Archive for the 'Dickenson County' Category

$5.7 Million to Buchanan County

Brian October 5th, 2007

VCEDA announced yesterday that they have awarded a $5.7 million grant to Buchanan County’s IDA. The funds, says the article, will be used to continue the development in the Poplar Gap area, near the Dickenson County line.

The site is huge and has a lot of potential for Buchanan County’s future and, hopefully, some of that good fortune will seep across the county line.

Sykes, a call-center company, has already agreed to locate a new center there. In between undergrad and law school, I worked a few months at the Sykes call-center in Wise and found it to be a really good company to work for.

On the Democratic Candidates for Governor

Brian September 23rd, 2007

Our old friend, Jeff Schapiro, takes aim and unloads this week on every potential Democratic candidate for Governor in 2009. He has identified the main problems with a few of them, but I think he is totally wrong on a few, too.

This would, however, be a good time to mention some recent and upcoming events in Dickenson County.

Our local campaigns are in full swing. Dickenson has five Supervisors and all of them are on the ballot this year. Four of the five incumbents are either not seeking re-election (1) or failed to get their respective party’s nomination (3). Thus, creating four open seats.

Of the five Constitutional offices, two are being vacated by retirements. The other three incumbents (two Democrats and one Republican) are seeking re-election.

There has been a lot of talk about a potential “Sweep” (i.e., all ten races) in Democratic circles. As always, it will come down to whether or not we can get our voters out in large margins.

That leads us back to the aforementioned events. We have already had several well-attended events. One in particular, our Annual Fish Fry, was last week and we had a record attendance, somewhere in the neighborhood of 300 people. Congressman Boucher, as always, joined us for this annual event and had his office to help us. Also attending were State Senator Phillip Puckett and Delegate Bud Phillips.

Our next big event(s) will be Saturday, September 29, 2007, in Clintwood. This will be a busy day in town, as the Ralph Stanley Museum Mountain Music Festival will also be taking place and filling the streets.

We are going to kick-off the day with a gravy & biscuit breakfast at 9:00 AM, hosted by Clintwood District Supervisor candidate, Donnie Rife. We are also very fortunate to have a special guest, Chairman of Virginia’s House Democratic Caucus, Brian Moran, joining us for breakfast.

After folks enjoy some of the great Mountain Music around town, we are inviting everyone back down for a delicious lunch at 3:00 PM, hosted by Circuit Court Clerk candidate, Richard Edwards.

Both the breakfast at 9:00 AM, and the lunch at 3:00 PM, are free events and will be held at the Dickenson County Democratic Headquarters building, which is located directly across the street from the Courthouse.

NLS on the 2nd District

Brian February 4th, 2007

The infallible “Not Larry Sabato” (a/k/a Ben Tribbett) has up a new post in which he opines that Delegate Bud Phillips’ seat, the 2nd District, is no longer “Likely Democratic,” but is now “Safe Democratic” because of Judge Dotson’s withdraw from politics.

No offense to Judge Dotson or Ben, but I believe anyone running from Wise County in the 2nd District would have a very difficult time, especially against Del. Phillips. Only a small portion of the district is in Wise County.

Ben is, however, very accurate in one respect: trying to guess potential candidates if the seat were open. He says, “[t]his is also the district of Brian Patton who may be the candidate if Bud leaves this seat open.” That is what I like about Ben, he dreams big. :)

Primary for Dickenson County

Brian January 12th, 2007

Last night, the Dickenson County Democratic Committee overwhelmingly voted for a primary to select our candidates. The three options that were considered by the Committee were:

1. Primary
2. Convention
3. Firehouse Primary

The vote ended up being 30 for primary, 4 for firehouse primary, and 3 for convention.

Up until the last county election cycle in 2003, when the Committee also opted for a primary, it had always used a convention to select its nominees.

In 1999, the last time the Committee used a convention, there were the usual allegations of misdealing, but the big factor that seemed to upset people were the candidates who failed to win the nomination running as independents. Using the primary will, thus, remove that possibility and seems to have worked well in 2003.

I personally favor the primary because it will give each of the candidates a chance to start getting their name out, give them some practice campaigning, and it ensures a candidate cannot run for the Democratic nomination and as an independent candidate too.

The downside is, of course, that spoilers (Republican or otherwise) can show up, vote, and attempt to affect who the Democratic candidate will be.

