dec2003news

DECEMBER 2003 NEWS

Dec 31 am Things have gone from bad to worse within the Clay Roane PSD system based on the number of emails we're getting.

Dec 31 am People are fuming mad with drinking water nowhere to be found for most. In addition to last week's petition asking for a break in this month's water bill, the newest petition asks for WV American Water Company to take over the Queen Shoals lines and customers. Nothing could be more scary for the powers that be in Clay County. Those on the inside know: we can't loose one customer or else all the planned water line extensions into Roane County come to a screeching halt.

Dec 31 am We understand there was a huddle at the water treatment plant last night which included at least one County Commissioner. Here's an example of the emails we're getting: I'm sending my Tyler Mountain water bill to the Clay Roane PSD as payment on my next bill. It's costing me $6 just to flush my toilet ....

Dec 31 am In addition to no water in the Queen Shoals system, parts of Procious ran out of water Tuesday mid day.

Dec 31 am We'll get an afternoon post in before taking the Jan 1st holiday off. Check back this afternoon for the latest on: Clayberry, Along the Elk and not a drip of water to drink!

Dec 30 pm You might want to check and see if you have water service, many people don't this afternoon. Several Queen Shoals area water customers of the Clay Roane PSD system are reaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaal peed off. Water service during the last several days has been at best, inadequate.

Dec 30 pm One customer called this morning and said at 8:50 am , no one answered the phone at the water plant nor was there an answering machine working. He let it ring 15 times to no avail. Over a year ago, the WV PSC ordered Clay Roane to have and use an answering machine with a message informing customers during Boil Water and outage times.

Dec 30 pm Other customers have been calling and emailing like from this customer 11:50 this morning: XXXX called around 4 a.m. or so & was told the pump would be turned back on - according to one employee, it should've never been turned off in the first place. Meanwhile, we haven't had water all day today & I've been told that there's a leak, but the leak can't be found because there's no water going through the lines & they have no idea when I'll have water again.

SO. I just got off the phone with the Public Service Commission yet again. They've suggested formal complaints be filed so that a formal investigation can be initiated. Please post this: www.psc.state.wv.us, follow the links for "formal complaint" .... There's not even any snow to be melted anymore ...............

Dec 30 pm That direct link to get a formal complaint, click I'M MADDER THAN H AND WON"T TAKE IT NO MORE. Once there, go to the bottom of the new page and download the form.

Dec 30 pm One guy phoned to say that Save A Lot in Clendenin is now without gallons of water, only tiny bottles are available.

Dec 30 pm Another lady is planning to attend the next Clay Roane meeting and ask tough questions like: Show me when and where each leak occured in 2003; How many Boil Water Orders were imposed and for how long in 2003; Show me the number of man hours performed on maintenance; and, what kind of repiar materials were used in 2003, the manufacturer, the quality of the materials and such. All darn good questions and in need of asking.

Dec 30 pm In the mean time, much of Queen Shoals remains without water service as well as some area of Camp Creek. Queen Shoals remains on a Boil Water Order.

Dec 30 pm In the latest edition of The Communicator, we've got a front page interview with Clay Roane PSD Chair Melissa Postelwait. Couldn't have been more timely!

Dec 30 am German Shepherd , the four legged kind, found, see CLASSIFIED page

Dec 30 am Last week the news made the rounds, our WV School Building Authority agreed to fund a new consolidated elementary school for the northern end of Clay County replacing Ivydale and Valley Fork schools. The $ don't cover the cost of property acquisition or basic site prep work. School Superintendent Linkonooooger promised the Valley Forkettes, the new school would be located at Big Otter making the commute shorter for their little darlings.

Dec 30 am Since the news leaked out about the Murphy Fork site for the new school, Ivydalers came up with a nicer, cheaper, less slip prone, already developed site in their community across from Cunningham Motors. Almost immediately rumbles and grumbles surfaced among the Valley Forkettes.

Dec 30 am Now comes a new assault for Linkinooooger to overcome. Some Valley Forkette parents are now saying, if that school ends up in Ivydale, my kid will transfer to Clay Elem., closer to home and a school with a good reputation. Sounds simple enough doesn't it readers? Wrong. To justify the new school, Link needs every kid possible to attend there. With even 50 Valley Fork kids heading to Clay Elem., the new school may be in jeopardy.

Dec 30 am So why is Link holding off the start of the new school for over 18 months? He has to float another School Levy to cover the cost of acquiring the building site. One note on that Murphy Fork site, when the Business Development Authority had the same 20 acres under lease, they thought they could buy the land for $200,000. They were wrong! The Ivydale site is available for $150,000 according to our sources.

Dec 30 am Should make for an interesting challenge for the soon to be retired Linkinooooooger.

Dec 30 am Looking for a nice building to buy? See ADVISORY page now.

Dec 29 pm The Communicator made it to the news stands around 3pm today. Enjoy

Dec 29 pm Just got word from Clay Roane PSD Chief Operator Jennifer Traub, the Boil Water Order for Procious, Wallback, Ovapa, Newton and Valley Fork has been lifted. The BWO for the Queen Shoals service area remains in effect.

Dec 29 pm This time last week snow was on the ground and the high temps were in the 30s. This afternoon, we saw 68 degrees as a high and a few convertibles were seen with their tops down.

Dec 29 am Happy end of the year clickers. In the way of public meetings, they are as scarce as hen's teeth this last week of the month. With little to attend, we'll start making up stuff to fill the daily postings.

Dec 29 am For those interested in the latest Michael Jackson stuff including pictures and video, click MICHAEL for a peek.

Dec 29 am For a dose of 1983 reality when Donald Rumsfeld provided Sadam biological weapons, click Blatant Hypocrisy.

Dec 29 am Better enjoy the warm temps today, snow is back in t he forecast for the middle of the week.

Dec 28 pm Talk about a beautiful day, nothing but blue sky from start to finish. Here in Clayberry, locals are using the 50 degree temps to take down Christmas decorations and wash the salt off vehicles. Niceeeeeeeeeee

Dec 28 pm Over the scanner, 1:03pm report of a blonde female throwing beer bottles in downtown Clay.

Dec 28 pm Over th scanner 1:34pm: State Road advises that Upper Two Mile Road (7 over 2), that's in the Ivydale area of Clayberry, is closed.

Dec 28 pm So what's going to be in tomorrow's Communicator? Well... we've got an interview with Clay Roane PSD Chair Postelwait talking about the rash of water line breaks (3); an interview with Murder Mountain resident Tommy Young ; Two, count em TWO complaints against a local attorney; nearly three columns of Magistrate News; maybe even a little back door talk on an alternative site for the proposed Ivy Fork or Valley Dale school location; and , if our fingers don't poot out, a complete year end wrap up of highlights from 2003. For 50 cents, hard to beat!

Dec 28 pm One guy told us, 2003 was a great year, we've got Saddam and JD Morris both behind bars!

Dec 27 pm Before the weekly wrap up. Queen Shoals once again has water service. Would some Bomont area clicker email us when your water service is restored. Remember the Boil Water Order is still in place.

Dec 27 pm Here's an excerpt we received from Clay Roane PSD Chair Melissa Postelwait: we tried to get a tanker of water in to HE White school but they said that the weather was too bad, they said we would have to have a heated garage big enough for the tanker, and we were unable to locate one. Thanks, Melissa.

Dec 27 pm For the week that was, Christmas was in the air. People were quick with a "Merry Christmas". The snow came, we had a white Christmas, just enough to coat the hills and leave the roads clear.

Dec 27 pm Last Monday Clay County PSD lifted their latest Boil Water Order for the Hartland/Bickmore areas as Clay Roane PSD went all to H with many without ANY water service for the holidays. The entire Clay Roane PSD was put under a BWO.

Dec 27 pm On Christmas eve, even the WV Public Service Commission was out looking for the big water leak in the Clay Roane system. We received emails on the situation. Concerns came up on fire protection, hygiene, how to have a Christmas dinner and do the dishes. Mothers raised cane about kids with the flu and no way to keep the home scrubbed down.

