The Western Greenbrier Reporter
RAINELLE POLICE DEPARTMENT’S NEWEST OFFICER BLACK RESIGNED WEDNESDAY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2007
Rainelle Police Department’s newest police officer, Brandon Black, resigned late Wednesday. The town could have used a trained officer like Black, who worked as an auxiliary police officer for the town during times the department was short on officers previously.
Black, a lifelong Rainelle native, was stunned by the fact that Mayor Eugene McKenzie wanted to demote him from Unit 502 to Unit 503 in order to make room for a new female police officer from Mabscott that starts work on Monday, March 5, sources say. Black was also about to have his evening shifts taken away and put on night shift to accommodate the new officer.
In addition, Black worked hours that Town Secretary Pat Church and McKenzie are questioning and may not pay Black. The outcome of that will take place on Friday when Black picks up his final wages. Former Police Chief J.P. Stevens and office Shawn Thomas who resigned in September are still waiting for wages due them that McKenzie refused to pay, which is now under investigation by the Department of Labor.
Then there is the issue of the $300 expense Black incurred to replace the strobe light on the police cruiser he was driving. It is possible that he might not be reimbursed for that expense.
Paying for the light out of Black’s own pocket was admirable, but probably not the smartest thing to do considering McKenzie’s track record for cheating residents, town employees and contracted workers out of hard-earned money they deserve. With all the grants and money McKenzie has acquired from his well-known sources, surely the town has money to pay for a light on a police vehicle.
On the other hand, perhaps Black is among the smartest of the musical-chairs revolving-door police force. Like former police chiefs Stevens and Johnny Isaacs before him, and Thomas, among others, Black wasn’t about to be a lap-dog for McKenzie.
Now Black has about 14 cases sitting at Rainelle Town Hall that no one in the police department is qualified to handle. Of course, citizens are saying that citations made by Police Chief Danny Price are likely to be challenged due to his lack of qualifications and training, and the criminal charges pending against him, so it is unlikely he will be able to follow those cases through.
Any police officer with smarts would stay away from Rainelle’s police department until after a new administration is elected. Anyone going into Rainelle Town Hall and its police department to take care of business is like David fighting the Goliath. But remember, the “Davids” of this world should never be underestimated. With a single slingshot, even a giant bully can be defeated.
Black will continue to manage and operate his own company, Professional Security Services, out of Lewisburg where he now resides. Black can be contacted for interviews and/or his security services at 304-661-0707.
You can also check local news online at the following locations: http://www.rainelletoday.com/ and http://www.hintonnews.net/ |
RAINELLE TOWN COUNCIL MEETINGS: FACT or FICTION?
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2007
On Monday, February 26, the first order of business at the Rainelle Town Council meeting was to thank Town Councilmember Danny Milam for fixing the light on the hill that overlooks the town. During the Christmas season, Milam repaired the ailing star. Now he’s put a cross in place for town citizens and visitors to see. Perhaps it is a sign that there is hope left for Rainelle, its citizens and surrounding vicinities.
Old business included changing out all the certificates of deposit (CDs) for the town, the water department and the police department in order to get a higher return of five percent. According to Mayor Eugene McKenzie, the town would accrue interest of about $1,500 over the next year. However, McKenzie did say there were penalties involved. Thank goodness there is an auditor in town to try to make sense out of the town’s financial and other records.
Recapping other old news, council voted at the February 19 meeting to wait for the permanent permit instead of signing a temporary use permit for the property that is being utilized by the State Police Department. McKenzie said he was in disagreement with state police officials over the maintenance of the property. Of course, McKenzie disagrees with everyone who doesn’t do it his way.
McKenzie, Rainelle’s grant writing king, said he’d applied to the Governor’s Community Partnership program to pave the municipal center parking lot and obtain additional outdoor lighting for Town Hall. Town Hall sure is looking good these days with its new “dignity” signs, lighting and benches, among other things. Is it possible that wrought iron gates will soon surround the fortress and armed guards will man its entrance?
Running through the main streets of town, it is visibly apparent that building occupants are sparse and revitalization of the business community is in dire need. More often than not, though, it is McKenzie’s lapdogs, bobble heads and groupies that are benefiting from the luxurious amenities.
Now McKenzie is talking about a putting in a new front door at Town Hall for $4,800 or two front doors for $2,575. But, the new door(s) would not accommodate handicapped individuals.
“We’ll have a demand put on us eventually to put handicapped accessible doors in,” McKenzie said at the meeting.
Why waste the money now to put in doors that are not handicapped accessible? Why not make them handicapped accessible now? It’s certainly nonsensical to pay to put up doors that will eventually have to be changed anyway.
Another grant in the works for Rainelle is the one obtained on behalf of McKenzie by his friend Joe Martin in the Governor Joe Manchin III’s office. The $31,000 will be used to replace the roof and heating and air conditioning system at the old elementary school where the sewing factory True North Enterprises has its business. It’s only because the town refused to acknowledge its responsibilities as a landlord for that building that the whole melodrama occurred to begin with. Hopefully, that money will also replace, or permanently repair, the plumbing in the building so that the company’s employees do not have to use an outdoor port-o-john instead of 21st century facilities.
McKenzie is not happy with the $31,000 though. He said he plans to ask for. Never satisfied, McKenzie goes around crying that no one wants to give him money and he doesn’t understand why. Wake up, McKenzie!
During the town council meeting, McKenzie claimed his friend, former Senator Ralph Williams, once told him, “If you don’t ask for anything, you won’t get anything.”
“I’ve talked to the State Roads,” McKenzie said, moving along to other revitalization efforts that have gone awry for some unknown reason. “Five years ago, a change to the intersection at Seventh Street was requested. They approved it. But it was never done. I talked to them last week and they said they were going to do it the last of March. They will do away with two parking spaces going east.”
