2015 Pride Section V by Bluefield Daily Telegraph

Friday, September 25, 2015 Pride V 1

Four Seasons

Gallery of

Snapshot

Progress

Pride 2015

A look at the progress being made economically and with tourism throughout the region

Staff photo by Eric DiNovo

Nearing completion... Much of the growth the region has seen in recent months has occurred in the greater Princeton area. Construction on a new hotel, the Fairfield, which is located not far from Exit 9 in Princeton is nearing completion.

Renewed growth in communities Despite challenges, region continues to experience positive possibilities By CHARLES OWENS Bluefield Daily Telegraph PRINCETON — A mid-year snapshot of the region that is commonly referred to as Four Seasons Country would appear to illustrate a longawaited resurgence of growth for the coalfield counties. New construction — both small and big — has been visible across the region in recent months despite continued challenges faced by the region’s coal industry. A number of potentially larger projects are still planned as well, and officials are hopeful that they will come to fruition in the months and years ahead. In the city limits of Bluefield,

❏❏❏ A new Bojangles recently opened along Oakvale Road in Princeton near the heavily traveled intersection of U.S. Route 460 and Interstate 77. A newly renovated Arby’s restaurant also re-opened on Ingleside Road in the city limits of Princeton. a new O’Reilly Auto Parts store opened on Bluefield Avenue in late June, along with a new Meineke Car Care store also on Bluefield Avenue. And the Bluefield Yarn Company, a vision of Karen Rideout, the wife of Bluefield City Manager Dane Rideout, opened its doors at the corner of Federal and Commerce streets in late June. Construction on a new

large-scale nursing home also is nearing a completion along U.S. Route 460 in the city limits of Bluefield. The new Mercer Nursing and Rehab Center on U.S. Route 460 in Bluefield is now under roof and rapidly moving closer to completion. When it is opened, the 60-bed facility will be the newest nursing home in the state of West Virginia, according to

officials with American Medical Facilities Management Inc. City officials in Bluefield also earmarked funding earlier this summer for an economic impact study on a proposed economic development project dubbed “Project Game Changer,” or “Project G.C.” for short. Rideout, who spoke to members of the Greater Bluefield Chamber of

Commerce in June about the project, said the proposed five-to seven-year plan by the Bluefield Board of Directors and city Community and Economic Development Director Jim Spencer could bring hundreds of jobs to the city if the vision as currently proposed comes to fruition. Rideout, Spencer and Bluefield Mayor Tom Cole have already presented the proposed economic development plan to U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, RW.Va., and U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins, R-W.Va. But much of the growth the region has seen in recent months has occurred in the

greater Princeton area. A new Bojangles recently opened along Oakvale Road in Princeton near the heavily traveled intersection of U.S. Route 460 and Interstate 77. A newly renovated Arby’s restaurant also re-opened on Ingleside Road in the city limits of Princeton. And construction on a new hotel, the Fairfield, which is located not far from Exit 9, in Princeton, also is nearing a completion. Janet Bailey, development authority director for Mercer County, also confirmed earlier this summer that two new restaurants — IHOP and Buffalo Wild Wings — could

Growth, 14

2 Pride V Friday, September 25, 2015

Staff photos by Eric DiNovo

On the trail... The Hatfield-McCoy Trail system is proving to be a successful tourism destination for ATV riders.. And soon it will be growing again in Mercer County.

Hatfield-McCoy Trail: A success for tourism By CHARLES OWENS Bluefield Daily Telegraph BRAMWELL — Now spanning more than 700 miles across seven southern West Virginia counties, the Hatfield-McCoy Trail system is proving to be a successful tourism engine for southern West Virginia. And soon it will be growing again in Mercer County. Jeff Lusk, executive director of the Hatfield-McCoy Trail Authority, said officials are hoping to break ground and begin construction on a long-planned trailhead site for Mercer County next spring. “It’s a trailhead and a visitors center,” Lusk said. “It’s going to be our southern gateway office. The facility we are going to put in up there in Mercer County will be our first facility for folks coming up from the south or from the east. It is going to be a very nice structure.”

❏❏❏ The new 2,000 square foot facility will include accommodations and parking where visitors to the trail can park their vehicles and unload their ATVs and equipment before entering the trail system. The trailhead center will be funded by a $500,000 West Virginia Recreational Trails Program grant. Lusk the structure will serve the dual purpose of a trailhead and a welcome center. “First and foremost it is a trailhead where people can unload and go ride the trail,” Lusk said. “It is long overdue. We have been working on this project for three years.” The new 2,000 square foot facility will include accommodations and parking where visitors to the trail can park their vehicles and unload their ATVs and equipment before entering the trail system. The trailhead center will

be funded by a $500,000 West Virginia Recreational Trails Program grant. A committee appointed to select a site for the project is expected to make a decision this November. The two sites currently being considered for the project are Coaldale Mountain along U.S. Route 52 and Simmons River Road past the entrance to Montcalm High School. Lusk said permit sales to ride the trail system continue to increase, along with the

Trail, 14

Friday, September 25, 2015 Pride V 3

Supporters remain hopeful for progress on...

