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6 - Hinton News Tues. Oct, 14, 2003
tl co0000o., '1/
iii Waterfrom Development- l/
ill II
!11 By Brian D. Boyle - , II
2 In a conversation with the CVB
,iburism developer Kathy Upton she
:made a point that I want to share
:with the readers. There are two
:classes of tourist attractions:
providers & Sustainers. The
"drinking is that the difference is that
leople will travel to a location like
Iinton to see or take part in a
]provider. On the other hand there
re businesses etc. that exist
ecause tourists come here and
hese businesses provide services
etc. to the tourist. These are
mstainers. Sustainers are valuable
because they give the tourist
something to do while also providing
mmerce (jobs) for the locals. The
:Key difference is that the tourist will
not visit Hinton simply because a
sustainer exists.
I feel we have been approaching
nuch of our tourist development
here a little backwards. The mind
set seems to be that if we use some
Spit and polish on our town and
buildings and then got a few more
businesses open that cater to
tourists that this will bring tourists
to the area. Make no mistake here
t,his is a valuable part of tourist and
economic development but it is not
what I will term a hook. I choose to
use the word hook because if it's one
thing a lot of us locals know it is
fishing. We have to have a hook on
the line to catch the big bass or
catfish. So the =providers" then can
be compared to the hook. Without'
enough hooks it means not enough
bass (tourists).
To be sure we do have some hooks
in our tackle box. They are the
natural beauties of Hinton and it's
surrounding mountains and rivers.
Bluestone Lake, the National and
State Parks are some of the
roviders. Those fish in the river
bring fishermen from all over the
area. Then there are the various
festivals that bring some folks in as
well. These are all strong positives
but they simply are not enough to
really put Hinton on the Map as a
major "go to" tourist destination.
.qhe truth is it is going to take more-
ti lot more- to take this town to the
hext level.
', The natural question is why
tourism? Tourism is the second
largest industry in WV at the
present time. This is a clue right
there that we should take notice of
the value of tourism to economic
clevelopment. Another good point is
that tourism is an environmentally
iendly industry. This is not to say
that it is squeaky clean but it sure
beats a chemical plant or a polluting
ndustry when it comes to negative
npact on the environment.
, There are other major obstacles
to tourist development that I feel I
heed to mention. There are quite a
few people here who want to control
he tourist development and hamper
t because they have basically run
this town for decades. They don't
want to release the steering wheel
to the tourist car. The thoughts of
letting anyone else drive the car is
ierceived as some sort of threat to
their power base. If someone else
Were driving the car they may make
a turn that present controllers would
not be happy with. Historically these
groups have developed their
methods as a means to be first in line
to reach into the tourist's pockets.
• The powers that have run this town
into the dirt basically want to keep
the money in a tight circle- for
themselves and their families and
buddies.
These folks would tell you how
beautiful life is here in Hinton. For
them it may be. But the youth are
Still exiting, the poor are still hungry
and the empty buildings are'
testament to the folly of their
methods. I don't buy into; the
mnnent that everything is peachy-
keen here. Back in New York City
there is a saying that describes this
sort of sales pitch. Hucksters who
wanted to make a quick buck would
sell unsuspecting honest folks the
fake deeds to the Brooklyn Bridge.
This is where the saying comes from
that says, =If you believe that then
let me sell you the Brooklyn Bridge."
So I say if you believe that
everything is just fine in Hinton let
me sell you the Wiggins Bridge. Yll
go print up a deed on my computer
and you can figure out how to get it
when they tear it down for the new
bridge.
I respect my elders but some of
them are sticks in the mud when it
comes to tourist development too.
They don't want a bunch of
strangers around and I guess they
are content with only seeing'their
children and grand children on the
visits when they come back home on
a vacation or for a funeral or
reunion. They forget that their
children had to leave to pursue
careers. Had it not been the case
that resulted from the historic
mismanagement of our town they
might be seeing their grand kids
every day.
The problem is that human
nature makes us resist
acknowledging our own mistakes.
This group of folks is hugely in
denial about the basic economic
conditions and the part their actions
had in creating it.
I often ask folks from surrounding
communities why they don't come to
Hinton more to go fishing or
participate in the festivals etc. I
can't tell you how many times I get
the response that they stay clear of
Hinton because the cops harass
them when they come to town.
Like it or not- true or false- in the
present police equation- this is a
widely held perception held by
=outsiders." It had to come from
somewhere now didn't it?
Of course discussion about
obstacles to tourist development
would not be complete without some
discussion on how short money is
when it comes to developing any new
"Provider" for our community. There
simply is not enough folks with the
money or enough folks who have the
money willing to invest in tourist
development here in town.
This is unfortunate because it
means that outside money will come
in and reap the rewards in the
future.
Some folks think that chain
restaurants and chain stores are key
positives to tourist development.