“Now, we’ve got the saw mill going,” McKenzie said about the company he recently took credit for bringing into Rainelle. “We’ve got 25 people down there. And we’re going to get 50 more in there.”
McKenzie read a letter that he received from Governor Manchin, congratulating him on the $30,900 grant he was awarded from the West Virginia Development Office’s community development program to make the remedies to the sewing factory building. Isn’t it unbelievable how so many communities struggle to get money and the applications take so long and yet, McKenzie is able to just pull a grant out of his hat even after the Greenbrier County Commission refused to subsidize his municipal properties?
“We’ve got an increase in employment, 30 at the sawmill, 35 at the sewing plant, five in the telemarketing company, and a potential of 30 to 50 more people,” McKenzie said, as if he had something to do with that. “We’re [Rainelle] the leader in the increase of employment in the entire southern part of West Virginia .”
Money always seems to get McKenzie’s fire burning and so he started talking about his plans to go back to the county commission to ask for $36,000. If approved, this money would be used to operate the pool, supplement expenses already paid by the town for the pool, and pave the parking lot on the new pool access side of Town Hall. If he’d just left the pool in the hands of the Rainelle Parks and Recreation Board where it belongs, the pool would have been properly and legally managed and maintained. In addition, there would be no worries about the pool opening on time and staying in business. But McKenzie has this idea that everything he touches turns to gold. And even though that is not true, in McKenzie's defense, the pool looks better than ever. Hopefully, people will get to use it this year.
“I’ve made five to six trips to the county commission and as I stand here, I’ve given several newspapers the story about my trips there and I haven’t received any funding to date,” McKenzie said, even though the county commission has been very generous with its donations to the town in the past. The county commissioners will be thrilled to learn that their contributions have been discredited.
“The county commission has very little awareness of Western Greenbrier County ,” McKenzie went on to say. “There’s a lot of hardworking people over here. For them not to be recognized is a shame. Hopefully, they’ll take notice of what I’ve said.”
“You may have noticed the new lights out front,” McKenzie boasted. “The governor is a good friend of mine. We’ve thanked him for all he’s done for us.”
One individual that signed up to speak to town council was Ron Neal, a former highway patrolman. Neal, who is licensed and certified to run radar in West Virginia, told the meeting attendees of his background and made comments that he witnessed Officer Brandon Black doing donuts with his car in the Kroger parking lot and Police Chief Danny Price speeding through town.
In a separate interview, Black denied the allegations, saying that “maybe 10 years ago” he did that, but he is more responsible now and wouldn’t harm his career and family I doing something like that.
“I’m not going to talk about any individuals here,” McKenzie said, suddenly pretending to have a conscience after all these years. “That’s against the Sunshine Law.”
Trying to abide by the Sunshine Law would be a first for McKenzie. Most of his meetings have entailed significant violations against West Virginia Code 6-9A, The West Virginia Open Governmental Proceedings Act, over the course of his administrations. Except where documented by the press, it is likely that these violations are NOT evident anywhere in the minutes or other records, which are consistently abbreviated from the truth, and the county’s elected prosecuting attorney, Kevin Hanson, chooses to just sweep it all under the rug.
But, any comments that make McKenzie appear incompetent cause him to rise out of his seat, just as the comments by Neal did. What McKenzie doesn’t realize is that anything and everyone that has an affect on the citizens of Rainelle is open for evaluation and can be discussed at the town council meetings.
Johnny Fox, who is running against McKenzie for mayor on the People’s Party ticket, commented on the need for improvements to parking lots throughout the town, in addition to repairing the skateboard park that has already sent one child to the hospital because of the substandard work completed last year.
“We need to do something to get the pool open on time,” Fox pleaded. “The kids are the heart of our town. We need to make them happy or they are not going to want to stay in Rainelle and this town is not going to grow.”
McKenzie responded that he didn’t think getting the pool open on time would be a problem and that he’d sent two people to certified pool operator (CPO) training. He also said that the pool only needed three more phalanges that cost about $150 each to get the pool ready. Of course, that contradicts his stated intent to request $36,000 from the county commission for the upgrade on the pool.
Town Clerk Bonnie Harris reminded everyone that town council voted to open the pool on Memorial Day weekend. What the town doesn’t know is that the Rainelle Parks and Recreation Board, who is supposed to take care of the pool in the first place, voted on that opening date long before McKenzie put it on the agenda for town council. McKenzie would like for people to think that the Park Board, under the direction of Ron Fleshman, is not living up to its responsibilities, but the truth is that he is not allowing the Park Board to do its job.
As the focus returned to Fox, he asked why Town Council Member George Brooks would hide or destroy election opponents’ promotional materials. Fox indicated that an Exxon employee witnessed Brooks sliding Fox’s cards underneath the register so people could not see them. Who would want a person to represent the town that would stoop as low as that? He ought to be worried. He has some strong opponents against him in the Citizens Party.
Continuing with the discussion, McKenzie noted that the primary election is scheduled for March 30. The People’s Party, which is made up of McKenzie, Fox and David Taylor for mayor, and the current town council members running again, will hold its election at the firehouse. The Citizens Party has not yet announced the location for their election.
In the meantime, Monday, March 12, is the next town council meeting. Citizens who are concerned about their welfare and their town should make their comments known. All are encouraged to attend. The meeting is scheduled to start at 7 PM at Town Hall, or whenever council members decide to show up.
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PETITION SIGNATURES INCREASE VS. POSSIBLE RAINELLE ANNEXATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rainelle, WV -- There have been many recent discussions by the Town of Rainelle about the possible annexation of unincorporated properties surrounding the town. Petitions by three of the communities are circulating to date.
