. With this opening volley, here goes with the two hour long Clay Town Council meeting held Oct 5th at the Wawa Plant building, AKA Town Hall
Town Recorder Cindy Mullins, Councilperson Renee Moore Center
For this
public gathering, Council person Jerry Stover was a no show.
Senior Council person Joyce Gibson participated via the tele.
Financially, the Mayor reported each of the three Town Divisions, Wawa, Sewer, and Town, operated in the black in Sept. Like, the Town account grew $12K.
Town leaders are setting on $97K in COVID funding with another $97K already committed and coming soon. Leadership is in the dark on what the free dollars can be used on. Other hamlets are already putting the funds to use in areas like: business grants, tourism, fairs and festivals, business incentives, and Summer youth programs.
Now comes the stage play.
On the lower end of Clay are two fairly new business, the Small Town Market and the Shop which is located just across Main Street from the market. Representing the operations were Sarah Williams, Whitney Bodkins, and and a Whitney Somebody. Sorry for the not knowing.
Calling themselves concerned small business owners, their opening foray included: Is there any potential for growth in Town?; There are fewer buildings for rent in town with some of em in poor condition; and, some structures need torn down.
They went on with comparing this Town to what's going on in Clendenin where there's a new brewery and bar. The ladies complained that Clendenin is so organized that they're getting a bunch more grant dollars. Also, came talk on more of our businesses leaving this municipality for greener pastures.
It was nice to hear what sounded like open honest discussion during a public meeting. And then And then... the real reason for their presence.
All three of the business leaders spoke in favor of adding a regressive B&O tax to each struggling business in town. It was obvious, the Mayor and new Councilperson Jason Hubbard set up or encouraged the staged spiel in hopes of passing such a rotten tax.
Putting icing on the stage play, help, you guessed it, each then added, Gosh, By Golly, we're also in favor of a municipal court where even nose pickers can receive a ticket and be fined out the whazoo. Organizing a municipal fleecing court has been on the front burner for the Mayor since the beginning of time . Can't leave out newbee Councilperson Jason Hubbard who thinks a Municipal Court would be the best thing since canned soup.
Feeling inspired by their clandestine plan of attack, both the elected leaders spoke up in support of the staged ploy.
Regressive B&O tax schemes have been brought up by Council several times over the last 4 decades. Each time, often after threats of gettin' hanged, the elected folks backed off their notion of increased taxation, tucked their tails, and changed the subject. And, even after saying, if we've don't get to bonk the remaining owners, we will go bankrupt! Well, the Town has not gone bankrupt.
There are several ways a municipality can grow income. The most common examples are parking meters, license fees, B&O, building fees, and sometimes, a misleading name change to one of the just mentioned taxes... disguising the truth from reality.
The Town now plans to pay (find) some expert on screwing the people and enlist their ideas on working a backdoor grab.
Town Trick or Treat and the Trunk or Treat night was set for Oct 30th between 6 and 8pm. Mayor Hubbard wanted the Trunk or Treat giveaways to be spaced out along Main Street due to COVID, like was done in 2020. Hubbard: I don't think we should all cram in on one lot... We should spread out the booths like last year. Not sure which preference will hold or if the event will be staged in the Wallgreen's parking lot.
During public comments, the Mayor told the assembled, he has no intention of turning the Municipal Court into a money grubbing affair as was the case for years down in Gauley Bridge and Summersville. For those that don't remember, Gauley Bridge's Municipal absolutely killed that municipality.
We got some answers....
The Log Factory is not fixed nor operating properly. The DEP has sent the Town a letter mandating the repairs some time ago. The DEP has not fined this hamlet yet. $14,000 is needed to complete repairs. Setting on loads of COVID funds, Council sounded hesitant on spending any of those dollars on a plant fix that will be overhauled sometime next year.
Hubbard and Renee Moore recently toured the Log Factory and found it looking overgrown and trash strewn. Hubbard, "Clean it up!" Hubbard also raised, if they can't keep the existing plant maintained, how the heck are they going to do any better on the new one when built!!
Office manager Amy Legg informed Council, training at the Log Factory is a reaaal issue and additional operators are needed.
Council voted to get a hold of the DEP and get first hand answers to the stinky issues at the Log Factory.
One of stink and log note. According to the Plant operator, COVID travels thru the lines and into the Log Factory.
Employee discord came front and center with comments on some employees getting raises while others do not. Gulp!
A hastily put together employee hand book was approved unanimously by Council. At the forefront was Councilperson Hubbard. The new rules cut out the paying of hospitalization (100% ) by the employer. One thing we have learned over the years is, a poorly put together handbook is worser than not having one . Also, the Town has had a very tough time finding new hires. Cutting out benefits does not bode well for easier hiring.
