TALKIN TRASH
CCC Meets

  Clay County Commission met in regular session Feb 12th beginning at 10am. All three elected folks, Connie Workman, Greg Fitzwater, and Fran King,  were back in the saddle up front and more than a dozen sat in the peanut gallery.
  It's official. They plan to float an Excess Levy during the May 12th Primary Election. If passed, the new hole in your wallet will be used to fund the Sheriff's Dept with an emphasis on starting evening patrols.
  The final payment was made for the now completed Pack Fork wawa line extension.
  Last month leadership approved an absolutely meaningless Sanctuary County vote. Having to do with gun rights, that vote had no teeth and says nothing more, maybe less, than our absolute right to own guns under the West Virginia Constitution.
  This time around, number 16 on the agenda, was the vote reading, " resolution regarding the Opioid Epidemic." Other than noting the drug problems are a public nuisance, nothing more.
 Going on five years now, there is a group working to improve internet service in County Clay. That three county regional effort has now been consumed into a larger body called  Regional Optical Communications, Inc. That group, ROC, has a meeting next week (26th I think) but that meeting is closed to the public.
 
 


911 Dispatch Director Becky Pritt

   For those running for office or otherwise think the Commissioners show up for a public meeting twice a month,  draw their $$$, and nothing more. Wrong. During discussion time, Commissioner Kinder spoke on attending a WVU Extension Service and a Mid Ohio Valley meeting earlier this month. Fitz did his part by attending the BDA meeting Feb 10th.
   Fran King was not piking off either. King brought everyone up to date on serious repairs needed out at Clay County Park and the Swimming Pool. Including the Park needing a facelift, plans are under way to build a new softball field there and storage building s at both places.
 
 


Choo Choo man, Dustin Fitzwater

   Then came the trash talk. This topic was brought forward by Dustin Fitzwater. The gist of it was: Clayberry has tons of litter along the roadways and no tourist want to see that crapola. Dustin and others think the reason why local Magistrates refuse to fine locals is because the minimum fine for such an offense is $2000. Everybody was in agreement, if that 2000 figure is outragious in the amount of penalty.
   One guy added, if we're talking ugly, they also need to talk about cleaning up the backside of buildings, homes, along the banks of the Elk River. Commissioner King said a coat of paint would go a long ways to improving our look as well as home owners doing some clean up on their private property.
  Commissioner Fitzwater mentioned that the annual metal, trash, electronics, tires, Clean Up Day will be coming in April this year.
  And next to finally, there's a huge Sycamore tree near Widen. That tree, maybe the second largest in the State, sets on private property. According to the Franster, the land holding property owner has now fenced off the tree. Property manager Greg Welhelm, according to Ms King, doesn't care a hoot what we think about making the place a no trespassing zone.
  She also brought up a tax issue as she sees it. According to the Gospel of Fran, those large land owners are given tax breaks instead of being charged extra for leasing their holdings out to hunting clubs. She sees it as rental property which normally has higher tax rates.
  Finally, according to Greg Fitzwater, there will be a new river access point completed as soon as the weather cooperates this Spring. The long overdue project (behind the 911 center) is needed so boaters can pull into the downtown area, step out, and purchase stuff in downtown Clay.
  The meeting was over in 28 minutes.

AW