On Sunday, January 14, the Lilly Park petition was started by resident J.L. Brachman. To date, he has about 153 signatures.
“We are just waiting now,” said Brachman, when asked about the status of the petition. “I haven’t heard anything. Geno [Rainelle Mayor Eugene McKenzie] is going to send around a brochure around to say what the town has to offer. That’s as far as it’s gone so far. But Geno is now extending this annexation even more. He wants to extend the annexation up the tracks on Simms Mountain past the Sewell Valley Church through Craig to the county line. He also wants to take the annexation down Snake Island Road also [which includes the Mid River Hardwood saw mill that opened up recently].”
“My husband James and I are 100 percent against it,” Lilly Park resident Carol Hobbs said recently. “It’s not fair that one man’s greed will hurt so many people. I think McKenzie is only out for himself and I wish he was not the mayor and I hope that he gets out and never is mayor again.”
“The citizens of Lilly Park are protesting this annexation,” Lilly Park residents George and Bonnie Wallace said. “We’re doing fine just the way we are. We don’t need to be put in the city.”
“I found that if it comes to a vote,” Brachman continued, “then everyone in the home over 18 years old needs to be registered to vote and I urge all citizens eligible to do so.”
For those affected by such an annexation, it is important to be knowledgable of West Virginia ’s state code. The current code follows for the ease of those who may not be able to obtain it otherwise:
West Virginia Code (WVC) §8-6-1, Annexation of unincorporated territory.
WVC §8-6-2. Petition for annexation.
WVC §8-6-3. Governing body of municipality to certify annexation; order.
WVC §8-6-4. Annexation without an election.
WVC §8-6-5. Annexation by minor boundary adjustment.
WVC §8-6-6. Duties as to ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes on properties in newly annexed areas.
For Lilly Park residents who have not signed their respective petition and wish to do so, or need help with registering to vote, contact Brachman at 304-438-5395. Woody Blankenship, who is administering the Osborne Addition petition can be reached at 304-438-6050. The McRoss petition was started on February 26 and already has more than 70 signatures. To sign this petition, contact John Vestal at 304-438-8982.
Most importantly, your voice only counts if you are registered to vote. If you are not, please do so today by calling the Greenbrier County Elections Office. Gail White can be reached at 304-647-6601 and Christi Farley can be reached at 304-647-6604. |
GREENBRIER COUNTY COMMISSION TURNS A DEAR EAR TO ITS CITIZENS AGAIN
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2007
Lewisburg -- Just like the unwanted subdivision ordinance and other radical decisions made in recent months by the Greenbrier County Commission, the matter of the Rupert magistrate office is no different.
President Lowell Rose and his copy-cat fellow commissioner Brad Tuckwiller voted 2-1 against Commissioner Betty Crookshanks to approve the rental of the building on Green Lane in Lewisburg The property is expected to accommodate the county magistrates, with or without Doug Beard, in order to make more room in the courthouse.
Unless Judge James Rowe chooses not to close the magistrate office in the western end of the county, the circulated petition and disapproval of the citizens doesn’t seem to matter. Contrary to what Rose and Tuckwiller stated at the February 8 meeting, there is obviously no guidance at this time to govern the magistrate court system. At least, that is what Supreme Court officials in Charleston are telling everyone.
Tuckwiller’s “perceived convenience” statement during the early February meeting was made for the benefit of Magistrate Beard, who lives in Lewisburg, not for the citizens of Western Greenbrier County . Tuckwiller continues to make public statements about his “little sympathy for making things convenient for the folks” of the western end of county. This has been quite evident all along, just as was witnessed during the Rupert FEMA buyout discussion when both he and Office of Emergency Services Director Rudy Holbrook had made rude and unconscionable public remarks to the victims of the disaster who were cheated out of the money that was granted to them.
It seems obviously apparent that Judge Rowe and Commissioners Rose and Tuckwiller would voluntarily make a mockery out of Gloria Martin of the Family Refuge Center , who pleaded on behalf of victims of domestic violence on the western end of the county, not to close the Rupert office. Lobbyists in Charleston against domestic violence are likely to scandalize such a decision if made. West Virginia has strong and effective domestic violence laws. It’s not likely that domestic violence victims’ advocates are likely to fight this battle sitting down, when the only viable benefit in the end is that Magistrate Beard does not have to travel so far to work. That would involve digressing the progress made in recent years and who wants that to happen?
Speaking of the Rupert FEMA buyouts, the lawsuit filed by the Dorsey and Puleo families against the county commission for their failure to disseminate the grant monies properly is still progressing. In fact, there was never any mention of insurance to cover such a financial hardship until the commission was sued.
Does the commission have insurance or not? For several meetings now, the question has been tossed back and forth between all three commissioners and commission administrator JoAnn Jackson. Now suddenly, out of the blue, a policy exists. Certainly, an insurance representative wouldn’t backdate policy information to cover such a claim and even more certainly, the county commissioners would never ask an insurance representative to do that.
But, David Stacey of Commercial Insurance Services in Charleston spoke at the commission meeting, stating that it was unlikely that the claim would be covered because of the failure to pay the proper people. And who is he to make a claim that Charleston ’s Mitigation and Recovery division is the one that made the mistake? According to Jimmy Gianato and Al Lisko in the Charleston offices, it was Holbrook who made the call to pay the wrong people. He must be friends with Rose and Tuckwiller to have made such comments.