Newspapers test FOIA

Brian January 1st, 2007

Mr. Hammack, of the Roanoke Times, reports here on a recent project by Virginia newspapers to gauge citizens’ availability to local government information.

The lucky media representative that pulled Dickenson County apparently had an interesting pursuit of some fire inspection reports.

Here are the applicable quotes:

At a Dickenson County elementary school, Wytheville Enterprise reporter Mary Beth Jackson was asked if she was with a company or the fire marshal’s office. She recited the standard line about being a citizen interested in the community. A few minutes later, school Superintendent Damon Rasnick was summoned.

“I’ve never seen you before in this community, and I’ve been here for 34 years,” Rasnick told Jackson. “I consider you a threat to my school.”

Eventually, Jackson was allowed to see the fire inspection reports — which showed no safety violations — as the superintendent, the school principal and the maintenance supervisor all hovered around her.

Rasnick said he was wary of Jackson because she would not immediately give her name. Jackson said she gave her name when first asked.

“You people don’t need to come in schools like that,” Rasnick said later after being told that Jackson was part of a newspaper project. “We’ve had a lot of things go wrong in schools with people we don’t know.”

Although Rasnick said he regretted treating Jackson the way he did, “I felt I was protecting my children, and I have no regrets about that.”

I know Superintendent Rasnick. He is a good guy, probably knows about everyone in the county, and had the best of intentions.

I suspect that any reporter, who identified him or herself as such, would not have had any problems seeing the reports. Likewise, if it had been someone locally, he or she would have not had any problems.

Personally, I am glad to see our school officials erring on the side of caution.

Most politically incorrect word

Brian December 16th, 2006

It is now official. The “m-word” is the most politically incorrect word.

From the article:

The word “macaca,” used by outgoing Republican Sen. George Allen of Virginia to describe a Democratic activist of Indian descent who was trailing his campaign, was named the most politically incorrect word of the year on Friday by Global Language Monitor, a nonprofit group that studies word usage.

The word might have changed the political balance of the U.S. Senate[.]

It is still hard for me to believe, this one word, uttered right here in Dickenson County by a U.S. Senator, could have created such a huge stir in the world.

Jayne’s friend, Kristin, was visiting from Ohio last weekend and we took her to the Breaks for dinner. Both of them are fairly apolitical, so I doubt either understood why I drove so slowly by that very spot where Sen. Allen used the “M-word” and made what most people thought impossible a reality.

Dr. Stanley receives National Medal of Arts

Brian November 17th, 2006

Last week, Dickenson County native Dr. Ralph Stanley was invited to the White House and presented with one of the ten National Medal of Arts by President Bush.

This is a very prestigious award and excellent addition to Dr. Stanley’s collection.

The National Medal of Arts is:

[T]he highest award given to artists and arts patrons by the United States Government. The National Medal of Arts is awarded by the President of the United States to individuals or groups who, in his judgment, ‘…are deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support and availability of the arts in the United States.’

Congratulations to Dr. Stanley.

Sidarth on Dickenson County

Brian November 15th, 2006

A popular figure in the 2006 election was S.R. Sidarth, the tracker that was called “macaca” by Sen. George Allen on a campaign stop in Dickenson County.

Sidarth shared his feelings about the incident and his thoughts on Dickenson County here in the Washington Post.

Sidarth said:

Nothing made me happier on election night than finding out the results from Dickenson County, where Allen and I had our encounter. Webb won there, in what I can only hope was a vote to deal the race card out of American politics once and for all.

To be fair, I am not sure we (voters in Dickenson County) took into consideration the “race card.” We did, however, cast votes for a new direction in D.C. and for a candidate that will fight for working folks.

Mother Jones on SWVA

Brian November 9th, 2006

I cannot remember who it was that first turned me on to Mother Jones, but for the last few years I have enjoyed reading and considered it one of the better sources of progressive news.

This article, though, entitled “Operation: Take Back Virginia” is one of the most disparaging and condescending articles I have ever read.

The author, JoAnn Wypijewski, accompanied Jim Webb (and apparently George Allen too) to several of his stops in Southwest Virginia this past weekend.