This is just an example of confusing
"sustainers" with =providers." The
fact is that Stokes Drive could be
anywhere USA if it wasn't for the
fact that it has the New River next
to it. These Chain restaurants
traditionally drive the local ones out
of business. Folks are not going to
drive a hundred miles to eat in a
place that has the same food as the
joint around the corner in their
town. This is the problem with these
chain stores and restaurants are
they are everywhere.
As a brief aside a new coffeehouse
opened in Rivertowne called the Day
Dream Caf4. It's locally owned and
not a chain- finally selections of
blended coffees are in town
providing choice.
Now I must say that it will take
more then a good sales pitch and a
good advertising campaign to make
the general public aware of the
"providers" we do have to solve the
problems. If the Lakes and Parks
and Mountains and Rivers were
enough then enough folks would
already be here. This is not to say
that we should not pursue these
endeavors to make the outside world
aware of Hinton's natural beauty. I
submit that this is simply not
enough to really move the town
forward and to reverse the decline.
It will take a new mind set, one that
casts off the old tried and failed
methods and then replaces them
with some new innovative
approaches.
One key I see as a way to provide
one new =provider" is to exploit our
river front. We have to develop a
New- New River Hinton Waterfront.
Two weeks a go in this column I
mentioned that I thought we did not
have a concrete plan. This has been
confirmed. A citizen directed me to
City Hall to look at the plan that
hangs on the wall in the conference
room. I did so. In fact it is not a plan
but it is a conceptual idea stimulant.
This was subsequently confirmed
with separate meetings that I had
with the Mayor, CVB director Kathy
Upton and Chad Wykle the economic
developer. I was right in that there
is no actual plan. However there
does seem to be unanimous
agreement as to the need to develop
a waterfront and what it could mean
to the future of this town.
So the key is to come up with a
plan. The suggestion here:
Step One. Conduct a round table
discussion with Civic Groups and
elected officials to outline the
possibilities and problems.
Step Two. Next have some public
meetings to get citizen input.
Step Three. Develop the plan. In
order to do this we are going to have
to leave some of the negative mind
sets and old practices outside of the
door and look forward. Hinton needs
a waterfront and more to survive.
Our kids deserve the choice to
stay here if they want to. New
development can provide some
opportunities for them to do so. But
we are really going to have to change
some of our ways to do this. The
Waterfront is one key. We need to get
busy on this.
Next week I will write more about
the Maintenance Code. Remember
to attend the City Council Meeting
on Tuesday Oct. 21, 7:00 p.m. This
code should not be enacted without
solid citizen involvement. I urge that
it be tabled until there is citizen
input. The code carries too many
dangers in it for the poor. Be active
now or you can cry later. The choice
is yours.
Lighthouse Beams Summer
Youth Activities
The Summer 2003 Season of
activities of the =Lighthouse Beams"
(youth group of the Pence Springs
Community Church) began with a
cancelled swimming trip due to real
cold temperatures on June 21.
Instead we all went to the church
and practiced our Vacation Bible
School songs. Pastor Roger had the
blessing on the food, we ate and we
sang songs and enjoyed the
afternoon together. We had the
Lord's Prayer to close the day and
we all went home. Our annual VBS
was held July 7th. - 11th. and our
attendance went from 34 to 48
throughout the week.
The theme was Son Harvest and
many dressed for the theme which
made it very interesting. The closing
program and awards assembly was
on Friday the 11th. with pizza for
everyone from the Hinton Pizza Hut
afterwards: Other dishes were
provided by those attending as well.
On July 26th. we went to the
Ronceverte Island Park swimming
pool. There was 21 in the group and
everyone had a very good time, our
thanks to the staff for making our
visit a pleasant one. We had snacks
to enjoy during breaks and the
adults enjoyed a time of fellowship
while we swam.
On July 29th. One of our "Beams,
Christina Leedom (now attending
Marshall University) was crowned
Queen XXXVIIII of the West
Virginia Water Festival.
Congratulations Chrissy! We are
proud of you.
Our church had it's annual picnic
on August 10th. immediately
following the morning worship
service on the lawn of the church.
Our Pastor had the blessing and
the delicious food and perfect
weather was enjoyed by all. We had
a special treat this year, "The
Servants" (local gospel group)
blessed us with an afternoon of
music to enjoy along with our usual
fellowship after the meal.
The young ones played basketball
or other games during this time.
On the 2nd. Tuesday of each
month our choir goes to the
Summers Continuous Care Center
to sing for the residents and we have
been doing that as well as a part of
our ministry.
Our annual camp - out was held
Aug. 15th. & 16th. at the Parkin's
residence. The Wheeler's were
unable to do it this year but we
thank them for all the years that
they did it for us. Everyone met at 5
p.m. and the black clouds were
threatening. However, we managed
to have our cook-out. Bob Cotes had
the blessing and we enjoyed a time
of fellowship before the rain began.
