| | - Voltaire -
The politics of today would scare even Machiavelli himself. So much that he would probably rush off and join a seminary.
- Keith Olberman -
Censure is the tax a man pays to the public for being eminent.
- Jonathan Swift -
Why not change horses in the middle of the stream if the horse you’e on is lame?
- Clarke –
“ir: I have found you an argument, but I am not obliged to find you an understanding.” - Dr. Johnson –
Yours, etc.
Cur
(Ink-stained wretch)
SHORT CAEZ MEETING
Lots can be covered during a 34 minute meeting of Central Appalachia Empowerment (CAEZ) Oct 5th. Here goes. With all Clay County reps present except Commissioner Triplett, it was business as usual, no housing committee meeting, no loan committee meeting, no financial committee meeting, blah blah blah.
As has been the case for ten years, the only committee with power and to met regularly did so. The Economic Development Committee met prior to the full board meeting at 4pm. Office manager Michelle Morris gave a report on that earlier summit.
CAEZ Director Sizemore, BDA Chair Leonard Williams and Paige Willis traveled north to a Grimes Timber products company to see a firewood business in action. During the visit and according to the report, our local BDA leaders felt there is little interest in a locally run firewood co-op business in this county. With $75,000 in grant dollars already secured for the county, instead and an offer may be extended to the private Grimes company. Original plans called for the operation to be housed at the Filcon Fields site near Ovapa. That deal , a lease, may be offered to the Elkins area business. If the co-op venture is scrapped, the grants will have to be rewritten.
In the way of tourism growth for Clay County, mention was made of using Spread Park as a launch site for float trips down the Elk River. If that develops, a building will have to be built. The county leases the road side park from the State Road who impose use restrictions. Those restrictions would have to be renegotiated.
An ATV trail for the county? Still just talk readers. Will the State Road widen the road to Obrion Oval Speedway? No, its good enough as it is!
The final segment of business came with a question on funds being expended by CAEZ as the lead economic development agency for the county of Clay. Answer: The money is in, no more to come.
AW
POLICE BLOTTER
For those interested in the county’ criminal activities over the past couple weeks, you’e in the right place. Since last edition two more houses/camps have fell victim to arson and…..
Thursday afternoon Oct 14th, Bruce Bird Jr got in a gob of trouble. Bird already on bond violated the terms by paying a visit to his girlfriend’ trailer. The incident happened behind the Clay Foodland store in mid afternoon. By 3:30pm Bird was in Magistrate Court land ready to head back to the Central Regional Jail (CRJ) slammer.
Now here’ a strange item. How often do you read of a registered nurse and one time Clay County Sanitarian spending time in jail. On Oct 13th, 39 year old Teresa Morton’ name came across the scanner airwaves. Something about a domestic violence order being violated and Morton ended up at CRJ. A check of the CRJ web site Oct 14th revealed she had been released.
And what you have been waiting to read about. Another Murder Mountain shooting. Around 4:30 pm Oct 6th, the 911 scanner was lively with Murder Mountain traffic. Calls came in on Tommy Young Sr being shot in the leg by Richard Cummings. The caller was asked to keep an eye on Cummings. Minutes later 911 reported Cummings heading off Murder Mountain on foot toward Summer Fork.
At 5:40 pm a Clay ambulance was seen heading to CAMC with Sr in the back. As of Thursday Oct 14th, no arrest warrants have been issued in the case.
Oct 12th Young Sr reported: he had been shot in the back of the left leg twice with a shotgun; he remained in the hospital waiting a second surgery; Cummings was the trigger man; and another shot pierced Sr’ trailer door. According to Sr, his son was interrogated by the green shirts and asked if he had shot his Dad with the 12 gauge. The juvenile replied No. Sr was later asked if he somehow could have taken the long gun in a Houdini like move and shot himself in the back of the leg twice!!