Staff photo by Jon Bolt

Standing quietly... The Christine West Bridge stands as a reminder both of progress made, and work still to be done on the long-awaited King Coal Highway and Coalfields Expressway.

King Coal Highway and Coalfields Expressway By CHARLES OWENS Bluefield Daily Telegraph BLUEFIELD — There is still a long road ahead for both the King Coal Highway and the Coalfields Expressway. But supporters of the two projects, both of which remain largely dormant, are hoping to see a resumption of construction soon on the future four-lane corridors for southern West Vi r g i n i a . It has been nearly 16 years since ground was broken on both projects, and progress has been painfully slow. Construction on the King Coal Highway near Bluefield has been stalled since the completion of the twin Christine West bridges back in 2007. But some work has continued on the Coalfields Expressway near the border of Raleigh and Wyoming counties, and dirt should be moving again later this fall on a public-private partnership that will create another two miles of the Coalfields Expressway in Wyoming County. But a number of challenges remain, including a continued lack of federal funding for the two projects and the inability of Congress to pass a new long-term federal transportation bill. Lawmakers in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate approved yet another short-term extension in July that would allow spending authority for transportation programs through Oct. 29. But the three-month extension includes no new funding for projects like the King Coal Highway and the Coalfields Expressway. The elimination of federal earmarks — once the primary source of funding for the individual projects — has also adversely impacted both future four-lane corridors. Yet supporters of the two projects have retained a positive outlook on the future. “Right now it is kind of stalled until we get the funding, but it’s not like there is no hope,” King Coal Highway Authority Executive Director Mike Mitchem said. “But it is kind of stagnant right now.” A segment of the King Coal

❏❏❏ It has been nearly 16 years since ground was broken on both projects, and progress has been painfully slow. C o n s t ruction on the King Coal Highway near Bluefield has been stalled since the completion of the twin C h ristine West bridges back in 2007. But some work has continued on the Coalfields Expressway near the border of Raleigh and Wyoming counties, and dirt should be moving again later this fall on a public-private partnership that will create another two miles of the Coalfields Expressway in Wyoming County.

Highway in Mercer County was placed into the state’s six-year highway improvement plan in 2014 by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin. The longsought designation is expected to help speed-up construction of the King Coal Highway corridor in Mercer County. The state designation also makes the project eligible for future TIGER ( Tr a n s p o r t a t i o n Infrastructure Generating Economic Recovery) grants. “Once you get it in the sixyear plan, it is easier to get the funding,” Mitchem said. “It (the six-year plan) is up to 2019. We could be anywhere between 2016 an 2019.” Mitchem said the King Coal Highway Authority is also working with officials in the city of Bluefield on a proposed economic development project that would be located close to the site of the King Coal Highway. “They can’t do it until we resume work on the King Coal Highway,” Mitchem said of the effort dubbed “Pr o j e c t Game Changer.” “That is the plan right now.” Mitchem said U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins, R-W.Va., U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., have all been actively involved in the

search for federal funding for the King Coal Highway, which is the local corridor of the future Intestate 73/74/75. “Really if we could get that Mercer County section underway, I think we could come out to Route 20 and some of these other areas,” Mitchem said. “That is key to meeting McDowell County and meeting with Tolsia.” The King Coal Highway is proposed to extend some 95 miles through Mingo, Wayne, Wyoming, McDowell and Mercer counties with the Tolsia segment from Williamson to Huntington extending another 55 miles. Mitchem said five miles of the project are currently at grade in Mingo County. Work also has been underway on another 12 miles of the King Coal Highway from Horsepen Mountain to the old Gilbert Jr. High School. Mitchem said another 18 miles of the Tolsia Highway has been designed, including right-ofway designations. Progress also has been slow on the Coalfields Expressway, a future fourlane corridor that will extend 62 miles in length in southern West Virginia. The West Virginia segment of the Coalfields Expressway will extend through Raleigh,

Wyoming and McDowell counties. In Virginia the Coalfields Expressway will extend another 51 miles from Pound in Wise County through Dickenson and Buchanan counties. The roadway also is known as U.S. Route 121 in Vi r g i n i a . About six miles of the Coalfields Expressway have been completed to date in West Virginia with another six miles built to grade. Another two miles of the project has been completed in

the state of Vi r g i n i a . “We are contracted all the way down to Route 54 in Mullens and the highway will open to Mullens in 2018,” Coalfields Expressway Authority Executive Director Richard Browning said. “Everything is paid for. The contractor is waiting on permitting to start. The contract has been let. It was let as the first public-private contract in the state of West Vi r g i n i a . ” Browning said officials are looking at a proposed new route for the next section of the Coalfields Expressway to accommodate a possible second public-private partnership with a coal company, which would create the roadway bed through the extraction of coal. “Right now I’m working on the section between Pi n e v i l l e and Mullens, and I have met with Division of Highways Commissioner Paul Mattox,” Browning said. “Since we have no money, and have some time, Paul has asked