When it’s all said and done, if the claim is appealed and the commission reaps the benefit of not having to pay for its alleged mistake, Holbrook will still slide past this error with not so much as a slap on the wrist or a verbal reprimand, let alone the dismissal and public apology that the victims feel are warranted. No public official should ever be allowed to say the cruel and critical comments as Holbrook made and get away with it.
A request for apologies from the county commission is spreading.
“I would really like an apology to go in the paper,” Marietta Lyle requested while representing the property of Everett S. Clendenin posted to be sold for taxes when the taxes were paid after several years of trying to execute the property’s tax matters more properly and expeditiously. Fortunately for Clendenin, the sale was stopped prior to any sale taking place. In fact, Lyle’s request that the commission refund $998.18 in seven year-old penalties and interest was approved without question.
According to Commissioner Crookshanks, four other cases were brought to the commission’s attention and the same types of refunds had to be made. Obviously, there is a need for a refund procedure in the sheriff’s tax office.
A resolution was passed for Greenbrier County Animal Control Officer to be allowed to issue warrants for the arrest of citizens who do not appear in court for the citations given. In addition, it was approved for McClung to use a dual-capacity weapon that would allow him to put down necessary animals within town limits at close range, instead of posing a threat to citizens and property.
The commission claims they cannot do much about annexation these days as they stated in reference to the Rainelle Annexation petitioners in January. However, Ronceverte City Administrator Blaine Oburn presented an annexation of a few properties into the city and it was approved favorably in a vote of 2-1, with Tuckwiller voting against it. Tuckwiller was dissatisfied that the Department of Highways was not notified with regard to the roads and right-of-ways involved in the annexation. Wow, Tuckwiller actually voted differently than Rose. What a feat! |
RUPERT AREA IMPROVEMENT COUNCIL SPONSORS FOOD HANDLING CERTIFICATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2007
The Rupert Area Improvement Council (RAIC) is sponsoring a Food Handlers class this evening at 6 PM at the Rupert Community Building on Rt. 60 across from Rupert Town Hall .
The Food Handlers class is required by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services for those working in a facility or at an event where food is handled for public consumption.
Proper cleaning and handling of food is taught during the class. All food handlers for local restaurants, schools and community events are encouraged to attend. Upon completion of the class, attendees are given a card that is valid for two years.
For more information pertaining to the class, or alternate dates if unable to attend, contact RAIC Secretary Gaye Keech at 304-392-5142. |
A CONCERNED RAINELLE CITIZEN SPEAKS OUT AGAINST CURRENT ADMINISTRATION
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2, 2007
On March 1, I received the following letter in reference to my recent story, Rainelle Town Council: Fact or Fiction. This concerned citizen asked that I share his/her letter with the public. For fear of reprisal, the citizen did not provide me with a name. In the best interest of this individual, as well as countless others like him/her, I decided not to ask for the name to be disclosed. Here is the letter:
Being a concerned citizen of Rainelle I am wondering why all the funding, grant and budget money is being invested in the Rainelle City Hall building. We, the citizens, would like to see improvement within the town as a whole, not just City Hall. So many dusk-to-dawn street lights are no longer burning, streets are full of pot holes, street signs are missing, yellow curb paint is faded and not to mention just plan dirty streets.
What about all the promises? Where is the NEW POST OFFICE? Where are the NEW BUSINESSES?
One more thing… those who voted this administration into office have no right to complain, but those of us who didn't have every right to complain. I encourage everyone to stop and think real hard before casting this years vote. Do you truly know who your candidates are, what they stand for or going to do for our town or have done in the past? Do you, the citizens, realize you can write in candidates also? I encourage all citizens of Rainelle to register and vote. I know I will!
A Concerned Citizen Rainelle, WV
In an effort to allow citizens of Western Greenbrier County to speak out about the “good, bad and ugly” without suffering ramifications, I encourage you to send me your letters via e-mail to: SFerrellStover@aol.com, or via U.S. mail to: Stover P.R. & Publishing, P.O. Box 150 , Rupert , WV 25984 . |
THE ALPINE SHOPPE SETS NEW TENTATIVE GRAND OPENING DATE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2, 2007
Crawley, WV -- The official grand opening for The Alpine Shoppe in Crawley originally scheduled for March 1 has been tentatively rescheduled for April 15. The shop is experiencing some delays due to current renovations and other issues.
In April 2006, The Alpine Shoppe did not open its doors to the public as it had done in previous years faithfully. The Bivens family had little hope that the shop would reopen. But, in November 2006, like every year since 1966, Crestwood Tree Farms opened its doors for Christmas tree sales. At that time, the store was opened to take in sales for the trees and the family decided to sell off the remainder of its merchandise in the shop.
Instead of closing the doors to the shop forever, ideas were tossed around to find a productive and useful purpose for the shop. The Bivens family prayed that they would be able to do something to give back to the community.
Shortly after the shop was open to the public, The Alpine Shoppe launched a campaign to attract West Virginia artists, crafters, writers, filmmakers and other artisans in order to sell their work in the store. The end result would resemble a mini-Tamarack in Western Greenbrier County where there are so few businesses and shopping opportunities.
West Virginia artisans whose products were sold at the shop in 2006 included: Filmmaker B.J. Gudmundsson of Patchwork Films in Lewisburg; Rainelle watercolor artist Sharon Johnson; Rupert artist Eddie Keeney; Fayetteville artist Karen Romine of Shadow Mountain Art; Writer James E. Martin; Historical calendars by Ansted artist Donna Bibb; Crochet work by Jane Dilley of Maxwellton; hand-crafter leather by Rupert artist Luke Davis; and gift baskets and other items by Crafts, Collectibles, Candles & Confections of Rupert.
