David Cottrill 16.AUG.08
For 18 years, Masters Mech & Tech Auto Repair has occupied the one apparent level spot along the Route 63 hill overlooking Ronceverte. Over those years, area folk have routinely brought their ailing autos to Greg Masters and his skilled mechanics.

Then, on Mar. 6, a ravaging fire demolished the facility. “We’ve worked day and night, seven days a week, to get it up and going,” Masters said. The crisp new building, fresh and shining, is now in its third week of operation.

“We’re not 100 percent yet,” Masters intimated, “but we have all the work the two of us can do.” Masters is also working to expand parking on the narrow strip.

The community welcomes the return of a foremost neighborhood service.

Alderson craftsman took first place at 1886 fair

The headboard of a bedstead that helped persuade judges in 1886 that Alderson’s James Floyd Smithson’s furniture would be awarded top honors.

David Cottrill 16.AUG.08
Most local folk are aware that the West Virginia State Fair grew out of the Greenbrier County fair tradition. During a particular six-year stretch (1883-1889), the annual event was called the Greenbrier Valley Industrial Exposition and was situated on acreage along the Greenbrier River in Alderson now occupied by the Greenbrier Camp for Boys.

A coveted prize at this expo was sought by furniture craftsmen. The first place award (“diploma”) in 1886 went to furniture maker James Floyd Smithson of Alderson for an ornate bedstead and a majestic secretary.

Smithson’s granddaughter, Corenia Yurt of Alderson, is custodian of the treasured artifacts, along with other samples of her grandfather’s creative genius.

Held together by wooden pegs and festooned with intricate hand-carved, furrowed moldings, the pieces represent a bygone era of individual skilled craftsmen that preceded modem mass production.

Samples of the family’s predisposition toward creativity are seen in Yurt’s father’s hand-carved grandfather clock and her own skills as a painter.

Yurt said her ancestors in the area date to the time of the town’s founder, Elder John Alderson, and that there had been several marriages between the two families.

Board again looks at space for new Lewisburg school
David Cottrill 16.AUG.08
The Greenbrier County Commission Tuesday approved an agreement to sell nearly 20 acres of land on the hill above the new library to the county’s board of education for a new elementary school.

The commission will sell the acreage for $735,000 contingent on the successful passage of a bond issue that would totally finance the project. A previous bond issue to build outside the city was defeated. The acres at issue are within city limits.

In another matter, the decade-long debate over a county recreation center took a new turn. To date, the discussion has largely turned on the merits of a totally new center on nearly seven acres of fairground property as opposed to revitalizing the indoor pool on the campus of NRCTC.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Kevin Workman, proprietor of Greenbrier Valley Physical Therapy and Fitness (across from the medical center), proposed the county acquire and build the complex on land adjacent his business. He said his staff is qualified to manage it, a major concern of commissioners. He pointed out that the two facilities, if side-by-side, would complement each other and would make the pool complex financially self-sustaining, another commission worry.

NBA legend Bimbo Coles was on hand to promote the idea, pointing out the urgent need for physical fitness among every age group in the area, especially youngsters.

The commissioners agreed to take the subject under advisement, arrange a working session with the advocates, and add the issue to the commission’s next meeting agenda.

Union denies liquor license
Edward J. Pluchar 16.AUG.08
Union’s town council voted to deny a liquor license application from Confetti’s, LLC at their regular meeting on Wednesday.

Helen Stevens, owner of Confetti’s restaurant in Union, said she believed a liquor license would help her make a little more money, because her customers have asked for it.
Randall Mills, however, voiced strong opposition to the application.

“I just have to say I’m tired of dealing with the problems [that go along with liquor sales]. I’ve seen it over the last 20 years, and it always leads to the downfall of the business,” he said.

Stevens indicated that she appreciated Mills’ opinion, but still wanted the license. The motion to approve the application was denied 3-4, though town attorney Perry Pauley warned that Stevens could bring a suit against the town and get her license regardless.