me to change the route, and try to take more advantage of the coal that is left. To that end, I’m working with the West Virginia Geological and Information Survey to determine how much coal is let, what has been mined and what hasn’t. We are just putting information together to take to the commissioners office just as a start. I’m trying to keep the discussions going. We have found there is far more coal in the Mulllens area than we ever thought.” Browning said such publicprivate partnerships will be necessary in the future to help keep projects like the Coalfields Expressway and the King Coal Highway under construction. “It does two things,” Browning said. “It helps pay for the road and keeps coal miners working.” Browning, and officials in McDowell County, are also still hoping to build another

Highway, 14

4 Pride V Friday, September 25, 2015

On the map... The trail was constructed in 2014 by in-house Tazewell County crews. It is operated by the Southwest Virginia Regional Recreational Authority. The authority is planning to develop the trail system in seven Southwest Virginia counties. It is currently operational in Tazewell, Buchanan and Wise counties. Staff photos by Eric DiNovo

Officials hope Spearhead Trail will drive ATV enthusiasts By CHARLES OWENS Bluefield Daily Telegraph P O C A H O N TA S , Va . — Spanning more than 42 miles through the mountains of Pocahontas and Boissevain, Tazewell County officials are hoping the new Spearhead Trail system will soon become a prime destination for off-road enthusiasts across the nation. An estimated 50 to 60 ATV riders are already using the new Spearhead Trails each weekend in the Pocahontas area, according to Tazewell County Tourism Coordinator David Woodard. “We are seeing good numbers in Pocahontas,” Woodard said of the ATV riders. “We are at 42 miles right now, which is about 11 miles more than we had. So we’ve expanded 11 miles and funding has been acquired to do more construction, but it is hard until they actually get out there and do GPS mapping, which they are curr e n tly working on.” Woodard said the goal is to have 70 to 80 miles of trail for ATV riders to enjoy by this fall. He also estimates that the region could see more than $2 million in private investments by the year’s end for the Pocahontas area. Woodard said funding for the ongoing trail construction is coming from Tazewell County’s allotment of funding from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority. “I would love to see it (all 70 miles) open by fall,” Woodard said. “But weather plays a factor in that. We did meet the Memorial Day deadline we set for the 42 miles. But the weather was wonderful. So they will construct as many miles a day that they can. But when it is raining cats and dogs, you can’t run those dozers out there. But hopefully by the end of the year we will be up and ru nning with that 70 miles.” The trail was constructed in 2014 by in-house Tazewell County crews. It is operated by the Southwest Vi r g i n i a Regional Recreational Au t h o r i t y. The authority is planning to develop the trail system in seven Southwest Virginia counties. It is currently operational in Tazewell, Buchanan and Wise counties. Many of the existing Spearhead Trail riders in Tazewell County are coming from the neighboring Hatfield-McCoy Trail.

Pocahontas puts the trail within striking distance of the existing Hatfield-McCoy Trail system in Bramwell.

Woodard said that’s due to the current lack of necessary lodging facilities in Tazewell County. But he says work on projects that will help are continuing. Two recent examples are the Real McCoy Cabins, which are expected to be open soon, and the ongoing renovations to the Laurel Inn, Woodard said. But the biggest Spearhead Trail news of the summer occurred in early Au g u s t with the confirmation of a proposed $600,0000 development planned near Boissevain. Matthew Kesler, a Christiansburg, Va., devel-

oper, told the Daily Telegraph on Aug. 9 that his business, Trailhead Lo d g i n g LLC, will be developing “Trailhead ATV Resort” to serve riders on the Spearhead Trails’ Original Pocahontas system in Tazewell County. Kessler said a groundbreaking ceremony will be held as soon as final plans for construction are completed. The first phase of the project as currently proposed would include six RV sites, 13 rental cabins, laundry facilities and a cabin rental store. The strategic location of the Spearhead system in

And that in return has created a unique two-state ATV trail attraction for visitors to both southern West Vi r g i n i a

and Southwest Vi r g i n i a . In addition to Tazewell

Spearhead, 14

Friday, September 25, 2015 Pride V 5

The project is being constructed through a $7.7 million grant from the Department of Environmental Protection’s Abandoned Mine Land fund; a $2.6 million grant and a $500,000 loan from the USDA Rural Development agency; and a $10,711 grant from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Staff photo by Eric DiNovo

Construction continues... Phase one of the Elkhorn Water Project will provide clean drinking water to families living in the Maybeury, Switchback and Elkhorn communities. Two additional phases of the project are still planned with the goal of extending county water all the way from the Mercer County line near Maybeury to the town of Kimball.

