A WV Bottle Bill - A Powerful Weapon To Help Clean Up Cabell County

Linda Frame, who is our Fearless Leader in attempts to have a bottle bill enacted in West Virginia, sent me an email outlining what is going on in recycling in WV and across the country.

As far as the WV Bottle Bill goes, during the legislative interims they chose it for study. So far the committee assigned the bill has not placed it on the agenda, but will take it up in the fall. Once we know more, we will pass it along.

If you are interested in seeing Huntington and Cabell County free of empty plastic and glass bottles, sign the on-line petition at http://www.wvbottlebill.org/. If you think your city or town council would support a Bottle Bill, ask them to pass a resolution (a sample resolution is available on the website).

Finally, if you would like to support this campaign financially, you can do that at the website or by sending a check to: WV-CAG Bottle Bill Campaign, 1500 Dixie Street, Charleston, WV 25311

Huntington, West Virginia - A City Recreating Itself

If you haven't walked around the downtown core business area of downtown Huntington lately, do it! The city is in the process of recreating itself. New creations include Pullman Square, our new entertainment and shopping complex on 3rd Avenue, the redesigned 9th Street Plaza, the street-scape from 14th Street to Pullman Square on 3rd Avenue and the colorful and refreshed Harris River Front Park.

What a great start! Coming soon will be the new street-scape along a portion of 4th Avenue, which will run from the 9th Street Plaza to 10th Street and the restoration of the original facade of the Keith Albee Performing Arts Center. The 4th Avenue Corridor Project is under way!

We should all be encouraged by the vision being shown by our political leaders, involved community leaders, volunteers and community developers. Three cheers for the ongoing effort to create a new and vibrant Huntington!

In a word, It's a disgrace!

One simply cannot drive down any road in Cabell County without seeing litter strewn along the shoulders and medians. Bottles, cans, Styrofoam, cardboard, tires, fast-food containers, lumber, cigarette packs--and of course fluttering plastic shopping bags--are everywhere. In a word, it's a disgrace!

Beyond the fact that litter is an eyesore and an embarrassment, it also has serious economic impacts beyond just the costs of picking it up. With tourism such a critical component of our state's economy, the last thing anyone wants is a tourist going home and telling other would be visitors that the Tri-State Region isn't clean.

Litter also projects a negative image to proprietors of businesses who are considering relocation to the region. Don't believe it? Just ask anyone involved with economic development and you'll get an earful.

The people who do not "get it", or who don't care, must have an "awakening" to their personal responsibility if we are to ever have a neat, clean and tidy area. Education will work for the children, if a program were to begin in the schools, but I sense that the older "litter-bugs" cannot be reformed - pitiful, but true.

What can we do to encourage personal responsibility on the part of all residents of Cabell County? Any ideas?

City of Huntington Must Act To Reclaim Landfill And Follow Charleston's Lead

Charleston's Mayor Danny Jones announced plans Monday to build a gas-fueled power plant at the city landfill. The plant would burn methane generated by the trash buried at the landfill. University of Charleston President Ed Welch is interested in buying the "green" electricity to power the UC campus. According to a news report in a Charleston newspaper, private investors have been lined up for the $3 million project.

The news article stated that the group plans to install a 3-megawatt power plant at the landfill and build a system to collect methane. The power would be fed through nearby power lines into the interstate grid, where it could be sold to those interested in "green" power, like that produced by windmills.

"The idea is to supply electricity to the University of Charleston and turn them into a green university," Jones said. According to preliminary estimates, the plant would produce more than enough electricity to power the whole campus. The City of Huntington must move to reclaim our present landfill and follow Charleston's lead in developing a future "green" community.

Consolidation does not mean loss of identity

As the history of numerous consolidated governments around the nation demonstrates, consolidation does not affect the individual identities of the various cities and towns. Cities and towns remain the same; only the efficiency of the government changes exponentially for the betterment of the entire consolidated area. I know of no incident where a consolidated government disbanded. Why? Because it just makes good business sense.

From all accounts, community development, school system modernization, infrastructure modernization and business expansion have been remarkable.

Shall we begin the process? It will not be easy, but, once completed, it will bring a strong and sustainable area-economy with the inherent vibrant job market.

We continue to delay the inevitable!

During the mid-to-late 1970's, I lived in Augusta, GA. I was the CEO of the city's coliseum/sports arena/exhibition hall. The governments of Richmond County, Georgia and the city government of Augusta, Georgia merged into the Augusta-Richmond County Consolidated Government in 1995 with 66.7% voting yes. Three previous attempts failed (in 1971 with 41.5% voting yes; in 1974 with 48.5% voting yes; and in 1976 with 45.5% voting yes).

So, it took twenty-four years to get it done. A new generation had to make it happen. Why is it so very difficult to get people to accept change? Now, their citizens are prospering and they are pleased with the cost savings and the improved delivery of public services. The police, fire and medical services for the consolidated government are well-respected and admired and the infrastructure is modern and well-maintained.

Ditto for the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia (Muscogee County). I was the CEO 0f the Ironworks Convention and Trade Center from 1985 to 1988. The City of Columbus, GA and Muscogee County (GA) governments consolidated much earlier than August-Richmond County (1970), with 80.7% voting for approval. Consolidation had failed in 1962 with only 42.1% in favor. The City of Columbus and the Government of Muscogee County consolidated their governments, and because of that decision on the part of the Muscogee County voters, the area has experienced prosperity and enjoys a high standard of public services.

What did the citizens do to make it happen? All of the "good ole boys" were required to relinquish their positions at the public trough. Everyone had to give up his or her long-held turf. That will have to happen in Cabell County.

Why is our state always fifty-years behind in taking action for needed change? Will the people of Cabell County rise-up and vote for consolidation? I will vote - YES! The future generations of our county will praise us for having the guts and foresight to defeat the "good ole boy network"! Layered-government is too expensive - one government is less costly, more efficient and more capable of delivering quality public services.

This is an idea whose time has come for our county! We must stop being self-absorbed and think about the future and what will be best for our children and their children. Would you consider supporting the consolidation of the City of Huntington and the Cabell County Government for the future welfare of our area?

How about this name – The Consolidated Government of Cabell County?

Want to be a Litter-Gitter? Take the Pledge!

And exactly what is the litter-gitter pledge (it's a tough one)?

Here goes: "I promise to be a good Litter-Gitter." It is that simple. We give you (absolutely no charge) a litter-gitter-pick-up-stick and you agree to keep the block on which you live free of litter and cigarette butts. Just YOUR block!

We want you to just be on the lookout on your block. If you see a piece of litter - including the ever present cigarette butt - and before any build-up occurs - grab your litter-gitter and pick it up. With the stick you don't have to bend over and you don't have to touch it! Just put it in a plastic bag and put it out with your regular household trash. The city has agreed to pick up all bagged litter that you put out on your regular pickup day. Same goes for folks living in the county. Make sure you secure the litter in a plastic bag and put it out with your regular household garbage.

Remember, one person can't keep the whole county clean, but each person can keep their own little area picked up. Call me! I'll help you get involved, and I will even help you clean your block the first time. Richard Cobb - 523-7902. I'll deliver your free Litter-Gitter stick! Together - we will accomplish anything we can imagine.