AW
Financially, the Mayor reported each of the three Town Divisions, Wawa, Sewer, and Town, operated in the black in Sept. Like, the Town account grew $12K.
Town leaders are setting on $97K in COVID funding with another $97K already committed and coming soon. Leadership is in the dark on what the free dollars can be used on. Other hamlets are already putting the funds to use in areas like: business grants, tourism, fairs and festivals, business incentives, and Summer youth programs.
Now comes the stage play.
On the lower end of Clay are two fairly new business, the Small Town Market and the Shop which is located just across Main Street from the market. Representing the operations were Sarah Williams, Whitney Bodkins, and and a Whitney Somebody. Sorry for the not knowing.
Calling themselves concerned small business owners, their opening foray included: Is there any potential for growth in Town?; There are fewer buildings for rent in town with some of em in poor condition; and, some structures need torn down.
They went on with comparing this Town to what's going on in Clendenin where there's a new brewery and bar. The ladies complained that Clendenin is so organized that they're getting a bunch more grant dollars. Also, came talk on more of our businesses leaving this municipality for greener pastures.
It was nice to hear what sounded like open honest discussion during a public meeting. And then And then... the real reason for their presence.
All three of the business leaders spoke in favor of adding a regressive B&O tax to each struggling business in town. It was obvious, the Mayor and new Councilperson Jason Hubbard set up or encouraged the staged spiel in hopes of passing such a rotten tax.
Putting icing on the stage play, help, you guessed it, each then added, Gosh, By Golly, we're also in favor of a municipal court where even nose pickers can receive a ticket and be fined out the whazoo. Organizing a municipal fleecing court has been on the front burner for the Mayor since the beginning of time . Can't leave out newbee Councilperson Jason Hubbard who thinks a Municipal Court would be the best thing since canned soup.
Feeling inspired by their clandestine plan of attack, both the elected leaders spoke up in support of the staged ploy.
Regressive B&O tax schemes have been brought up by Council several times over the last 4 decades. Each time, often after threats of gettin' hanged, the elected folks backed off their notion of increased taxation, tucked their tails, and changed the subject. And, even after saying, if we've don't get to bonk the remaining owners, we will go bankrupt! Well, the Town has not gone bankrupt.
There are several ways a municipality can grow income. The most common examples are parking meters, license fees, B&O, building fees, and sometimes, a misleading name change to one of the just mentioned taxes... disguising the truth from reality.
The Town now plans to pay (find) some expert on screwing the people and enlist their ideas on working a backdoor grab.
Town Trick or Treat and the Trunk or Treat night was set for Oct 30th between 6 and 8pm. Mayor Hubbard wanted the Trunk or Treat giveaways to be spaced out along Main Street due to COVID, like was done in 2020. Hubbard: I don't think we should all cram in on one lot... We should spread out the booths like last year. Not sure which preference will hold or if the event will be staged in the Wallgreen's parking lot.
During public comments, the Mayor told the assembled, he has no intention of turning the Municipal Court into a money grubbing affair as was the case for years down in Gauley Bridge and Summersville. For those that don't remember, Gauley Bridge's Municipal absolutely killed that municipality.
We got some answers....
The Log Factory is not fixed nor operating properly. The DEP has sent the Town a letter mandating the repairs some time ago. The DEP has not fined this hamlet yet. $14,000 is needed to complete repairs. Setting on loads of COVID funds, Council sounded hesitant on spending any of those dollars on a plant fix that will be overhauled sometime next year.
Hubbard and Renee Moore recently toured the Log Factory and found it looking overgrown and trash strewn. Hubbard, "Clean it up!" Hubbard also raised, if they can't keep the existing plant maintained, how the heck are they going to do any better on the new one when built!!
Office manager Amy Legg informed Council, training at the Log Factory is a reaaal issue and additional operators are needed.
Council voted to get a hold of the DEP and get first hand answers to the stinky issues at the Log Factory.
One of stink and log note. According to the Plant operator, COVID travels thru the lines and into the Log Factory.
Employee discord came front and center with comments on some employees getting raises while others do not. Gulp!
A hastily put together employee hand book was approved unanimously by Council. At the forefront was Councilperson Hubbard. The new rules cut out the paying of hospitalization (100% ) by the employer. One thing we have learned over the years is, a poorly put together handbook is worser than not having one . Also, the Town has had a very tough time finding new hires. Cutting out benefits does not bode well for easier hiring.
AW
Mayor Josh Shamblin