Putting two and three together and coming up with 12, here’ what we think happened. Cummings was peed after someone swiped his ready to harvest pot crop and as a pay back for Sr shooting Cummings a month and half ago, Richard blasted Sr. and then disappeared for now. There are no charges against him. Translation: Badges are hoping Cummings and Young have a shoot out at the Murder Mtn corral ….. and soon. AW
“Moral Clarity”Claptrap By Jim Chafin
“o American president wants to go to war; neither Lincoln nor Roosevelt nor my own husband,”said Laura Bush as she spoke in glowing terms of George W. Bush’ decision to invade Iraq and topple Saddam Hussein from power. Using terminology that borders on surrealism, Mrs. Bush cited the strengths of her husband as a man “ou can count on, especially in a crisis.” And in an unusual effort to put a face on this “ar president”that the public rarely sees, Laura Bush describes her George W. as a contemplative person who was “eighing grim scenarios and ominous intelligence and potentially even more devastating attacks.” Describing W. as a reluctant warrior, she seemed to go out of her way to convince Americans that he was one of us and that his cares and worries were with “y fellow Americans,”even as the blood of his countrymen was spilled by the hundreds. As of this writing, 1058 American soldiers have lost their lives in the sands of Iraq, and that does not include private citizens who are there as contractors rebuilding that strife-torn country. Neither does it include more than 30 news-people and close to 200 assorted foreign allied soldiers.
Yes, Laura, we can agree with you concerning George W. Bush being a reluctant warrior. Indeed, this seems to be a sort of trademark of his in that history appears to have portrayed him as a person who has spent his life, from adolescence to the present, allowing others to shoulder the heavy end of the load. There are around a hundred books written about the life of this man – more than any other sitting president – in which he is characterized as a person of shallow attention, arrogant, and more than willing to watch others march off to war while he plays the role of rich, spoiled playboy and showing little regard for the responsibilities and duties that others carry without question.
This is the face that we see each evening on the TV, a man who has turned the people’ house into a sanctuary for the richest of the rich. A person who toys with religiosity as if it is something to be used on a whim and at one’ own convenience. Reports in the media are quoted as saying that this president isn’ a member of any congregation and doesn’ attend church regularly. How’ that for contradiction? From a youngster who is characterized as living on the wild side, through adolescence into adulthood, through his years as a person who pulled all the strings he could to stay out of Vietnam and at the same time receive a million dollar education at the taxpayer expense while in that Texas National Guard “hampagne unit.” On through a life of dubious distinction as an oilman, George W. has been able to manipulate people to his advantage most of his life.
Today this “eluctant warrior”sits in the Oval Office. However, a major change has taken place; instead of one who spared no effort to shun active combat when it was his turn to serve, we now see a man who describes himself as a “artime president”– Commander-in-Chief, if you please. Now we see him as a man who is more than willing to put others in the line of fire, and for reasons that are, shall we say dubious at best.
While I am not one who believes that church attendance is the cure for all ills, a program of daily study of Scripture, with an open mind, can do wonders for our character. For example, one might find that truth is better than lying, and that one can rest better at night if he has been honest and upfront with his neighbors. That’ a given.
In an election that gains more notoriety as each day passes, through this year’ slanderous campaign for reelection Bush, Inc. has revealed his true nature and intent. If one chooses to look and listen, this GOP campaign to hold onto the Oval Office gives off ample warnings on what will be the fate of this nation should W. retain his seat as Commander-in-Chief for these next four years. The transcript of Fahrenheit 9/11 presents us with a chilling outline of the sorry state of affairs in Florida in the days leading up to the 2000 election that produced that state’ electoral votes for this sitting president. Fahrenheit 9/11 (quoting GOP sources): Make sure the chairman of your campaign is also the vote countin’woman and that her state has hired a company that’ gonna knock voters off the rolls who aren’ likely to vote for you. You can usually tell them by the color of their skin.”
The vote total was certified by Florida’ Secretary of State, Katherine Harris, head of the Bush campaign in Florida, on behalf of Governor Jeb Bush, the candidate’ brother. Mark Zoller Seitz said in the San Diego Union-Tribune, on December 16, 2000, “ush team conveyed an air of legitimacy.” Yeah, right, Zoller. The Florida Department of State awarded a $4 million contract to the Boca-Raton based Database Technologies, Inc. They were tasked with finding improperly registered voters in the state’ database, but mistakes were rampant. At one point the list included as felons 8,000 former Texas residents who had been convicted of misdemeanors according to the December 21, 2003 St. Petersburg Times. “atabase Technologies, a subsidiary of ChoicePoint, was responsible for bungling an overhaul of Florida’ voter registration records, with the result that thousands of people, disproportionately black, were disenfranchised in the 2000 election,” - Oliver Burkeman. Jo Tuckman, May 5, 2003: “irm in Florida Election Fiasco Earns millions from Files on Foreigners.”
