May 14 2020
Clay
County Business Development Authority (BDA) held their monthly
meeting on Monday May 11th in their Two Run digs, the old
State Road garage. Around 6 of the Boardsters were present for
the gathering. Here's a snippets from that public meeting.
There's right at $2254.00 in the govt agency's general account. As for their other money in other accounts, those funds are never made public during a regular meeting.
Most all work stopped on the ERTS hiking trail due to the Corona Beer Bug restrictions. That exception is hauling away rails already cut up into pieces. The Duck to Ivydale section of ERTS is open for business. There's about 3 miles of rail left to be removed and hauled off.
According to the BDA Chair, the State Park will be completely finished this Summer with a ribbon cutting ceremony expected sometime mid Summer.
The separate section of ERTS is the Buffalo Creek RR spur line where the BDA operates their pedal car rides. Those tracks and bridges were damaged during the Great Wash Out nearly four years ago. FEMA has agreed to fix the flood damage. the next phase of that project is surveying those damage. That contract went to Allegheny Surveying.
There's right at $2254.00 in the govt agency's general account. As for their other money in other accounts, those funds are never made public during a regular meeting.
Most all work stopped on the ERTS hiking trail due to the Corona Beer Bug restrictions. That exception is hauling away rails already cut up into pieces. The Duck to Ivydale section of ERTS is open for business. There's about 3 miles of rail left to be removed and hauled off.
According to the BDA Chair, the State Park will be completely finished this Summer with a ribbon cutting ceremony expected sometime mid Summer.
The separate section of ERTS is the Buffalo Creek RR spur line where the BDA operates their pedal car rides. Those tracks and bridges were damaged during the Great Wash Out nearly four years ago. FEMA has agreed to fix the flood damage. the next phase of that project is surveying those damage. That contract went to Allegheny Surveying.
The
biggy part of the meeting was discussion on taking possession
of the old Swinging Bridge and rehabbing it. For over 20 years
the bridge has been closed to public use. That came about
after a local Black Shirt Deputy backed his cruiser into one
of the cables and severed just a few wires.
Since then , the State offered the historic structure to anyone will to insure the span. No one has taken em up on the offer.
There is renewed interest in the cable bridge since it butts up against the ERTS State Park. The hope is the old structure, one of the few left in the region, it would make a great tourism draw.
State Road officials have offered the bridge to the BDA which has insurance coverage to handle the liability. In addition to giving away the thang, the State is including $150,000 to handle demolition costs when the span is finally in need of removal. Examples would be flood damage or when some dumb arss tries to drive a log truck across the 7 foot 3 inch wide platform.
As told by the Chair, an engineer has looked at it and feels: it could be made safe for foot traffic only, it is in need of "plating" over some of the holes in the beams; needs scraped / painted; and finally, a new wood deck. Total cost for the rehab: $75,000.
Eyebrows went up when the Chair told the Board, the demolition funds could be used to pay for the rehab.
Plans are to purchase the yellow poplar planks from Pierson Sawmill which would be cheaper than "store bought".
Boardster Mike Shamblin asked: If we spend the demolition money for rebuilding the thing, what happens when we need to tear it down? There was silence for a second.
Deboard put forth, they hope to go back to the State and ask for additional funds before accepting the bridge. We that in mind, no motion to purchase was put on the table on the 11th.
Note: That using funds for one purpose when it was provided for another purpose, that's troubling to some folks.
The BDA sales t shirts, sweatshirts , bracelets, vanity plates and other trinkets. Most of which is themed after the BC&G pedal car ride.
Here's something scary. Real scary. BDA Treasurer Deborah Saulsgiver , " Dustin Fitzwater's trinket sales is what is keeping the BDA going, It really is!"
Since then , the State offered the historic structure to anyone will to insure the span. No one has taken em up on the offer.
There is renewed interest in the cable bridge since it butts up against the ERTS State Park. The hope is the old structure, one of the few left in the region, it would make a great tourism draw.
State Road officials have offered the bridge to the BDA which has insurance coverage to handle the liability. In addition to giving away the thang, the State is including $150,000 to handle demolition costs when the span is finally in need of removal. Examples would be flood damage or when some dumb arss tries to drive a log truck across the 7 foot 3 inch wide platform.
