9th Street Plaza Coming Alive!

The new 9th Street Plaza parking is working out just fine, thank you. I was one of the concerned folks who felt that the angle that cars would be parking in the re-designed plaza would not be efficient. I was wrong.

If you haven't walked along the plaza, you should take a stroll. New shops are open, or preparing to open, and that area is becoming a nice compliment to the revitalization of third and fourth avenues. Huntington is on the move!

What We Have Here ... Is Failure to Communicate

Remember the 1967 movie, "Cool Hand Luke", starring Paul Newman? Luke is a prisoner who is repeatedly punished for refusing to conform to rules enforced by a no-nonsense sheriff who rules the southern-style prison farm with an iron-hand. The sheriff explains to Luke and the other inmates that the problem with Luke is a matter of poor communications. One line of the film's dialogue from Strother Martin is often quoted: "What we have here is...failure to communicate." I think of that succinct evaluation every time I get frustrated with Mayor David Felinton's failure to communicate with the citizens of Huntington. Our citizens elected him, and the citizens want to be kept abreast of these issues:

1. the court-ordered Deitz Hollow Landfill closure and his activity related to attempts to find funding for the closure and the establishment of a new landfill
2. properly caring for and/or replacing dead and dying trees - citywide
3. planning for separating the storm water/sanitary sewer system and a history of his activities to seek sources of funding
4. creating historic districts to safe-guard what is left of the architectural treasures of many of our neighborhoods
5. repairing and restoring historically significant brick-paved streets, re-paving plans and a timetable for asphalt-covered ones, repairing/replacing the numerous broken and missing curbs and fractured gutters and blocked storm-sewers
6. acquiring funding to take-down all of the fire-damaged and dilapidated structures, in a timely manner
7. acquiring funding for maintaining all traffic control nomenclature on all streets and avenues
8. litter abatement efforts and enforcement

There are other issues, but the mayor's failure to communicate what is going on with any of the city's operational responsibilities leads everyone to believe that he has no plan and is not doing anything. The 2008 election is approaching and inquiring minds want to know what is going on! The on-going downtown renaissance must be complimented by a renewal of our city-wide infrastructure and our neighborhoods. It will take a good leader to lead us during our rebirth. What we need right now is good communications from our elected executive. Mr. Mayor, would you care to enlighten us?

*****

Who picks our leaders? We do! Or, at least, those of us who vote do. In this city you have a voice in what happens. It's YOUR government! Use it!

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Register to vote today!

"Kicking the Can Down the Road!"

Is the present City of Huntington administration and the Huntington City Council failing to keep our citizens fully informed on the closure of the Deitz Hollow Landfill, or are they "kicking the can down the road" to let another mayor and council worry about this major issue that will affect all future citizens of our city?

The court ordered closure of the Deitz Hollow landfill, which is located in Guyandotte, must be completed by 2017. But the recent cost estimate of $9 million, money the City of Huntington does not have, is obviously going to go up with each passing year. The landfill stopped accepting garbage in 1993, but the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection ordered that several closure steps had to be taken to ensure that water and contaminants do not damage adjacent soil and streams.

The citizens of the city of Huntington and Cabell County should be provided with an on-going status report on each shut-down-step leading to the final closure. In addition, the public should be kept abreast of all attempts to locate funding. Our leaders should understand that a well-informed citizenry is much more supportive of the efforts of our governments' leaders when it comes time to make hard decisions that may negatively affect taxpayers.

Obviously, the costs will keep increasing the longer it takes to close Deitz Hollow by the 2017 deadline. Are we witnessing the "can being kicked down the road"? Let's let the folks who are still around in 2017 worry about it?

Just tell us what is going on, Mr. Mayor. We want to know all about the Landfill Closure Assistance Program (LCAP). On October 18, 1991, the West Virginia Legislature passed Senate Bill 18. The LCAP was established by Section 22-16-3(a) of the West Virginia State Code. LCAP is governed by State Rule 33CSR40. The program is funded by special revenue deposited in the "Closure Cost Assistance Fund" in a total amount of $3.50 per ton imposed upon the disposal of solid waste at any solid waste disposal facility in this state. This fee is authorized by Section 22-16-4(a) of the WV Code.