Phase 1 of Elkhorn Water Project nearing completion CHARLES OWENS Bluefield Daily Telegraph MAYBEURY — Clean drinking water will soon be flowing to hundreds of additional families in McDowell County. After nearly a year of construction, work is nearing a conclusion on the first phase of the new $8 million Elkhorn Water Project. And construction is continuing on a second system, the $12.2 million Big Sandy to Roderfield Water Project, which is expected to be completed in early 2016. Phase one of the Elkhorn Water Project will provide clean drinking water to families living in the Maybeury, Switchback and Elkhorn communities. Two additional phases of the project are still planned with the goal of extending county water all the way from the Mercer County line near Maybeury to the town of Kimball. The first phase of the project involved the replacement of aging water lines along U.S. Route 52 — some of which pre-date World War II — as well as the installation of meters and the construction of a new state-of-the-art 400,000-gallon storage tank in Maybeury. “We have applied for funding for Elkhorn phase two,” McDowell County Public Service District Executive Director Mavis Brewster said. “That will bring the water down toward Keystone. Those communities, especial-

ly Northfork and Ke y s t o n e , they have had problems with water service and outages.” Brewster said customers using the old system also experienced frequent leaks and outages. Phase two of the project will take county water into Northfork and Keystone — although the Keystone Town Council must still formally vote to allow county water into the municipal limits. That decision is expected to come later this fall. The third phase of the project would extend county water into the Kimball area. In addition to addressing water quantity and quality problems, Brewster said the new Elkhorn Water Project is expected to help spur future economic development and growth along the Route 52 corridor. The second system, the new Big Sandy to Roderfield Water Project, has the potential to serve 500 families with more than 350 customers already signed up for service. It is expected to be completed in early 2016. “We started construction in March and the construction is going really well,” Brewster said. “Most of them (the customers who will be served by the project) are using wells or springs and have very poor quality. Residents have called and complained about red water, and they lose service a lot in the winter.”

The new project will serve families living along the Route 52 corridor between Iaeger and Pr e m i e r, including the Big Sandy, Roderfield, and Hensley communities. The project involves a doubling of the pumping capacity of the existing Coalwood water plant, the addition of a backup generator so that water service will continue in the event of a power outage, and improvements to related water lines. The project also includes funding for an expansion of the existing PSD offices in Coalwood and the c o n s t ruction of a new conference room. Brewster said the PSD is celebrating its 25th year of operation of providing clean drinking water to families across McDowell County. “The customers in those areas have been waiting for so long,” Brewster said. “This is just one of those projects that had been in the books for a long time.” Brewster said the project is being constructed through a $7.7 million grant from the Department of Environmental Protection’s Abandoned Mine Land fund; a $2.6 million grant and a $500,000 loan from the USDA Rural Development agency; and a $10,711 grant from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Brewster said the PSD was fortunate to secure mostly grant funding for the water project. The authority is hoping to

sign up additional customers for the new water system. Brewster said there is still time for additional families in the service area of the project to sign up for water. But they are urged to contact, or visit

the PSD office, as soon as possible to sign-up for service at a reduced cost. “If they want to sign up (for water) they need to do that before construction passes their house,” Brewster said.

“Once it passes their house they would be charged from a $50 fee to a $300 fee. If they haven’t signed up yet it is very important for them to do so.” — Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com

6 Pride V Friday, September 25, 2015

Martin Luther King Jr. bridge

Staff photos by Eric DiNovo

Construction time... The original Martin Luther King Jr. bridge wasn’t demolished until the end of school in June. The construction of the new bridge didn’t kick into high gear until early July when a series of huge steel support beams — estimated at 125,000 pounds a piece — were installed as part of the large-scale construction process. The bridge-replacement project was one of the largest construction undertakings to be completed in the city limits of Bluefield in several years. The bulk of the project cost was covered by state funding with only a minimal expense to the city of Bluefield, according to earlier reports by City Manager Dane Rideout.

Massive $6 million construction project completed in Bluefield By CHARLES OWENS Bluefield Daily Telegraph BLUEFIELD — It was one of the biggest construction projects in recent history for the city of Bluefield. C o n s t ruction on the new $6 million Martin Luther King Jr. bridge replacement project is complete. The work took a little longer than originally anticipated. City officials were originally hoping to have the

bridge work finished by midAugust to minimize the impact on school bus traffic, and students attending Bluefield State College. But complications in the construction process prompted officials to push the project completion date back to late September. The work was largely completed in early September, and the bridge was officially reopened to vehicle traffic on Sept. 1.

Bluefield Vice Mayor Barbara Thompson Smith, and Pastor Timothy L. Hairston of Elkhorn, were the first two motorists to drive across the new bridge around the noon hour of Sept. 1. Hairston, who spoke to the Daily Telegraph a few hours later, said the new bridge was a smooth ride for his black silver accented Retro 2010 Limited Edition Challenger RT Mopar 10.