From the time that George Walker Bush began dreaming about a run for the presidency of this country, his has been one long series of deceptions, receiving aid and comfort from the Republican Party and its band of wealthy contributors. Their history stands before us as an open book, so if we are deceived in 2004 it is our own fault. Their intentions are loud and clear. The Associated Press quotes Bush as saying, “ich won’ pay for Kerry programs – the rich have accountants who can help them (avoid) paying taxes.” And indeed they do, and they are. In Tuesday’ debate between John Edwards and Dick Cheney, Edwards noted that Halliburton (Cheney’ former company) have moved their financial operations off-shore for many of their affiliated companies – thus depriving this nation of legally owed taxes, while at the same time taking advantage of every opportunity to wallow in the tax coffer of this country which has been so overwhelmingly kind to it. That’ the gratitude shown this nation by hundreds of successful corporations who have shifted their responsibilities onto the workers of America.
TIDBITS
ILLEGAL MEETINGS Some things Clayberry may never learn. Illegal secret meetings is one of them.
State Sunshine Laws are pretty clear on when a public governing body can go behind closed door and discuss matters. The code allows for such away from the public discussions, the public has to told the reason for the secrecy, no decisions can be made during those times, and the secret time has to be properly posted on the meeting agenda.
During the Oct 5th Clay County PSD meeting, Keith King adjourned the monthly public meeting and said he and fellow Boardsters Ted Underwood and Homer Triplett would discuss “nternal matters”State law doesn’ allow a public Board to meet except in a open setting after being properly posted. Sunshine laws don’ allow “nternal matters”as a reason for going hush-hush.
5 years ago, another public body (CCC) met in the late evening hours to discuss an upcoming vote to support the Ambulance Authority and that meeting ended up before the State Supreme Court and cost the county nearly $25,000.
It was a double whammy Tuesday Oct 5th in Clayberry. After the PSD meeting, Clay Town Council met in regular session at the water plant. Near the end of that meeting, Mayor King Arthur yelled out for everybody to leave and he was holding an emergency secret meeting. With no mention of the deal on the agenda and no reason given for the clandestine get-together, red flags went up immediately. When asked the purpose, no answer was provided. When that little round fat guy informed Council that such actions could be challenged in Court and any decisions tossed, they paid if no mind.
Usually such straying from the law indicates a rate increase is on the way or something that needs massaging before becoming public knowledge. With the sewer plant operating in the red for years, and even though Jarrett later said they didn’ talk about such an increase, watch for such a request to come in the darkness of night and without public comment.
Scott Bass resigned Oct 8th from the Human Resource Development Foundation program housed in the Work for WV office at Spread Park. It’ not the norm for a government run jobs program to amount to a hill of beans but this one did.
For over two years Bass worked with high school youth getting them ready for the job market. The HRDF program trained the kids in areas of being on time, how to present themselves to an employer, job ethics, and setting life’ goals. Bass was able to place many of the junior and senior class students in job settings giving them hands on experience in the job market. For most of his underprivileged, at risk clients, HRDF was the first step in breaking the welfare barrier and entered into the world of responsibility.
In 2004 that all changed. Due to management incompetence and lack of reporting to the funding agencies, the most needed to be served youth were cut back in paid hours worked and the number of students in the program were reduced.
Seeing the hand writing on the wall and another chance for a brighter future for our youth go to H in a hand basket, Bass gave up the ship and cut bait. In one of the poorest counties in one of the poorest states in the union, the loss of Scott Bass may be indication of a gloomy future for this area.
CLAY DEVELOPMENT CORP (CDC) held a special membership meeting Oct 14th at 10am to change their by-laws. According to Chair Gary Whaling and secretary Janet Fitzwater, the change was mandated by funders after a the recent Wyoming County Aging program came under fire in Charleston newspapers.
The social service provider’ corporate charter calls for a meeting of the general membership to vote on any by law changes. With 45 present from the 105 member group, mostly employees made up the body, the motions and change came quickly.
The change called for the Board of Directors to be reduced from 15 down to 9. The new make up includes 2 reps from the professional ranks. For CDC that’ Dr Jannie, OD and Jeff Davis, attorney at law. The other seven will come from low income and elderly
With their jobs on the line, none of the employees voted nay to the changes.
