Since it's beginning, The Communicator has been a sounding board for anybody that wants to express their views. There are some limits to free speech but for the most part, we print what is sent in.
   Pam Street who has an interest in property along ERTS just below the Camp Creek bridge, sent over this Facebook posting and asked us to publish it.
  Our disagreement rantings can be found just below Ms Mangus' writings.

Tawney Stephenson Mangus
Rails to Trails
THE GREAT TRAIN WRECK FOR CLAY COUNTY

   What it is: The re-allocation of the old Elk River Rail Road into a 56-mile bicycle, hiking, and horse trail from Clendenin WV to Duck WV., Federal Grant monies were procured to fund this project. IN order to receive these funds motorized vehicles must be prohibited.
CLAY COUNTY HAS BEEN DUPED
   The project has been touted as a "great economic boon" to the communities located along the trail. They state " for many small communities located adjacent to the Rail Trail, their images will be enhanced, and therefore attract new business to provide services for the visitors ( Bed and Breakfasts, Restaurants, campgrounds,, R V parks, bicycle rentals, " etc. In truth, it is a great detriment to the people of Clay Co. There are NO eateries, camping facilities, or stores available the ENTIRE length of the 58-miles of the trail (with the exception of the trailhead in Clendenin, Kanawha Co,) Worse yet, the ban on motor vehicles along the trail leaves NO opportunities for entrepreneurs to establish any such amenities along the trail.
.  Here is a statement from Peggy Pings of the national park services- " This corridor follows the Elk River Water Trail: opportunity for economic growth and development, bike, horse, and canoe liveries, lodging, eateries, groceries, gas, gear shops, Banks, etc. will provide local health, wellness, and fitness activities. It will make the region a more attractive place to live and play."
   Allow me to take her statement and apply it to the ACTUAL location of the trail and the REAL impact it will have on all residents living along the trail and all of those currently using the existing trail now for all manner of recreational activities.
(1) There will be no economic development opportunities to open ANY amenities anywhere along the 56-mile stretch because motor vehicles are prohibited, altho you can cross the river from two bridges (Queen Shoals and Camp Creek) there are no stores, shops, gas stations or towns for 17-miles north of the Queen Shoals Bridge...nothing, nada, nor is there any available space along rt.4 close to either bridge to build anything.
   Let us address part two of Pings' statement: " Trail will provide local health, Welfare, and fitness activities," NO, the trail is for cyclists, hikers, , and horsemen ONLY, this will exclude hundreds, if not thousands of people who currently use the many natural camping, fishing, and swimming spots dotting the entire length of the trail, and thanks to the "locals" and current residents maintaining the dirt track, all of it is accessible by car, truck, and A.T.V. traffic. It is not feasible to carry all of the gear needed to enjoy these natural amenities on a bicycle or in a backpack that many miles. Keep in mind, there are no places adjacent to the trail for the entire length to pick up supplies.
Part three of Pings statement " It will make it a more attractive place to live., work, and play" NO: in fact, they are forcing people out by threatening to cut off motorized access to home and property owners who have used and maintained this access rd. for the past sixty years. There are hundreds of homes, camps, and properties along the proposed trail now in fear of losing their holdings.
   Clay County will see little or no boon from this very large chunk of grant money, however, Elk River Rail Road Inc. will benefit from the sale as will the contractors hired to complete the construction. To quote Peggy Ping again "for the last two decades this rails to trails has been a vision of many rails to trail leaders in WV, there is now a willing seller!" Also from D White, contractor "the right of way (for rails to trails) will bring jobs and improve the economy"
   The best economic stimuli for Clay Co. would be to change the Federal legislation to allow motorized vehicles on the rail trail, combine the trail to accommodate ATVs, bicycles, and hikers, and leave our beautiful natural resources open for ALL to enjoy. By this change in legislation, it would also open up the area for ATV trails, camping facilities, , and private enterprise, all of which would bring much-needed revenue into our community and State.
   This Rails to Trails fiasco leaves miles and miles of potential money-making projects for our County and State unused and wasted.
   I am stupefied no one has had the foresight to see this. What a waste to limit our beautiful natural resources on so few.
   Anyone interested in starting a coalition to change the current legislation on the Rails to Trails rules and regulations, and bring some REAL economic changes to our community needs to stand and act now. You can join the Facebook Group: "King and Queen Shoals save our road" to keep up with current news and actions Clay Co. residents are taking to insure we ALL keep the rights to use the rail corridor between Clendenin and Clay.  footnote: I have lived along a 12-mile stretch of this rail road bed on a remote stretch a few miles north of the Camp Creek Bridge for eleven years. In that time I have seen two bicyclists, one horse (escaped from somewhere, no rider) and hundreds, if not thousands of ATV riders. People around these parts are going to be livid at the sight of spandex and bike helmets

In response and from the Publisher...
  Most of what was posted on Facebook is a bunch of horse shirt. We're not taking the time to dispute each rant but here's a couple of truths
  According to published reports, in 2020, over 20,000 new faces took part on ERTS. There is little doubt, each of those folks stopped in the county and bought gas, beer, pop, and or trinkets. Any way you look at it, that's brand new money for local businesses. As this thang grows and as more local businesses open their eyes with weekend hours, more money will come their way.
  There is a place for ATV use. It's not on ERTS, a people or horse powered adventure trail. No one on Earth should think the different modes of transportation are compatible on the same 9 foot wide graveled path. It doesn't work, period. Besides that, ATV use has never been lawful on railroad property. NEVER!
  There will be, are, many, folks who should get upset at themselves for building on someone else's property, railroad property. Just thinking about  buying property and or building on property that has not had a thorough title search, that's plan dumb. We've heard the stories of a local real estate salesman that told potential buyers, there's no problem building on that ole railroad rights of way, they ain't never coming back.
  Why believe a used car salesman and for that matter, why believe a real estate sales person, they are just trying to make a buck, plain and simple.
   Look at the new businesses and growing businesses already benefiting from ERTS.
   Up North, right beside Nottingham Store, there's a new AirBnB on the way. We have a one year old yak livery service now set up beside ERTS at Hartland and benefiting from the foot and bike traffic.
   At Queen Shoals, the old church building is being converted into a trail head business most likely to sell drinks, munchies, trail gear, and more.
  In downtown Clay, a restaurant was attempted on Main Street last year. Covid was the chief reason it went under. Today, an eatery and ice cream stand is being readied for business.
  We're hoping to see a bike repair / sales business open some day soon as well as other tourist related novelty and trinket endeavors. Don't forget the need for a new business offering horse drawn wagon rides each weekend. Every kid in the County should have some kind of trail side stand and make some $$$.
   A couple last things.
  Everywhere there is a rail to trail and rails and trail operation, the place grows with the new economy.
  This writer knows what it's like to give up a nice riverside spot due to the RR taking back their own property for the ERTS. It hurts.
  Instead of complaining, it's time for Ms Mangus to set up a lemonade stand or other money maker attraction and put some jingle in her pocket.
AW