The new vision of The Alpine Shoppe gives back to the community, the state, West Virginia tourists and artisans in several ways. The shop allows Western Greenbrier County consumers to purchase items that normally would not be available on their end of the county; it offers West Virginia artisans of every medium or craft another avenue by which they can make money to support themselves, their profession and their families; and it displays the many talents of West Virginia mountaineers. In addition, it allows for a small portion of history to return to the present. Artisans wishing to sell their products at the shop must pay a one-time non-refundable administrative fee to set up an account and a minimal monthly rental space based on the amount of merchandise displayed. Additionally, the artisan will reap 50-75 percent of the profits from the sale of their goods, depending on the category of the merchandise.
Interested artisans should contact Stephanie Ferrell Stover for an application by e-mail at: SFerrellStover@aol.com or by calling 304-646-3065.
By the way, the Bivens family patriarch, Frank Bivens, turns 89 years old this week. Happy Birthday, Mr. Bivens! |
RUPERT HORSE OWNERS SUE TOWN COUNCIL OVER REQUEST FOR REMOVAL OF HORSES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2, 2007
Rupert , WV -- The saga of the horses housed within Rupert town limits continues. Owners Leon and Midge Crookshanks hired Abrams & Byron attorneys in Beckley to sue the town for Town Council’s decision to remove the horses from within town limits.
In addition to a presentation by their son, Stephen, a Rupert area business owner and managing member of a forestry consulting firm, the Crookshanks broke their long silence about the horse dilemma during the January 11 town council meeting.
Stephen’s report was based on days of research at the Greenbrier County Courthouse of Rupert area maps and GIS coordinates. Unfortunately, his work unearthed other dilemmas for the town. There is no recent, totally encompassing boundary map of Rupert and its surrounding areas on file. So the legitimacy of whether the property on Davis Street and Seventh Avenue in Rupert is inside town limits is still questionable.
The fact that something positive may come of this situation is encouraging. The town has been using a very old map, which is posted inside Town Hall, to identify the town’s boundaries, which is different from the maps Stephen acquired from the county courthouse. The Crookshanks definitely have a right to challenge the legitimate boundaries and in doing so, a viable boundary map will more than likely be made available to the public.
The downside of this is politics, of course. The Crookshanks contend that Mayor Charles Mundy gave them permission a couple of years ago to place the horses inside town limits during a conversation in front of the town’s post office. Mundy is one of the nicest people in the world and he has faithfully held his position as mayor for more than 30 years. But, the mayor cannot approve conditions such as this without a vote by town council, especially since the town has an ordinance against keeping horses and livestock inside town limits.
What’s even more disappointing is that irregardless of the fact that Rupert’s ordinance book is nearly 40 years old, the town’s code is still legitimate and on the record. Anyone deliberately violating the code should pay a penalty or suffer the ramifications. But Rupert has received little support in that area from Magistrate Doug Beard’s office to any other law enforcement agency or political entity in the county.
So the primary goal of the town prior to its election in June is to have the entire ordinance book updated and the process of hiring a town judge and police force underway so that the town can enforce its ordinances without the external aid of another body.
The Department of Natural Resources has reposted signs on its properties that border the Crookshanks property because of alleged dumping and trespassing. County health Sanitarian Amanda McMichael was called to inspect the property and its vicinity due to the dumping and exposure of horse manure and other possible contaminated matter on the Crookshanks property and neighbors’ property where the horses have trespassed. Meadow River Wetlands Wildlife Biologist Jim Craft has even had a team of experts to inspect the property and areas as well since the wetlands boundaries are in the same visit the property and inspect the vicinity.
If all this wasn’t enough aggravation, there is the matter of the electric fence that was placed around the Crookshanks property where the horses reside. Last summer, the young grandchild of the Smith family across the street from the horses accidentally touched the fence and was shocked. This spawned complaints from the Smiths to town council.
Town council voted to have the Crookshanks turn off the electric fence and remove the horses within 30 days. To date, those continued requested have been ignored. Even council member Tommy Viers went against his own vote and allowed the Crookshanks’ horses to graze on his property across the street where he lives.
During the January town council meeting, Jeff Huddleston, a former town council member and one of the four current building inspectors for the town, claimed to have had two electrical inspections made on the fence. But, a January Freedom of Information Request to the town for copies of the inspections came up empty-handed.
“I don’t have any reports or bills,” said Town Clerk Valerie Currence. “Jeff Huddleston stated at the meeting that he spoke with two electricians regarding the requirements for an electric fence and he and David [Yoakum, town council member and building inspector] went and inspected the fence and it met requirements as stated.”
However, Currence went on to say that “since Ordinance states there is no electrically charged fence allowed in town limits, the fence is not plugged into electricity and will not be plugged in.” The undefined town borders, though, make this issue questionable as well.
Since January, the Smiths have installed security cameras at their home on Davis Street . In retaliation, the Crookshanks put up a sign that asks “Do you want to be a star?” and pointed them in the direction of the Smiths down the street.
This is what soap operas are made from. Stay tuned for further developments. |
“DADDY DAYCARE” AT RUPERT MAGISTRATE OFFICE OPEN LIMITED HOURS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
“Daddy Daycare”
Rupert, WV -- There have been many twists and turns lately in the hot topic concerning the closure of the Rupert magistrate’s office. Many questions need answered pertaining to the official hours of the magistrate’s office, the alleged safety issues there and the actual support from the town of Rupert .
On February 8, Western Greenbrier County residents, domestic violence advocates, attorneys, and former elected officials, outraged over the potential closure of the magistrate office in Rupert, presented a petition with more than 1,300 signatures to the Greenbrier County Commission at its bi-weekly meeting.