The new bridge is being built by Triton Construction. The original Martin Luther King Jr. bridge wasn’t demolished until the end of school in June. The construction of the new bridge didn’t kick into high gear until early July when a series of huge steel support beams — estimated at 125,000 pounds a piece — were installed as part of the largescale construction process. The bridge-replacement project was one of the largest construction undertakings to be completed in the city limits of Bluefield in several years. The bulk of the project cost was covered by state funding with only a minimal expense to the city of Bluefield, according to earlier reports by City Manager Dane Rideout. Dozens of citizens living along neighboring Pulaski Street, and in other parts of

the city, had a first-hand view of the construction during the months of July and August. The citizens watched as the large beams were erected high over the adjoining Norfolk Southern railyard. Some even communicated with the construction workers on a regular basis, including members of the congregation of First AME Zion Church on Pulaski Street, which cooked and sold meals to the employees of Triton Construction. “I’ve gotten pictures of this project since day one,” Billy Jean Woods, a Pulaski Street resident, told the Daily Telegraph on July 9. “We have been selling dinners from the First Church to them every day,” she said of the church. “They can’t believe they are getting dinners for $7 a meal. I’ve baked six pies.” The original Martin Luther

King Jr. bridge was erected back in 1966. The West Virginia Division of Highways determined several years ago that it needed to be replaced for safety reasons. The new bridge will be slightly elevated to help further accommodate double-decker trains in Bluefield. The formation of the deck panels for the new bridge were unique to the Bluefield project, according to an earlier report by West Vi r g i n i a Division of Highways District 10 Manager Tom Camden. “The deck panels are being formed off site and being brought in as single units,” Camden said in early July. “That’s basically the deck of the bridge. In this particular case, they’ll be brought in pieces like a modular home.” — Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com

Friday, September 25, 2015 PRIDE V 7

O Y

8 Pride V Friday, September 25, 2015

Above & Beyond RAMEY TAZEWELL Proud To Be Second To None In Quality Performance And Customer Service In Tazewell And Surrounding Area For Over 50 Years.

THE INDUSTRY STANDARD

SALES TEAM

FINANCE TEAM

MANAGEMENT

MARK BREWSTER

DANNY SHEPARD

TIM SHINAULT

FREDDIE ELSWICK

CHARLES McREYNOLDS

KENDALL O’QUINN

GENERAL MANAGER

SALES MANAGER

FINANCE

FRANK HALL

RANDY HICKS

BENNY MOORE

CODY HOWELL

SALES

GEORGE HORNE

AUSTIN REED

SALES

MICHAEL HUNT SALES

STEVE SAUNDERS SALES

JOSH HANKINS

JOSH MABE

SALES

PAUL CHRISTIAN SALES

SHAWN BLEVINS SALES

SERVICE TECHS

SERVICE DEPARTMENT

JOHN WYATT

DEAN HALL

BRAD FRANKO

SARA TATE

LYNDSIE ASBURY

ASHLEY WHITT

JAMES CHRISTIAN

DOUG DAVIS

MIKE HOOPER

SERVICE WRITER

WARRANTY ADMINISTRATOR

CUSTOMER SERVICE REP.

SERVICE TECH

LANG HURLEY SERVICE MANAGER

RECONDITIONING

STEVEN JEFFREY

CHARLES JOHNSON

MIKE LAWSON

GREG BURNETTE

EDDIE ROLEN

STORM CIMINO

TRAVIS WILLIAMS

SERVICE TECH

TOM BROWN

JOHN BOOTHE

BOBBY BOWMAN

RECONDITIONING MGR.

RECONDITIONING

PARTS DEPT MAINTENANCE

CARSON BOWMAN RECONDITIONING

MIKE HELLMANDOLLAR

RECONDITIONING

JEFFREY CONN

TREVOR EDWARDS

JESSIE MULLINS

RONNIE SCOTT

BRANDON HALL

HERB YOST

DJ JORDAN

RECONDITIONING

PARTS MANAGER

PARTS

LOT MANAGER

LORA HICKS BUILDING MAINTENANCE

OFFICE STAFF

CHRISTYD UNFORD

CLAUDETTE FRENCH

ALICIA CARROLL

TERESA HURLEY

ACCOUNTING MANAGER

BUS. DEV. CENTER MGR.

ADMINISTRATION

SUZANNE CATRON ADMINISTRATION

HEATHER CHAMBERS

MIRANDA JOHNSON

MEGAN WADDLE

TARA PENDRY

ADMINISTRATION

RT. 460 Tazewell, VA • 276-988-6526 • 888-412-8583 A292457

Friday, September 25, 2015 PRIDE V 9

Thank You for making us TOP RANKED in Customer Service!

service provided by Factory-Trained Technicians. Our Dealership uses the industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best Factory-Trained Technicians along with the highest quality equipment to serve you vehicle. Our Dealership is focused on one thing only...Your Complete Satisfaction.

