By: Lydia Crawley
The Parsons Advocate
Nearly 65 people were in attendance June 10th for a presentation and Resolution request presented to the Thomas City Council by Tucker United. Most of the attendees were stationed outside the building with only about 25 people able to fit in the small City Hall. Shaena Crossland spoke on behalf of the group for the presentation.
The Group presented the Thomas Council with a packet of information that Crossland referenced throughout her presentation and a Resolution opposing the construction of Fundamental Data’s proposed Ridgeline project.
The Group related the reasons for their opposition to the project to be among others: the heavily redacted Air Quality Permit submitted to the DEP, close proximity to Davis and Thomas and concerns about air quality and water usage by the facility, as well as the health and safety of residents and impacts on the local economy and tourism.
The Group also voiced concerns over HB 2014. The concerns raised by the Group stemmed mainly from the law’s stripping of local control in regards to projects such as Ridgeline and the taking of 70% of tax revenue generated by the Data Center projects by the State with only 30% returned to the Counties.
Thomas Mayor Jody Flanagan said that HB 2014 was going to be amended in the next session or in a special session, but gave no specifics what amendments are being proposed. Flanagan said that he intends to be in Charleston during the amendment session, along with any member of the Council that wishes to join him.”
“And just because we haven’t been real vocal about this, and I think I can speak for everyone at this table, we have been working real hard on this and we have been working with the State on amending HB 2014,” Flanagan said.
Several community members provided comments to the Council. Local business owner John Bright was among those who addressed the Council. Bright said that he was concerned about the facility’s location so close to Blackwater Falls and the effects of light pollution, among others. Bright also suggested a good use of the area would be the construction of an Allegheny Highlands National Park with a Black Skies Designation.
“Let’s give people who are not from here a reason to say good things about West Virginia,” Bright said. “I am tired of hearing about us as backwards people and strive to in all my work erase that notion that is why I am here today because I am proud of where I come from and I want the world to see our own little piece of heaven where the stars shine and the mountains speak their wisdom.”
School Teacher and Business Owner Angie Downs spoke about her health battles and her concerns about the effect the project will have on the air and the potential impact to not only her health, but the health of others.
“I wonder how much we are willing to give up not only with our safety, but also in terms of resources for our kids’ education,” Downs said.
Downs also spoke about the struggles the local schools face with limited resources. The Group has stated that under the current law, no funding would be allocated to schools.
“Anyone who has spent time in our classrooms knows about the limited resources our schools here are having to deal with on a daily basis,” Downs said. “And yet, Charleston has made it clear how they feel about education in this county.”
The Thomas Council was hesitant to enact a Resolution opposing the project. Mayor Flanagan said that any Resolution would need to go through the City Attorney prior to enactment. Flanagan also requested the Group host a public meeting the Council could attend along with the Tucker County Commission.
Flanagan said that the Council was working “on the legislative side of things.” Flanagan said that he feels that the Data Centers are three to four years from being constructed.
The Council’s focus, according to Flanagan, is to gather the facts and has regular weekly discussions with Charleston.
“We need to get the facts and weigh the pros and the cons and I think that is the fair thing to do with this thing,” Flanagan said. “Its such a magnitude, a big magnitude of a project, so we have to weigh our pros and cons.”
Flanagan also voiced his support of the DEP. Flanagan said he had faith in the agency. Flanagan said he would also abide by the EPA’s rulings on the matter.
Another point of hesitation for Mayor Flanagan was the location of the proposed facility outside the City limits of Thomas and Davis. Flanagan questioned what power a Resolution by the City would have on a facility located in the County jurisdiction.
Flanagan also informed the Group of an incident that occurred in Canaan Valley involving a Senator. Flanagan said that Senator Glenn Jeffries was accosted by two people from Tucker United. According to Flanagan, the two individuals sat down at the table of the Senator uninvited and began arguing with him.
“Two people from your group, they had a yelling match with our Senator and he had to get up and leave,” Flanagan said. “And I spoke to him on the phone today and he’s not too happy about that.”
Flanagan urged respect in the Group’s dealing with politicians.
“You guys can take your concerns, but I just ask you guys to be a little bit respectful,” Flanagan said.