Dec 27 pm Finally the Clay Roane leak was found near HE White Elem. school and repaired. Customers were asked to conserve water to allow the water storage tanks to fill. By Saturday much of the Queen Shoal area was with water service.

Dec 27 pm Yesterday, the day after Christmas (Christmakkah) Clayberry remained quiet as the schools and government agencies remained closed.

Dec 27 pm In the way of words of wisdom, we offer: When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane. It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others. Never buy a car you can't push.

Dec 26 Noon:30pm Special Notice Queen Shoals and Bomont areas. Workers found the leak in the Queen Shoals water system before noon today. The break was in the 4 inch main line in front of HE White Elem. Queen Shoals should have water restored this evening and Bomont service sometime Saturday.

Dec 26 Noon:30pm PSD Chair Postelwait has asked that Queen Shoals customers CONSERVE the water for the next couple of days to allow the supply tank to refill. This message brought to you by the Committee for Ethical Treatment of Water Chairpersons and Service Crews (CETWCSC).

Dec 26 pm We're back from a much needed holiday break. The Boil Water Order for the entire Queen Shoals PSD system remains in affect. Of course much of the system remains without any water to boil. Been that way for days. The problem seems to be a big leak in a trunk line preventing the storage tank from filling. The process of finding the break continued on Christmas day to no avail. Needless to say, it's getting pretty stinky in that end of the county with the Christmas gift of choice being baby wipes

Dec 26 pm Although a new Queen Shoals PSD water Board has been appointed by the County Commission, Clay Roane PSD remains in charge of the operation and maintenance and operation of the Queen Shoals service area. Bottled water has been supplied to some Queen Shoals customers by the Red Cross. During other water crisis times, military water tank trailers have been brought in for customers.

Dec 26 pm The new development is on the other end of the county. Last week that little paper of in Clay reported the location of the new ValleyDale Elem. would be out Murphy's Fork Road, right beside property owned by Sheriff Harald Fields. The new school will replace Valley Fork and Ivydale Elementary school.

Dec 26 pm Since then, all H has broke loose. Something about the report given the School Building Authority ( funders) being inaccurate. Ivydale locals have found a much less expensive site for the school on property owned by Bill Boggs. Behind the scenes (as it always is) posturing is going on to locate the new facility on the Boggs site.

Dec 26 pm Of course, the Boggs site for the ValleyDale school will surely pee off all the upities in the Valley Fork area due to the increase in bus ride times for their kids.

Dec 26 pm And our quote for the day: If you're skating on thin ice, you might as well tap dance.

Dec 24 pm For those interested in the Earnie Sirk vs Clay Development Corp. decision, you'll have to wait a while longer. According to Clerk Mike Asbury, 10:15 this morning, Judge Alsop has not rendered the decision

Dec 24 pm A great big Happy Birthday to Denise in Englewood Colorado.

Dec 24 pm Just below is the job opening post. Elizabeth Sampson called to say she is getting a good response from the post but wanted to clarify the position. She said something along the lines of : the job is flood victim flood assessment work.

Dec 24 pm For those wanting to call the WV Public Service Commission to tell them a complaint on Clay Roane PSD, a clicker emailed over a toll free number for your use. 1-800-344-5113

Dec 24 pm And finally, to our friends and foes near and far, the best of holiday wishes from Terry, Lindy and Andy. Here's our message: One beautiful December evening Huan Cho and his girlfriend Jung Lee were sitting by the side of the ocean. It was a romantic full moon, when Huan Cho said "Hey baby, let's

play Weeweechu." "Oh no, not now, lets look at the moon" said Jung Lee. "Oh, c'mon baby, let's you and I play Weeweechu. I love you and it's the perfect time," Huan Cho Begged. "But I rather just hold your hand and watch the moon." "Please Jung Lee, just once play Weeweechu with me." Jung Lee looked at Huan Chi and said, "OK, we'll play Weeweechu." Huan Cho grabbed his guitar and they both sang..... "Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year."
AND SO DO WE! And shame on you, where did you think this was going????

Dec 24 am Linda L. Cunningham, 59, of Mercer, PA formerly of Duck, WV, see FUNERAL page.

Dec 24 am We'll try to get an afternoon post in before taking a day or two off for the holidays. Great big birthday wishes to Tony Myers from Connie, Paul and Lindy.

Dec 24 am Need a $10 per hour job? There are two openings in Clay County. Something to do with the FEMA, disaster relief program now set up for this county. Interested? You got to act NOW. The contact person, Elizabeth Sampson said that the two spots must be filled now, with names to be in to the Federal agency this morning, Wed Dec 24th. Give Elizabeth a call at home before noon at 286-2204.

Dec 24 am We received this email yesterday: The Lizemores vol. fire dept. was struck by vandals again between Sunday and Friday night. The rescue truck was again drained of gas, this time by cutting the neck off of the gas tank. It was discovered after responding to an accident above the Nazarene church in

Lizemores on Friday night.maybe you can help us get a few tips on this. Any help or info would be great.

Dec 24 am We posted excerpts from an email received from an irate Clay Roane PSD customer on Monday the 22nd. Seems that email peed off folks over at the PSD and Chair Melissa Postelwait in particular. Excerpts from the Chair's reply email: The BWO requires that a sample be sent to the lab for testing as a precaution and it takes them 36 hours to complete the test. ONLY after the test is complete can we lift the BWO. The email that you printed may make good news for you, but it had no true facts in it whatsoever.

Dec 24 am Since that first email from an irate water customer, we've got a follow up from yesterday morning. From that follow up email: There's no friggin' water today, either. There was enough to take a shower this morning, but the faucets were empty again this afternoon. Supposedly, there's a leak at some Sizemore's house - "where the lines always break" .... so I called the Public Service Commission, gave them the that last little piece of my mind I was saving, informed them of their miserable failure in training the buffoons who run the C-R PSD & they'll be looking into it & calling me back. Amazingly enough, the lady there said that she'd "never had any complaints about the quality of either the water or the service" .......... HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! Either their phones have been disconnected or there aren't enough people who have their number .........

Dec 24 am Sounds like the WV Public Service Commission hasn't been listening to the many formal and informal complaints voiced over the last 10 years! Maybe it's time to give them a call or pen a letter. That tele number is 340-0325.

Dec 24 am With the rain changing to snow and temps dropping into the 20s this evening, take your time, drive slow or stay at home with your family.

Dec 23 am Men, that going to Go Mart Christmas eve for your wife's presents just won't work. Try that one more time and you'll be out sleeping with the dogs. You have just 1 1/2 days to shop. Keep in mind, 1 Christmas gift won't work nor will 2. Four, with one of them being "nice" is mandatory. And she won't fall for a hydraulic jack, tool box, or even car parts!

Dec 23 am Clay County now has a stoplight! yelp it's true... Out on McColgin Gap where the big slip came after the heavy rains three weeks ago, now has a traffic control light in place. Although it's not working right and causing more delays than the needed stop sign, none the less, Clayberry has stoplight!

Dec 23 am We've got a new hat in the political ring. Russell Whiteley is running for Magistrate

Dec 23 am According to Jimmy Sams, Saturday night, there was a rash of vandalism from Camp Creek down thru Clendenin. Thug or thugs bashed out many car windows.

Dec 23 am Mathew Bragg reported an armed robbery Sunday evening at the Gassaway Foodland around 9pm. Made off with nearly $10,000 in a silver Dodge Durango. Off duty cops including Bragg responded to the incident. Security cameras caught the masked man waving his gun around the store.

Dec 23 am Much time was spent discussing the need for a county wide emergency service excess levy during Monday's County Commission meeting. The way it looks right now: the three fire department would receive $30,000 each as would the ambulance service annually. Also, $50,000 would be rotated to each agency each year. Total annual revenue from the 4 year Levy: $170,000.00 County Commission will decide in Jan 2004 whether to include the tax increase question on the May 2004 ballot.