CLAY COUNTY PSD met in regular session Oct 5h in their Main Street digs. Boardsters Ted Underwood, Keith King, and Homer Triplett present along with one in the peanut gallery. With only five items on the agenda, the meeting went fast.
Financially, the PSD opened the month of Sept with $248, took in $21,300, spent $19,767 and ended Sept with $1781.68.
New kid on the block Underwood started asking questions about the financial statement. Someone will have to tell Ted that’ a no no, that nothing is discussed in public at the Clay County PSD.
As for the system operation, Field worker Sam Taylor reported a major line rupture which resulted in a Boil Water Order for Ivydale area customers. Taylor said that the break was due to cheapy original construction rings near shut off valves. Two full tanks of water was lost before repairs could be completed.
For those interested in safe water and the Lizemores/Tuckers Bottom water line extension project, it’ going to be while longer. Office Manager Cindy Schoolcraft reported that recently opened construction bids came in well above funding levels and they will have to seek additional $ and rebid the project in smaller sections. King said the low bid, $24 per foot, was completely outrageous.
Elsewhere in this edition is coverage of the illegal secret meeting after the public was told to leave the room. In Clayberry we only follow the rules of the land when it’ convenient.
Clay Town Council met in the water plant building Oct 5th at 4 pm. Mayor Jarrett held the reigns as Council members, Dwana Murphy, Betty Murphy, Phil Morris, and Sally Legg went along for the ride. Absent, Billie Zegeer and Frank Childers.
After paying the bills and Oking the meeting minutes, Marsha Geyer and Connie Lupardus ( CAEZ) addressed Council with improving the town’ overall appearance. Geyer’ comments included: the town is vital to the county’ financial health, visitors see the town as quaint, and, not every county will get a Toyota plant and those places should work to improve their images through downtown revitalization programs. Geyer provided handouts on her program, Main Street USA.
Council seemed receptive to the ideas as if they had heard it all before. They had. About 6 years ago, CAEZ Director Harold Butler presented the same deal. Then as during this meeting, the money needed to start up the renewal effort , just doesn’ exist.
The Town is in the middle of a multi million dollar water plant upgrade. Before the Council was a vote to OK an engineering agreement for the upgrade. With stacks of documents all neatly stapled together, engineer Jim Hildruth cordially showed the Mayor where to sign. Before signing discussion centered on whether a third party should review the 30 page documents before signing. Jarrett, “Do we need a lawyer?”the huddled shock their heads no and without review, Pooof! A done deal.
Long time readers will remember when Council entered into the high tech sewer plant project where they barged ahead without outside guidance and oversight. It appears they are about to repeat the same fiasco.
Did we mention that sewer plant doesn’ work right and operates in the red month in month out?
The public meeting came to a screeching halt when the Mayor ordered everybody out of the building as he called an emergency secret meeting. Details from that illegal meeting are elsewhere in this edition. —AW
ELECTION 2004 More Candidates File!!
We’e down to the last few weeks of Election 2004. Now’ the fun time! Who drops out? Who gains momentum? Who ends up the sore looser? Make ‘em squirm, readers. When they come around, ask them hard questions!
On the national level, debates have come and gone and for the most part, both sides have been talking out of both sides of their mouth. Most realize the massaging of information is a true art and the results are about as far from reality as possible… some call them liars.
Due to 2000 Census year butchering (redistricting), Clayberry has little impact on the senatorial or delegate races. But at home, we’e got a heck of an election coming up! Here goes with the local races.
Up until this year, the race was decided during the May Primary. Not so now. In addition to the two old line parties, Libertarians and Mountain Party spots are on this year’ ballot. Add to those four platforms write in candidates, and anything could result in the election returns. Heck, even the Republicats are fielding a candidate for Sheriff.
With our crime rate way up at least, or out of control, the Sheriff’ race is important this time around. Did you know we have a new candidate? Yep. Butch Gray from the Wallback area of the county signed up as a write in candidate around 10:30a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12th. That makes three Demos, Holcomb, Paxton and Gray, and Mullins the Republicat hopeful. Based on the Holcomb’ primary election results where 10 others contended for the slot, and where Demorats outnumber the elephants 3 to 1, Holcomb has to be considered the front runner. Although write in candidates are considered long shots, with only 1400 registered Republicat voters in the county and an expected total voter turn out of 3500, the write ins could have a major effect on the outcome this time.
