Town Council Meets
June 8 2021
From the left, Cindy Mullins, Town Recorder, and Council persons Rene Moore, Denise Holcomb, and Jerry Stover. Sorry no image of Jack Brown this time around.
Clay Town Council
convened their monthly public meeting on June 8th at 5:30pm.
Council person Joyce Gibson participated via cell phone. They
went thru the various motions and votes for the normal
business at hand. This article covers the highlights and
lowlights of the gathering.
Last month, Mayor Shamblin reported yet another month of the Log Factory (sewer plant) operating in the red. Back in May, Shamblin told Council, they might be needing a rate increase. What he didn't report was, a reason for the negative balance. The May Council meeting also included a secret time. Based on comments made (and lead by Jack Brown) about bunches of overtime accumulated by Log Factory staff, we think Council did not want the public to know about the problem.
For this meeting during the financial report, low and behold, all of a sudden, the Log Factory ended the month $700 to the good.
Business owner Lisa Rhodes and daughter Amanda spoke to the governing body about backed up poo poo lines at their business in Two Run. Their concern centered around paying roter rooter charges when the blockage is located on someone else's property. Ms Rhodes provided, they had already paid a plumber to clean out the mess ($250) and they really don't have the $$$ to pay more for problems NOT at their business.
Mayor Shamblin, "We'll make it right.."
The real problem is, the Town owns and operates the Log Factory but doesn't have a clue where all the sewer lines are located.
Last month, Mayor Shamblin reported yet another month of the Log Factory (sewer plant) operating in the red. Back in May, Shamblin told Council, they might be needing a rate increase. What he didn't report was, a reason for the negative balance. The May Council meeting also included a secret time. Based on comments made (and lead by Jack Brown) about bunches of overtime accumulated by Log Factory staff, we think Council did not want the public to know about the problem.
For this meeting during the financial report, low and behold, all of a sudden, the Log Factory ended the month $700 to the good.
Business owner Lisa Rhodes and daughter Amanda spoke to the governing body about backed up poo poo lines at their business in Two Run. Their concern centered around paying roter rooter charges when the blockage is located on someone else's property. Ms Rhodes provided, they had already paid a plumber to clean out the mess ($250) and they really don't have the $$$ to pay more for problems NOT at their business.
Mayor Shamblin, "We'll make it right.."
The real problem is, the Town owns and operates the Log Factory but doesn't have a clue where all the sewer lines are located.
Mayor Josh Shamblin
That Log
Factory was built 25 years or so ago. Council was told back
then, this is the greatest, most technological advanced plant
on Earth and will operate for decades. That might have been
true back then but when proper maintenance is no performed,
the place goes to H in short order. For the entire run of the
factory, there have been power problems as well as what to do
with the treated sludge.
As of meeting date, that high dollar and debt laden plant is dumping raw poo into the Elk River. Yelp, the sewer crapola is pushed on into the beautiful Elk. They are trying to "air flow" the logs... break up the logs into smaller pieces before flowing them into the Elk.
Now think about. just when we're trying to grow tourism and have two kayak livery businesses in the county, and the raw stuff goes floating by! Heck, for that matter, ERTS is right beside the stinky place too!
Some kind of parts (electrical) have been ordered
You're out there swimming, wading, fall out of your kayak... now you know why the wawa feels a little "thick" !
During the Mayor Arthur Jarrett administration, the then new Log Factory started dumping directly in the river. Back then, the DEP fined the Town $50,000 for the plume of logs. At this meeting, operator Issac Ramsey told the elected body, he has been in contact with environmental officials, and they're OK with what's going on. Gulp!
Moving on, around 30% of the county have potable wawa. The rest either use wells or cisterns to handle their needs or haul water. Mayor Shamblin thinks, some of the wawa haulers are filling up their truck mounted tanks and not paying. The Wawa plant has security cameras that show the offenders. Most of the thievery takes place after dark. There was no mention of prosecuting the offenders.
Instead, Council voted to purchase a coin operated gizmo, like at a car wash, to get water users to pay before pumping. Cost of the machine: $10,000. No mention was made on a cost analysis on how long it will take for the machine to pay for itself.
Council voted to reopen the business office to the public beginning June 9th.