Dec 23 am There is still descent among the agencies. During the discussions, many raised concerns over including the ambulance service in the funding due to its "tainted" past. Some in the Lizemores area are against ANY new taxes. Commission President Sams told the gathered yesterday: There is no use to try and pass a Levy unless all the departments are 100% in support of it and are willing to go out and do the public relations campaign. Over the next few days, we'll post more updates from the Dec 22 CCC meetings with full story coming in the next Communicator.

Dec 23 am By the way , the next Communicator will hit the news stands Monday Dec 29th instead of this Friday. The Courthouse will be open 1/2 day Dec 24th and closed Dec 25 and 26 for Christmakkah.

Dec 22 am Today our County Commission meets in regular session beginning at 10 am. Action is free and held at the Courthouse.

Dec 22 am Head over to the EVENTS page for some nice looking fungus painting by Calhoun resident Shirley Short. 'would make a nice Christmas gift too

Dec 22 am For our news junkies out there, here's a link to about about 150 newspapers from around the world. Some in English, some government controlled, but well worth making a favorite for future reference. Click NEWS EVERYWHERE to take a look see.

Dec 22 am For this site, a good day is 800 hits, the average day is around 480 clickers. Of course providing the news also opens the door to emails. Got this email concerning the rash of Boil Water Orders: There's absolutely no reason for this email except the fact that I've run out of people to bitch to & you're on my address list. ;-) There is NO FREAKIN WATER TO BE BOILED!! Our water was off on Thursday, gone part of Friday, out completely on Saturday & lo & behold, there's nothing coming out of the faucets as we speak. The nice folks at the PSD are quick to send cut off notices if you don't pay the bill in a timely manner, but where the hell is the service we're paying for? Rumor has it that the other day, some kid at the plant SAID he checked the tank at 3:30 & it was full, so he turned off the pump. Somebody ought to whoop his lazy ass, 'cause evidently, he never checked anything at all 'cause he didn't wanna mess with it. Meanwhile, which PSD employee will be delivering clean underwear to the southern end of the county 'cause nobody can do any friggin' laundry???? This is PATHETIC!! 87 BILLION of our tax dollars going to Iraq & we can't even get the friggin' water we're paying the 3rd highest rates in the state for!! Where's my congressman when I need him???

AAAAARRRRGGGHHHHH!!!!

Dec 22 am We're going to work on our LINKS page over the holidays. If you have an interesting site for consideration, email the link over. Thanks.

Dec 22 am And one more time... If you like the home page pictures and would like to have a copy , just put your mouse over the image and right click. A little window will drop down, click "save picture as". Bam!! It's yours!

Dec 21 pm Before the wrap up, Clay Roane PSD, Boil your Water!

Dec 21 pm As the holidays approach, Clay County slowed down. Some spent the week preparing for Christmas parties or church activities while others shopped, shopped, shopped. Just three days till Christmas!

Dec 21 pm For those in the outback, where water service remains a pipe dream, the talk this past week: Did you hear there was another boil water order? Clay Roane PSD continued to wrestle with broken water lines and water tanks that won't fill up. Here, Boil Water Orders are a way of life. That tradition continued this week in Clayberry with Clay Roane PSD ordering no less than three BWOs.

Dec 21 pm This past Thursday evening was to be a special Solid Waste Authority meeting to discuss a recently OKed $15,000 grant. The meeting pooped out when Boardsters failed to show. Behind the scenes the issue is a rift among Boardsters over spending $13000 of the $15000 on the grant coordinator's salary. Watch for a flair up after Holidays

Dec 21 pm And Mother Nature dumped on Clay this week closing county schools Friday Dec 19th. Over the scanner could be numerous calls for assistance, vehicles setting about every where they shouldn't be. Magistrate King put his Buick all over the Interstate. No injuries for King as the seat belt did its job.

Dec 21 pm For Monday, our County Commission meets in regular session beginning at 10 am. With the two page agenda already posted, don't miss the action. Look for more discussion and maybe even a vote to put an Excess Levy Election on the May 2004 ballot.

Dec 20 am Even with the leak fixed, the Boil Water Order for Clay Roane PSD customers continues. Boil it first!

Dec 20 am After a heavy snowfall that closed Clay County Schools Friday, the flurries continued through out the day and into the evening hours. Those that listen to 911 scanner traffic heard response after response to vehicle in the ditch.

Dec 20 am Around 9:30 last night calls came in of a car on its roof near Big Otter. Emergency responders spent time and $ and found nothing. Some jerk may have called in a false alarm

Dec 20 am With snow on the ground, Clayberry really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Dec 20 am Today the almost on the FCC airwaves, Clay County Radio (WYAP) is hosting a Holiday party beginning at 3:30pm. Everyone invited to stop in, have some munchies, and get on the internet airwaves for all the world to hear.

Dec 20 am It's quiet in the county. College students came back home. Public meetings will be few for the next 7 days. It's the Holiday season.

Dec 20 am For those looking for some weird news, Click WEIRD

Dec 19 2003 Ruby Ellen Samples, 90, of Clay see FUNERAL page

DEc 19 2003 Wilbur O. Lanham, 87, of Clay, see FUNERAL page

Dec 19 pm We just got word that Clay Roane PSD found the big time water leak yesterday and the leak was fixed by 6 am this morning. With that being the case, the tanks can begin to fill up and the Clay Roane PSD system wide Boil Water Order might get lifted in just a few days. In the mean time, boil it boil it ...

Dec 19 4:57am Teachers awake with joy. The call comes in, Clay County Schools will be on a 2 hour delay. Over the scanner, bus drivers report slick slick road conditions. 7:46 am Clay County Schools closed for the day!!! Kids grinned, parents frowned, the little crappers have a long weekend......

Dec 19 am First If you didn't read all the BWO posts from yesterday, be advised, if you are a Clay Roane PSD customer, the whole darn water system has been placed under a Boil Water Order. Big time leak and they can't find it. Mud and yuck reported in the lines. Boil it First please. Clay Roane Chair Melissa Postelwait advised that her PSD had been buying water from the Town of Clay but now the Town is refusing to sell them more wa wa.

Dec 19 am Last night's Solid Waste Authority meeting was canceled after Boardster Pete Triplet headed to a doctor's appointment, Sheriff Fields was called away handling a juvenile and Boardster Mathew Bragg... well , he's only showed up about 3 times this entire year. Translation: Meeting canceled for lack of quarrel... quorum

Dec 19 am For the snow bird clickers down South, winter has arrived in Clayberry. Yesterday's the snow showers continued on into the evening with roads becoming snow covered just after dark. Even with the state road crews working the night away, roads became treacherous by 10pm. Snow remains in the forecast for the next three days. We've got all the makings of a White Christmakkah, Christmas.

Dec 19 am Over the scanner around 10pm, a bus driver advised that Rt. 16 "Is not good at all.... cars in the ditch." 10:07 pm Over the scanner, the fast lane of I-79 is snow covered and the driving is slushy.. At Big Otter, both lanes are white"

Dec 19 am Rumor: Clay Roane PSD Chair Melissa Postelwait received pay advances on her Board salary. We talked to Postelwait Thursday morning about the rumor. Answer: Not True.

Dec 19 am According to Postelwait, the PSD does not have a policy on such advances but no one on the Board , including herself, have received pay advances. She added that some Board members do not pick up their checks each month and instead wait a while to get a bigger payday, but NO pay advances. Clay Roane PSD Boardsters receive $100 for each regular meeting ( twice a month) and $75 for each Special meeting attended.

Dec 19 am On our LINK page, is the button to head over to the WV Public Service Commissionn web site. Last night we found this: 01-0414-EGSTW-GI GENERAL INVESTIGATION TO STUDY WALK-IN PAYMENT ISSUES

RESPONSE TO TASK FORCE STATUS REPORT FILED BY CLAY ROANE PUBLIC SERVICE DISTRICT
And this post: 03-1901-E-30D ELK POWER COMPANY DATE OF ORDER: 12/04/03 COMMISSION ORDER EXTENDING THE ALJ DECISION DUE DATE UNTIL MARCH 11, 2004; ETC.