Don't kick the can down the road, Mr. Mayor! Be responsible enough to at least let our citizens know what is going on! Where have you sought funding? When did you seek funding? What was the outcome? What next? Just communicate with us!

Mayor Felinton, you may not live here in 2017, but many of us will! You, as our elected chief executive, have the responsibility to manage our affairs and to keep us abreast of your efforts on our behalf! We can handle the truth - if we know what it is!

What Happened? When Did It Happen?

Huntington’s downtown commercial renewal is continuing, and that certainly is critical to Huntington's future. However, one of our blog participants, Michelle, posted comments on the “Hot Topics” blog by Editorial Page Editor, Jim Ross, which has given Jim and me, and many of our blog participants, pause to reflect on her insightful comments. Let us all pause and give serious thought to her reasoning about the changed "tone" of our community.

Some of Michelle's excellent points (edited):

(1) Things changed in Huntington, and I do not really know what happened, nor can I pinpoint when it happened. It was before crime became a huge issue. It was even before abandoned buildings and homes became a problem. Huntington just slowly morphed from an actually beautiful city to a neglected city, and it was a slow process. I just wish I could pinpoint where the change occurred.

(2) I do recall all of the constant conflicts that suddenly began between council and the mayor...the “tone” changed in leadership. The focus was not on the people anymore...and it became obvious, to me anyway, that politics had taken over. Once that happens...well...it is not good. THAT was when Huntington truly started deteriorating.

(3) People want to blame it on the interstate, or on crime, on the abandoned properties that lower the values of surrounding homes...but it seems to me that those things are the result of a government that failed to keep it's focus where it should have been. After that, the citizens got caught up in the debates and lost their focus as well.

(4) Unfortunately, the public loses its focus quite easily. Unfortunately, maybe things were just too comfortable for too long, and so maybe there has to be a decline at some point before things get better again. What worries me, for our city, is that the mentality of “ownership” is different than it used to be. The mentality of “community” is different. It seems to me that the city government must start offering a return on the investment made by its citizens.

(5) The on-going debate over the user fee for needed street paving, and the valid complaints people made about having already PAID for what was supposed to be used for street-paving, is only one example of actions taken by our leaders that cause the people not to trust our city government? If our city government would stop lying and taking advantage of people's already stretched incomes, then, yes, I really do think more people would be very happy living in town, instead of desperately trying to sell so they can get out.

Again, the above edited points made by Michelle are very insightful. Michelle and many of our citizens truly believe this: Together, we can do anything we can imagine … Together!

If you care to read all of Michelle's thoughts, click here:

https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=24933557&postID=427365907755698259

City of Huntington's Employees Do Care

Sometimes we are critical of the City of Huntington's failure to respond to the needs of our various neighborhoods. However, when you pause to consider how "out-manned" the different departments of our city government are, due to money and manpower shortages, you have to cut all departments a little slack.

I will quickly proclaim that the City of Huntington's street and sanitation departments have always responded to specific neighborhood issues, as I have brought them to their attention. The employees who answer the call to handle different neighborhood needs are always courteous and enthusiastic. Rob and Dennis, pictured in this recent photo, showed up on a recent Saturday and gave a helping hand to residents of 9th Avenue who initiated their own neighborhood clean-up. They were genuinely glad to be an important part of this neighborhood's effort to be the best they can be. I offer a tip of my hat to the men and women of our city's various departments. Thank you for your service to our neighborhoods!