Here comes the "at odds" part of the public meeting
During the last Council meeting, the group voted to go into secret time. They said for personnel issues. That reason is NOT allowed by the W Va Ethics Commission.
During our coverage of the May meeting, we speculated, made a big guess mind ya, that they actually discussed rehiring one time employee (also one time Recorder), Dwana Murphy. Ms Murphy was fired by Council during a public vote, for, among other things, using the Town's Sams Club card for personal purchases.
OK now, for the rest of the June 8th Council meeting.....
From out of the blue, Council person Jack Brown demanded a voice vote and immediately hire Dwana Murphy as a wawa operator.
Out of the blue. There has been no discussion in public of the need to hire a new wawa operator and a log factory operator and an office helper. Nothing
There was silence around the table for a second.
Council person Renee Moore : There are issues with Dwana in the office... The Auditor has a problem too
Jack Brown: She is certified!!
Renee Moore: Our books are now straightened up... There is a liability issue!
Jack Brown: Ethics cleared her!
Renee Brown: We haven't even advertised for the positions.
Mr Brown again demanded that Council take a voice vote on hiring Dwana Murphy.
Ms Moore asked that the voice vote be tabled for two reasons. One, they didn't even have a resume for Murphy. Two, they haven't even interviewed her.
Brown: I want to vote.
Mayor Shamblin wanted away from the topic. He said he had no problem with advertising for the jobs. He added that it would be unfair to vote her up or down because he had no problem with Dwana applying for the job openings.
Stop here readers.
There's something going on in the background. Brown was very strong in his desire to get Murphy a job and do so right now. Murph already has a private sector, full time job. It is doubtful that she would leave such a position for a part time job with the Town. That's a part time job that would be without benefits.
So what ta do What ta do.
Behind the scenes, the scuttle butt is, they would use Dwana as a part time wawa operator plus, let her work at the log factory as a trainee to round out her hours and get her up to 40 hours per week. That our guess anyway.
But, there is no way Council could pay her the same rate of pay for the trainee position. It wouldn't make sense any way you look at it.
OK< back to the meeting.
Renee: Before anything do interviews! There are issues
Log Factory operator Issac Ramsey: I don't want her as a trainee at the plant.
The Mayor tried to steer the conversation over to a hiring process for three positions. The motion to advertise for a wawa operator, office helper and log factory trainee passed. We heard no "nay" votes.
One more time from Councilperson Brown: I want a roll call vote.
On important matters, Council should step up to the plate and provide input. Other MS Moore, no one else spoke up. Denise Holcomb was one of those with her mouth shut. That could be because As a Councilperson, she is required to reside in the municipality. Truth is, she doesn't and hasn't for many months.
Even worser, Council person Jerry Stover asked, if we vote, can we do it by secret ballot? What a chicken shirt!
There you have the highlights from the June 8th Clay Town Council meeting in all its glory.
MORE MORE MORE
While we've got your attention, some things have happened since the meeting which was on a Tuesday.
Wednesday morning, Councilperson Jack Brown handed his resignation letter over to Mayor Shamblin.
Next, the Mayor called a Special meeting for Tuesday, June 15th, to appoint a replacement for Brown. That meeting will commence at 5:30pm at Town Hall, AKA: WaWa Plant. are in interested? get a hold of the Mayor right away.
And finally for this installment, this question was put to the Mayor Friday afternoon. Question: How long has the Log Factory been spewing raw floaters into the Elk? Answer: About a week.
The excitement never ends in County Clay.
AW
As of meeting date, that high dollar and debt laden plant is dumping raw poo into the Elk River. Yelp, the sewer crapola is pushed on into the beautiful Elk. They are trying to "air flow" the logs... break up the logs into smaller pieces before flowing them into the Elk.
Now think about. just when we're trying to grow tourism and have two kayak livery businesses in the county, and the raw stuff goes floating by! Heck, for that matter, ERTS is right beside the stinky place too!
Some kind of parts (electrical) have been ordered
You're out there swimming, wading, fall out of your kayak... now you know why the wawa feels a little "thick" !
During the Mayor Arthur Jarrett administration, the then new Log Factory started dumping directly in the river. Back then, the DEP fined the Town $50,000 for the plume of logs. At this meeting, operator Issac Ramsey told the elected body, he has been in contact with environmental officials, and they're OK with what's going on. Gulp!