Dec 19 am If you things are bleak now, down the road doesn't look any better. From the WV Infrastructure Council web site comes this look at economic development for Clay County. Click NONE and then type in Clay to see your future

Dec 19 am Keep us posted clickers. If you see something, use the link below to let us know.

Dec 18 Late PM We have yet another Boil Water Order . This is one was issued by Clay Roane PSD at 4:30pm today. The newest BOIL WATER ORDER is for ALL customers of the Clay Roane system! Everyone Boil that water before consuming!

Dec 18 PM NEW BOIL WATER ORDER issued this morning at 9:26 am for all of Procious. At least one customer called in with mud in her water lines. Boil It first Procious customers of the Clay Roane PSD service area. the Queen Shoals PSD BWP remains in affect as well!

Dec 18 am Tonight the Solid Waste Authority meets at 6pm above the Multi Cap office on Main Street.

Dec 18 am Big and Happy Birthday wishes to little sister Faith Wayne who is in the Prestra Center in Clay. Hugs and kisses from her favorite nephew RJ who is 8 years old. He loves her very much and instead of calling her aunt, he calls her Moma Faith. Wish we could see her and visit with her but her guardian won't allow it. We wish nothing more than to have her back home with my husband, son and myself. We love her and miss her so very much. Nancy Collins, Jim Collins and RJ Coleman

Dec 18 am When you see Magistrate Mike King today, tall him he's d*** lucky to be alive. Yesterday afternoon, on wet interstate pavement, his car flipped and went 360. With only a cut on his check, he had his seat belt on, King walked away. Be careful out there clickers, the weather outside is frightful

Dec 18 am Over on the ADVISORY page are two new posts, one from DHHR sources and the second from AFFIN

Dec 18 am Does anyone have a spare CB tower? The non profit radio station at Two Run, WYAP-LP, needs a 30 footer real real soon. They've got a truck and can pick it up. Can anyone help them out? Stop by the station any afternoon after 3 or call 587-8353.

Dec 18 am If you're looking for Christmakkah presents, be sure to check out the CLASSIFIED section, this site. Everything from horses, to trucks, to a ferret cage! Something for everybody for sure! We found a bunch of good deals in Dunbar at WV Surplus Properties. It's open year round to the public with bids opened every Friday. Yesterday in addition to usual selection of office furniture and supplies, they had at least 1000 computers, monitors, and laser printers. Each item is marked with a tag indicating whether the unit works or not. For the puters, the prices ranged from $25 to $40 and the laser printers started at $25. There ain't no guarantees mind you, but for those prices...... They close at 4:30 Monday thru Friday and are located right beside Ben Franklin Tech School.

Dec 18 am And talk about about dirty rotten pukes! The Lizemores Fire Dept. found their vandalized rescue truck Sunday afternoon. Someone had drilled a hole in the 40 gallon gas tank and drained the thing dry.

Dec 18 am Tommy Young Jr's name often comes up and usually in a bad sense. Many remember Young as the guy a jury found innocent of murder two years ago. Just last month his name came up when Damon Koch blasted a big hole thru the windshield of his truck nearly wiping out Richard Cummings. Cummings was a star witness in the Tattoo Vince murder trial earlier this year.

Dec 18 am We had a chance to interview Mr. Young Wednesday afternoon. Young, who lives on Murder Mountain, asked that the public be told: He is without any felony charges against him and the last time his name got raked through the media circus, the jury found him not guilty. Since that jury decision and according to Young, the police have not given him a fair shake! It is as if the cops are just looking for something to pick at.

Dec 18 am We'll have the full story in the next edition of The Communicator.

Dec 18 am Stay in if you can!

Dec 17 pm BOIL WATER ORDER ISSUED TODAY AT 2:30pm by Clay Roane PSD. There's a leak somewhere near Camp Creek Bridge and the Queen Shoals tank has a less than 1 foot of water!! Boil It Boil It

Dec 17 am Sometimes it's tough playing b ball in Clay. Last night the girls' high school team sat in the dark for over an hour. Someone said a transformer had blown. Finally, an hour later, with the lights on, the CCHS Girl's team beat Webster 64-59 with Meghan Cole the high scorer with 38. k

Dec 17 am In the holiday spirit, Clay Middle School TSA gathered over 3000 cans of food for Christmas giveaway to the needy.

Dec 17 am On the 12th, several stood around waiting for the Wayne King foreclosure sale to get under way. Didn't happen as Clayberry Bank attorney Kelvin Duffy said the thing had been postponed. According to US Bankruptcy records, one time Prosecutor Arthur Wayne King ( and wife) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Dec 10th. As of Dec 16th, there was no asset to debt listing. That info is required by Dec 29th although an extension is possible.

Dec 17 am The NFL ( the No Fun League) fined New Orleans Saints Joe Horn $30,000 for using a cell phone after a touchdown. Another guy got a fine fro holding up a sign. for details click "Can You Hear Me Now"

Dec 17 am And for all the gay bashers out there, the folks that think gays shouldn't be allowed to marry, well guess what Dubbya agrees and might seek a constitutional amendment. For details click Dubya says No to Gays

Dec 17 am And for all our pot smoking clickers, we've got a Federal Appeals Court agreeing , medical mary jane should be legal. Details, click Smoke Gets in Your Eyes

Dec 16 pm Great big Birthday wishes to Mandy G from your Grandmother!

Dec 16 pm Down below we mentioned the Clay County Courthouse nativity scene, separation of church and state, and such. Since then, we've received a couple comments, stuff like: This country was founded on Christianity !! and If they don't like it, then they can go to some other country!! With those comments in mind, that's the reason our founding fathers wrote to establish NO official religion and of course, the point of many of the church/state lawsuits around the country. Everyone, Jew, Hindu, Atheists or other should feel welcome and on equal footing in a government building.

Dec 16 pm Better enjoy the sun today, snow is on the way.

Dec 16 am Locals have been watching a very threatening looking hillside slip near the gazillion dollar poop factory for a couple weeks now. The ground between the Elk River and the log factory appears to be giving away. We'll get some pictures posted Wednesday. With the slipped area heading to the river and the poo lines under that same dirt, might not be long until we're back sending the stuff directly into the river

Dec 16 am Got something going on within the Solid Waste Authority. Behind the scenes, a couple of the Boardsters are upset with the recently awarded $15,000 grant written by Lynn Sizemore Romano. Of the $15,000, $13,000 goes toward the Grant Administrators salary.... that's Lynn. The grant calls for an educational program for recycling.

Dec 16 am The Solid Waste gang changed their Christmas dinner/party plans to Dec 18th 6pm regular meeting on Main Street to address the grant issues.

Dec 16 am How about a story of a nurse accused of killing 30 to 40 seriously ill patients for the heck of it. Click Charles Cullen for details.

Dec 15 am That Boil Water Order for Hartland/Bickmore is still in force

Dec 15 am Lots goings on this week. Like: School Board meets tonight at Valley Fork School; CMS boys B Ball plays tonight at home against Glade. We'll post as the week goes on

Dec 15 am Christmas is a nice season for many but an election year is great too. Already many have announced plans for the 2004 Clayberry election cycle. We've got an update on Roger Hunt who is planning to run for Sheriff this time around. He asked this past weekend if he had a chance to win. After telling us he had 4 years' narcotic detective work experience and a college degree, we told him, he didn't have a chance. This county sure as H would never vote for such a candidate!

Dec 15 am And every year some podunk town, school, or government body makes the front page news with separation of church and state violations. That happened here in Clayberry three years ago as a local school principal gave an alter call during a PTO gathering. About the same week over at the Courthouse ACLU Director Hillary Chiz showed up as Sandy King's high school art class painted the nativity scene on the front glass windows at the Courthouse. Chiz went ballistic when Ms King said the painting wasn't religious and "was open to interpretation". Over hearing the loud conversation, always ready with a comment, Kelvin Duffy came back with, that's not a nativity scene but rather the Dundon sheepherder and the home birthing center. The Angel on the corner pane was called the Clay County monster in reference to the Braxton County Monster. Needless to say, Clay County made the news cycle and once again egg was everywhere. That was three years ago.

