Every Jan, Delta
Communication solicits input and then names a Person of
the Year. We base our decision on performance, clear
thinking, taking the bull by the horns & running
with it, and having success that helps County Clay.
The first person of
the year was Mr Fred Sampson whose insight and effort
was the stimulus that brought us Lake Sampson at
Wallback, the idea of a four lane highway from Clay to
Summersville and an airport on that same mined out strip
mine. It was Mr Sampson that first came up with the
idea: those old, unused railroad tracks should be turned
into some kind of trail (state park) to bring people to
our fair land.
Other recipients added to our future.
Don Jarvis worked his arss off building and growing Clay County Park.
Library manager Sheila Thorne along with her Board of Trustees changed the only public library into a drug free place for the public to enjoy. Their bank of computers offer the only public access for internet needs in the county.
Even ole Connie Lupardus (Big Lup to many) was a person of the year for her efforts to grow a public campground along the Elk River. The idea was, we needed overnight accommodations, a place to stay, so visitors could spend the night... AKA: spend more money while in Clayberry.
Last year, the prestigious award went to the non profit group, Deliciously Vivid. The rag tag committee of just a handful brought events, festivals, colorful banners, and a new home in growing our tourism base.
Our list is long and those efforts, in every case, remain today and form a foundation for our future.
Other recipients added to our future.
Don Jarvis worked his arss off building and growing Clay County Park.
Library manager Sheila Thorne along with her Board of Trustees changed the only public library into a drug free place for the public to enjoy. Their bank of computers offer the only public access for internet needs in the county.
Even ole Connie Lupardus (Big Lup to many) was a person of the year for her efforts to grow a public campground along the Elk River. The idea was, we needed overnight accommodations, a place to stay, so visitors could spend the night... AKA: spend more money while in Clayberry.
Last year, the prestigious award went to the non profit group, Deliciously Vivid. The rag tag committee of just a handful brought events, festivals, colorful banners, and a new home in growing our tourism base.
Our list is long and those efforts, in every case, remain today and form a foundation for our future.
For 2021, the
winner of the Clay County Person of the Year has been
awarded to ERTS, Elk River Trail System, the soon to be
made official, ERTS State Park.
Nope not a single person, but instead, a group effort to make a permanent foot print aimed at showcasing our pristine wilderness area along the beautiful Elk River and Buffalo Creek.
During 2020, the idea came into reality. By June 1st 2020, the first segments (Upper and Middle) of ERTS were opened to the public. Before Fall, the lower section, between Dundon and Hartland had their top coats in place and opened for hiking biking and horseback riding.
Pow!!! As soon as each section was open, and sometimes before opening officially, people came to Clayberry to try out the tourist draw. One magazine reported, 22,000 visitors used the trail in 2020. Another provided, upwards of 30,000 had been on the gravel covered pathway now amounting to close at 30 miles in length.
Each of those "foreigners" provided County Clay with something we're in short supply, fresh new dollars! Just think, if each of em opened their wallets and coughed up say $10.... that's a whole new world for our struggling economy.
In 2020, plans became known, the fledgling and under funded Buffalo Creek Railroad tourist pedal car rides operated by the Clay County Business Development Authority, would also be taken over by the State of West Virginia and included in state park plans. That 19 miles of rails and trail was funded to the tune 4 million +dollars to restore the trestles and rail bed. Funding became real in 2020.
Nope not a single person, but instead, a group effort to make a permanent foot print aimed at showcasing our pristine wilderness area along the beautiful Elk River and Buffalo Creek.
During 2020, the idea came into reality. By June 1st 2020, the first segments (Upper and Middle) of ERTS were opened to the public. Before Fall, the lower section, between Dundon and Hartland had their top coats in place and opened for hiking biking and horseback riding.
Pow!!! As soon as each section was open, and sometimes before opening officially, people came to Clayberry to try out the tourist draw. One magazine reported, 22,000 visitors used the trail in 2020. Another provided, upwards of 30,000 had been on the gravel covered pathway now amounting to close at 30 miles in length.
Each of those "foreigners" provided County Clay with something we're in short supply, fresh new dollars! Just think, if each of em opened their wallets and coughed up say $10.... that's a whole new world for our struggling economy.
In 2020, plans became known, the fledgling and under funded Buffalo Creek Railroad tourist pedal car rides operated by the Clay County Business Development Authority, would also be taken over by the State of West Virginia and included in state park plans. That 19 miles of rails and trail was funded to the tune 4 million +dollars to restore the trestles and rail bed. Funding became real in 2020.
Plans were announced in 2020 for ERTS to have trail "hubs" in Duck, Ivydale, Dundon, Hartland and Queen Shoals. Those hubs will offer a place to rest and purchase drinks, drinks and munchies along the route. The Dundon site is already well received with it's ample parking area and spur trail up to the BC&G pedal car ride site.
As with any
shopping mall, there has to be "anchor" stores. For County
Clay, ERTS State Park is our anchor store. Those visitors
are already creating growth in the Land of Little. In
2020, several new stores opened in downtown Clay. We need
those new dollars for us to make it in the 21st century.
We have our anchor in place and it's up to us to make the
most of it.
Congratulations Elk River Trail System (ERTS) , our 2021 Clay County Trail System.
AW
Congratulations Elk River Trail System (ERTS) , our 2021 Clay County Trail System.
AW