Who's Lying?: More Smoke, More Mirrors

Just when you thought it was safe to actually think everything was settled, when our Mayor Davidson said it was over, that the silos would NOT be located in Upshur County and that the jobs would remain in Upshur County, there emerges a front page article in the Sept. 27 edition of the Clarksburg-Telegram...

So what is the real story?

Let's keep in mind what was said in the city council meeting of Sept. 19, 2008. Here is a recording of Mayor Davidson's declaration, comments by citizens in attendance, and other council members' support of Davidson's statement in its entirety:

According to the Sept. 27 Telegram article, Rick Smith, the man who has been the central figure in all of the deals associated with "the project," the man who has represented his company, Weatherford International in all the dealings with the City of Buckhannon, the Upshur County Development Authority and the County Commission, said:

... the option to place the sand silos in northern Buckhannon is still open and it was never closed.

"Our first choice is still northern Buckhannon."

However, in the Sept. 19 council meeting, Davidson says the following:

"I talked with Rick Smith yesterday morning. Rick Smith is the regional manger for Weatherford. He confirmed what I have been trying to tell you for the past several meetings now. Weatherford is diligently seeking a location for their sand silos outside the county...he asked me to tell you that Weatherford desires to be a good neighbor. Tha they will be a good neighbor. They are going to locate their facilities in Upshur County. The sand silos he has plans to put outside of Upshur County...I'm confident that that's going to come to fruition."

Comments made by the other members on the council confirms the decision. Councilman Thomas says that 85-90-some percent of the employees will be working from Upshur County.

And I (Pete Galarneau) clarified: "So we have employment and we have sand silos outside of North Buckhannon."

And Mayor Davidson replied, "Exactly. Win-win. It's what everybody wanted."

Skeeter Queen reminded us that the council had rescinded the city's grant to a right of way across the paper street known as Harrison Avenue (which Rick Smith needed to allow for railroad access) and that this decision has always been maintained.

So now Rick Smith has been emboldened to say that if Weatherford can't find a suitable space or the right property, then the silos will be placed in Buckhannon, according to the the Telegram article.

But this right has been rescinded.

What is the deal?

It's What We've Been Saying All Along

Decision Announced at Buckhannon City Council, September 18, 2008

There are so many things I could say right now, but I think that, through this blog, through the voices of the residents of North Buckhannon, and through some very important officials who have never, once, diverted from their support of us, all of the arguments have been made.

Tonight the Council announced that Weatherford International's main office, the one that was always supposed to be located on the "CJ Martin" hill will be built, employing 85% of the 200 Weatherford jobs promised when all of this started at the beginning of May.

AND THE SILICA SILOS WILL NOT BE IN NORTH BUCKHANNON!

Though the location of the silos was not revealed in the meeting, Mayor Davidson said that they would not be in North Buckhannon.

The resolution is what our Coalition has always said was the best resolution. The resolution guarantees the jobs as our Coalition always said it would. Innocent lives are not put at stake just like the Coalition always said was possible.

But it took a group of citizens who stood up and enacted the freedoms granted by our great country. We did not sit on our hands like so much of America does. We worked hard, dug in, wrote letters, talked to congressmen, lobbied and lobbied and lobbied. Civic duty is not easy that is why so few Americans engage. For so many Americans the answer always is "Well you can't fight City Hall." But our Coalition has shown that this just isn't true.

If you feel danger you react. As a person. As a community. The residents of N. Buckhannon reacted.

And the resolution was the best for everyone.

I am proud and overjoyed for my family and for my new family: my neighbors. But I remain cautious. If such an event as this could happen once, it can happen again...in North, West, South, or East Buckhannon. If an event such as this can lead to the hated comments that pit neighbor against neighbor while corporate interest stands on the sideline eating popcorn with a smile, then each of us has the responsibility to pay attention. Watch out for those who would use a system that is lean on checks and balances and heavy on diversion and invisibility. They could take your freedom, your choice, your life.

If it happened to us, it can happen to you.

God bless those who did the right thing.

-Pete Galarneau

Weatherford is Already Here

Just to reiterate since it appears that some still are not getting it...

• Weatherford is here
• Their business is beside Shop n' Save
• They are hiring employees
• They are working in Upshur County
• They are adding to our economy
• There are no silica silos in North Buckhannon
• Everyone is happy

We Are "Only" People

Come walk with us... the residents that live here in North Buckhannon. Let us take you to the peoples’ homes and let you see that we are not unreasonable - that we are just like you in every way. We want good jobs for our family and friends. We want quality of life for ourselves and our neighbors. We want our homes and investments to be secure.

Please let us take you where Weatherford wants to place the silos and show you how close they could be to your neighbors’ homes.

Let us introduce you to our Head Start School and to our children whose laughter you can hear throughout the neighborhood.

Please walk through our park and watch the soccer kids play games that enhance their own team-building skills.

Please come meet our beautiful 92-year-old lady who has lived here all of her life and wants to share her experiences with those who have a kind ear.

Come meet our 90-year-old veteran who has survived a surgery that surgeons would not have even attempted on someone his age if it were not for his 60-year-old mind and body.

Come visit with the lovely nearly-blind lady who just had her bedroom painted a beautiful bird-egg blue that we hope she can enjoy.

Come meet the woman who built her house in 1947 with her husband, raised three children, and have all her family in for every holiday where they meet and remember.

We are the people of Buckhannon...

We are the people.