| BOMONT: THE FAR END by Rose Cantrell
It seems like every time Bomont (specifically H.E. White Elementary) makes the news, there's some sort of controversy surrounding us. Not this time!! This time, we're bursting with community pride and darn pleased about it!!
First and foremost, one of the U.S. Army's finest, Bomont resident Wesley Armes, has been deployed to perform his patriotic duty to our country as our government does whatever it is they're deeming necessary. Wesley is in the Reserves and has sacrificed a minimum of 12 months of his life to this duty. By the time he gets back home, his children will be a year older, his wife will be a year more frazzled and we all salute Wesley for his efforts.
Another sacrifice Wesley made was his position as the coach of the H.E. White Elementary basketball A-team (5th & 6th graders). Keith Ellison has graciously offered to fill Wesley's shoes while he's gone and proved on Saturday, that Wesley has handed over a pretty amazing team. Our B-team (3rd & 4th graders) is led by Coach Extraordinaire Jim Kearns. Thus far, the B-team is undefeated in the Clay County League! These young folks are awesome!
H.E. White's basketball teams were invited to an Invitational Double Elimination Basketball Tournament hosted by Walton Elementary this past weekend. Frankly, from what I gathered as a parent in the stands, we weren't expected to be much competition. Let this be a lesson to all who might underestimate the determination of Bomont's youth.
On Friday night, B-team drew a BYE; A-team won by a hair. B-team played their first game on Saturday morning against Ravenswood, who we later found out was an All-Star team. They solidly thumped us 14-0. Since this was the first game these kids had lost all year, the pain was palpable. Their determination grew in direct proportion to their humiliation, though, and by the time they were called upon to take down the next team, they were more than ready.
As the day wore on, H.E. White was coming out ahead in every game they played. One by one, all the other teams fell by the wayside as H.E. White and Ravenswood fought their way to the playoffs. By 6:30, it was time for our B-team to once again face off with the Ravenswood All-Stars and believe me, that team was wicked good.
The kids were exhausted, the parents were exhausted ... but H.E. White had surprised everybody (including themselves!) and here they were, fighting for 2nd place. Second place is what both teams brought home. BUT! it took All-Star teams to keep them away from First Place and they certainly didn't hand it over without a fight. WAY TO GO, PIONEERS!!!
In other news, CONGRATULATIONS! are in order for a couple of H.E. White students. Morgan Jackson placed 3rd in the Clay County Spelling Bee and April Brown took 2nd in the Clay County Character Education Essay Contest. Way to go, girls!!
Don't forget about H.E. White's Spaghetti Dinner coming up on Sunday, February 9. It promises to be a huge, delicious success! There will be raffles and door prizes and great food galore! The dinner is scheduled from 1-3 and you can call in take-out orders during school hours between now and Friday at 548-7101. Price is $5.00 for adults and $2.50 for kids. Hope to see you there! (Our basketball trophies will be on display for all to ooh & aah over!) Stay tuned! RC
DON GREENE:WV Radical
THEM DARN POOR PEOPLE CAUSED IT
Holy Moses smell the darned roses! Every newscast, every newsmagazine, and every newspaper is whining and puking about the budget deficits that the state and most of our counties are facing. Of course they all look to the same easy solutions: raise taxes and cut spending on poor people.
The cut that irks me the most is cutting off health care to the absolutely poorest of our citizens. How in Hades can anyone think that is a good idea? I haven't seen a single recommendation about getting rid of a bunch of deadwood bureaucrats or trying to operate within the budget that they have in front of them, without punishing the less advantaged in some fashion. I have some new taxes that our esteemed leaders can lay on the state that won't affect me and should certainly torture some fat-cats and corner-cutters that deserve to be put through the wringer at least once.
How about doubling, tripling or quadrupling taxes on liquor, high cholesterol foods and high fat foods? They kill as many people each year as tobacco does and continue to cause the whining medical profession to have jobs, so we would be killing two birds with one stone. Plus this move should cause a tidal wave of new tax dollars to roll in.
Then how about doing the same thing on unused, un-maintained, unoccupied and under-used real estate, either private or corporate? Doing the same for vacant, uninhabited and unused buildings standing all over WV would be another stroke to bring in needed dollars that could be dedicated to assuring that every citizen has health care.
