Deja vu all over again! All American City in 2020?

Huntington Herald-Dispatch February 11, 1959
By HARRY FLESHER

Citizen action, citizen awareness, citizen courage—these are the prerequisites of a better decade ahead for Huntington. This was the consensus of a group of Huntingtonians picked at random at last night's All-America Award dinner and asked about their feelings about the future for Huntington.

Courage to face the requirements of necessary taxation was stressed by the only man interviewed who holds a city job. He is Robert M. Levy, counsel for the Huntington Sanitary Board. Mr. Levy said that it takes courage to undertake major projects, and that it is regrettable that the most expensive project in which the city is involved is one forced on the city. That, of course is, the sewage treatment facility. Water users of Huntington are pouring between $850,000 to $900,000 annually into this project. Said Mr. Levy, "I visit a friend on Long Island in New York. His property taxes on a $38,000 house amount to $100 a month. This would amaze the average Huntingtonian and it amazes me. But I am likewise amazed at the great number of governmental services he receives for his money. We just have to have courage to face the necessity for more taxes if we are to have better services, a better city."

F. M. Boon, a retired postal employee, declared, "This All America City award was won by the citizens of the city who became alert to the conditions prevailing here. Alertness will be necessary if we continue to make progress."

Mrs. H. M. Albers, who is active in many civic affairs and as a Republican political leader, said, "I would like to see more citizens attend Council meetings and express their views on community projects.” I would like to see more people supporting civic organizations that propose and work on worthy projects. People should remember that we only get what we are willing to pay for."

Joseph Slash, principal of Douglass High School, said, "I am convinced that there is but one answer to community problems. That is in the cooperative efforts of all of our citizens. This award we have won should be a signal for us to join hands to reach other worthy objectives."

Fred Marcum, manager of the Adel Division of General Metals: Corp., declared, "This award is bound to attract the interest of manufacturers interested in locating new plants. However, the need exists for so many additional improvements, which can be so quickly enumerated. It will be in moving to solve these other problems that we will attract new industry in the future."

Max K. Jones, manager of the Huntington Water Corp., who made a major contribution of time to the development of Cabell Huntington Hospital and Memorial Field House, two of the facilities on which the award was based, declared, "The future looks good to me. There is so much that lies ahead and there are so many evidences of the will to get the necessary things done."

Mrs. Robert Van Blaricom former president of the Woman's Club of Huntington, said, "Winning the All-America Award is just a beginning. We are long overdue for a complete survey of our city's needs, a survey which should be followed by plans for accomplishment and development of a financing program. As a city we dare not bask in this present glory."

Mrs. Paul Bauer, a member of the Huntington Charter Board, said, "While we are thinking about municipal improvements, we must think also about our schools. Industries will be attracted by improved municipal services, but industries require schools for the children of their employees. We can attract people and industries when we can offer a sound educational system that will inform the average student and help the gifted student."

Two men stressed that the problem of additional Ohio River bridge facilities is the most pressing one and said the community can best show its go-ahead spirit by beginning immediately to obtain these benefits. The two men are Roy V. Graham, president of the American Business Club, and Malan H. Clark, long active in the United Commercial Travelers and other civic organizations.

Olin C. Nutter, superintend, of Cabell County schools, interview yesterday afternoon emphasized that while support of extra school levies was one of the community activities which the award was based, schools "still are in need improvement and citizens interest in this field is more important today than ever in the past."

Circuit Judge John W. Hereford told The Herald-Dispatch, "The spirit of progress in Huntington is better than I have ever seen it, and I know that we are on the threshold even greater accomplishments.

Be Ready! U.S. Youth Soccer Region 1 Championship - July 2-8, 2009

I just received this information from Huntington's Create Huntington organization:

The Cabell-Huntington Convention and Visitor’s Bureau is hard at work preparing for the 16,000 guests who will be coming to Huntington and Barboursville for the 2009 U.S. Youth Soccer Region 1 Championship July 2 – 8. About 280 soccer teams from 13 states will compete during the six-day event that begins July 2. Among the states represented are New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Maryland, West Virginia and Delaware.

This event is estimated to generate a $12.5 million economic boost to the region -- including between $7 million and $7.5 million in tourism money for Huntington alone.

