The beauty of small town living...

My photo
Bomont, West Virginia, United States
When you have no idea what you're doing, somebody else will ... or at least make something up & run with it.

Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Those Darn Kids ...

Do you know a child who's a little rowdy? Hyper, maybe? Can't pay attention? How many children do you know who have been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD? How many of those children are taking medication for their disorder? Ritalin was the most commonly prescribed medication for children for 20+ years. By the standards of the Federal government's Controlled Substance Act, Ritalin falls into the same drug class as cocaine and crystal meth - Schedule II substances. Over the past 5 years or so, dozens of new drugs have hit the market to "treat" these children. Stimulant vs. nonstimulant; liver damage vs. mind-altering; stressed parents vs. non-stressed teachers. Given the ease with which these drugs can be obtained, is it any wonder there's such a drug problem in our society?

Saturday, January 28, 2006

The Race is On ...

for a new & improved county commissioner. Hats are in the ring & campaigning will soon begin in earnest ...

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Clay Has 20

Registered Sex Offenders.

"Registered" means "convicted" - not alleged, not accused, but found guilty by a jury and convicted. Lists of registered offenders can be found all over the internet, including www.wvstatepolice.com. Do you think this is fair?

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Tiny Bubbles ....

Now that Don Ho is engineering your train of thought, let's see where it takes us. (If you don't know who Don Ho is, Google him & come back, young whippersnapper. While you're at it, look up Sammy, his sidekick. Oh, how I loved that show ....)

Monday, January 23, 2006

Random Thoughts ... Revisited

Dr. Susan Linn, (commercialfreechildhood.org) says "sugary cereals are making kids fat" & blames the advertisers. She alleges it's the under-8 group that's "hit the hardest." She needs to quit letting her 8-year-old do the grocery shopping ...

Saturday, January 21, 2006

"This has got to stop." - Governor Joe Manchin

"We have found the two miners we were looking for," said Doug Conaway, director of the state Office of Miners' Health Training and Safety. "Unfortunately, we don't have a positive outcome."
Don I. Bragg, age 33, leaves a wife and two children. Ellery "Elvis" Hatfield, age 47, leaves a wife and four children.

Friday, January 20, 2006

GRRRRRR

1) Nobody is impressed by your gas-guzzling, road-hogging SUV. If you can handle the payment, fine. But if you can't handle the vehicle, TRADE IT IN ON ONE YOU CAN DRIVE.
2) If you don't know what lane you need to be in, read the road signs. If you miss your exit, THERE'S ANOTHER UP THE ROAD.
3) Arm bent at the elbow, hand pointing up = right turn; arm extended straight out = left turn; arm bent at the elbow, hand pointing down = stop/slow down; all other hand gestures = GET OFF MY TAIL!
4) If you can see the look on my face in my rearview mirror, that's my YOU'RE ABOUT TO SEND MY KIDS TO COLLEGE expression.
5) HANG UP AND DRIVE.

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Politically Correct Democracy vs. World Domination

No, it's not another political post. I've just been reading some of the other blogs, pondering what I'd do if anybody ever put ME in charge. I've got a list of things a mile long that would change. Drastically & overnight ...

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

SAVE THE BRIDGE!

I just spoke with Commissioner King. According to recent conversations she's had with Senator Randy White, the estimated cost to save the swinging bridge is in the neighborhood of $400,000. How badly do you want this bridge saved? Are you willing to work for it??

The Legislature is in session as we speak. Now's the time to remind them that Clay County helped put some of them there. Fran's offered to participate in a Town Meeting to help in any way she can. What do you think of having a Town Meeting in the near future - say at the courthouse - to discuss the things we've been discussing on the blogs? It'd be a good opportunity to not only discuss the bridge, but also invite our Elected Ones to come out & hear what we have to say. I've offered to help organize this meeting if we can get enough interest. Anyone? Anyone??

This Day In History ...

1861 Flush toilet (with separate water tank and a pull chain) patented by Mr Thomas Crapper
1912 English explorer Robert Falcon Scott & his expedition reach the South Pole, only to discover that Roald Amundsen had gotten there 1 month before
1926 George Burns marries Gracie Allen
1945 Auschwitz concentration camp begins evacuation
1963 Wilt Chamberlain of NBA San Francisco Warriors scores 67 points vs Los Angeles
1969 Beatles release Yellow Submarine album in UK
1972 Section of Memphis' Highway 51 South renamed Elvis Presley Blvd
1984 Supreme Court rules (5-4) private use of home VCRs to tape TV programs for later viewing does not violate federal copyright laws
1998 President Clinton faces sexual harassment charges from Paula Jones

Sunday, January 15, 2006

Life Goes On ...