How about eliminating the agricultural tax advantage unless you actually make at least 51% of your annual income from raising products on the property that are consumed by humans? That would put millions of acres back on the tax books and generate the money it should be doing.
This next one is one of my personal favorites so excuse my enthusiasm. How about putting a whopping big new tax on recreational vehicles of all kinds? Tax every single boat, motorcycle, ATV, airplane and sailboat in the state that is not actively involved in the tourism industry. Wouldn't that be better than cutting off the health care of poor people?
Of course, WV could save millions of dollars by bringing our esteemed Legislature together every other year. Bi-annual legislatures and across the board term limits of 8 years for every elected official at every level would do wonders for WV.
But we won't do any of these things cause them darn sick and crippled poor people caused all of our problems, including the deficit!
Property Transfers
1-13-03, Ivydale Auto to Bridget Holcomb, Value $14,313; 12-6-02, Patrick & Crystal Black to App. Power Co., Value $1 Right of Way; 11-29-02, Dana & Elizabeth Taylor to App. Power, Value $1 Right of Way; 1-11-03, Wendell & Jennifer Anderson, husband to wife, 2 acres, basement; 12-5-02, Basil Sayre to Mary L. Jones, acreage, Value $100; 6-24-00, filed, 1-10-03, James & Virginia Taylor to Timothy & Cathy Taylor, Value less than $100; 1-10-03, CE Cantrell to Verizon, Value $100 Right of Way; 1-9-03, Delphia O’ell to James & Jeannie Perdue, Value-parent to child; 4-28-02, filed, 1-8-03, Mary Moore to Sherri & Richard Moore, Value less than $100 6.182 acres; 1-7-03, Vodra & Betty Stalnaker to Clay Roane PSD, Right of Way, 10’wide; 1-7-03, Brandon & Dorothy Martin to John & Melissa Lough, 2 lots, $80,750; 1-7-03, Frankie & Katherine Asbury to Frankie Jo Asbury, parent to daughter; 1-3-03, Kathryn Morgan to E J Patton, Value less than $100; 1-3-03, Sandy, Christina & Joe Weiland to Gary & Drema Clifton, Value $17,500; 1-3-03, Mark Jeffers to Michael & Vicki Ramsey, Value $32,500; 1-2-03, Hallie L Hill to Daniel Robinson, Value less than $100; 12-30-02, Paul B. Barringer, Merill B. Light, Victor C. Barringer to Braxton Clay Land & Mineral, Value $3,120; 12-26-02, Frances Sutton to Samantha & Tabitha Cummings & Michael Cummings, Value $4,500, 1.791 acres; 12-26-02, Michael Runnion to Walter Myers, .96 acres; 12-23-02, Danny T. Neal & Cindy Neal to App. Power, $1 Right of Way; 12-20-02, Peter’ Creek Minerals to Nicholas Land, Value $300, 15 acres; 12-19-02, William & Brenda King to Clay Roane PSD, Right of Way; 12-19-02, Laverne Cobb to Anthony & Melissa White, lot Value less than $100; 12-19-02, Russell Murphy to Dewey Bruce Murphy, lot Value $1; 12-16-02, Kenneth & Judy McIntyre to Terry Traub, SR lot 78, Value $200; 12-10-02, Allan & Michelle Hamrick to Elk Power, Right of Way; 12-10-02, Vivian & Donald Smith to Elk Power, Right of Way; 12-10-02, Donny Wehrle to Elk Power, Right of Way; 12-11-02, Delphia O’ell to Chris $ Alice Faye Bragg, 6.71 acres; 12-9-02, Ernie Legg to Reba & Durwood Lockhart, Value $65,000; 12-9-02, Vesta Mullins to Reba Mullins Ratliff, Mamie Mullins Smith, Thorndon Mullins, Sidney Mullins, Eugene Mullins, Mavis Mullins, Lewis Mullins, Burton Mullins, Lucille Mullins, Randall Mullins, Leslie Mullins, Debbie Tyree, Susan, Cathy Cope, Douglas Moore, Jill, Robert Evans, Stanley Evans, Kenneth Evans, David Evans, 15 acres; 12-6-02, Rodney Jarvis to Lowell Jarvis, 2 acres, $300; 12-5-02, Elva & Kirol Hudson to Clay Roane PSD, Right of Way; 12-4-02, Johnnie & Kristie Hurst to App. Power Co.; 12-4-02, Cynthia Barker to Violet Morris & James L. Short, 18.22 acres, Value 0; 12-4-02, Violet Morris to Cynthia Barker, .78 acres; 12-4-02, Methodist Conference to Faith Missionary Baptist, 6 acres, Value $10,000; 12-3-02, Earl & Jeanette Burner to Clay Roane PSD, Right of Way; 12-3-02, Roy Wood to Jerry Hanshaw, .5 acres; 12-2-02, Cecil Woods to Shea Osborne, 2 lots; 12-2-02, James G.
