@ Town Council Meeting
April 5 2022
You've heard it
before. With this report, you have the key to your future in
hand.
Over the decades this county has been studied to death. Nice shiny bound documents come our way after short investigations in the Land of Little. Astute, young, smiling faces, from everywhere come our direction with answers. Instead of new idea,s most of those studies have been boiler plate efforts with County Clay pasted on the blank spaces.
The efforts of the WVU Extension Service (Steve Zericki for instance), gaggles of WVU planning, design, students / grads, clear over to the CAEZ flexing their wings 20 years ago, those reports get placed on a back shelf to collect dust. To never be heard of again.
On April 5th , during the Clay Town Council meeting, a new push was launched by a company named Downstream Strategies. A quick Google search provides plenty of background on the agency. They even have experience with growing life around rail trails an more.
Over the decades this county has been studied to death. Nice shiny bound documents come our way after short investigations in the Land of Little. Astute, young, smiling faces, from everywhere come our direction with answers. Instead of new idea,s most of those studies have been boiler plate efforts with County Clay pasted on the blank spaces.
The efforts of the WVU Extension Service (Steve Zericki for instance), gaggles of WVU planning, design, students / grads, clear over to the CAEZ flexing their wings 20 years ago, those reports get placed on a back shelf to collect dust. To never be heard of again.
On April 5th , during the Clay Town Council meeting, a new push was launched by a company named Downstream Strategies. A quick Google search provides plenty of background on the agency. They even have experience with growing life around rail trails an more.
Brennan James (l) and Joey Williams
Leading the
discussion were Downstream Strategies reps Brennan James and
Joey Williams. Both presented themselves professionally
and were well organized. It was refreshing to hear Mr Williams
comment: We're here for maximum economic impact without
screwing up the Town identity....
They were able to document the impact of tourism in West Virginia. Stuff like: 260 millions Americans took in outdoor fun during the pandemic; 65 million visitors come to West Virginia each year; and there is money to made [here] with bed and breakfasts, hotels, stores, meals, livery services and entertainment.
The norm is for presenters to get the audience involved by talking about what we have to offer. Downstream Strategies did that. From the peanut gallery, ideas included: our people are our strength; we can do anything with good leadership; the pedal rail cars can be a huge asset; the old Courthouse can be made into something special... In a couple words, We are a diamond in the rough.
Laced in with the upbeat tones, in came the reality: Our roads are awful; the internet sucks; some people don't want growth; the homeless situation hurts us; stores are closed on the weekends; many of the downtown buildings are ready to fall in, biting dogs on the lose; and, there's no flat land come to mind.
For the pluses and minus issues, we've heard it all before but but but, just maybe this time around something will stick, something will grow. Keep you fingers crossed readers.
A couple months back we mentioned plans to build a community park complete with water feature for the kids . That will be located between to old Chevy Dealership building and the Pisgah bridge, along the Elk and ERTS State Park. With funding in place, it sounds like the park can happen in mid Summer 2022. That would make a nice start, an anchor to build around.
They were able to document the impact of tourism in West Virginia. Stuff like: 260 millions Americans took in outdoor fun during the pandemic; 65 million visitors come to West Virginia each year; and there is money to made [here] with bed and breakfasts, hotels, stores, meals, livery services and entertainment.
The norm is for presenters to get the audience involved by talking about what we have to offer. Downstream Strategies did that. From the peanut gallery, ideas included: our people are our strength; we can do anything with good leadership; the pedal rail cars can be a huge asset; the old Courthouse can be made into something special... In a couple words, We are a diamond in the rough.
Laced in with the upbeat tones, in came the reality: Our roads are awful; the internet sucks; some people don't want growth; the homeless situation hurts us; stores are closed on the weekends; many of the downtown buildings are ready to fall in, biting dogs on the lose; and, there's no flat land come to mind.
For the pluses and minus issues, we've heard it all before but but but, just maybe this time around something will stick, something will grow. Keep you fingers crossed readers.
A couple months back we mentioned plans to build a community park complete with water feature for the kids . That will be located between to old Chevy Dealership building and the Pisgah bridge, along the Elk and ERTS State Park. With funding in place, it sounds like the park can happen in mid Summer 2022. That would make a nice start, an anchor to build around.
What was the
number one problem? According to the attendees? Lack of law
enforcement.
Those in attendance were asked to scribble down what they are most proud of in County Clay, what will be the biggest hurdle, and one piece of property they would like to see redeveloped.
The homeless population issue came up more than once. We're not sure if this group was skeered of em or if they just didn't want to see em in this county. Not sure if anyone was really listening but the truth did come out. Sit down readers, here it tis: When lots of tourists show up, the homeless crowd just kind of disappear, they go off into the corners until the crowd leaves.
Those in attendance were asked to scribble down what they are most proud of in County Clay, what will be the biggest hurdle, and one piece of property they would like to see redeveloped.
The homeless population issue came up more than once. We're not sure if this group was skeered of em or if they just didn't want to see em in this county. Not sure if anyone was really listening but the truth did come out. Sit down readers, here it tis: When lots of tourists show up, the homeless crowd just kind of disappear, they go off into the corners until the crowd leaves.
For right at
one hour, the group discussed ideas and made plans. The next
step is for the Strategies group to do an analysis of
what resources we have here and what we need.
That report is suppose to be done and made public by the end of June.
As a note, we have sat thru dozens of these opening volleys and left thinking, this one will be different. Based on the two presenters, maybe this one will be the one that sticks.
That report is suppose to be done and made public by the end of June.
As a note, we have sat thru dozens of these opening volleys and left thinking, this one will be different. Based on the two presenters, maybe this one will be the one that sticks.
AW