The citizens reacted rather quickly to what they thought was merely a rumor. But, time would tell that the announcement was, in fact, a direct result of complaints by Magistrate Doug Beard about the length of travel time to and from his home in Lewisburg, the lack of space which he shares with his assistant, a county tax administrator and several Greenbrier County Sheriff’s deputies, and increased concerns over safety.
In the meantime, local citizens and business professionals are uttering total disgust that Magistrate Beard keeps meager hours at the Rupert office, most often between 10:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. It has been surmised that Beard spends one weekday on call and one in Lewisburg, but no one in an official positions has been able to confirm the actual Rupert magistrate’s hours.
A couple local citizens have even reported recently that they have walked into the magistrate’s office when Beard was sleeping on his couch. Beard must no longer be concerned over safety issues if he feels confident enough to nap during the day with the amount of danger he claims is coming in and out of the office.
Even a concerned father would not bring his children into an environment that he felt was unsafe by any standards. But, Beard has been watching his children for long periods of time during the day for an unspecified length of time, according to sources closest to the subject.
As late as Monday, a sick son came to work with Beard. Who would authorize such a thing to occur? Is this a benefit magistrates have that has not been announced to the public previously? Certainly the magistrates make enough money that the cost of official daycare would not be an issue.
It’s no wonder that Beard feels he does not have room to work when his children are gallivanting around the office during the time he should be working in a judicial capacity.
Location, Location, Location
In another matter directly related to the closure of the magistrate’s office, citizens in Western Greenbrier County and a couple elected public officials took a proactive role in trying to obtain space for either a new magistrate office of a new location for the sheriff’s department.
Rupert resident Drema Shires contacted Rupert Mayor Charles Mundy about any possible alternative locations that may be available for such relocation needs. Shires did not know that Greenbrier County Commissioner Betty Crookshanks and Sheriff Roger Sheppard had already made some contacts of their own pertaining to the matter.
“The state has been pushing for cities and counties to work together to cut the cost of government,” Crookshanks said. “I was hoping that we’d have a cooperative effort so that we could keep the sheriff’s office, and possibly the magistrate’s office in Rupert Town Hall . That way, the town could first use the rent money to make much needed improvements to the building and then once that is done, move on to other town improvement projects.”
But that idea was nipped in the bud when the town decided to take a vote by telephone instead of calling a special meeting before the public. Together, Rupert Town Council decided not to offer the additional space at Town Hall to either the magistrate or the sheriff’s department.
“The story is that Valerie [Currence, Town Clerk] called on the phone and said she was taking a vote poll by phone of the council instead of calling a special meeting,” said Rupert Town Council Member Don Keech. “When she called me, she said that three members had already voted against, one had abstained and one had asked to get facts concerning profit against loss. Since there are five council members… it looked like a majority vote had already been reached. So, I voted no because I took into consideration that the front room is used for the election site of the town, by the Rotary Club and by the Womens' Club when the Community Building was tied up due to repair and construction.”
The back room at Town Hall is already rented to a TV cable professional for $200.00 per month. It would not seem appropriate for a long-standing renter and small business owner to be kicked out to allow the sheriff's dept to relocate there under those circumstances. So the decision by the town seems justifiable.
“It just didn't seem an appropriate place for them,” Keech continued. “There are other empty, larger places available... Plus, I think the Commissioners have already made up their minds about the move. If the Magistrate did move, it would look like the Sheriff's Department could branch out and take the entire side of the fire house.
The current space at the Rupert fire house that is available for both the magistrate’s office and sheriff’s department is 700 square feet. That means that each entity has only 350 square feet of space each.
“Even if the magistrate were to move, which I hope they don’t, our space would double,” Sheriff Sheppard stated. “Even then, the space is not big enough to what we need to do.”
Currently, there are two deputies working there during the day, one during the evening and one at night. But, there is only one desk for all the deputies to share. The space at Town Hall, which is 1,400 square feet, would have been more than adequate to house each of the deputies that are working on the western end of the county now, in addition to the additional deputies Sheppard plans to hire.
“There’s an outside office where citizens can pay their taxes and take care of their licenses to the left when you come in through the front door at Town Hall,” Sheppard said. “The next office back would house six to seven desks, and has a sink to wash off after fingerprinting and another room that would store evidence and supplies.”
But according to Sheppard, it’s been nearly a month since the proposal was made but the town has yet to respond to him and Commissioner Crookshanks informed him that as a result, it was not likely to happen.
But, Sheppard is not giving up so quickly. He has been seeking out alternative locations for the deputies to relocate so that the magistrate’s office can stay in its current location.
“We are trying to locate a place where we can keep the sheriff’s office in the western end of the county,” Sheppard continued, who has already been approached by an owner of a vacant building in the vicinity of Rupert. “Discussions will take place in the next day or so with the building’s owner. It sounds pretty good.”
Professional and Community Dedication and Commitment
The efforts of Commissioner Crookshanks, Sheriff Sheppard and citizens like Drema Shires, who have chosen to take a more positive, proactive approach by seeking alternatives, should not be taken for granted. It’s past time for someone to step up the plate and bat for the citizens of Western Greenbrier County .
Antagonism at its Worst
If it were up to Greenbrier County Commissioners Lowell Rose and Brad Tuckwiller, the magistrate’s office would already have closed and Beard would have relocated to the new magistrates’ office building on Green Lane across the street from the county courthouse in Lewisburg. So, with the vote of 2-1 against the vote of Crookshanks, it is evident whose side Rose and Tuckwiller is on.
Now, not only will the Greenbrier County Commission have to pay more than $3,000 per month in rent at the Lewisburg magistrates’ office which will house Magistrates Brenda Campbell and Brenda Smith, but the $650 per month to the Rupert Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) for its office there. What a waste of taxpayers’ money. Everyone should remember that when the next election comes around.