Anyone who has a restaurant, retail business, attraction or event that will be open in Cabell County during this time can contact the CVB at 304-525-7333, or email CVB President, Tyson Compton at tyson@wvvisit.org, to arrange to be listed on the CVB Web site. You can also contact the CVB for a soccer tournament sign to put in your windows.

Create Huntington is asking local businesses to put their best foot forward during this time. Please take the time to clean up the area around your business including weeding, mowing and collecting litter.

This is a great time to perform any needed building repairs, painting, landscaping, etc. Empty storefronts should have butcher paper covering the windows and any old signs taken down – preferably with ‘For Rent’ signs and contact information displayed.

Volunteers are still needed to assist with the logistics of this massive effort. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Kheng Yap-McGuire at 304-525-6042, or Craig Warner with the CVB at 304-525-7333. Tournament volunteers are encouraged to participate in one of the volunteer workshops before the tournament. Volunteers have their choice of workshops at 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., or 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30, or Wednesday, July 1, at the new Huntington Visitor’s Center on the corner of 11th Street and Veterans Memorial Boulevard.

Let’s show the world that we love and take pride in Huntington!!

Thank you!!

Create Huntington

Tim White Selected as One of Top Ten Finalists for Energizer Keep Going Hall of Fame

Today – at 11AM at City Hall – representatives from Energizer Keep Going Hall of Fame – announced that Tim White, Weed and Seed Coordinator for the City of Huntington, was selected as one of the top ten finalists for the Hall of Fame Award!

Now we need to get out the vote - Vote online at www.energizer.com/halloffame. Voting opens June 26 and runs through Aug. 7. Winner will be announced in September. The winner gets $10,000, $5,000 to donate to their favorite charity and a meet-and-greet with Cal Ripken Jr.

You can vote once a day everyday – please pass this along to your family and friends and encourage them to vote for Tim White – let’s win this award together!!!!!!!!

To contact Tim:

Tim White
Weed and Seed Coordinator
City of Huntington, WV
whitet@cityofhuntington.com
304-751-6251

The Chance to Serve is a Precious Gift

There's an old Thomas Edison quote I've always liked: "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."

It's no secret that the city of Huntington faces some enormous challenges right now, and meeting them will take a lot of hard work. But in that work lies an equally great opportunity -- a chance to serve. And I do believe the chance to serve is a precious gift indeed.

"There's nothing to do in Huntington!" NOT!

Thomas McChestney sent me notice of these upcoming events:

Cabell County Arts and Music Project is seeking artists for their event this Saturday:

Wayne and Chris Worth formed the Cabell County Arts and Music Project (CCAMP) as a way to bring performing and visual artists together and to help stimulate the arts community in Huntington. From 6 – 11pm on June 27th CCAMP is hosting an exhibition of the arts at The Galleria (the former Huntington Arcade Building) on 4th Avenue. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, or to display or perform your art, please call 304-942-6959.

Reality Rock Band Camp is scheduled to begin next Monday:

Just two days later, on June 29th Kathi McKay Stafford, owner of the new Huntington House will host a 4- day camp for musicians. The camp will feature clinics from the band OnesAll, with classes in guitar, bass, drums, keys, and vocals. For more information, go to http://www.huntingtonhouse.info/.

You’ll also want to check out OnesAll at the Heiner’s Summer Concert Series at Pullman Square on July 2nd.

Allowing the City of Huntington to Tackle Blight

According to an article in last Sunday's edition of the New York Times, a study last summer by the Center for Responsible Lending, a nonprofit group in Durham, NC, living near a foreclosed home knocks an average $8,667 off the value of a property, and abandoned homes contribute to an increase in violent crime.

It is good that the City of Huntington is in the process of identifying owners whose properties are in a state of disrepair, abandoned or dilapidated. The West Virginia Legislature has armed Huntington with measures to hold owners responsible for the condition of their property. It is well pass time to resolve the issue of our deteriorating housing stock.

Guyandotte Gearing Up for Another Fun Neighborhood Event

The revitalization of Guyandotte is taking strength from the residents of the community. Several of them have joined together to produce the GUYANDOTTE 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION AND COMMUNITY YARD SALE.