Some spent the night in the living
room floor and those staying had a
good time. Breakfast/check-out time
was 10 a.m. on the 16th.
One highlight 0fthe evening was
piggy-back and wheelbarrow rides
down the hill provided by Dale
Hedrick. Others sat around the
campfire and told stories and
visited.
The final activity of the Summer
was a fishing trip to the pond behind
the church and the Pence Springs
Hotel. At 3:00 P.M. the fishing
began. There were 25 of us and we
caught 29 fish. The winners are as
follows: Stephanie Parkin had the
most (6), Lorene Cotes also had 6 but
hers were teeny ones. Lashae Bonds
(a visitor) caught the biggest one
(approximately 13") . 2nd. place
went to Nicol Parkin and Megan
Saunders (5) and we were very
proud of Tyler Keatley because he
caught his first fish. Talena Walker
provided transportation (with her
go-cart) to and from the church for
those who had to go.
Pastor Roger Persinger had the
blessing of the food and everyone
cooked their,wee-nees and the meal
began. We also had S'mores and lots
of goodies along with an evening of
fellowship. A great way to end a
season.
To close we would like to thank
Ashby Berkley for letting us use the
'Hotel pond and field. Also Leslie
Persinger for his donations during
the Summer and the many folks who
put their time and efforts into our
activities each month.
Stay tuned to this paper for our
latest news and if you don't have a
home church feel free to come and
worship with us. Our church is
located on Rt. #3 beside the Pence
Springs Hotel.
Brody Lancin Cales
Birth Announced
The Cales family would like to
share the arrival of our newest
addition. Brody Lancin Cales was
born June 27th. at Raleigh General
Hospital in Beckley.
Brody weighed in at 8 lbs. and 7
ozs. Brody is the son of Camen
Cales. He lives with his mother and
grandparents Jack and Karen Cales
in Hilldale.
Brody enjoys spending time with
his cousins: B.J., Samantha,
Brittany, and Mikayla Cales all of
Judson. His favorite activities are
watching Pap Paw's taxidermy fish
on the living room walls, and singing
with the choir at church.
His favorite song is "Peanut
Sitting on the Railroad Tracks" sung
by his Pap Paw Jack. Brody attends
the Freedom Baptist Church and is
truly a gift from God.
His great grandparents are the
late James H. Cales, Carrie Cales,
and Orval Lancin Buckland. His
great grandmother is Virginia
Buckland of Powleys Creek.
Brody is now three months old
and is grown like a weed. He now
weighs in at 15 Ibs. and is 25 inches
long, and has brought much
excitement into the household.
SOLID WASTE AUTHORITY
Summers County Solid Waste
Authority meets on the 3rd. Monday
of each month at 4:30 pm at the
Memorial Bldg., Hinton. 466-0695.
Everyone is welcome to attend.
West Virginia University
*Career Opportunity*
WVU Extension Service is recruiting for an Extension
Agent for Monroe County. A master's degree from an
accredited institution of higher education with at least one
degree in an agriculture-related field is required; training
and/or experience in community development is preferred.
This position is a full-time, tenure track, 12-months
position.
Closing date Tuesday, October 28, 2003. For a
complete position announcement, visit our web-site at
http://www.wvu.edu/~exten/. To apply and to be considered
the following information must be received by the closing
date, cover letter, resume or curriculum vitae of academic
training and professional experience, transcripts, list of
three references (including address, e-mail, phone, and
fax numbers) who can reflect on the applicant's
professional strengths. Submit complete application
packet by closing date. WVU is an EEO/AA organization.
darrell's Exxon
"Your Full-Service Service Station"
466-0133
TI RES TI RES TI RES
Summer Tire Sale
ALL TIRES."
FREE MOUNT
FREE BAL4NCE
FREE TIRE V/IL VES
KIIMHO TIRES."
$5.00 OFF F_,4CH TIRE
KUMHO 795 ROAD
HAZARP
Note: Road Hazard on Passenger "13res Only.
First 50% Tread Free Replacement.
MECHANIC
Tim Ward.
We're drivers too.
Corner of 2nd Ave. and Ballenged St.
(Basement of HRDE McCreery Center)
Mon., Tue., Thurs., Fri.
5 to ??
in the
HINTON AREA COMMUNITY CENTER
During the month of October, WV American Water will flush mains
throughout our service territory in Hinton. The purpose is to maintain
a high level of water quality and water service to our customers. We
will flush the water mains as follows:
\\;
---'3
I
Monday, October 13 and Tuesday, October 14:
From Reservoir Street to Brooks/Barksdale Area.
-----
, Wednesday, October 15 and Thursday October 16: !
From Grace Street to Summers County Hospital r-----I
Customers are advised to use'caution when
I operating washing machines and other water using I "'!
! i devices during this period of time. If you have questions, • I
ii please call our 24- hour customer service center at: Ill I
i ,..0.,,..°0 I I
West Virginia American Water