I am sure Ms. Wypijewski is generally good at what she does, however, it appears she really blew it on this article. Not only did she get several of the facts incorrect, but one can only assume that she was more interested in taking cracks at our beautiful area – Southwest Virginia – and its citizenry than writing about Jim Webb’s excellent chance to “take back Virginia.”

For example, here is how she described the enthusiastic crowd that gathered in Clintwood to see Virginia’s next U.S. Senator.

Webb ended the weekend at another potluck, this one in the mining town of Clintwood. The fare at the table, baked beans and cheese sandwiches, cucumbers in oil and vinegar and egg salad sandwiches, told something about how the people of Dickenson County are faring. This is hard coal country, and the low stools at the Clintwood elementary school cafeteria were filled, a crowd of about 200, the men in worn jackets and baseball caps with foamy fronts and webbed plastic sides. There were coal widows with diamonds but more women with bad teeth and dull hair.

Certainly she would realize how offensive statements like that are to folks in Clintwood. I guess it is possible she thinks that the lowly-citizens of Dickenson County are too illiterate to read Mother Jones.

I personally invite Ms. Wypijewski to visit Clintwood and Southwest Virginia again. She will be pleased to know that most of the ladies who live here do not have “bad teeth and dull hair.” It appears to me she has painted a very poor picture of the fiercely-independent residents of this great region.

Election Results

Brian November 7th, 2006

The results will be up here for Virginia.

I visited most of the precincts in Dickenson County today. We had a good turnout and most people said it was a strong Democratic turnout. Webb should win Dickenson by record margins.

Update:
It’s now 12:30 AM, and the SBE results page just updated to show Jim Webb in the lead by nearly 2,000 votes. This will go down in history as one of the greatest political upsets ever. Now the fun parts - observe the canvass, hearings, recounts, etc. - can get started. Or are there more votes out there? Will Webb’s lead be large enough to avoid recounts? I hope so.

I survived!

Brian October 9th, 2006

The rafting trip went great and was no where near as death-defying as I had first expected. The main reason for that is we put in at the Dam and took out at the Garden Hole, just above the really big and bad rapids (commonly known as the “Gorge”).

We also stopped for a break at Bartlick Dam and stretched our legs. At Bartlick, the guy with us said its very important to stay to the right, because of a “sticky” hydraulic on the other sides. By “sticky,” he meant if you get in there, it is hard to get out.

The guys rafting with us said the largest rapids on our trip were Class 4. In the Gorge, they said, several are Class 5. The ones we went over were very family-friendly and just big enough to be fun. Anything less would have likely been boring and anything more would have likely been a bit much for a first trip.

It also provided a unique view of the leaves, which are starting to change colors. I would bet the trip would have been even better in a couple of weeks, as the leaves really start changing.

My advice is that if you have not seen all Dickenson County has to offer (i.e., rafting on the Russell Fork River), it is time for a visit.

My photos are in the process of being developed. If I ended up with any good ones, I will post them as an update. Most of the time, though, the camera lens was covered in water, so I am doubtful many will turn out.

Adventures on the Russell Fork

Brian October 6th, 2006

For the last few years, something I have really wanted to do is go whitewater rafting on the Russell Fork River.

Each year, rafters from all around converge on Dickenson County to paddle the Russell Fork.

It was one of those experiences I always “wanted” and “hoped” to enjoy, but never really acted on. Then, a few weeks ago, one of my friends from law school came up with the idea for us and some other folks from school to go one weekend in October. That weekend is tomorrow.

The problem which quickly came to light is that I had never been whitewater rafting and the Russell Fork is not exactly the “bunny slope” of rivers.

When I tossed the idea out of making my first rafting trip on the Russell Fork to a local attorney, who is an avid paddler, he said, “well, it will be one hell of a memory if you all survive.” I talked to him again today and he said, “I really thought you were smarter than this.” Hopefully he was giving me the “worse-case scenario” sense of the trip.

American Whitewater has an excellent resource for those seeking adventure on the Russell Fork here. It includes several photos and first-hand accounts. I think I have read every word on there at least three times now and still feel uninformed about what I am getting myself into.

E-Raft describes the river here:

Difficulty: Class IV-V rafting experience required

Whitewater enthusiasts seeking a rare challenge above and beyond the upper Gauley or upper Yough rafting trips should take note of the Russell Fork of the Levisa along the southwest Virginia—eastern Kentucky border. The Russell Fork, considered unrunnable just a decade ago, is rated by knowledgeable whitewater experts as the most technically difficult commercially rafted river in the eastern United States.