Again, the root cause of most of our on-going issues in Huntington is a lack of operating funds and the severely reduced number of employees in our public works departments. If we are to improve the physical condition of our city's infrastructure, which includes: street maintenance and cleanliness (brick-ones included), sidewalks, curbs and gutters, storm-water/sewage system, traffic nomenclature, solid waste management, etc. - we are going to have to find substantial funding to pay for it. It may take extraordinary financial assistance from our state and federal governments to get Huntington physically "re-conditioned". In the meantime, every citizen needs to take personal responsibility for helping our city workers by properly handling household trash, picking up litter on their own block and showing some appreciation for the thankless job our city's sanitation and street department crews are performing without adequate staffing and funding - and in many cases wihout our thanks.

(Comments are encouraged. You don't have to identify yourself. Just click on "Post Comments" at the end of each posting, click the "Anonymous" button, and have your say. Any ideas for making our neighborhoods better? Tell us all about them.)

Homeless and Formerly Homeless Citizens Volunteer

The Cabell-Huntington Coalition for the Homeless asked some of their homeless residents and formerly homeless citizens to volunteer to tidy up the 4th Avenue area around the agency's 627 4th Avenue location on Wednesday, May 9th.

And what a great job they did! The photo on the right is the finished product. Doesn't it look great? And all the folks who participated were so very proud of their volunteer effort. I was proud to be a member of their team, and I want to personally thank them for their enthusiasm and hard work.

John Mendez, Executive Director, is planning to have his "litter-gitters" in action each Wednesday morning. I look forward to working each week with my new friends. Together, we can accomplish anything we can imagine!

(Click on the photos to enlarge them. I'm the one with the fuzzy face)

Why Have a Pretty Lawn and Ugly Streets & Gutters?

There is nothing more attractive than a neighborhood whose property owners take pride in their own property and the street on which they live.

But it takes just one irresponsible homeowner to turn the pretty picture into a mess. Dumping, or blowing, grass clippings into the gutter or street is a much too common practice in our city.

In the past week, we have observed lawn maintenance workers blowing grass clippings into the street, or discharging the clippings from riding mowers directly into the street. We have also seen clippings that have gathered at catch basins being shoved into sewer catch-basins.

If there are no present ordinances stipulating rules for the proper disposal of yard waste and grass clippings, there should be. One of the rules should be that the sidewalks, streets, curbs and gutters adjoining any property must be cleaned up during, and after, any lawn maintenance. Property owners should give clear instructions to anyone they hire to cut grass that all grass and lawn debris must be cleaned up and disposed of properly.

One solution for holding lawn maintenance and landscaping operators responsible, for failing to keep our streets and gutters clear of yard waste, would be to require any person or company who does yard maintenance for pay to apply for a permit. The City of Huntington would issue the permit and would require an identification number that would be prominently displayed on any vehicles hauling lawnmowers and lawn maintenance equipment. This would facilitate citizens' reporting illegal dumping of yard waste into the streets, gutters and alleys.

All property owners should make it a hard-and-fast rule that all yard waste be properly bagged and disposed of in a proper manner. The City of Huntington will schedule a pickup, if the yard waste is properly bagged. Call them to make contact with the proper department. Just be patient, as they receive lots of requests during the summer months.

Finally, anyone who does yard work for pay should have enough pride in their work to leave an area much better than they found it.

Witnessing a Renaissance?

Pullman Square is the centerpiece of the renewal that we are experiencing in our city. New business openings and the continuing restoration of downtown Huntington buildings is a clear indication that we are witnessing Huntington's Renaissance. The latest shop to open on the newly designed 9th Street Plaza is The Downtown Depot, which had its grand opening last Thursday. The Depot features West Virginia handcrafted goods and sundries.

Our downtown area will continue to see the addition of new businesses, along with new residents as new loft apartments and condos are developed. You can feel the energy, as Huntington experiences its rebirth!

Admittedly, I was one of the naysayers who criticized the design of the 9th Street Plaza. The new street scape is attractive and is proving to be functional - and it is drawing shoppers. The Plaza has become an integral part of the Pullman Square neighborhood. I can't wait to see what happens next!

The renaissance of downtown Huntington is a critical step in revitalizing the entire region's image and economy. Let's all get behind Huntington's Renaissance! See ya downtown!