High

quality

DEPARTMENT HOURS Mon: Tue: Wed: Thurs: Fri: Sat: Sun:

Service 304-425-2128 Call today for your Appointment 498 Courthouse Rd. Princeton WV 24740

8:00AM - 5:00PM 8:00AM - 5:00PM 8:00AM - 5:00PM 8:00AM - 5:00PM 8:00AM - 5:00PM Closed Closed

A292425

10 Pride V Friday, September 25, 2015

Mitchell Stadium in Bluefield

Anne S. Hunnicutt Stadium in Princeton

Teams score upgrades to sports facilities By BRIAN WOODSON Bluefield Daily Telegraph BLUEFIELD — Jon Bowerbank was getting tired of buying new shoes. He decided to do something about it. After a Richlands playoff win over Liberty a few years ago, the President and CEO of EMATS, Inc., walked out on a muddy field and had a few words with Blue To rn a d o football coach Greg Mance. "He came out and said, "Mance, I am getting tired of ruining shoes coming out to watch ya'll play. Daggone, my shoes are full of mud and I can't get them clean,'" Mance said. "He said, ‘What do you think about a turf field.’ "I said ‘I would love you forever’ and he made it happen." Richlands is now one of five area high school football teams that have turf fields. Bluefield and Graham share Mitchell Stadium, Pr i n c e t o n has a similar field at Hunnicutt Stadium, and Honaker's Fuller Field at EMATS Stadium was also financed by Bowerbank. All have definitely been a hit. "This is my first year on turf and I love it," Princeton head coach Wes Eddy said. "It is a little bit warmer on the turf, but no mud. You don’t have to cancel practices because there is no facility because there is mud or water on the

❏❏❏ Richlands is now one of five area high school football teams that have turf fields. Bluefield and Graham share Mitchell Stadium, Princeton has a similar field at Hunnicutt Stadium, and Honaker's Fuller Field at EMATS Stadium was also financed by Bowerbank. field. You never paint, you never mow grass, I absolutely love it." Ditto for Bluefield College head coach Ordell Walker, who's Rams also use Mitchell Stadium. Nearly every school in the Mid-South Conference plays on the similar type of field. "I do enjoy having a turf field, it is tremendous, especially when you think about the summer Bluefield had with all the rain and things like that," Walker said. "It can rain as hard as it wants and we are back out there the next day so it is a tremendous asset. "Personally I am a fan of grass, I would love to have the ability to practice on grass, but if it came down to a choice, the safest is always the turf field." While field turfs has been around for a while, it hasn't always been the most fun to play on for a variety of reasons. That has certainly changed. "What is neat about the field is it is marked perfectly,"

Bluefield Beavers head coach Fred Simon said. "The way a field turf is today, it is a lot better than years ago when I played on it when it was basically just a slab of carpet over concrete or over asphalt, but it was hard. Now it is soft and you get good footing. "I think it is great because weather doesn't dictate, as far if it is raining or not, for good footing for both teams. I like it, it is great, the facility at Mitchell Stadium is to me first class bar any stadium in West Virginia and we love playing there. We are very fortunate to be able to play there, I love the field turf." That goes for the players too. Graham junior football player Ben Meade plays on its for the G-Men and is certainly a fan, even if there are the occasional bumps and bruises and possibly even turf burns on occasion. "I think it benefits us well because you can run faster and make quicker cuts and it

Teams, 14

Friday, September 25, 2015 Pride V 11

Staff photo by Eric DiNovo

Ongoing... Construction on the new Iaeger Elementary School is expected to be completed by late October or early November with students moving into their new classrooms before Christmas, according to McDowell County School Superintendent Nelson Spencer.

New school remains on schedule in McDowell By CHARLES OWENS Bluefield Daily Telegraph WELCH — A new state-ofthe art school is still on schedule to open later this fall for students in McDowell County, but teachers will have to wait a little longer for a proposed housing village. Construction on the new Iaeger Elementary School is expected to be completed by late October or early November with students moving into their new classrooms before Christmas, according to McDowell County School Superintendent Nelson Spencer. Parents and students are excited about the new school, Spencer said. “It (the new school) has been a long time coming,” Spencer said. “I’m very hopeful to be in there before Christmas. As soon as we are able to get into that building,

we will get into that building.” The Iaeger students continue to be split between Bradshaw and River View as they await the opening date of their new school. Work on the new Iaeger Elementary facility — a project that was originally proposed more than 14 years ago — got underway in 2014 after a number of unexpected delays slowed the project, including a river bank collapse near the site of the old elementary school. The new school is being built by Swope Construction Company of Bluefield. It was the last new school planned as part of a 15-year-old flood proofing agreement signed between the McDowell County Board of Education, the West Virginia Board of Education, the state School Building Authority and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers back in 2001. Many aging schools —