The organizers of SwineFest 2009, in association with VFW 9738, will present the event on Saturday July 4, 2009, from 10 am to 5 pm. It will take place in front of the VFW, which is located on Main Street in Guyandotte.

Music will be provided by Guyandotte's own Gary Sellards and The Stoned Country Band. There will also be an inflatable and games for the kids, Hot Dog Sale, Baked Goods auction, Commmunity Yard Sale and surprises galore.

The organizers encourage everyone to bring a lawn chair and join in on some good ol' fashioned fun and plenty of COMMUNITY UNITY. For more information, you can call Rick Simmons at 304-525-1248.

Litter Gitters are Super Heroes!

While attending the West Virginia Writer's Conference at Cedar Lakes in Ripley, WV, this weekend, my wife and other writers were asked in one session to write a short description of what they would do if they were a "Super Hero". Here is what she wrote:

"From one hundred yards away, I see the cigarette butts gathered in wet globs by the curb. As if commanded without my knowledge, my arm extends its full length, my fingers form a circle with my thumb and the butts are sucked in a perfect arc into my sleeve. It's like the reverse path of a Kobe Bryant 3-pointer!

My arm relaxes and I continue my walk to the grocery store. One more block - clean for at least the day." - Carter Taylor Seaton

Huntington's "Adopt YOUR Block - Be a Litter Gitter" group of 1906 volunteers do it the old fashion way (one butt at a time), but they are Super-Heroes to my wife and me.

An Idiot's Guide to the City of Huntington's Sewer Fee Increase

On June 1, 2009, the City of Huntington Sanitary Board ("Sanitary Board") filed an application for a certificate of convenience and necessity to construct improvements to its sewer system and to extend sewer service to Kinetic Park, an area of future development in its service area. The Sanitary Board's application further seeks the Commission's approval of the financing of the project.

The Sanitary Board estimates the total construction cost for the proposed project to be $11,115,000.00. The Sanitary Board is seeking a $7,966,000.00 grant-like loan from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act ("Stimulus Package") and a grant in the amount of $3,149,000.00. As of the filing of this application, the Sanitary Board has not received approval of funding.

The Huntington City Council, at a special called meeting on June 9, 2009, approved on a 9-1 vote an Ordinance proposing a two phase increase in its sewer rates and charges. Phase 1 of the proposed increase in rates will become effective 45 days after adoption of the Ordinance. Phase II of the proposed increase in rates will become effective upon completion of the sewer system improvements and extension project or upon commencement of debt service associated therewith, whichever first occurs.

The increased rates are based upon the Sanitary Board receiving $7,966,000.00 funding through the Stimulus Package and the $3,149,000.00 grant funding. Should funding terms be different, the rates would be adjusted accordingly.

Rates:

Customer charge is $2.86 per month
First 2,240 gallons of water used per month - $3.85 per 1,000 gallons
Next 12,720 gallons of water used per month - $2.80 per 1,000 gallons
Next 134,640 gallons of water used per month - $3.61 per 1,000 gallons
Next 7,330,000 gallons of water used per month - $3.50 per 1000 gallons
All Over 7,488,000 gallons of water used per month - $1.62 per 1000 gallons

(This information was taken directly from the legal notice posted in the Huntington Herald-Dispatch by the Public Service Commission of West Virginia - Charleston.)

Family demonstrates civic commitment

David Sheils, President of the St. Marys Medical Center Foundation, and members of his family recently donated $450 to the City of Huntington Foundation for use by the Adopt YOUR Block - be a Litter-Gitter, a Huntington (WV) litter abatement group consisting of over 1,850 citizen volunteers.

I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to the Sheils family members for their commitment to our hometown. What a wonderful display of citizenship.

In addition, David and teams of employees at St. Marys Medical center are active in keeping the Highlawn neighborhood "clean and green".

City Government Moving in Positive Way to Address Issues of Dilapidated and Nuisance Properties

It is most encouraging to see the City of Huntington Administration and the City Council aggressively addressing two of the most critical issues in our hometowns - dilapidated structures and nuisance properties. As we "Create" the Huntington of the future, the physical appearance of our business districts and neighborhoods must be a top priority.