From the consensus: Holcomb and Paxton have police experience but both have weaknesses.
Consensus from the coffee house crowd: the write ins will pull from the Holcomb camp leaving Mullins with a better shot. If voter turn out is light, Mullins could benefit most.
Magistrates, County Clerk, Circuit Clerk, Prosecutor positions are all sown up with no contenders on the ballot. There was a rumor that defeated-in-the-May battle Suzie Legg would try again in a write in campaign. Didn’ happen. The last day to file as such was Oct. 12th. But, some one did file within minutes of the deadline.
In the County Commission race, there is a new contender. Denise Taylor waited until the last second to file as a write in candidate. In previous attempts (school board, magistrate) Denise has mustered substantial votes. With Taylor in the race, there’ three choices. Fran King, a one time school board member from the Ivydale area and a registered Demorat has to be considered the front runner. New to the electoral process, the Mountain Party has candidate Andy “he Mel Gibson Look Alike”Waddell inked on the ballot. Waddell has given elected and appointed officials double H over the last 10 years with his ace cub reporter articles in this near award winning newspaper. With Waddell ticking off about every elected and appointed official in the county, coffee house consensus: With Taylor pulling as many as 400 votes from both Waddell and King, this could be the race to watch. Mouthy King and the bridge burner, Waddell…. we might have to hold our noses to vote for either one! With Commission the most powerful position in the county, blue bloods seeking the person they can keep their thumbs on, may have a tough time this go around.
Side notes: It’ not always easy getting an ad printed in that little paper over in Clay. Just 8 years ago, House of Delegate candidate David Walker paid to have his folded campaign brochure inserted in that paper only to be refused the service after the tabloid had been distributed. During that election year, Walker’ opponent was the editor of that weekly.
New Sheriff candidate Butch Gray prepared a lengthy message for printing and paid the $72 fee. When the last edition came out, his ad had been changed to a generic vote for him type of ad. Gray was peed real bad. Gray, “his is not fair… I believe it was done intentionally instead of a mistake!” Gray felt that the little paper was trying to shape the Nov. 2nd results by changing his communication. Gray also reported on Oct. 13th, all of his road side signs had been torn down or removed from the stacks. Gray has since ordered more signage.
Yes, we know Dave Mullins is arrogant and cocky, but this time he may be getting a bad rap. During last weekend’ CCHS Dance Team Basket Bingo game, it was announced and printed that Mullins was to donate one of those expensive Longaberger dust catchers to the cause and then backed out. According to Dave, he agreed to make the donation and the lady never came to pick up his money. Some days later, he offered to pay up any morning if she would stop by the bus garage. According to Mullins, the Dance Team rep never showed and he was out of town during the Bingo fundraiser.
Mid October has always been the traditional “rime time”for campaigning. With early voting allowed, that prime time just went away. Last election around 500 voters made their mark early in the Circuit Clerk’ office. This cycle, 90 have voted and an additional 50 have requested mail in ballots.
Our election year is almost complete. In less than 20 days we’l know who the new Commissioner and Sheriff will be. Better get the promises now and write them down!
AW/TK
Letter to Brother Bill By Evelyne McLaughlin
Dear Brother Bill: The leaves are beginning to turn and the frost has touched the "punkin". I love the fall season. Hope you and yours are well and happy. Several folks in our neighborhood and around the bend have had or will have birthdays this month. They include: Tyler Cantrell, Dixie Love Jarvis, Imogene Stalnaker, Barbara Samples, Randall 'Tony" Samples, Meagan Koch, Bobby Grose, Gary Grose and Virginia Boggs. Hope each of these folks have many, many more birthdays.
Darlie Wiseman Norton (Class of 1955) has settled into her new home at Lost Creek. She called last week to discuss our upcoming class reunion. Darlie and I have been in contact with each other since we graduated a long time ago.
Ann Moore, widow of Clarence Moore (Class of 1955) has compiled a booklet called "Singing A New Song" Volume I, in memory of Clarence. This booklet is a collection of words and music written by Clarence. Dorma (Mrs. Paul Moore, '55) Moore sent me a copy of this booklet and it is very nice. Clarence was a wonderful person.
Brother Roger Cummings, of Ravenswood, will be starting a revival at Blue Knob Church this coming Monday night, October 18. Services will start at 7:00 o'clock and everyone is welcome to attend.