Dr. Joshua B. Hunter, veterinarian, plans to open a business in the town of Union and applied for a sign permit, which was approved unanimously.

Delays on the town’s sidewalk project continue. Council discussed the issue of payment to the head contractor, Hazzard Excavating and Trucking Co., while RBS, Inc. has put the town on notice for Hazzard’s failure to pay. Payment of Hazzard’s latest request was approved, with the exception of their outstanding balance with RBS.

Council approved a donation of $300 to the James Monroe High School marching band for their mission to perform in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1, 2009.

Council also approved a parade permit for the Labor Day Parade, hosted by the Union Chamber of Commerce. The parade will be a walking parade, with the James Monroe Band performing.

Mayor signs 'International Homeless Animal Day' proclamation in advance of tonight's candlelight vigil

Lewisburg Mayor, John Manchester, recently signed a proclamation declaring Aug. 16 International Homeless Animals Day. Pictured are: Cathy Blankenship (left), Mayor Manchester and Angie Winters. Blankenship and Winters are employees of the Greenbrier Humane Society. The proclamation urges people to act responsibly by having their companion animals spayed or neutered to help curb pet overpopulation, ultimately putting an end to the euthanization of healthy but homeless animals. The Greenbrier Humane Society will host a candlelight vigil on Aug., 16, at 8 p.m. at the Green Space in downtown Lewisburg. The Humane Society asks that people bring a candle, glowstick or flashlight (and Kleenex). Please do not bring animals.

Rainelle Council properly disposed for Littering Ordinance
Edward J. Pluchar 16.AUG.08
When Rainelle physically transferred their ordinances from one book to another, somehow an ordinance against littering went missing. Discarding the ironic possibility that the old ordinance has itself become a piece of litter, Council approved the second reading of a new littering ordinance on Monday, Aug. 11.

The new ordinance covers the ordinary instances of pedestrians and drivers littering, explained Recorder/Treasurer Pete Adams, and the unique instance of people who throw their trash into dumpsters they have not paid for. Fines will be assessed for each infraction, Adams said.

Joan Browning, one of Greenbrier County’s candidates for the West Virginia House of Delegates, thanked Council for the opportunity to listen to the concerns of Rainelle.

“I hope to be your delegate, and if I am, I want to know what’s on your mind,” Browning said. She also urged voter registration, and voter re-registration where citizens have changed their names and/or addresses, leaving several registration applications at Rainelle Town Hall.

Bush protestor claims WSS police harassment
David Cottrill 09.AUG.08
County resident Keith Herndon said he heard about President Bush’s planned July 31 visit to The Greenbrier on the late afternoon of the day before. He said he went immediately to the White Sulphur Springs Police Department to request a permit to protest.

Herndon said Police Chief James Hylton told him, “You won’t be able to get close enough. You should go over to Lewisburg.” “He clearly wanted me out of town,” Herndon indicated.

Then, as Herndon was returning home (north of the city on Route 92), he was pulled over by a city officer because the temporary tag taped to his rear window had come loose.
The chief told the officer to hold him. “He’s a threat to the President,” the chief told the arresting officer, according to Herndon. So, the would-be protestor was detained until the Secret Service agents arrived to interrogate him.

“I’m trying to be legal and exercise my First Amendment rights,” he told the agents. Satisfied that the man was not a security risk, he was released.

So, the next day, Herndon went to the corner of U.S. 60 and Hart’s Run Road (just outside the city’s jurisdiction) to display his protest signs where the president’s entourage would exit the Interstate.

He invited the ever-present Secret Service agents to search his car, which they did. “They were very polite,” he explained. So, he was able to show the president his signs. One featured a picture of the president over the line “Worst president ever.” The other placed the pictures of Bush and Cheney over the single word “Liars.”

“The president saw them, too,” Herndon enthused. “He was only ten feet away, and he looked right at them.”

Herndon claimed that he was a victim in White Sulphur Springs of “police abuse” and “a violation of my civil rights.” He indicated that he might seek redress.

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