By: Mat Cloak
The Parsons Advocate
Tucker County elected officials, companies, and organizations updated each other on their progressions at a roundtable style meeting at Hendricks Town Hall on November 13.
The meeting was organized by the County Commission and facilitated by West Virginia University Extension Specialist Doug Arbogast.
United States Forest Service District Ranger Troy Waskey answered questions regarding the Blackwater Canyon trail. The Forest Service cannot officially provide access and maintenance on the southern side of the trail, because the property is owned by Allegheny Wood Products.
Waskey explained management of the trail came to an impasse after failed attempts to negotiate with Allegheny Wood Products due to differing appraisals and evaluations of the land.
“Our current stance since that brokered conversation fell apart is we are not able to execute a decision to authorize Allegheny Wood to operate on National Forest and vice versa,” Waskey said. Waskey emphasized that a third party intervention might facilitate conversations between the Forest Service and Allegheny Wood.
Marvin Murphy provided an update on Corridor H developments. Murphy said there is about $1 million worth of work to finish in Tucker County. “The project is estimated to return five for every dollar you put in,” Murphy said. A question was asked about when landowners in the path of the highway will know when they need to move. Murphy said landowners will be visited by representatives to appraise the property before relocating is imminent.
Amanda Pitzer, Friends of the Cheat Executive Director, gave an overview of the positive impact resulting from the nine Cheat River access points in the area.
Friends of the Cheat is monitoring sewage pollution levels in the river, and had a couple of “hot readings” in Preston County,” Pitzer said.
Pitzer alluded to an even larger plan toward the end of her update. “Friends of the Cheat is ambitious, and we are saying that we want to remove the dam in Albright,” Pitzer said.
Representatives from St. George Clinic presented the new developments at the two locations in Tucker County. The clinic recently began a dental clinic at the Tucker Valley location. A cardiac facility for the St. George location was approved, and the group is moving forward on those plans. The clinic aspires to obtain an optometrist and have a pharmacy in house.
Office of 911 Director Brett Ware solicited help from the community to report homes without address signs and missing road signs.
Hinchcliff Lumber Company gave a brief overview of the company’s history and current progress. The company will celebrate their 50th anniversary next summer.
Mayor Solena Roberts updated the group on the developments in Hendricks, and Mayor Dorothy Judy did the same regarding Parsons.