Aunt Delphia O'Dell, of Ovapa, has been visiting her daughter and son-in-law, Howard and Mary Ellen Friend, of Ravenswood. Nina Faye Whittington and her husband, of Harmony, were recently visiting her sisters, Anna May Payne and Nancy Brown, of Ovapa.
Sorry to learn of the deaths of Mrs. Ethel Jett, Buck Moore and Shirley Moore. Our condolences to their families. Also, sorry to learn that Allie's uncle had passed away. Thanks to Carl Wilson, Jr., of North Carolina. He sent me Dennis Sutton's e-mail. Hello to Dennis, Helen, Marge, Bub, Jones and Jake. Hope you all have a wonderful day.
Dixie Jarvis hosted a baby shower given in honor of Mrs. Stephanie Jarvis. The shower was attended by several folks. Acting goofy, as I often do, I stuck some artificial flowers and a few bows in my hair. Would you believe Irene Hamrick Cantrell said, "Evelyne, you look like a blooming idiot"? A couple other ladies did the same - they didn't want me to be the only blooming idiot at the shower. I think everyone had a wonderful time and Stephanie received so many nice gifts. It was good to see Delores Love Davis. She is such a lovely lady.
A Fall Fest was held at the H. E. White School last Friday. Lots of excitement as the children went to different events. I was invited to tell stories, some folks painted faces, some took the children on a hay ride and there were games galore. This was a fun day.
I have learned a lot of things in the last few years. One is, age is a very high price to pay for maturity and another is you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is stalk them and hope they panic and give in.
Don has been a patient at the St. Francis Hospital for the last three weeks. If all goes well he will be coming home soon. Sylvia Summers and I have been down to visit with him several times. Mary Vaughn of Blue Knob was visiting with her sister, Ann Varney Davis, of Cocoa, this week.
Get well wishes to Tommy Young, Sr. Hope you have a quick recovery. Renee has been my friend for a long time. I understand she is going to school to become a nurse. Way to go, Renee! Just to let you know how I spent this past Wednesday - visited with Ramona Samples, and I also visited with Ruby Goodwin. After those visits I journeyed over to the Senior Place in Clay and saw lots of folks. Mr. and Mrs. Paul Rogers were there, Janie Patterson, Julie Tanner, and many more folks were enjoying a delicious dinner at the center. I also visited at the Clay Furniture Store and at Kate's Flower Shop. I saw many old friends and met several new ones. Another good day.
I think this is about it for this time, in the meantime HELP US ALL TO BE BRAVE! Love you always, Sis
Magistrate Report
Felony
09/30/04: Belt – Brandy Wayne Nichols, possession with intent to deliver (08/24/04), preliminary hearing continued by State, officer had family medical emergency; received notice of appearance of counsel- Barbara Schamberger; received motion for jury trial.
10/01/04: Bailey – Charles E. Bass, manufacture/possess controlled substance (warrant 09/24/04), arrested, ROB.
10/04/04: Light – William Bruce Swindler, warrant issued, fail to register sex offender; Stephenson – David L. Ramsey, driving under the influence 3rd offense and driving while revoked for DUI 3rd offense, arrested, preliminary hearing 10/07 continued by State to 10/12.
10/06/04: Bailey – George F. Adkins, warrant issued, cultivation of marijuana.
10/07/04: Elswick – John Jeff Summers, fraudulent registration (09/21/04), preliminary hearing – joint motion to continue, officer had emergency.
10/12/04: Elswick – Bobby Edward Nichols, sexual assault 3rd offense X 3, arrested.
Misdemeanor
09/21/04: Slack – Jason E. Doss, no POI and registration violation.
09/30/04: Slack – Chadwick William Muck, warrants issued for left of center, no POI, MVI and driving suspended/revoked non-DUI.
10/01/04: Belt – Robert Hall-Reau-Veau, speeding, received call from defendant, wants a hearing on citation, trial set 10/18.
10/02/04: Slack – Angela Dawn Kincaid, no POI, appeared 10/08, ROB.
10/04/04: Light – Charlotte E. Craig, warrants issued for DUI-2nd offense and DUI causing injury; Stephenson – David L. Ramsey, defective equipment, fuel tax stamp violation and MVI, arrested.
10/05/04: Slack – Sandra Guy, driving suspended/revoked non-DUI 2nd offense and no POI, appeared, ROB.