MORRIS SENTENCED
Charleston Newspapers as well as regional media sources like TV 11 and 13 presented the plain facts in the sentencing of Clay County’ once most powerful pillar of the community J.D. Morris. The following is a first hand account of courtroom action in the Robert C. Bird Federal building in Charleston, February 3, 2003 where Morris was sentenced to prison for stealing from the Clay County Bank and the people of Clay County, West Virginia. Federal documents indicated that Morris stole $137,000.00 from customer’ interest accounts, expense reimbursements, and a student loan organization while bank president. The investigation went back just 5 years.
No snow but chilly Feb 3. Overcast skies. Bird’ namesake building, located in the business section of downtown, was no nonsense and formal. Just to get into the building, US Marshals x-rayed carry ins, metal detected, and checked photo identification. Seven floors up in the granite floored rotunda stood J.D. Morris dressed in his finest blue suit. Morris chit chatted with two clean cut men. As the Clay County delegation entered the rotunda, Morris looked and without expression, turned away. There was no expression on his pale face.
Judge Charles Haden was to do the sentencing at 9:30 am. As the hour neared, 67 year old Morris, the two younger men, and the Clay delegation entered the room. Paneled in the finest walnut woods, with 20 foot ceilings supporting four hanging chandeliers, the room reeked with formality. Up front were middle aged clerks and court recorders, all abuzz with hushed last minute conversations and note swapping. Near the middle of chamber and to the right was seated Assistant US Attorney Susan Arnold. Already in the room was Morris’ attorney Wayne King on the left of the speaker’ podium. Morris seated himself beside King and fixed his eyes downward and only briefly looked toward attorney King.
Spectators were few. The peanut gallery held 6 news people, three Clayonians, the two men supporting J.D., a blue blazer clad US Marshall with an earphone sticking out of his head plus another officer dressed in a brown suit. After being announced and with all 13 of us standing, Judge Haden entered. The white bearded, stocky Haden did not look around as he entered, but rather bee-lined straight to the leather covered perch at the highest elevation on the bench. Time 10:30AM.
With King and Morris both standing at the podium, Haden explained that in USA vs. Jimmy D. Morris, the defendant had pled guilty to embezzlement November 4, 2002 and since then, a pre-sentence investigation had been completed. Haden went on to say that he had received many letters of support for the one time Clay County Bank president and State School Board president. Morris acknowledged that he had read the report. It was time for attorney to ply his word trade. Continued on page 3
King raised several objections to the findings of the report and gave explanations on why Morris should receive a light sentence. The court was asked to depart from usual sentencing guidelines and give credit for payments already made back to the bank (April 25). King said that the payments were made 5 months before Morris knew of any Federal investigation into embezzled bank funds. He mentioned a case, sounded like he said a Lieberman case, where the defendant paid restitution and got off easier. King also explained that Morris was a first time offender, had already suffered the loss of his bank job, embarrassment to his family, had lost his state level position, his stature in the community, and, “e exhibited a sense of responsibility…”King spoke with conviction for his long time friend, JD Morris.
All eyes went to the right as the youthful Susan Arnold stood and rebutted the defendant’ plea. After reading the applicable law in this case, Arnold agreed that Morris had paid back what he had stolen but he did so knowing that he was about to be detected. According to Ms Arnold, Morris resigned April 24th and only then, when he did not have control of the Clay County Bank, did he make restitution. She continued that by April 27, the local bank was being investigated in Charleston by the FDIC. By April 29th, many problems had been discovered at the Clay County Bank. Arnold, “The Government agrees that he made restitution but only after law enforcement was on the job…”Arnold made it known that Morris still has a mortgage on his home and two of the student loan funds ($34,600.00) had been paid back in full by Morris.
