Clay Town Hall Meeting

A large crowd of interested citizens of Clay county residents, county officials and their state representatives met at the Lion's club community center to discuss concerns, hopes and aspirations for the future of Clay County. The legislative delegation fielded questions from the audience regarding, roads, education, economic development, and other issues of importance to the citizens of Clay.

This past Saturday, Delegate David Walker, along with Clay County Commissioners Fran King, Mike Pierson and Jerry Linkinnoger hosted the Town Hall meeting. Clay county's legislative delegation was on hand to field questions from residents. Present were Senators Bill Laird and Randy White, Delegates David Walker, Margaret Staggers, David Perry, and Tom Louisios.

The meeting started off with presentations of grant awards to the community of $118,000. $100,000 for a 4-H building at the county park in Maysel, $3,000 for assistance to the Humane Society, and $15,000 to the Town of Clay for sidewalks, beautification, and other improvements for the downtown.

Residents from Lizemores, Beaumont, and Big Otter were interested in extending water in their communities. Suggestions were made to citizens to work closely with Region 6 Planning and Development Council for funding through the Small Cities Block Grant (SCBG) and Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) programs. Senator Randy White reported that statewide SCBG has $20 million available and the AML program has $18 million this year. However, the AML will grow to over $45 million in the next several years. Both are very competitive, but good water for all citizens is a most worthwhile goal.

Delegate David Walker reported on a recent meeting with Secretary Randy Huffman, WV Department of Environmental Protection and Clay county's legislative delegation. He reported the DEP has committed to complete the necessary study so that trout stocking could begin on the tributaries of Buffalo Creek, (i.e. Laurel Creek).

Delegate Dave Perry and Senator Bill Laird spoke on legislation to limit funding for the Promise scholarship. Delegate Perrry reported that there was not much support for the Governor's initiative to limit the program. Senator Laird stated "the Promise scholarship is having the affect of getting kids into college and the state's needs-based grant program was helping students from families with less means to obtain a post-secondary education." Both programs are receiving roughly equal funding of approximately $20 million.

All agreed the state needed to continue efforts for job creation. Senator White reported recent county initiatives have established locally owned and operated business parks within the district. Webster county has an 88 acre business park, Fayette county's Wolf Creek Park -500 acres, and Nicholas county's Glade Creek business park 180 acres, were now underway with the potential for major economic expansion. Senator White suggested that Clay county through the Clay Business Development Authority likewise, identify property within the county to establish a business park with more than 10 developable acres. "I firmly believe, that if you build it, they will come," stated White. Clay county's geographic location and interstate access make Clay county unique in the district with much potential. Additionally, it was stressed that Clay county hire a full-time economic developer to promote their efforts and work with the WV Development Office. There are monies presenlty devoted to the Clay Business Development Authority and matched by the WV Development office to promote economic development.

Elizabeth Sampsom circulated a petition for guardrails on Route 4 along the Elk River between Ivydale and Clay. Many residents expressed concern for road improvements, i.e. cleaning ditches, paving, pothole repairs, and bridge replacements. While the State Road Fund has diminished over the years, the delegation agreed to work with them to address their needs.

Another discusssion circulated around legislation of surface owner's rights in relation to oil and gas companies. The present law allows gas/oil drilling companies to enter ones property and begin drilling operations with a 15 day notice. Little communication with the surface owner is now required. The legislation pending before the Legislature would require a 30 day notice. Additionally, the driller would have to contact the land owner and work out a plan on locating roads, drilling operations, etc., so as to limit disturbing the surface owner's right to enjoyment and economic value of the surface property. Senator White reported that in past years leases with oil and gas companies were going for $5 and $10 an acre. Recent development and finds in the Marcellus shale of West Virginia has landowners throughout WV now receiving upwards of $1000 an acre.

The meeting in Clay was a very informative discussion. It is the hope of the legislators that attended that it can be done again in the future.