Still, the ultimate decision to close the magistrate’s office lies with Judge James J. Rowe. The U.S. Supreme Court in Charleston has already decided to relinquish any rights to have a say in the matter.
In the meantime, it is worth asking: “Had the citizens of Western Greenbrier County not found out about the secret meeting at the courthouse, would the matter have been brought before the public to give them an opportunity to voice their opinions on the matter?”
Revocation of First Amendment Rights
It is really hard to say. The precedent was set previously when Commissioners Rose and Tuckwiller tried to balk on allowing the petitioners of the potential Rainelle annexations to come forward and be heard.
All Americans have a right to be heard. That includes Western Greenbrier County citizens. Citizens are encouraged to bring their concerns to their respective governing bodies, whether they are cities, towns, counties or states.
Greenbrier County officials can be contacted by way of telephone or e-mail as follows:
Commission President Lowell Rose, 646-8899, lynnbrook@hughes.net Commissioner Betty Crookshanks, 661-5232, bdcrookshanks@frontiernet.net Commissioner Brad Tuckwiller, 646-8095, brad@jacobsandcompany.com Greenbrier County Commission Office Administrator JoAnn Jackson, 647-6699, jajacks@assessor.state.wv.us Greenbrier County Sheriff Roger Sheppard, 647-6634, gbrso@yahoo.com
Plausible Deniability
When Tuckwiller was asked about his knowledge of the proposal at Rupert Town Hall , he said, “I am not aware whether this is fact or fiction. The Sheriff is an elected official and is free to make his own decisions within the constraints of his budget.”
President Rose did not respond to questions about the issue. |
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CONCERNED RAINELLE CITIZEN SPEAKS OUT, TRUE NORTH ENTERPRISES RESPONDS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 7, 2007
The following letter was sent earlier today from a concerned citizen in Rainelle.
“What about the $30,000 grant from the governor's office to repair the boiler and the roof of the old E. Rainelle Elementary School? Don't you think the company making the repairs would have had enough forethought to direct some of the heat to the piping system?
I read in the paper about the company manufacturing the equipment being used by various agencies including the Department of Defense. Now I'm positive if they have a contract with DOD wages are normally set much higher than minimum wage, but the manager indicated they were making more than minimum wage. But, how much? Yea! Doesn't he realize they have to pay minimum wage even if it is piece work?
I would be willing to bet you once the Gulf War and Afghanistan conflicts are over there will be no more jobs. Just as it has happened before. The companies just come in with empty promises and the mayor [Rainelle Mayor Eugene McKenzie] falls for them. I would like to know how much rent and taxes and utility bills they are paying the county and Rainelle. It would be a good question for the big guy [???].
And yes, I have fear of reprisals along with many, many more. I hope the people understand, you can't trust any of them or even who to trust.
Coming Home”
“There has been way too much controversy over our small company and where we chose to locate,” said Randi L Arbuckle, Company Administrator of True North Enterprises LLC in Rainelle. “My only intention has been, and always will be, to protect the well-being of our employees.”
As wages are a confidential and private matter in any company, Arbuckle said it would not be fair to her employees to release such data.
“We do not wish to get caught up in any bantering between the town, media or any other entity,” Arbuckle continued. ”The mayor went to the state on his own accord and was awarded the monies [$30,900 from the Governor’s Community Partnership Program, according to Mayor Eugene McKenzie] accordingly. We very much look forward to seeing the repairs take place and are grateful to the town for taking such a step.”
Neither the concerned citizen nor the administrators of True North are aware of the company that has won the bid to make the repairs at the sewing factory or when those repairs will take place. “I am left to assume that this person read the article that ran in Saturday's Register-Herald, so I will answer some points based on that,” Arbuckle continued. “True North does not secure contracts from the government or other agencies. As we have always stated, we exclusively (at this time) complete sub-contract work for another company in Virginia . We are not a subsidiary of any other company and we do not operate as a DBA. We are simply True North Enterprises, LLC.”
While it is true that much of the work that True North completes currently is for the Virginia-based company who actually is engaged in various government and other contracts, True North does not.
As for True North’s agreement with the town of Rainelle , the company pays 100 percent of its expenses and all applicable taxes. Currently, with regard to the building’s necessary improvements and repairs, a garden hose has been directed to the building from the meter so that True North and its employees have access to water and the use of its restrooms until the water line is repaired permanently.
Arbuckle and Plant Manager, Chuck Nikolas, can be reached by calling (304) 438-8728, by e-mailing randi@truenorthent.com, or by stopping by the plant at 1209 Greenbrier Avenue in
True North Enterprises is currently seeking qualified professionals to work in the sewing factory as they continue to grow. Their presence in Western Greenbrier County is most welcome. |
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GREENBRIER CITIZEN LAUNCHES NEW PUBLICATION AND OTHER VENTURES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 8, 2007
Stover P.R. & Publishing, a subsidiary of Stover Enterprises, LLC, will release its first edition of a new publication called The Western Greenbrier Reporter on April 1. The first edition will be complimentary to the public and will be placed at various locations throughout the county.
“I have been a lifelong resident of West Virginia , but only a Greenbrier County citizen since June 2006,” said Stephanie Ferrell Stover, APRP, the publisher of the new publication. “I have been a professional in journalism, public relations and photography for nearly 24 years in the states of West Virginia , New York , Florida and North Carolina . In 2001, I finally returned home from a 16-year stint outside the mountain state. Still, my family and friends are here and it was only a matter of time before I would return anyway.”
