Dams Not Feasible For Cherry River Basin

Thirteen months ago the residents of Richwood were looking for a miracle. A miracle in the form of two dams on the Cherry River to control flooding and provide economic relief in the form of a private lake and hydro-electric facility for this Nicholas County community.

[No Dam for Richwood]

What did Mayor McClung and Recorder Jim Fitzpatrick do this time? Colonel Ralph Kelly was let go during this administration of idiots that constantly turns away progress in the town of Richwood!

[Bulldog Drummond]

Poor Richwood, I've never seen a town that is
so helpless, but loved even though it's a mess.
Maybe Richwood could build Canals like Amsterdam
has, or better we can flood the Baber family farm
turning it into a giant lake, don't forget to put
the candles around it for his "Very Romantic"
effect.

[JustWondering]

Nobody in Richwood "did" anything - it was determined by the corps of engineers that the project was not cost effective. 2 million more just to do another study? Probably will do it instead of spend the 2 million to rebuild sidewalks and such IN Richwood - waste of money.

[Resident]

That is just wrong! It's all politics. Summersville fells threatened they might loose some a buck or a few tourist. Richwood just isn't important, not to them. Or to anyone since they feel a dam isn't important. It sucks, it doesn't matter cause the next big rain this town will be history.

[Newbie]

Summersville doesn't have anything to DO with the feasability (sp?) study! People in Richwood need to quit blaming Summersville for everything. Since most of the hotels, restaurants, and other shopping are in S'ville, looks to me like another lake in the county would benefit EVERYONE, including Summersville. Fault those who did the study, not the people in Summersville.

[Resident]

Newbie wrote:

Summersville doesn't have anything to DO with the feasability (sp?) study! People in Richwood need to quit blaming Summersville for everything. Since most of the hotels, restaurants, and other shopping are in S'ville, looks to me like another lake in the county would benefit EVERYONE, including Summersville. Fault those who did the study, not the people in Summersville.

I hate to bust that bubble, but the politics of Nicholas County, ie, Summersville, controls the county. I am not stupid enough to believe that they do not have a hand in the so called "STUDY" results, it's like all politics, DIRTY. A dam in Richwood would put us on equal footing, they (politics) are a greedy lot, it was greed that ruined the town of Richwood (the old money and names that didn't want new businesses moving in for fear they'd loose a dime) and it is greed (the politics and wanna be money in Summersville and surrounding area that fear if Richwood gets something they just might take a dollar from them) that will keep Richwood down. Richwood needed the dam for many reason but most importantly to keep from flooding. Now, you can think whatever you want and everyone's intitled to their opinion and this is mine, and many are in agreement with me. If we are so unimportant to the state and county then take our charter so we can do away with the idiots that are working to ruin us completely.

[Bob Henry Baber]

I can assure you, Summersville had nothing to do with the study. We knew all along that the "cost-benefit" ratio could never be met. I was told that the cost (if done by the Corps) was $350 million! We should keep pushing anyway. Whne the town floods, as it surely will again, we can continue to push--with Nick Joe Rahall and probably Senator Manchin by then. Its true that the Summersville County Commission gives not a whit to Richwood, but you can't blame this one on them. A private developer could probably to the same for a third the cost--but that's alot of money, especailly in these times.

[Newbie]

Resident wrote:

<quoted text>
I hate to bust that bubble, but the politics of Nicholas County, ie, Summersville, controls the county. I am not stupid enough to believe that they do not have a hand in the so called "STUDY" results, it's like all politics, DIRTY. A dam in Richwood would put us on equal footing, they (politics) are a greedy lot, it was greed that ruined the town of Richwood (the old money and names that didn't want new businesses moving in for fear they'd loose a dime) and it is greed (the politics and wanna be money in Summersville and surrounding area that fear if Richwood gets something they just might take a dollar from them) that will keep Richwood down. Richwood needed the dam for many reason but most importantly to keep from flooding. Now, you can think whatever you want and everyone's intitled to their opinion and this is mine, and many are in agreement with me. If we are so unimportant to the state and county then take our charter so we can do away with the idiots that are working to ruin us completely.

The reason Richwood and Summersville are such bitter rivals goes back to the early 1900's when the "county" high school was being built (that's why it's call Nicholas County High School - it was supposed to be for the whole county)- Richwood, in essence, said, "No, thank you. We don't want to be a part of it. We'll do our own thing." Too bad it's still that way.

[Newbie]

ok, I'm new at this. Why did the words "high school" get underlined in my last post?