. . .

Rafters must immediately begin their final tune-up for the unbelievable whitewater action of Breaks Interstate Park. Within the Park the River drops about 500 feet in just 2.5 miles (4 km). Eight huge rapids consisting of high drops, powerful hydraulics, and chutes (barely wide enough for rafts) require the utmost in raft maneuvering and course execution. Class IV-V rapids—Twist and Shout, Tower Falls, Triple Drop, El Horrendo and S-Turn—will provoke lifetime memories. El Horrendo, more like a waterfall, is the highest commercially run drop in the eastern United States.

. . .

Because of the extreme difficulty and technical nature of the Russell Fork, professional outfitters screen prospective rafters very carefully.

Here is a video someone posted on YouTube.com of a fellow making a run through the “Towers” section. That looks like fun, right?

Now the good news. We did have the good sense to know we could not just go buy a raft and some paddles. We have arranged to shell out the $45.00 per person to have a guide and go with a group. This company appears to be reputable and to have taken other novice rafters down the Russell Fork before.

I bought a disposable, waterproof camera tonight, so hopefully I will have some photos to share tomorrow. This should be one heck of a trip and I am really looking forward to it. If anyone has any last minute advice, feel free to share it.

Fish Fry

Brian September 24th, 2006

Today in Clintwood, approximately 150 local Democrats from Dickenson County braved rainstorms and gathered for the Annual Fish Fry.

Several people commented this was one of the largest crowds we have ever had for a Fish Fry.  The reason for that is clear: change is in the air. 

I was worried that the weather might depress turnout.  To the contrary, folks came out in large numbers, came early and stayed late. 

Those in attendance included Congressman Rick Boucher, Delegate Bud Phillips, and other local elected officials.

Congressman Boucher delivered one of the most rousing speeches I had ever seen from him.  The Congressman, after asking we re-elect him, discussed just how close the Democrats are to regaining the majority in the Congress. 

The Congressman also asked that we support Jim Webb and discussed his favorable prospects for beating George Allen.

Democrats in Dickenson County are fired up and are going to be working hard to keep Congressman Boucher in the House of Representatives and do everything we can to send Jim Webb to the Senate. 

P.S.  The food was Great!

Return to Roots

Brian September 16th, 2006

Rex Bowman has a good article in today’s RTD on the new “Return to Roots” program which will be officially launched on Monday, by Governor Kaine at his Cabinet meeting in Wise.

The reason for the program:

Economic experts say the population drop in the coalfields represents a “brain drain,” as high school students who go on to college move away for good because there have been few high-paying, high-skill jobs in far Southwest Virginia to lure them back.

Not surprisingly, I agree with the experts. Before making the decision to move back home, to Clintwood, I was often tempted by other areas with their own exits off of I-81.

The good news is, though, that a lack of technology jobs is being addressed:

But officials said the mountainous region now has openings for software developers and engineers, technical supervisors, information-technology experts, lab technicians, project managers, electrical and industrial engineers, nurses, therapists, physicians and pharmacists.

“There are companies here that have openings all the time,” said committee member Susan Copeland, who runs an Abingdon marketing agency. “One of our goals is to educate the people right here in this region about that, to let them know that the area has really started to change.

The new problem is getting people to come back to the Coalfields (as well as the rest of Southwest Virginia) and/or stay. To that end, the “Return to Roots” program was born. The program is:

Leaders in far Appalachian Virginia are beckoning 15,000 high school graduates who have left the area for jobs elsewhere “to come on back.”

As part of an ambitious program dubbed Return to Roots, to be officially launched Monday by the governor, officials are seeking to persuade Southwest Virginia natives who moved out over the past two decades that the region is much better off economically than it was when they left. In short, the message is that jobs are here if you want them.

Kudos to Governor Kaine for recognizing a big problem affecting Southwest Virginia and taking steps to address it.

For me, the decision to come back to Clintwood was a little easier, since I knew I could always hang out a shingle. For folks with degrees and backgrounds in technology fields, their potential employment opportunities are much more limited.

I hope this program will be very successful and we can continue to utilize the technology infrastructure being built in the Coalfields to lure back and keep our young people.