As told by the Chair, an engineer has looked at it and feels: it could be made safe for foot traffic only, it is in need of "plating" over some of the holes in the beams; needs scraped / painted; and finally, a new wood deck. Total cost for the rehab: $75,000.
Eyebrows went up when the Chair told the Board, the demolition funds could be used to pay for the rehab.
Plans are to purchase the yellow poplar planks from Pierson Sawmill which would be cheaper than "store bought".
Boardster Mike Shamblin asked: If we spend the demolition money for rebuilding the thing, what happens when we need to tear it down? There was silence for a second.
Deboard put forth, they hope to go back to the State and ask for additional funds before accepting the bridge. We that in mind, no motion to purchase was put on the table on the 11th.
Note: That using funds for one purpose when it was provided for another purpose, that's troubling to some folks.
The BDA sales t shirts, sweatshirts , bracelets, vanity plates and other trinkets. Most of which is themed after the BC&G pedal car ride.
Here's something scary. Real scary. BDA Treasurer Deborah Saulsgiver , " Dustin Fitzwater's trinket sales is what is keeping the BDA going, It really is!"
Unless
something worse happens during the pandemic, the vote was to
open rail car rides Memorial Day weekend. New protocol will
allow just 1 household per car with a max of 8 riders; weekend
only rides, Dustin and other workers will wear PPE; social
distancing will also be required; and, limits put on the
office building where trinkets and pop are sold.
A work party will be held during the upcoming weekend to fix up the tracks.
Thinking about trout fishing in Clayberry. The W Va DNR has stocked 200 pound of trout and 4000 fingerling brown trout!
As for the State purchasing the old Newt Bragg home for ERTS use, ain't going to happen according to the Chair. Instead, someone, some thing else will buy the place.
The crumbling CAEZ agency came up. That's the agency that owns and operates the Dundon Campground which is located along the ERTS rights of way and right beside the BC&G RR rides.The place is a perfect compliment for tourism in Clayberry.
A couple years back the BDA offered: when you guys go broke, the BDA would be interested in taking over the CAEZ campground.With the CAEZ unable to make basic utility bills each month, the question came, is the BDA still interested in the campground. DeBoard replied, the BDA is still interested in the place but starting talking in circles to keep the public from knowing anything at this time. With his smurky grin affixed, the best choice would be for the State to take possession of the campground and lodge for use as a Ranger residence and trinket sales center.
Secrecy is important to the BDA.
At 7:17 the BDA adjourned their public meeting. Since none of the Boardsters even made an attempt to leave , we knew something was up. Obviously, the BDA wanted to talk in secret to advance their plans and decisions. We drove past the BDA office at 7:45 pm. The entire Board was still inside havin' a tea party of more likely, conducting business.
They can't help themselves but usurp state open meetings law. A good meeting gone sour and a good indicator of why the State needs to take over the entire operation and as quickly as possible.
AW
A work party will be held during the upcoming weekend to fix up the tracks.
Thinking about trout fishing in Clayberry. The W Va DNR has stocked 200 pound of trout and 4000 fingerling brown trout!
As for the State purchasing the old Newt Bragg home for ERTS use, ain't going to happen according to the Chair. Instead, someone, some thing else will buy the place.
The crumbling CAEZ agency came up. That's the agency that owns and operates the Dundon Campground which is located along the ERTS rights of way and right beside the BC&G RR rides.The place is a perfect compliment for tourism in Clayberry.
A couple years back the BDA offered: when you guys go broke, the BDA would be interested in taking over the CAEZ campground.With the CAEZ unable to make basic utility bills each month, the question came, is the BDA still interested in the campground. DeBoard replied, the BDA is still interested in the place but starting talking in circles to keep the public from knowing anything at this time. With his smurky grin affixed, the best choice would be for the State to take possession of the campground and lodge for use as a Ranger residence and trinket sales center.
Secrecy is important to the BDA.
At 7:17 the BDA adjourned their public meeting. Since none of the Boardsters even made an attempt to leave , we knew something was up. Obviously, the BDA wanted to talk in secret to advance their plans and decisions. We drove past the BDA office at 7:45 pm. The entire Board was still inside havin' a tea party of more likely, conducting business.
They can't help themselves but usurp state open meetings law. A good meeting gone sour and a good indicator of why the State needs to take over the entire operation and as quickly as possible.
AW