[No Dam for Richwood]

Bob Henry Baber wrote:

I can assure you, Summersville had nothing to do with the study. We knew all along that the "cost-benefit" ratio could never be met. I was told that the cost (if done by the Corps) was $350 million! We should keep pushing anyway. Whne the town floods, as it surely will again, we can continue to push--with Nick Joe Rahall and probably Senator Manchin by then. Its true that the Summersville County Commission gives not a whit to Richwood, but you can't blame this one on them. A private developer could probably to the same for a third the cost--but that's alot of money, especailly in these times.

In a name: Bill Bright

[Newbie]

HUH??? One man is responsible for Richwood NOT getting a damn or a lake? That's kinda funny, in a sad, pathetic kinda way.

[Ramp Digger]

I got to agree with Resident. I been round many years, (well over 70) and politics make all the choices. And money talks. If you line enough pockets you get your way. Good day to you and yours.

[Newbie]

Ramp Digger wrote:

I got to agree with Resident. I been round many years,(well over 70) and politics make all the choices. And money talks. If you line enough pockets you get your way. Good day to you and yours.

Then some of those moneybag millionaires in RICHWOOD need to quit being tightwads and shell out some bucks for their town - but most are pretty old and tend to hoard the $$$ instead of sharing the wealth.

[Ginny Robinson]

Bob Henry Baber wrote:

I can assure you, Summersville had nothing to do with the study. We knew all along that the "cost-benefit" ratio could never be met. I was told that the cost (if done by the Corps) was $350 million! We should keep pushing anyway. Whne the town floods, as it surely will again, we can continue to push--with Nick Joe Rahall and probably Senator Manchin by then. Its true that the Summersville County Commission gives not a whit to Richwood, but you can't blame this one on them. A private developer could probably to the same for a third the cost--but that's alot of money, especailly in these times.

Bob, if we knew this all along, why was it seemingly used to give Richwooders false hope? Why waste the money. Heck, they are even using stationary at city hall with some sort of slogan like "South Fork Dam, let's build it" I, myself, never expected it to take off due to logistics. Lake off easily assessible highway or lake through horrible mountain roads? Shop, eat, supplies, off highway or just travel thru Richwood. Maybe u had a bigger vision. I am sorry, I just think Richwood has fulfilled its usefulness and no one is really to blame. People would love to blame everyone on the closing of the hospital, but again, I don't think it was anyone's fault. Times change. We are not the city of the early 1900s, 1950s, 1970s, etc...We are just geographically at a disadvantage. What say u? By the way, talked to Brandi Blankenship recently, she had nothing but nice things to say about u and your motives for Richwood.

[Sville Gal]

Wow, talk about uninformed! Summersville and politics actually didn't have nything to do with this one!(Not to say they haven't in the past). The Corps of Engineers decided that the flood damage reduction was not going to payback in the future. Of course, I am sure they probably knew this all along and just strung people along.

[Ginny]

Sville Gal wrote:

Wow, talk about uninformed! Summersville and politics actually didn't have nything to do with this one!(Not to say they haven't in the past). The Corps of Engineers decided that the flood damage reduction was not going to payback in the future. Of course, I am sure they probably knew this all along and just strung people along.

My point exactly! For the record, I do not blame Summersville for our problems! Thanks for weighing in on your side of the county.

[money does talk]

The town of Richwood could flood to the tops of the Mtn's. and flush the whole town, it could even do it a hundred times, and never come close to doing 350 million if damage. Not going to be a Dam- Move on...

[George McCoy]

I guess you could call me a transplanted hillbilly. I attended high school in Richwood for two years back in the late 50's. Had to leave Wv in order to better my quality of living. I still love Wv and love to visit. I would hate to see Cherry River Damed. I douby that daming the river would have done much for the local economy. I trout fish Cherry River on occasion but dont see any place in Richwood that caters to the tourists that visit the area. All the motels and restaurants are in Summersville. As I travel in Wv I am deeply hurt by seeing what strip mining has done to my beloved mountains. It appears that West Virginia is still willing to sell her soul for a few dollars.

[sun and sand]

I think it is sad when the state and county government do not feel that our homes in Richwood are worth saving. I never thought that the lake would become a reality but I did hope that they would "dredge" the river and build the river bank up to keep the water out of our homes. You have no idea what is like to clean the mud and goo from your home until you have to do it. Not to mention the smell. I think that someone out there would see that the people in Richwood are human. I can't understand where some of you are coming from that you don't think we should be helped. Our homes might not be as nice as yours but it is all we have and we might not have it for long if someone doesn't step in and work on the river. Fishing is nice but I for one feel like my home is worth more then the fish in the river.

[Youre Kiddin right]

AS for selling our soul for a few dollars, that comment can come from only a person who don't know how hard some of those in rural WV have it. Like the lady said, it seems that folks have forgotten us here in this little town or truth be known just don't care. The city is run by idiots who spend spend and waste waste and don't get a think done that would benefit the people. Richwood is going to hell in a handbag and all any one can do is watch it go.