Dec 15 am Since then both the Courthouse and the schools appeared to take a more moderate (legal) approach to such activities and even included art from several other religions and winter holidays. Not so this year. Take a look at the upstairs Courthouse glass and Yelp, center stage is the Dundon Sheepherder. If we make front page news this year, it will be worse than 1999. This year the County Commission coughed up 50 taxpayer dollars to cover the cost of supporting one religion over another.

Dec 15 am If you add all the taxpayer dollars spent on lawyers defending mind numbing actions by our leaders over the last few years, well we could have that much needed teen center, communty park, extra cop, water lines,......

Dec 15 am Weather casters are predicting a healthy dose of snow, rain and ice nearly everyday this week. Be careful out there, with our Feb. fund drive coming, we need every one of you clickers!

Dec 14 am Hartland/Bickmore you are under a Boil Water Order issued by Clay County PSD Friday afternoon. Boil It First.

Dec 14 am and now for the week that was.... Colorful lights went up around the county as the icy weather with threats of snow accumulations were on people's minds.

Dec 14 am The trend to down size the Clay County Health Dept. continued during this past week's Health Dept. Board of Directors meeting. Director Dawson made it clear the always in the red Family Planning and Breast and Cervical Cancer Clinics were on the chopping block and had to go. Thoughtfully, the Board didn't go along with the plan and the Director was told to reconsider such plans. From the arm chair many thought: D*** where would this county be without the Health Dept. handing out condoms and birth control pills???????????

Dec 14 am Plans for a county wide Emergency Service Excess Levy slowed just a bit a this week as the County Commission heard rumors that the Lizemores area of the County may not be in favor of such a property tax increase. The issue is far from dead and look for a vote to put the issue on the Ballot coming in Jan 2004.

Dec 14 am Now ole Wide Glide, that's Earnie Sirk, is far from a Saint. For many he is a 24 karat horse's arss. But it may be Earnie's court case, heard Thursday Dec 11th, that finally opens the door to a more public and diverse Clay Development Corp (CDC). Judge Jack Alsop will render a written decision in the near future on the one issue: Can the CDC family clan toss out any and all from the General Membership roll because they disagree with allegedly corrupt actions of the Federally paid for social service agency.

Dec 14 am Once again illegal Christmas bonuses made the news cycle as Clay Roane PSD OKed Christmas Bonuses for all full and part time employees. the news conjured up memories of our notorious Ambulance Authority doling out $15,000 in illegal bonuses one year followed by $9000 handed out the year previous. Others spoke on the Town coughing up tax dollars for bonuses including $100 for Town Council who voted to give out the $ not so long ago.

Dec 14 am Basketball got under way after week's of practice practice practice.

Dec 14 am And as the week ended, one foreclosure sale was postponed Friday morning when Wayne King escaped the auction block for now. Over the past 48 weeks, we've seen the changing of the guard in Clayberry... Power broker JD Morris went to prison in Feb... Heir apparent Scott Legg left the Clayberry Bank top spot unexpectedly on a Tuesday in Sept ...... Next in line Greg Gency was replaced by an outsider after just 4 weeks on the job near the end of Oct ...... Fran King was fired from the Bank of Gassaway local top spot Nov 21st ... Today, the vacuum in power is apparent. Now one was groomed to replace the leaders, the county is without a power broker. Maybe that's not a bad thang.

Dec 14 am And as the week ended, yet another Boil Water Order was put in place as the Town of Clay BWO for Maysel was lifted. Is it any wonder why people are reluctant to sign up for water service in this county?

Dec 13 pm New Boil Water Order issued by Clay County PSD for the Hartland/Bickmore service areas. The BWO was actually issued around 3:30pm YESTERDAY Dec 12th. Don't blame this one on the PSD... The State Road gang ripped a water line and later John Habjan's gas line in the Browntown section around 2:30 yesterday afternoon. Boil all water before using.

Dec 13 am The cold of winter is here. People walk a little faster, instead of going out for a pack of smokes they pick up bread, milk, a video and smokes, it's winter in Clay County WV. Wouldn't trade it for the world

Dec 13 am Turn on that faucet and we expect to have clean, safe drinking water. Here in the outback, that's not always the case. Yesterday afternoon, Town of Clay Water Plant Operator Bobby West told us the Maysel Boil Water Order had been lifted a few hours earlier. Boil Water Order? What BWO?

Dec 13 am During WV Public Service Commission hearings, locals have often complained about poor communications during bad water conditions. This most recent lifting of a Maysel BWO is a prime example of what hacks locals off to no end!

Dec 13 am Definition of a teenager? God's punishment for enjoying sex.

Dec 13 am From the net: While shopping for vacation clothes, my husband and I passed a display of bathing suits. It had been at least ten years and twenty pounds since I had even considered buying a bathing suit, so I sought my husband's advice. "What do you think?" I asked. "Should I get a bikini or an all-in-one?"

"Better get a bikini," he replied. "You'd never get it all in one."

Dec 12 pm The Communicator made to the news stands around 2 pm today. Kind of early for us! 16 pages of solid meeting coverage and Clayberry knowledge for just 50 cents. Get em while their hot!

Dec 12 pm This mornings foreclosure sale on long time prominent business man and one time County Prosectuor Wayne King didn't happen. Around 9 am a small crowd gathered as Clayberry Bank attorney Kelvin Duffy announced that the sale had been called off and would be rescheduled at a later time. He offered no other details. One fellow there asked if the sale would have included the King home. Duffy replied Yes.

Dec 12pm Look below for a snipit on Clay Roane PSD doling out Christmas bonuses last night during the regular monthly meeting. One other note to make your day, the Board is considering purchasing a second service truck in the near future. If your in need of plastic water storage containers, Clay Roane is selling 1 1500 gallon water containers Jan 8th 2004.

Dec 12 pm And some notes: Dentists have recommended that a toothbrush be kept at least 6 feet away from a toilet to avoid airborne particles resulting from the flush. No piece of paper can be folded in half more than 7 times. You burn more calories sleeping than you do watching television. Oak trees do not produce acorns until they are fifty years of age or older. The first product to have a bar code was Wrigley's gum. Venus is the only planet that rotates clockwise. The plastic things on the end of shoelaces are called aglets..... Now don't you feel better?

Dec 12 am Burnell Brown, 79, of Maysel, see FUNERAL page

Dec 12 am Scheduled for this morning is the foreclosure sale of Wayne and Sandra King assets. Action begins in front of the Courthouse at 9 am. The CAEZ workshop at Fairview Baptist continues today as well.

Dec 12 am Last night during the Clay Roane PSD meeting, the motion was made and passed to dole out Christmas bonuses. Although they were labeled one time raises, none the less, $500 in Christmas Bonuses were approved. It wasn't but three years ago that the Clay County Ambulance Service made "above the fold" news when they handed out illegal bonuses despite receipt of a WV Attorney General's opinion telling them such raises are ILLEGAL under Wet Virginia law.

Dec 12 am Yesterday Earnie "Wide Glide" Sirk got his day in Court. The bench trial was heard by Judge Jack Alsop. Sirk was removed from Clay Development Corp. general membership roles after being tossed of the CDC Board of Directors in July 2002.

Dec 12 am Now we have all seen or heard outlandish conduct in CDC land but the Court didn't care about all that crap, it looked at what's black and white, the social service provider's by laws. Questions came on: When can someone be stricken from the general membership list; what is the criteria for removal; who does the removing; and what is the procedure for such action. CDC Director Betty Stalnaker and secretary Janet Fitzwater testified as did Wide Glide. The Judge's decision will come in written form soon.

Dec 12 am And Boy was Alsop PEED! CDC's attorney Ben Bryant showed up well over an hour late. Prior to Bryant's arrival, Alsop said he was sanctioning the fellow. When Bryant finally did show and tried to make an excuse, the Judge lit in him like stink on s***!