Morris stood without much movement. For the most part his eyes were fixed on Judge Haden and only occasionally did he hold his head down and only briefly then. News reporters were writing feverishly. The Marshall in the blue blazer fidgeted with the earphone. The Marshall in the brown suit sat a little more upright.
OK readers, the a juicy part. Ready? Arnold told the court that Morris had been very cooperative with her office and that his information provided on “thers”has been very helpful. Others. Others. Doesn’ that deserve a Hmmmmm….?
After a pause, Judge Haden over ruled the objection of the defense. He explained Federal sentencing guidelines, there was a $135,000.00 loss and that Morris had “bused his position” Readers, it sounded like that “busing his position”was significant and due to that, sentencing guidelines were on a Level 18 platform. Haden acknowledged that Morris had quickly come forward, pled guilty, and had made restitution, but that early pay back was not grounds, “rincipal” for reducing the sentence. As for what was possible for J.D. Morris, at least 18 months in the slammer, supervised probation and a fine up to one million dollars.
King worked it hard and he said that Morris was his long time friend, “e is very close to me” that this was difficult for him, and, “I can’ put this into words….. he’ an outstanding man…” Seizing the moment, J.D. Morris spoke for himself, “ want to take this opportunity…. I brought shame and embarrassment to my family, my wife, daughter….” His voice broke, for a man that almost never displayed emotion in public, except when he was yelling at locals during Clay County School Board meetings, the emotions were flowing, he was on the line, it was now or never as the song goes. Morris, “ am sorry for my short comings… I am sorry for my wrong….”Morris went on to say that the Feds had been very good to him, that all had conducted themselves professionally. Morris, “ am especially sorry for the negative public relations brought to the state school board…”Tearfully, “I just want to say how sorry I am for my conduct…”
Morris ended with, “ was in a…. position to do some good….[break in voice], I hope I have the opportunity to do some good in the future.”Never once did this reporter hear the aging civic leader apologize to the community of Clay County.
Haden, without pause (having heard the same story from every other bank robber before), said that the crime “as obviously a serious crime”and “here’ no doubt he faces other financial consequences.” Haden said he was impressed with all the letters received. No mention was made by the Judge if all of them were letters of support.
Haden imposed the lightest sentence possible on the one time pillar of the community: 18 months in prison, 4 years supervised probation following jail time, and NO fine. Haden went on to say that he would recommend to the Department of Corrections that Morris serve his time in the lowest level security prison close to Clay County.
As for the lack of fine part, Haden explained, “He has significant responsibilities in civil matters.” Hmmmmm…
J.D. Morris will “elf report”to prison March 19, 2003 at 2 pm.
The gavel went down. Court adjourned. Morris turned and hugged the two men seated behind him. King spoke to the brown suited marshal first and then to Morris. Reporters continued to write. After a second, brown suited marshal to Morris, “ome with me, sir!”Morris left through the right side walnut clad door. No cuffs, no orange jump suit, no shackles.
It’ not over readers. Morris maintains some pull, even after sentencing for a felony!
Outside, the various TV crews waited with cameras poised for action. One crewman tried to film through the big glass and brass doors. Marshals said to get away! Waiting .. waiting… One guy asked the TV 11 reporter if Morris had to be brought out the front door. Her response was, yes, unless they were immediately heading off to prison, they ALWAYS came out the front. Waiting…
After 15 minutes or so, word came, Morris was being led out the back door. As news crews ran full throttle around the corner, J.D.’ big blue Caddy was seen approaching the back of the building. Without comment, and walking briskly, Morris jumped through the open back door of his vehicle and was whisked away from the prying eyes of the public as TV crews breathlessly attempted fleeting images.
By 10:55 a.m. , February 3, 2003 , it was over. Felon J.D. Morris was heading to prison. For many in the county, getting 18 months was more than expected. For others, it was just a slap on the wrist. Many in the county still have questions. Questions like: was the stolen money returned to the rightful owners? When will bank customers be told their money has been returned? Who will replace Morris as bank president? What “thers”might be indicted by the Feds.? Will civil cases wipe out Morris financially? And, of the 18 month sentence, how much time will Morris actually serve? We’l keep you informed as best we can. For now, the Clayberry throne of power is empty. Without question, the most powerful man in Clayberry politics reduced himself to a common bank robber. AW
??? DID YOU KNOW ???
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