Photos from Fire Dept. Parade

Brian September 12th, 2006

This past weekend, Clintwood’s Volunteer Fire Department hosted the First Annual Firemen’s Competition, which included a parade on Saturday morning.

Here are a few photos from the parade:


More after the jump ….
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Webb House Party - Clintwood

Brian September 10th, 2006

Earlier today, several folks from gathered at a House Party for Webb, hosted by Gerald Gray.


Webb House Party

The food and discussions were both great. Several more folks were not able to attend, but sent donations anyway.

Democracy Prevails for Webb

Brian August 22nd, 2006

Over the weekend, Webb was traveling with his family throughout Southwest Virginia. At each stop, though, he also had some other friends. Tom Morris and Henry Tieleman of Democracy Prevails were visiting each stop that Webb made and would setup near each event to distribute materials and increase Webb’s visibility.

Most people are probably thinking, “yeah, so what? Every candidate has advance people to get things setup.” The difference with Henry and Tom is, however, that they are just volunteers and do this because they want better leadership in the senate.


Democracy Prevails and Webb

Here is Henry, Tom, and Jim outside the Clintwood High School.

Allen at the Breaks

Brian August 14th, 2006

I recently mentioned that George Allen made a swing through Dickenson County. For some reason, on the day he arrived, every Webb yard sign on his route through the county was either stolen or covered over with Allen signs. I am sure that was just a coincidence.

Also, on or about the same day Allen arrived in Dickenson County, a 4′ x 8′ Webb sign in the middle of the Town of Haysi, was stolen. Oddly enough, the day before it was stolen, the owner of the land had to ask some Allen supporters “from out of town” to not place an Allen sign there and to leave the property. It was probably an honest mistake; at first glance the property appears to be owned by the town. I am sure this was just another coincidence.

Now on to what Alled did while visiting Dickenson County.

Here is the video:

[Update: Since youtube.com does not seem to be working, you can download the video here.]

Here is some of the coverage:
“Sen. Allen’s Remarks Spark Ire” (Washington Post)
“Major Senate Race Shakeup” (Not Larry Sabato)
“Allen Under Fire…and Rightly So” (Too Conservative)
“Allen Scandal” (Not Larry Sabato)

Update:

The Washington Post has updated its story again. I think this is the third time the headline has been changed.

It is now: “Allen Quip Provokes Outrage, Apology”

The new version of the article is much longer, includes an apology from Allen, and seems much more friendly towards Allen.

I wonder why the WaPo does not just do “updates” to the web versions of its stories instead of chaging them like this? Which version will appear, if any, in the print edition? I guess time will tell.

Allen the Vandal

Brian August 11th, 2006

Today, George Allen visited a call center here in Clintwood as a part of his tour. Its really too bad that all Allen does for Southwest Virginia is “listening” and no “doing,” but we are used to that.

Allen did, however, leave several yard signs behind on his swing through town. Allen’s supporters, though, must have been a little upset that Dickenson County was the proud home of so many Webb for Senate signs.

In the locations where Webb signs were not near houses, they have now vanished, and been replaced by Allen signs. In places where they were near houses, Allen’s people put one of his signs directly in front of and behind the Webb sign.

This is despicable behavior and was uncalled for. Several times I have placed signs beside of an opponent’s sign, but I have never removed or obstructed someone else’s sign. These activities are completely reprehensible and Allen’s supporters really need to grow up.

The good thing about acts like this is that they really tick off volunteers. And when folks here in Southwest Virginia get mad, we do not sink to Allen’s level and do the same thing. Instead, we go out and work twice as hard on what really matters – beating him on Election Day. A wise man once told me that if signs could vote, campaigning would be much easier.

Tonight, I have already had three calls from people wanting to get call sheets and asking how they can help elect Jim Webb. So, good job George Allen supporters, thanks to your high school-level antics, Democrats are fired up.

Update:

Here are some photos.


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Clintwood’s July 4th Celebration

Brian July 4th, 2006

Today’s activities are in full swing. The parade just went by my house, minutes before the rain started. Hopefully it finished up on the other end of town before the clouds opened up. Here are photos of the parade.

Ralph Stanley

The celebration will conclude tonight with a concert and fireworks. I am going to eat and head back down town. Here is a listing of the day’s events.

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