Dec 12 am Based on the tone of questioning, it looks like Sirk may have a good chance of a win in this case. If that happens, Sirk and many many others can be restored to the general membership roles. What does all this mean?

Dec 12 am CDC is a clannish secret little group that maintains it's operation by eliminating public scrutiny. At one point last year, the public was barred from attending Board meetings. General members have the right to call meetings and make changes... Changes that the CDC insiders don't won't! For the CDC clan, high paying jobs are hard to come by and jobs where they have free reign are even harder to find. With Sirk and others back on Board, major changes could be coming in the County's most secret social service provider.

Dec 11 pm Sorry for the slow updates. We've been fiddlin with puter buttons we shouldn't have been touching. It looks like we're back up and at em. Look for a complete update including today's Court room action, Sirk vs Clay Development too.

Dec 10 am Great big howdy to Joshua T... The better the sooner to get that **!! computer fixed.

Dec 10 am Clay County's Board of Health met last night and darn near did away with the Family Planning and Breast and Cervical Cancer Clinics. At issue: one RN out on a Worker's Comp claim, another bailing out in mid Dec, the practitioner leaving in Feb, 2004, and chronic "in the red" syndrome. Director Dawson all but encouraged the Board to do away with both money loosing programs. Fortunately, the Board opted to check into other options before making the decision. New man on the Bd, Joe Morris sat and read thru the expenditure statements.. looked like he read every entry in the multi page document. How refreshing!

Dec 10 am Our Health Dept also runs a homemaker service. The client base is down to just 28 leaving some employees without work. Full details this Friday in the Communicator.

Dec 10 am And last night in the season opener, the CCHS Lady Panthers took it on the nose 58 to 53. Roane County got us.

Dec 10 am A blonde said, "I was worried that my mechanic might try to rip me off. I was relieved when he told me all I needed was turn-signal fluid."

Dec 10 am One night, an 87-year-old woman came home from bingo to find her 92-year-old husband in bed with another woman. She became violent and ended up pushing him off the balcony of their 20th-floor apartment, killing him instantly. Brought before the court on the charge of murder, she was asked if she had anything to say in her own defense. "Your Honor," she began coolly, "I figured that at 92, if he could screw, he could fly!

Dec 9 am Scheduled for 9 am this morning, Tonya Salisbury is back in court for a hearing. At 10 am Clay County PSD meets in regular session. Later at 7pm, the Health Dept. Board meets at the Health Dept. building on Main Street. With the moderating temps in the forecast why not get out of the house and have some fun.

Dec 9 am Yesterday during the County Commission meeting much time was spent discussing the proposed Emergency Services Levy. Our Commissioners (Yelp HAC was there) did not vote to put the issue on the May 2004 ballot.. at least yet. There are concerns the Lizemores Fire Department is not in favor of the Levy. Translation: paying higher taxes. One lady at yesterday's meeting said there was no way she would ever vote for the Levy because her end of the county, any place south of the Hartland bridge, is all but forgotten by elected officials.

Dec 9 am Have a good extra stove, frig, furniture? With Christmas time fast approaching, there are many in the county that could sure use the stuff you don't need. Heart to Heart under the IGA store makes used appliances available to those in need. Next time you replace, keep Heart to Heart and for that matter, the Christian Service Center beside the Clay Library, in mind.

Dec 9 am If you use the link over on the LINK page to the WV Public Service Commission, you can dig up all kinds of facts: American Electric Power charges 5.491 cents per kilowatt hour for the first 500 KWH used and 4.560 cents/kwh for everything over 500 kwh. Churches in the AEP system pay 5.491cents/kwh for the first 7000 kwh and 4.469 for everything over 7000 kwh.

Dec 9 am In the past 10 years WV utility rates have increased 23.75 while inflation went up just 20%. In WV, the average family pays $194.65 a month for electric, gas, water and telephone service combined.

Dec 9 am If you want to place a free classified ad in this Friday's Communicator, now's the time. Email using the link below.

Dec 9 am A woman's perfect breakfast: She's sitting at the table with her gourmet coffee. Her son is on the cover of the Wheaties box . Her daughter is on the cover of Business Week. Her boyfriend is on the cover of Playgirl. And her husband is on the back of the milk carton.

Dec 9 am Men are like a fine wine. They start out as grapes and it's up to women to stomp the crap out of them until they turn into something acceptable to have dinner with.....

Dec 8 am Burrr it's cold. Heavy duty frost too. Waiting till Christmas eve and getting your wife's present at Go Mart want cut it fellows... You've got just 16 days left.

Dec 8 am Last night after 9 pm came scanner traffic that Go Mart employees had nabbed a shoplifter. Hurray for them. Two officers were on duty and both said they were 10-6. At 10:38 pm another call was heard asking the green shirt and black shirt if they wanted the shoplifter detained longer? Response from the badges... "Negative"

Dec 8 am If you're traveling thru our Southern border colony of Clendenin, watch out. According to the Clendenin Herald, local officers are once again using radar. Of course, state code prevents such use of radar . According to the law and after a costly court case two years ago, towns small as Clendenin, and Clay for that matter, are forbidden from the practice.

Dec 8 am We've got a big week clickers, this morning at 10 am our County Commission meets. With the deadline getting close to get the planned emergency service Levy on the ballot, watch for a vote this morning on the issue.

Dec 8 am Tuesday evening at 7 is the Clay Health Dept. meeting. On the 11th and 12th is a CAEZ sponsored workshop, see EVENTS page for details.

Dec 8 am This guy has been sitting in a bar all night, staring at a blonde wearing the tightest pants he's ever seen. Finally his curiosity gets the best of him, so he walks over and asks, "How do you get into those pants?" The young woman looks him over and replies, "Well, you could start by buying me a drink."

Dec 7 am For our wrap up this week, we remember 62 years ago today when 2600 American Soldiers perished as Japan attacked our Pacific fleet at Pearl Harbor. Since then for the most part we have been at war with someone someplace. Today the body count continues to grow in Iraq with nearly 450 Soldiers dead and thousands more seriously injured and dismembered. We don't think about thousands more American patriots in Afghanistan.

Dec 7 am Here in Clayberry, the trial of the century ended with the Clay County Bank gaining the right to sell off taxpayer paid for land near Ovapa Turn off Road , Valley Fork. The testimony provided bright light to attorney Wayne King's serious conflict of interest issues as well as, CAEZ Director Jerry Sizemore's "favorable report" which opened the door for both the Clayberry Bank and the county extending open arms to Filcon Inc's Manfred Kuentzer four year's ago.

Dec 7 am Late Monday, during the School Board meeting, wonderful awards were bestowed on our school administration for having three schools listed as failures on the No Child Left Behind Act list. Once again, our local leaders didn't want to confuse parents with the facts. Them state boys know how to make even a pile of dog crap look good!

Dec 7 am Earlier this past week the rumor machine kicked into gear with reports of preferential treatment given Commissioner Sams son during a tragic auto accident which nearly took the lives of two Asplundh workers. That rumor has since been disproved.

Dec 7 am Yet another Boil Water Order has come and gone making about a gazillion such BWOs to be imposed on county water users this past 12 months.

Dec 7 am Winter finally came this week with weather casters predicting as much as 4 inches of snow to blanket our area. Didn't happen as Clayonians went about their way preparing for the holidays.

Dec 7 am A blonde calls Delta Airlines and asks, "Can you tell me how long it'll take to fly from San Francisco to New York City?" The agent replies, "Just a minute..." "Thank you," the blonde says, and hangs up.

Dec 7 am New Sex Study... It has been determined, the most used sexual position for married couples is a doggie position. The husband sits up and begs. The wife rolls over and plays dead.

Dec 6 am Oh we got all excited yesterday. Just the mention of snow ripples thru the county and we all go wild. Running to the store, telling the kids to stay home, stocking up on water just in case the power goes off, and more.