10/07/04: Clay County Sheriff’ Dept. – Billy Duffield, warrant issued for worthless check; Slack – Billy Joe Duffield, warrants issued for driving suspended/revoked non-DUI and registration violation.
10/08/04: Wriston – Joseph Carl Boyle, speeding, appeared, ROB.
10/09/04: Amber Adkins – Jeanetta Salisbury, peace bond, summons.
Civil
09/30/04: R.B. Legg Jr., DDS – Terry Dean, money due, subpoena; James Woodrum, money due, subpoena; Michael and Melissa Hill, money due, subpoena.
10/04/04: Wanda Brown – Marsha Brown and Mitchel Griffith, money due.
10/05/04: Darlene Daniels – Michael and Angel Hanshaw, wrongful occupation; Jennifer Payne, wrongful occupation.
10/07/04: Great Seneca Financial Service – Robert M. and Margaret Godbey, money due, subpoena.
Worthless Checks Notices issued –
09/30/04: Clay Supermarket – Tonya Sayre X 2; Billy J. Keen.
10/08/04: Dan D. Sizemore – Mitzi G. Eagle; Melanie Moore X 2; Mindy Johnston; Beverly Legg.
Citation Register
09/18/04: State Police – Nicholas Bujak, speeding.
09/20/04: DNR – Sheila D. Goodrich, stream litter.
09/22/04: State Police – Brennin S. Bird, possession marijuana less 15 GRMS.
09/24/04: State Police – Candice S. Murphy, driving suspended/revoked non-DUI and no POI; Jeremy J. Runion, seat belt violation; Jackson Schoolcraft, MVI; Brandy Joan Tanner, registration violation and no POI.
09/27/04: State Police – Melissa Cummings, no POI and operator’; June Reckell, no POI.
09/28/04: State Police – Paige McLaughlin, MVI; DOH – Keith J. Redden, MVI and no POI.
09/29/04: State Police – Joseph C. Boyle, speeding; David Lee Leo, speeding; Jason L. Podgett, possession marijuana less 15 GRMS; William H. Reed, Jr., MVI, no POI, driving revoked DUIA, and providing false information; Daniel W. Strickland, speeding.
09/30/04: State Police – Mitzi G. Eagle, driving suspended/revoked non-DUI-2nd offense; Angela L. Holcomb, operator’; Scotty L. Nottingham, speeding.
10/02/04: Sheriff’ Dept. – Angela Dawn Kincaid, no POI; State Police – Michael Paul Lawson, MVI and no POI; Lovell Ray Meadows, speeding; DNR – Roy A. Wood II, defective equipment.
10/03/04: State Police – Edna C. Moore, no POI.
10/04/04: State Police – Mark W. Hamrick, operator’.
10/05/04: State Police – Elvin J. Bishop, no POI; Rex A. Tinney, no POI.
CLARIFICATION: It was not Roy Lynn Cottrell, Sr. listed in last edition’ Citation Register.
CHATTER
Here in Clay I don’ like how the law goes. We need someone in Clay that will work with the people and help the people that need help. Here’ what I’ trying to say…
When James Rogers went to court, the Judge gave him 90 days in jail and 3 to 5 years supervised probation. They did not hurt James, they hurt the kids. The Judge more or less called him a liar and the case went Dimple’ way. Just like when Loretta and Dimples went to court, it went Dimples way. I got fined $243 and sentenced to 10 days in jail which was suspended and I was put on 6 months supervised probation.
Dimples was charged with the same thing and walked away free. Everybody doesn’ know the whole story. She went and got papers to put me out. She put all of my and my kid’ stuff out by the road . My rent was paid! She didn’ even show up for court June 4th and my stuff was beside the road June 1st. We did not have a place to live. When I took her to court over my stuff and the Prosecutor threw it out. How she says I did $9000 of damage to her trailer. Oddly, she rented the trailer less than a month later.
I think the courts are being paid off so she will get her way. I just want everybody in Clay to know how she did her son and grand kids. She will never see her grand kids again. Thank you for listening.
Loretta Stewart
Note: as always, Chatter is the opinions of the writer!
CHATTER 2
Just a note to give my opinion on thetotal disrespectour own county commission gives its citizens by allowing a dead weight like HAC to still be on board.WE( and believe me, "I" didn't vote for that man), elected officials to represent us and to benefit our county . Excuse me.... we failed in some areas, obviously.HOWEVER,as the other part of that commission, is it not part of YOUR duty tolook out for the best of the county?Can you explainWHY the commission has made no disciplinary move toward forcing good ol' HAC to resign orshow up or at least pretend to do something? Sadly, it seemsthis entire commission has forgotten its purpose.