some pre-dating World War II — have been torn down over the past decade in McDowell County, and several modern, state-o f-the-art facilities, have been constructed in return. Schools that have been built over the past 14 years in McDowell County include the new River Vi e w High School, Southside Elementary, Mount Vi e w Middle School, Bradshaw Elementary School and now Iaeger Elementary. But as one long-planned project comes to a conclusion, another — a proposed teacher village — is still in the planning ad fund-raising stages, As of late summer, more than $500,000 had been raised for the teacher village project, which is being developed in conjunction with the public-private partners of Reconnecting McDowell. A rough draft of the architectural design for the project

has already been completed. The teacher village is planned at the site oft the old Best Furniture and Katzen building location in Welch. The proposed development will have 30 units available for rent, according to Spencer. The Reconnecting McDowell partners have raised approximatetly $2.5 million in funding to date for the project. The estimated cost of the teacher village is $6 million. “They have a developer,” Spencer told the Daily Telegraph in early September. “They’re in the process of trying to obtain the property that is in the perimeter of the Best & Katz building before they can begin demolition.” The teacher village was proposed by Reconnecting McDowell and the local board of education as a way to attract and retain qualified

teachers in McDowell County. Keeping teachers in the school system has become a persistent problem for school officials in recent years. And many of the teachers currently employed in the school system do not live in McDowell County, and instead opt to commute to the area from surrounding counties. The hope is that more teachers will be willing to live and stay in McDowell County once the village is opened. Launched in late 2011, the Reconnecting McDowell coalition was originally charged with working to address problems students face both in and outside of school. The group seeks to develop a well-rounded curriculum based on high standards, as well as the support and enrichment services students need to prepare for success in a 21st-century economy.

Another goal of Reconnecting McDowell County is to work on providing support services in schools such as counseling and health care. A third component involves addressing county infrastructure issues such as roads and providing broadband services so that children in all communities in the county can have access to high-speed Internet in their homes. Since the launching of Reconnecting McDowell in 2011, high-speed broadband has been extended to more than 10,000 homes in McDowell County. Schools also are equipped with broaband. Reconnecting McDowell began with just 40 partners in 2011. The campaign now has more than 100 public/private partners who are working in conjunction with the school system. — Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com

Negotiations continue for proposed development of Leatherwood property By CHARLES OWENS Bluefield Daily Telegraph B L U E F I E L D, Va. — Negotiations with the Virginia Department of Transportation are continuing over a proposed limited access break of U.S. Route 460 in Bluefield, Va. The traffic pattern change has been requested by the developer of a proposed 100 acre commercial and retail project planned along the Leatherwood property, near the existing Sam’s Club and Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse. Michelle Earl, communications manager for VDOT, told the Daily Telegraph in August that VDOT has received and is still reviewing a traffic impact analysis and site plan submitted by the developer of the proposed project. “VDOT is reviewing the developer’s traffic impact analysis and site plan,” Michelle Earl, communications manager for VDOT, said. “Following the plan review and revisions, we will work with the town of Bluefield to submit their request for a break in limited access on Route 460 to the C o m m o n w e a l t h Transportation Board, who has the final approval of breaks in limited access statewide.” The proposed development

❏❏❏ Michelle Earl, communications manager for VDOT, told the Daily Telegraph in August that VDOT has received and is still reviewing a traffic impact analysis and site plan submitted by the developer of the proposed project. is expected to include a big box store, restaurants and other possible retail sites, according to earlier reports from town officials. Earl said she couldn’t speculate on when the C o m m o n w e a l t h Transportation Board will receive the request, which must be submitted by the town of Bluefield. “VDOT will work with the town to ensure the town and developer have all the appropriate studies and documentation completed prior to submitting their request to the

uments, according to earlier reports by Bluefield, Va. Town Manager Mike Watson. An unrelated shopping cen-

C o m m o n w e a l t h Transportation Board,” Earl said. Billie Roberts, community development coordinator for the town of Bluefield, Va., said town officials are still awaiting world from VDOT on the request for a limited access break of Route 460. Once an agreement is reached with VDOT and the C o m m o n w e a l t h Transportation Board on the limited access break, the next phase of the project would involve the preparation and approval of construction doc-

Follow the Daily Telegraph on...

twitter Breaking news alerts, weather alerts, sports updates and more! The Bluefield Daily Telegraph on twitter

http://twitter.com/BDTonline

ter project was originally proposed for the Leatherwood property back in 2006. However, that earlier project

was derailed by the onset of the Great Recession in 2008. — Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com

12 Pride V Friday, September 25, 2015

Friday, September 25, 2015 Pride V 13

You will love driving the scenic roads in our vehicles. Capture the beauty in one of our luxury models.

2015 Carbon Edition Rocky Ridge #9681 Was $56,960

SAVE $14,460

$ NOW

42,500

2015 GMC Yukon XL 4x4

New Buick Verano

#9825

#9105

GMC Sierra Tuscany

New Buick Lacrosse

#9736 Badlander Edition

#9006

SAVE $6,418

SAVE $6,575

47,967

NOW

259

MO.