Moving on, around 30% of the county have potable wawa. The rest either use wells or cisterns to handle their needs or haul water. Mayor Shamblin thinks, some of the wawa haulers are filling up their truck mounted tanks and not paying. The Wawa plant has security cameras that show the offenders. Most of the thievery takes place after dark. There was no mention of prosecuting the offenders.
Instead, Council voted to purchase a coin operated gizmo, like at a car wash, to get water users to pay before pumping. Cost of the machine: $10,000. No mention was made on a cost analysis on how long it will take for the machine to pay for itself.
Council voted to reopen the business office to the public beginning June 9th.
Here comes the "at odds" part of the public meeting
During the last Council meeting, the group voted to go into secret time. They said for personnel issues. That reason is NOT allowed by the W Va Ethics Commission.
During our coverage of the May meeting, we speculated, made a big guess mind ya, that they actually discussed rehiring one time employee (also one time Recorder), Dwana Murphy. Ms Murphy was fired by Council during a public vote, for, among other things, using the Town's Sams Club card for personal purchases.
OK now, for the rest of the June 8th Council meeting.....
From out of the blue, Council person Jack Brown demanded a voice vote and immediately hire Dwana Murphy as a wawa operator.
Out of the blue. There has been no discussion in public of the need to hire a new wawa operator and a log factory operator and an office helper. Nothing
There was silence around the table for a second.
Council person Renee Moore : There are issues with Dwana in the office... The Auditor has a problem too
Jack Brown: She is certified!!
Renee Moore: Our books are now straightened up... There is a liability issue!
Jack Brown: Ethics cleared her!
Renee Brown: We haven't even advertised for the positions.
Mr Brown again demanded that Council take a voice vote on hiring Dwana Murphy.
Ms Moore asked that the voice vote be tabled for two reasons. One, they didn't even have a resume for Murphy. Two, they haven't even interviewed her.
Brown: I want to vote.
Mayor Shamblin wanted away from the topic. He said he had no problem with advertising for the jobs. He added that it would be unfair to vote her up or down because he had no problem with Dwana applying for the job openings.
Stop here readers.
There's something going on in the background. Brown was very strong in his desire to get Murphy a job and do so right now. Murph already has a private sector, full time job. It is doubtful that she would leave such a position for a part time job with the Town. That's a part time job that would be without benefits.
So what ta do What ta do.
Behind the scenes, the scuttle butt is, they would use Dwana as a part time wawa operator plus, let her work at the log factory as a trainee to round out her hours and get her up to 40 hours per week. That our guess anyway.
But, there is no way Council could pay her the same rate of pay for the trainee position. It wouldn't make sense any way you look at it.
OK< back to the meeting.
Renee: Before anything do interviews! There are issues
Log Factory operator Issac Ramsey: I don't want her as a trainee at the plant.
The Mayor tried to steer the conversation over to a hiring process for three positions. The motion to advertise for a wawa operator, office helper and log factory trainee passed. We heard no "nay" votes.
One more time from Councilperson Brown: I want a roll call vote.
On important matters, Council should step up to the plate and provide input. Other MS Moore, no one else spoke up. Denise Holcomb was one of those with her mouth shut. That could be because As a Councilperson, she is required to reside in the municipality. Truth is, she doesn't and hasn't for many months.
Even worser, Council person Jerry Stover asked, if we vote, can we do it by secret ballot? What a chicken shirt!
There you have the highlights from the June 8th Clay Town Council meeting in all its glory.
MORE MORE MORE
While we've got your attention, some things have happened since the meeting which was on a Tuesday.
Wednesday morning, Councilperson Jack Brown handed his resignation letter over to Mayor Shamblin.
Next, the Mayor called a Special meeting for Tuesday, June 15th, to appoint a replacement for Brown. That meeting will commence at 5:30pm at Town Hall, AKA: WaWa Plant. are in interested? get a hold of the Mayor right away.
And finally for this installment, this question was put to the Mayor Friday afternoon. Question: How long has the Log Factory been spewing raw floaters into the Elk? Answer: About a week.
The excitement never ends in County Clay.
AW