Dec 6 am In fact Clayberry received just a dusting of snow last night while our neighbors to the East got the brunt of the storm.

Dec 6 am Thursday evening the Business Development Authority met in regular session. For the most part, it was a time to lick wounds. The meeting came just one day after the Court for all practical purposes, gave the BDA's Industrial site over to the Clayberry Bank. The sparsely attended meeting provided time to discuss the court case and what went wrong. Chair Willis took full blame for the mess reminding all that the idea was a good one that just turned sour. Reports of BDA members resigning from appointment have yet to come true.

Dec 6 am In the last edition of the Communicator Commissioner Bragg was given a nickname, Mathew "HAC" Bragg ( He Ain't Comin). We've received a nice email response from Mathew which will appear in the next edition of the near award winning publication. If all goes well, The Communicator will be out a few hours early this time around.

Dec 5 am Clarence Timothy "Amos" Coleman, 24,of Lizemores, see FUNERAL page; Dewey Kermit Morris, 68, of Lizemores, see FUNERAL page

Dec 5 am Today is grocery day for the county. With the threat of ice buildup and snow accumulations in the forecast, all the little ole blue headed ladies are heading to the grocery store. Now they already have all the essentials they need to get thru the entire winter but!!! It's a tradition to get in the bad weather and get one more loaf of bread.

Dec 5 am It's hard to keep track of Boil Water Orders and when it's safe to consume high dollar "city" water. BWOs come and go like the wind, many without customers even knowing the health concern existed. The latest BWO issued by Clay County PSD was lifted yesterday, Thursday, Dec 4th

Dec 5 am Today is the last day to file a complaint against Elk Power's rate increase with the WV Public Service Commission. If all goes as planned, no complaints to gum thing up that is, the new rates will go into affect Jan 2004. That address to file a response WV PSC 201 Brooks Street, Charleston WV 25301.

Dec 5 am A couple more notes from Wednesday's landmark jury decision where taxpayers lost $90,000 worth of property in the BDA vs the Clay County Bank case. (See below in green for more). Three key themes emerged during sworn testimony: Local attorney Wayne King's servicing all parties and being a player in the land deal itself are at the least, very questionable; Both the Business Development Authority and the Clayberry Bank based their decision to accommodate Filcon Inc. on a favorable recommendation from CAEZ Director Jerry Sizemore who did the only official background check on the out of state con artist and that investigation, was seriously lacking; and three, Clayberry Bank President JD Morris himself OK'd the Filcon loan for $255,000, signed the cashier's check advancing Filcon owner Manfred Kuentzer a lump sum payment violating traditional bank rules for construction loans.

Dec 5 am It wasn't that Kuentzer was so smooth an operator, it was that the BDA was (maybe is) so darn inexperienced and trusting. As for the staunch , conservative lending practices of the Clay County Bank and how that institution could run so amuck, we'll never know for sure, pretrial agreements prevented any such testimony as to the personal benefit JD Morris received in return for such lending.

Dec 5 am And the weekend is here, 20 days till Christmas and time to go get the tree! What was going on a year ago this month? Charleston newspapers were reporting a nativity scene sheep boonk ing where an adult white male was doing the nasty when police happened to drive by. Later a lamb was born and No, it didn't look like the guy charged with the crime. Boy we know how to make national news!

Dec 4 pm Ella Drake, 89, of Duck, see FUNERAL page

Dec 4 pm We've got some nasty ice conditions coming this afternoon followed by light snow predicted for this evening and Friday. Read the full weather report on our home page. Be careful clickers, winter is here and the roads will be dangerous

Dec 4 pm Our Clay County Business Development Authority will meet this afternoon at 5 pm at the Courthouse. It's free and for the most part, open to the public.

Dec 4 pm How do you like to loose $90,000 taxpayers? That's what happened yesterday when a jury ruled against the Business Development Authority (BDA) and in favor of the Clay County Bank.

Dec 4 pm Here's the skinny.... Commissioner Tim Butcher recommended the county pursue NY based Filcon Inc. owned by Manfred Kuentzer. Butcher said Kuentzer would bring 300 jobs to Clayberry with his filter making adventure. The red carpet was laid out. Kunetzer requested and received tons of $ in taxpayer grants as well as $147,000 from the Clayberry bank. The BDA purchased $90,000 worth of land (owned by the King family) near Ovapa Cut Off Road near Valley Fork three years ago for an industrial site. Our BDA gave Filcon the $90,000 worth of land in return for creating 10 jobs over 5 years. In the deed was an agreement ( penned by attorney Wayne King) that said, if Filcon failed with the job promise, the land reverted back to the BDA.

Dec 4 pm It turned out, Kuenzter was a crook, high tailed it out of Clayberry with pockets of $ leaving leaving nothing but egg on local faces. Before leaving, Kuentzer received a $255,000 Clayberry Bank construction loan from JD Morris ( Wayne King's best friend) on MArch 1 2001. That deed ( penned by Wayne King) and the deed of trust ( also penned by King) became the first lien. According to the BDA agreement, no lien could be placed on the land without BDA approval. That conflict between the deed of trust and the BDA agreement was the root of this week's historic Court action before Circuit Judge Rick Facemire.

Dec 4 pm After two days mind boggling testimony (beginning Tuesday Dec 2), a 3 man 3 woman jury found in favor of the Clay County Bank giving them the right to exercise their first lien. Translation: The Bank got our tax payer paid for industrial site and will sell it to recoup their loan money. Bank 1; Taxpayers, 0.

Dec 4 pm Actually, Kuentzer got more. The CAEZ provided a $140,000 low interest loan for moving and start up. The State folks down in Charleston coughed up $50,000 for site prep at the industrial site. The CCC provided $ for wiring and structure inprovements. And, that Clayberry Bank $147,000 loan was NOT used for building a concrete slab building, $100,000 went in Juentzer's pocket. Low guess in loss to the county.... a cool $500,000.

Dec 4 pm The trial was juicy with lots of details and finger pointing. Full details of the most important court action in recent history in next week's Communicator for sure. The fall out from the decision will be great. Look for members of the BDA to resign. Look for Eco/Dev officials to be reluctant in the future to hand out a penny even to an honest business interest. And look for any chance at attracting ANY new business for the county to be stymied for years. We have long memories here in Clay land.

Dec 4 am Right of way clearing was in progress by Asplund workers just after 2 pm when a car driven by Jamie Sams sent the two flag men scurrying a nano second before the Sams' Jeep slammed into the back of the limb chipper. One chipper operator (Stanley Armstrong) was seriously injured as he was mashed against the guard rail. The second worker, Jeffrey Adair, was hit and thrown 40 feet over the hillside landing on rocks. Air evacuation was used to get Adair to Charleston. Both men were reaaaaaaaaaal messed up.

Dec 4 am With Jamie being the son of County Commission President Jimmy Sams, by Monday evening, rumors were flying around the county. After doing some investigation, here's what we think is factual: Sams attempted to slow his vehicle down by putting it in the roadside ditch; after the wreck, it was noted that the Jeep's brake pedal remained pushed to the floor board indicating some type of brake failure; workers at the scene documented that young Sams was coming " like a bat out of H"; young Sams had 115 yards of clear visibility prior to hitting the workers; the vehicle was registered to another person; and and. As for reports of preferential treatment and statements made to county deputies, " If he gets a ticket you won't have job in the county!!!!!!!!!" Truth: Not really!

Dec 4 am According to our sources, statements similar to that were made but only in a joking manner. Those light hearted statements have now taken on the authority of the Gospel. While that statement was made Monday Dec 1st, there was no intent behind them, it was made in jest, a very poor attempt to take the edge off a tragic accident. Still, knowing how things get blown out of proportion in Clayberry, local law enforcement opted for the safe road and called in the High Green Shirt for the accident investigation, Sgt. Light of the State Police. We like a good juicy story involving cover up and influence peddling especially if it involves Jimmy Sams better than most, but, in this case.... well, that dog won't hunt.