Over 2,000 people gathered today in Buckhannon to memoralize the miners...

Friday, January 13, 2006

Monday, January 09, 2006

Having A Moment ...

Please, talk amongst yourselves. Here's your topic:
COUNTY COMMISSION
(does anybody remember when SNL was funny?)

Let the Campaign Begin ...

& the mud-slinging & the "promises" & the back-stabbing & the rumors ...

Sunday, January 08, 2006

ELVIS ARON PRESLEY

January 8, 1935 - August 16, 1977
Happy 71st birthday, wherever you are ...

Saturday, January 07, 2006

Clay County Commission ...

Ok, folks, it's come to my attention that this site has captured the attention of those "in town." Here's our chance to all be heard. They're tuned in. Put your best attitude on and let your voice be heard.

Rasguño de mi extremo

Éraflure de mon bout ...
Verkratzen meines Kolbens ...
Graffiare la mia estremità ...

Friday, January 06, 2006

Thursday, January 05, 2006

Almost Campaign Time

For a mere 1% of the annual salary, anybody in the proper district can run for County Commission. Anybody need a dollar? Do you know what the responsibilities of the County Commission are? What goals would you set for a new - or returning - Commissioner?

WEST VIRGINIA CONSTITUTION:
9-11. Powers of county commissions.
The county commissions, through their clerks, shall have the custody of all deeds and other papers presented for record in their counties, and the same shall be preserved therein, or otherwise disposed of, as now is, or may be prescribed by law. They shall also, under such regulations as may be prescribed by law, have the superintendence and administration of the internal police and fiscal affairs of their counties, including the establishment and regulation of roads, ways, bridges, public landings, ferries and mills, with authority to lay and disburse the county levies: Provided, That no license for the sale of intoxicating liquors in any incorporated city, town or village, shall be granted without the consent of the municipal authorities thereof, first had and obtained. Until otherwise prescribed by law, they shall, in all cases of contest, be the judge of the election, qualification and returns of their own members, and of all county and district officers, subject to such regulations, by appeal or otherwise, as may be prescribed by law. Such commissions may exercise such other powers, and perform such other duties, not of a judicial nature, as may be prescribed by law. Such existing tribunals as have been heretofore established by the Legislature to act as to police and fiscal matters in lieu of county commissions in certain counties shall remain and continue as now constituted in the counties in which they have been respectively established until otherwise provided by law, and they shall have and exercise the powers which the county commissions have under this article, and, until otherwise provided by law, such clerk as is mentioned in section twelve of this article shall exercise any powers and discharge any duties, heretofore conferred on, or required of, any such tribunal or the clerk of such tribunal respecting the recording and preservation of deeds and other papers presented for record and such other matters as are prescribed by law to be exercised and discharged by the clerk thereof.

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

The Next Day ...

Say what you will about our governor, but he's still there; it's 4:30 in the morning & he's talking to the press like an intelligent human being; he's still in the same clothes he was wearing Monday when he arrived from Atlanta; he's not giving platitudes, he's flat out saying he doesn't know. Plus, his hair still looks good.

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

"We Believe In Miracles" - WV Governor Joe Manchin

How deep are the depths of hell? No deeper than the emptiness left in the hearts of the families of:
Alby Martin Bennett, 50, of Buckhannon
Jim Bennett, 61, of Philippi
Terry Helms, 48, of Newberg
David Lewis, 28, of Philippi
Randall McCloy, 27, of Simpson
Fred Ware Jr., 59, of Tallmansville
Jack Weaver, 52, of Philippi
Marshall Winans, 49, of Talbert
George ("Junior") Hamner, Jr., of Gladyfork
Jerry Groves, 57, Cleveland, W.Va
Martin Toler, 50, of Flatwoods
Thomas P. Anderson, 39
Jesse Jones, 44, of Pickens

Monday, January 02, 2006

A Whole New Attitude?

A new year has arriven (that really should be a real word). Obviously, it's time to jump the current train of thought & hop a new one. Who wants to be engineer?

Sunday, January 01, 2006

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

YIKES! I left town for 3 days & the blogs ... um ... YIKES! What'd I miss??
Everybody have a great new year's eve?