“In June 2006, I relocated to Greenbrier County to marry my soul mate,” Stover continues. “The history and tales of Kanawha County have been told so many times. It’s already out there for everyone to see, brought about by countless West Virginians who have chosen the same path as me. But, Greenbrier County has such a monumental of talent and so many stories to tell that have not been told. I want to be a part of all that.” Stover graduated from DuPont High School and attended many post-high school educational institutions, including those she attended during her 13 years as an enlisted and commissioned officer in the U.S. Army Reserve. She graduated from West Virginia State College with both an associate of applied science and bachelor’s degree in the communications field. “Since arriving in Greenbrier County in June, I written feature stories and news articles for a local publication,” Stover went on to say. “I gathered a following of supporters who were interested in hearing the truth in news and politics that no other publication in the area would tell. In addition, I have supported citizens who have not been afforded the opportunity to have a voice. Not all the news I have written about is positive, but it is factual, and many people have opposed it. But I believe that even out of the most negative news and public information disseminated that some good can evolve.” Currently, Stover is not only campaigning for advertisers, sponsors, donors and subscribers to her new publication, she is campaigning for election to Rupert Town Council. “Rupert is a quiet, little community and there are some wonderful people, businesses, churches and talent here,” Stover said. “Currently, the town is working toward updating its town ordinances, along with obtaining a town court system with a judge and a police force. I hope to contribute to my community and help them in any way possible.” Stover has her plate full right now. She is a contributing editor to RainelleToday.com and to HintonNews.net, an area grant writer for many non-profits and municipal entities, she is co-chair of the annual Rupert Country Fling festival and she launched two non-profit organizations to benefit Greenbrier citizens in January. The Midland Trail Museum, which has expectations of maintaining a facility in Rupert, will offer the public a first-hand glimpse of life along the Midland Trail Scenic Highway, or Route 60 as most know it, stretching from Kanawha County to Greenbrier County. The other non-profit, headquartered in Rupert, is Greenbrier Fine Arts & Small Business Foundation. The foundation hopes to be able to offer its first scholarships in the fine arts fields and mini-grants to citizens, fine arts professionals and small businesses in January 2008. “The entire time I have lived in West Virginia , I have lived on the Midland Trail,” Stover stated. “The beauty of West Virginia is unsurpassable. Anyone who has not visited here should do so. At that time, they will be able to better understand the hidden treasures in the mountains.” Stover also hopes to release her first book, “Return to Rural America,” sometime in 2008. She has already committed to have her book signings at The Alpine Shoppe in Crawley and The Irish Pub in Lewisburg when the book is released. Annual subscriptions to the bi-weekly (every two weeks) publication cost $24.95. Anyone who subscribes before April 1 will receive their first annual subscription price at $20.00. Advertising rates are also available. Writers interested in freelancing for the new publication are also encouraged to submit a letter of application, resume and clip samples. Stover’s business also offers public relations, marketing, copy editing and photography services. For more details, contact Stover via e-mail at SFerrellStover@aol.com or by telephone at (304) 646-3065. Checks or money orders can be mailed to Stover Enterprises LLC, P.O. Box 150 , Rupert , WV 25984 . |
WESTERN GREENBRIER WEATHER CONTRIBUTES TO VEHICLE-BUILDING ACCIDENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 17, 2007
Rupert , WV – At approximately 6 a.m. this morning, a driver coming into Rupert on Route 60 plowed into the side of the Meadoworks LLC’s manufacturing plant
The Greenbrier County Sheriff’s office was called to the scene. No one was hurt in the accident.
Meadoworks does manufacturing for the Department of Defense, building chemical detection weapons for the Army, Navy and Marines.
No one was on site at the time of the accident but Owner/General Manager Hubert L. Workman reacted immediately to the alarm system as it went off.
“The vehicle was still inside the building when I arrived,” Workman said. “We probably lost more than $100,000 in inventory. I had the inventory against that wall when it hit. All the material we use to manufacture with, computer boards, circuitries and all the different things we use were destroyed.”
Workman expects that damages to the building will cost more than $250,000. His employees have been worked expeditiously all morning to board up the side of the building to try to eliminate the elements further damaging the interior of the building.
A Suddenlink cable truck was working on the pole where the cable switching system that links Meadowork’s computers was knocked out.
Meadoworks has been in the vicinity for three years, according to Workman, who is not only distraught about today’s damage, but the lack of support provided by West Virginia State Department of Highways and other departments who have ignored his concerns for some time.
“I have called the governor, every senator and congressman that we have trying to get a guard rail system through here so I can pave this and protect my employees while they work,” Workman said. “And they will not do it. I have tried every state office I can get. They won’t do anything to protect my facility or my employees.”
“The governor has a slogan that says ‘open for business,’” Workman continued. “Well they opened a big hole in my business. You cannot get assistance for your business. It is very aggravating. West Virginia is a very hard state to do business in anyway. I have another facility in Virginia . I am tempted to just move everything over there and forget West Virginia .”
When asked how it will affect his business on Monday morning at 7 a.m., Workman said “It’s a disruption of my work it’s going to take a long time to fix. It has slowed me down. I will have to reorder stuff and get it in here and it will slow down our manufacturing process.”
Hubert, who is from Cornstalk in the Williamsburg area, has 10 employees at this time. The company can be reached at (304) 392-5678 or (304) 661-1678.
Photos are embedded in this press release.
Taken from inside Meadoworks' manufacturing facility at the corner of Route 60 and Tommy Hall Road in Rupert. Photo by Hubert Workman.
The car that plunged into the Meadoworks manufacturing facility. Photo by Hubert Workman.
Meadoworks employees on the scene covering and stabilizing the damaged size of the building while Suddenlink workers repair wiring on the nearby cable pole. Photo by Stephanie Ferrell Stover. |