WHAT is the point of his salary and benefits?Is it for services rendered?If so.. what has he done to deserve them? Can you nameone business or employer that would shell out a full salary and benefit package and never even see that employee for months?..If you can, could youget me an application?.........If you can't, tell me just how intelligent it makes our county officials look for continuing to carry this dead weight, month after month.........I COULD tell you how intelligent it makes you look, but I'll let you figure it out if you can.
Many times, this county seems to have very little , if any, positive things going for it... and our own county commissionsits at the top of the list with representation like this. Great going, guys!
My two cents worth, Joyce Johnson
School Board Meeting
Clay County Board of Education members Gene King, Kim Sams, R.B. Legg, Jr., Beth Cercone and Dave Pierson met Monday, October 4 at their central office in Clay for the first of their twice monthly meetings.
After making a few additions to the agenda and a couple of corrections to the previous meeting minutes, the board perused the current bills to be paid. It was noted that the cost of text books had gone down by 40 to 45%, and this was attributed to the block scheduling used at the high school and middle school. Business Manager Loretta Gray provided the September financial update and reported that they had received their biggest tax collection of the year in September. Other sources of income for the month included money from the State, a reimbursement from the Medicaid Program, and the first installment of grant dollars from the Distance Learning Grant. A few of the September expenses included paying for bus driver physicals, copiers, quarterly payment to the Board of Risk, and a payment to Ablesoft, the outfit working on providing internet service at the schools to accommodate the distance learning.
The board approved the resignations of Shawn Krajeski as the girl’ basketball coach at Clay Middle School (CMS) effective immediately, Debra Johnson as an after school teacher at Ivydale Elementary, and they accepted the voluntary removal of Janelle Boggs’name from the substitute cook’ list.
Employment was approved for Shawn Krajeski as 9th grade boy’ basketball coach at Clay County High School (CCHS), Anissa Collins as an after school teacher at Ivydale Elementary, Teresa Huffman and Sarah Workman as after school teachers at Lizemore Elementary paid through the 21st Century Grant, and Anita Stephenson as Edge Site Coordinator for Clay County Schools. Superintendent Jerry Linkinoggor explained that Stephenson was the only bidder for the position, which will be funded through a state grant. As she is currently a teacher at the high school she will also fill this position like an extra duty contract.
An out of state, over night trip was approved for the CCHS FFA students to travel to Louisville, Kentucky October 26 – 30 to participate in the National Floriculture and Design Contest. CCHS Agriculture Science teacher Bob Morris said that Clay placed first in floral design during the state competition. He told the board they did not need any funding for the trip as they had made about $1000 at the State Fair and would use that for the trip. The state has chartered a bus to take the West Virginia contestants.
The board approved using the entire form suggested by the State Board of Education as the evaluation instrument for the superintendent discussed at their previous meeting.
Eleven architectural firms sent proposals on the new school to be built in Big Otter. The board approved Mr. Linkinoggor’ selection of three of them to be interviewed following their November 1st regular meeting. The firms are Williamson, Shriver and Gandee Architects Inc., ZMM, Inc., and McKinney Associates.
All motions passed unanimously.
Superintendent Linkinoggor made the board aware of the urgent need to hire another computer technician. He said they have one technician and another from RESA that comes two days a week, but they cannot keep up with the maintenance of the 700 to 800 computers now in the school system. He figured a salary of $16,000 according to the pay scale, plus fixed costs such as insurance would in total cost the board approximately $30,000 to hire another technician. He said he didn’ know if they could afford it, but described the situation as critical. He told them he had resumes on file, many from former students, and asked permission to advertise a position and place the item on next meeting’ agenda. The board members agreed that he could proceed with the proposal. He then asked for permission to advertise for substitute custodians, explaining they probably needed 4 to 5 more, no cost involved. Permission was granted.
A new ACT preparation class will be offered at CCHS next semester. Students will get credit for taking the class.
Meeting adjourned after about 45 minutes. Next regular meeting of the board will be Monday, October 18 at Ivydale Elementary School, Ivydale, starting at 6:00 p.m. TK
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