BDA MEETS
June 8 2020 Edition
more of the article coming soon


 On June 8, 2020, the BDA almost did not have a quorum to hold a meeting. But, at the last minute, Boardster Gage Bass showed up. Josh Shamblin was to be the backup via a phone call in until Mr Bass showed up.
   BDA closed the month with $2,678.85 in the bank, and in order to sustain through the year, they are in need of $14,000, so fundraisers are on their way.
   Aiden Taylor from CERT requested an animal feeding station on BDA property next to the garage. With so many animals stray, they hope to keep them fed through volunteers filling the feeders. Mr. Taylor also stated they are working on partnering with a shelter to get them fixed, and rehomed. The members all agreed to allow the feeders, but if rodents become an issue, it will be removed.
   Aiden also handed out a flier for businesses and organizations to request for PPE and essential supplies. To fill out the form, go to this site: https://sites.google.com/view/clay-county-cert/covid-19-response?authuser+0 as for questions or concerns, call 304-402-4118.
   Mitch DeBoard announced the surveying on the BC&G spur line rails has been completed, and they are currently geotech drilling on the second slope, with two more to go. FEMA is also working on bridge four. The FRA inspector will be coming in to see if there will be any more will be added to the list. Their hopes are to have the project completed in 2021.
   Both individuals running the railrides have decided to leave, which means, the BDA has no one to operate the attraction. That means the pedal car tourist rides are closed down for now.
  Thankfully, DeBoard said that there was a man that came to him to request taking it over. That man would be Jonathan Brown, co-owner of Armstrong Machinery. He will be receiving 50% of the earnings, and he will be hiring hands soon.
   Ever since the Commission went broke, and the BDA stepped up to maintain Spread Park, the Department of Highways have never presented a contract. It is also time for the park to be mowed, and with no inmates this year, they will have to come up with all the funding necessary. They have enough for one trim which will be done soon, but they will have to obtain extra funds to for upkeep.
   Mr. Taylor spoke up to inform the board they have not forgotten about the river access signs. The DOH was supposed to purchase the metal posts, but never went through, and CERT was not notified. Others have offered to purchase wooden posts, but wood rots, and they prefer the metal posts. The organization, Deliciously Vivid, stated they would purchase the posts, provided they would be able to paint them. If everything would have gone smoothly, the project would have been complete before COVID even started.
   Debora Saulsgiver stated she will not be keeping track of the keys to locked restrooms at Spread Park this year. In previous years, individuals would not return them when they agreed upon, and she stated they would chew her out for not being there outside of the hours agreed upon. The Ace Cub Reporter then suggested to ask Connie Workman, County Clerk, if they would track the keys. It will be something they will look into.
   Fundraising time!  One of the raffles this year will be for four free tickets for kayak rentals, two from Clay Yak Rentals, and two from Elk River Getaway. Included are $50 gift cards. They will be looking into doing small shopping sprees from new businesses in town, so stay tuned. Raffles for the kayak rentals will be drawn in August.
   Hearsay has it that the Governor will have to work on the ERTS trails opened back up soon. Potential speculation of no funding until this coming fiscal year.


   Elk River Trail Foundation had signed a purchase agreement on the old red Newt Bragg home and property at the mouth of Buffalo Creek. The lady wants six free rail ride tickets as well, and Mitch told her he would buy them for her if necessary. This will be voted on in the next "Foundation" meeting.
   If you want to see first hand what happens in your community, attend a meeting. Next BDA meeting will be held on July 13th at 6:30pm.
JM
After Meeting Update

Dundon Trestle looking down river
  For those interested in the ERTS State Park and getting it open... some nuggets.
   Little work has been this Spring since the Duck to Ivydale Northern section of ERTS was completed 6 weeks ago. We think we know why. The owner of the rights of way, Bill Bright, has been fronting the $$$ to tear up the tracks and turn the railroad bed into something walk able. His contractor does the work and then the State of West Virginia pays him back.
  With State money in short supply and with the end of the fiscal year just a couple weeks away, we think Bright is hedging his bet and making sure new money will be available to secure his invoices. That new fiscal year begins July 1st.
  We talked to a worker on Tuesday about the mud slides and tress down on the Northern section of ERTS. That feller replied, he hadn't heard anything about the mess up there but said he would tell his boss about the major problem.
  What you're looking at are some pics taken Tuesday June 9th in the Dundon section of ERTS. You can see the torn out rails and a worker cutting them apart. This middle ERTS section will be completed next and stretch from Dundon to Pisgah . When completed, mid August most likely, it will make a nice loop of about  a mile in length.  Start in downtown Clay, cross the Dundon bridge, head down river on ERTS, cross over the river at the Pisgah bridge and finish your short hike or ride back on Main Street. Should take a little over an hour to complete. That stretch of  ERTS is particularly pretty and nearly 100% covered with a tree canopy.
  Here's a couple shots while standing on the Dundon RR Trestle where Buffalo Creek meets the Elk River....
   One fisherman was there having a fine time without disturbance.
   Construction has very much slowed down on ERTS, complete stop really.
   Even if they kicked in high gear for the rest of the Summer, having the State Park open from Duck to Hartland, that a very long shot .  If the planned Grand Opening Ceremony is held in July, it would have to be for the Northern section alone.
AW