Dec 4 am As for the 40 year old McDowell County native Jeffrey Adair, he made it out of ICU Tuesday night and remains in critical condition with broken everything from the knees down, a busted pelvis and spinal injuries as well. 2 year resident of Clay County, Stanley Armstrong is also out of ICU but remains in critical condition with massive injuries.

Dec 3 am We had a banner day in Clayberry yesterday including: the number one vote getter in the county and 30 year veteran of politics , Gene King, announced that he was NOT running for Sheriff in 2004. With King out of the race, it's a whole new ballgame.

Dec 3 am Kim Sams announced her candidacy for school board from District A. We understand there is another lady (out of C District) ready to run. District C is Board President RB Legg's home turf.

Dec 3 am For years Clay Town Council has posted their meeting agenda at 4 pm on the day before their monthly meeting, During yesterday's 30 minute Council meeting, Recorder Dwana Murphy agreed to call Charleston and see if the late posting practice was legal under state open meetings law. King Arthur Jarret was absent from yesterday's gathering as was Frank Childers.

Dec 3 am CAEZ met last night as well. There, a recently completed report, prepared by WV Tech, was presented to the Board. The newest study gives insight into strengths and weaknesses of this county and focuses on what options are available to the county for growth.... No mention in t he report on shooting elected officials nor the most obvious improvement for the county: build a dam just south of the Town of Clay and flood the whole &&*** place!

Dec 3 am And, without a doubt, the most important trial in a very long time got under way before Judge Rick Facemire yesterday. The court battle, Business Development Authority vs the Clayberry Bank, will decide who will retain ownership of $90,000 worth of property once occupied by Filcon Inc near Ovapa. The hearing went all day with BDA Chair Paige Willis on the stand for well over 2 hours. At issue is whether the Bank knew about an agreement between the BDA and Filcon before the bank loaned Filcon $250,000. That BDA agreement stipulated that Filcon couldn't use the BDA land as colaterail, a deeed of trust. Of course that's exactly what the shady business did. We'll provide a bunch of details over the next few days but here's a Hmmmmmmmmm for sure. During jury selection, attorney Kevin Duffy asked potential jurors if they had read or knew ANYTHING about Filcon. Not one hand went up. NOT ONE! Heck even the Charleston Gazette covered Filcon with a front page, 5 day expose last May! Not one hand went up.

Dec 3 am Here's one more tidbit: 30 year veteran attorney Wayne King admitted on the stand yesterday, he wrote the BDA agreement that Filcon signed, he was the bank's attorney at the time, and he had a family ownership interest in the land being sold to Filcon. He was the lawyer for all parties involved! Even in small town America, King's actions doesn't pass the rotten fish test!

Dec 3 am So how could the bank, the pillar of the community not so long ago get in the hot seat and end up in a court battle with peons? In one word, JD. There is no doubt that now in the pen, JD Morris , was the most powerful force in the county. What he decided was the law so to speak. When JD went down the tubes last fall, there was (and still isn't) anyone to fill the void. JD did not groom an understudy! JD kept all the power for himself and chose not to groom another for his replacement. Since JD's fall, VP Scott Legg was cast by the wayside. Legg only 54 would have been the perfect understudy but.... he just wasn't groomed to step up to the politicial plate. Last month, up and coming banker Fran King was fired from her duties.

Dec 3 am Every county has a power broker except Clayberry. With the election year coming and a bunch posturing going on now, we may see real changes. Stay tuned.

Dec 3 am We think the Clay Bank trial will conclude late today. We'll post the decision of the 3 man 3 women jury ASAP.

Dec 2 am If you had damage from the recent rain and flooding, Call the FEMA hotline number today 1 800 621-3362. According to 911 Director Dave King, the Feds are coming this week to get the disaster relief program set up. Get in line now or forever hold your peace.

Dec 2 am Today at 9 am the Business Development Authority takes on the Clay County Bank before Judge Rick Facemire. At issue is $90,000 worth of property once given to the now defunct Filcon Inc. The Bank says the land belongs to it while the BDa says the land should remain with them. Sure to be great court room action. Here's something new.... The trial was to be a 'bench trial" IE: the judge would render a decision. Something changed around Nov. 15th. According to BDA attorney Barbara Schamberger, Judge Facemire filed his own motion to turn the case into a jury trial. Come one Come all, might hear some interesting testimony.

Dec 2 am Tonight there's more stuff to do. At 4pm Clay Town Council meets and at 6pm, the CAEZ meets in regular session. Too cold to do much else, come to a public meeting!

Dec 2 am Yesterday the County Commission met. During the meeting, it was announced that Lynn Sizemore Romano had resigned from the Health Dept. Bd of Directors. In attendance, Health Dept. reps asked for a replacement, they had one all picked out. Didn't happen. Commissioner Sams offered up Joe Morris to be on the Health Board. Motion passed. The Health Dept. reps, Teresa Morton and Linda Klotzbach stormed out of the room.

Dec 2 am Over two weeks ago a section of Rt. 4 just North of Spread Park caved in after heavy rains. With the road gone, a goat path ( Mt Home Rd) has been used to get cars past the slip. Great big flashing signs have been erected warning tractor trailer rigs to take an alternate route. Yesterday morning about day break a great big semi tried the goat path out. Didn't make it far. Hours later and with the help of two wrecker trucks, the 18 wheeler was removed from the goat path. No tickets were issued.

Dec 2 am Commissioner Sams told the Communicator reporter that his son Jamie was NOT running for Sheriff as was reported in the latest edition.

Dec 2 am You know what last Sunday was? In Clay County it was a day when private land owners could use their property any way they saw fit including... they could go hunting! Clay County is one of about 11 counties in the state that allow Sunday hunting on private property and you know what? It may be making a difference for the county.

Dec 2 am Sunday afternoon , lots of hunters were seen filling up their big SUVs and buying supplies. Instead of leaving Saturday, the hunters stayed and spent a bunch more money. For once, the County Commission got something right!

Dec 2 am Main stream media plays down the 10,000 military men and women dead, wounded or otherwise injured in Iraq. That's right 10,000 so far and that count only goes thru Oct 30 2003.

Dec 1 am Hard to believe but we're now into the last month of the year. Seems like we should still be talking about the new century starting out and puters crashing. Time goes by quickly

Dec 1 am Mona Gay Butcher 92, of Maysel, see FUNERAL page

Dec 1 am As far as we can tell, the Boil Water Order for Maysel/VarneyTown is still on. Boil it first clickers and tell your neighbor

Dec 1 am The first week of the month is always the busiest for public meeting junkies... County Commission, Town Council, CAEZ, BDA... we'll try to get in as many as possible and post ASAP

Dec 1 am Beginning at 9 am today, Motion Day in Circuit Court. That's the day the suits get their ducks all in a row and get ready for action. Stop in at 9 am for the best seats

Dec 1 am County Commission kicks off at 10 am According to the posted agenda, should be interesting. Glenn Sutton is asking for a new road name, Ashley Low Gap; another change, Falcon Drive to Holstein Drive; Lynn Romano has quit the Health Dept. Board; the appointing of new Queen Shoals PSD Boardsters, (we think Ann Anderson will get the nod); and, Jerry Sizemore from CAEZ will be asking for support on the Firewood Distribution Center.

Dec 1 am About those road name changes. Do you know where you live? You might not after the 911 folks rename your street. If your road, or drive, or street doesn't have an official name, it's going to get one and it may not be what you like unless you get off your butt NOW and see what's going on.

Dec 1 am We're getting ready to pull all the 2002-2003 WINTER pictures from the PHOTO page. If you want them, get em before they're gone. It's easy, click on the picture, wait for it to enlarge, then put you mouse on the image and right click. The little window drops down and then click "save picture as".

Dec 1 am Ditto for the Clay Middle School pictures. They'll be gone be the end of the week as we start adding the new years stuff.

Dec 1 am Hey we've got a new advertiser clickers, For those interested in buying or selling property in and around Clayberry, check out Jeanie Davis' button on the homepage. If you want to bring up her site in its own window, right click on JEANIE DAVIS button.