Citizens Speak Out

Mr. Edgell who lives on Lincoln Way has ideas to bring visitors to Buckhannon and dropped off a typed note to my business address. He writes that promoting the Pringle Tree Park and the State Wildlife Center through the CVB would be beneficial. He is not in favor of the modular CVB building design that is currently the subject of an on going litigation. He also sees a real benefit in promoting a Bluegrass Mountain music program in the area. He suggested Jawbone Park as a potential venue. These ideas have merit and can best be fulfilled by the CVB when it emerges from litigation. I love the idea of Buckhannon becoming a Bluegrass music center. I think it will take an individual or musical group to be the seed to bring the Bluegrass music idea forward.

Mr. Edgell also stated he wants a to reduce the sound of loud motorcycle pipes in our town. I empathize with Mr. Edgell as my father-in-law lives at the base of the big turn just after McDonalds restaurant and the large truck jake brakes and motorcycles are an irritant to him. The noise concern has to be balanced with the fact that Buckhannon is in the heart of West Virginia's prime motorcycle and summer holiday routes. Strict enforcement of noise ordinances make visitors wary of visiting our town. I am honestly more in favor of promoting our city as a regional visitation partner for travel opportunities. Under the right circumstances, and with proper and attractive signage, the cycling noise could be reduced but probably not eliminated. There will always be someone in any crowd that will seek attention.

Lastly, Mr. Edgell thinks the city should annex areas like Tennerton, Leggit Addition, Vicksburg and/or Shawnee Dr. areas to raise tax revenues. Annexation is certainly a way to increase revenues but should only be done, in my opinion, if it makes business sense and has some benefit for both parties. I'm sure there will always be those for and against annexation just as there are those for and against the PATH transmission line project.

I want to thank Mr. Edgell for taking time to let me know what is important to him and I hope my responses will help him make an informed decision on election day.