(Have an opinion or comment? You can do it anonymously. Just click on "Post Comments" at the end of this posting. Then, click on the "Anonymous" button and have your say!)

Cockroaches are Dying of Cancer

A friend sent me a photo of a sign that was posted in a local bar and grille in London, England. It said,

"Please do not throw cigarette ends on the floor.

The cockroaches are dying of Cancer."

At first I laughed. But as I considered the tens-of-thousands of cigarette butts that cover the sidewalks, streets, alleys and gutters in Huntington, I became more somber about the implications of that message.

But ......... if our citizens and visitors choose to risk their health by smoking, why should they feel free to throw their cigarette waste down so that someone else has to pick it up and dispose of it properly? If we have any chance, at all, of cleaning up our city - the smokers are going to have to mend their ways? If they are intent on killing themselves, would that they be more considerate during the process. The earth is not their ashtray. Retain your cigarette butts and treat them for what they are - solid waste; trash; garbage.

Better yet .... do yourself a favor ... quit! There are local programs that can help you withdraw from a deadly habit.

In the meantime, you smokers take a good look around our city. A major portion of the street litter in our city is the result of the random acts of smokers throwing down cigarette waste. Do the right thing.

City Council and Community To Work Together

City Council tabled a motion to declare the Methadone clinic on 4th Avenue a "public nuisance". After much discussion yesterday afternoon, and input from proponents of each side, it was generally agreed that the council will work together with the community in an effort to resolve the parking, littering and security issues in the neighborhood where the clinic is located.

Good for them! Community cooperation and the acceptance of each citizen's individual responsibility is the key to resolving all of our area's most pressing issues. Together - we can accomplish anything we can imagine!

An Open Letter to the Mayor and City Council

Regarding the Methadone Clinic on 4th Avenue at 1st Street and today's special called meeting of the Huntington City Council to discuss whether or not it has become a public nuisance.

Mr. Mayor, Mr. Chairman and members of Council. My name is Richard Cobb, Sr. and I live at 1239 Kanawha Terrace in Huntington. There are many issues in many of our neighborhoods that need addressed. Solutions can be found, if we all work together.

It has taken over 60-years for the wisdom of my 85-year-old mother to sink into my hard head. Since my childhood, she has always advised me to embrace this little prayer – “Slow me down, Lord.” Many times, I have not prayed it, or practiced it, and many times it has caused me self-inflicted heartache.

I simply appeal to you, members of Council, to pray that little prayer - before voting on this issue. The mayor is young, and I ask him to heed my mother’s priceless wisdom much earlier than I did. Slow me down, Mr. Mayor.

Facts:

1. The 100 block of 4th Avenue is a very densely populated business/residential rental property area.
2. It has an on-going parking problem with, or without, the clinic.
3. It has an on-going litter and trash problem with, or without, the clinic.
4. The clinic’s patients are not just low-income, homeless, or just plain unlucky folks, but some of them do live in subsidized housing, or live in shelters.
5. However, many, perhaps most, are local and tri-state professionals and other gainfully employed citizens (and this includes medical doctors, other medical professionals, lawyers, merchants, etc) who go to work every day - but who are addicted to Opiate-based drugs.
6. If these area residents cannot acquire this important withdrawal treatment, they are driven to continue obtaining these drugs any where they can find a source. With our on-going drug scourge, we need this treatment center!

Unless this particular for-profit Methadone clinic is owned by someone, or some company, of questionable character (and this fact should immediately be made known to the public), it should be assisted in resolving the issues that are being debated.

I visited the clinic this morning, and I inspected the interior and exterior. The clinic is extremely clean and orderly inside and appears to be well-managed. They now have security on their parking lot. I personally observed that fact this morning. Management has also confirmed that they are planning to harness the good-intentions of many of their patients who are volunteering to assist in a planned attack on the area's street litter.

Let us help fix the clinic's problems; not close it! Together, we can accomplish anything we can imagine.

(If you wish to comment, click on "Post Comments" at the end of this post. Then, click on "Anonymous" so that your identity is protected. Then ... have your say.)