*Not a Lease

SAVE

15,410

NOW

27,500

*Yukon XL includes conquest rebate of $2,000. Must own a 1999 or newer competitive make. *Verano terms 84 mos. at 2.99% pmt. does not include tax, tag, lic. with approved credit.

#2706, 5.0 7 Up Edition, 36K Miles, Gotta See

9,995

2014 Honda Accord Sport

2013 Cadillac XTS Luxury Edition

Local Trade 2013 Mercedes Benz C250 Coupe #2761, Black on Black, AMG Wheels

21,995

2006 Corvette Convertible

2008 Chevy 15 Passenger Van

#9860A, 35K Miles

#9796B1, Ruby Red, Clean

#2763, Low Miles

#9920B, Pearl White, 5K Miles

#2740

2011 Cadillac CTS AWD

Local Trade

22,951

Local Trade

16,951

2013 Mini Cooper Coupe S

2008 Subaru Outback

2011 Toyota 4-Runner SR5

#9925C, Super Sharp

#9881B1, Low Miles

#9885A, Leather, Sunroof

21,995

14,995

1990 Ford Mustang LX Conv.

Local Trade

All prices include all applicable rebates & incentives. Tax, tag, title & $175 dealer fee extra.

304-252-3300 beckleyautomall.com

3934 Robert C. Byrd Drive Beckley, WV (The point of Robert C. Byrd Dr. & Eisenhower Dr.)

Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Sunday 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm A293103

14 Pride V Friday, September 25, 2015

Teams...

just have to try to ground and pound the ball to win the game.” For some it can be difficult to adjust going from grass to turf, but Meade is fine with it. “It has been pretty easy for me because I am a very limber and agile kid so making cuts on turf is not that big of a deal,” he said. “For other people I am sure it is a change because after going on grass, turf is quite a big difference.” Field turf still isn’t as forgiving as grass. It has caused Walker to alleviate some of the pounding that occurs during practice. “I do think it does wear on your body, it is not as soft as grass so there is not as much cushion,” Walker said. “I don’t think that is a factor to major injuries, but because of it we don’t go to the ground

in practice. “Our full take-it-to-theground periods is a lot less, and a part of from my thinking is the turf and you hit the ground a lot harder and things like that. “It is definitely a positive to it, there are definitely some things to think about. I don’t know if I would call it a negative because I love playing on it, but is something to think about for us, we practice on it e v e ry day.” All the local facilities get plenty of use, and not just for football games. Both Simon and Palmer said Mitchell Stadium is due for an upgrade soon. “I know we are supposed to have it resurfaced again and I guarantee they have improved the type of turf,” Simon said. “We have gotten a few burns from it, but I

think it is in its ninth year, maybe 10th, it has been a while. “It has lost a lot of the grass so we are getting a few more burns and cuts than we normally would, but once they resurface it again, that will be gone. It is still easy to land on, but some of the grass is gone so you have got more rubber and sand you are landing on now.” Palmer has noticed, but it’s understandable. That facility is seemingly constantly in use. "It needs a little bit of work now, some of the pellets have risen up on it, it does need a little work," Palmer said. "That field has been used for everything. Concerts, Little League plays there, Bluefield High School plays there, Bluefield College plays there, we play there, it is used for a

lot of stuff. "They do the best they can up there and we appreciate what they do." The same goes for what is now known as EMATS Field at Ernie Hicks Stadium. Honaker got their field in 2007, with Richlands following in ‘08. "Honaker got theirs first, and Jon Bowerbank, our community owes him," Mance said. "In the spring our soccer teams practice here, boys and girls, and P.E., if you come here during the day, 6th grade up through our seniors are up here playing P.E. on this field. "The elementary kids, they come out here and run around on it. It serves a purpose for our community, people practice on it, we play on it, we share it and it has been a blessing.” It definitely serves its purpose for a football field. "It is unbelievable, it can rain all night long. It can rain two inches and we come out here and in 20 minutes it is dry as a bone," said Mance, during an interview in early August. "We never have to reschedule practices, we don’t have to go over and slosh around in the mud where somebody is going to get hurt with pulled groins where their legs are tired. "This facility says it all, it is a great practice facility. It is not a lot of fun right now, if it is 85 degrees, and it is about 100 out here or 95 (on the field). “It is going to be hot in August. We practice on it which gets us used to playing in hot temperatures, which is great." There even an issue with laundry, which used to be a lengthy process after games and daily after practice. “You had to practice in the mud and slop around, we had to walk behind the elementary school and practice over there and then we would practice over there on the baseball field and it is hard as a rock with clumps of grass and mud everywhere and you had to wash every-

May in Buchanan County. The Buchanan County trail is the start of a section that is planned to grow to 100 miles and connect the towns of Grundy and Haysi. The Virginia General Assembly created the Southwest Regional

Recreation Authority in 2009 for the purpose of overseeing the development and management of the seven-county Spearhead Trail system. The intent at the time was to create a new economic development and tourism engine for Southwest

Virginia through the development of new trails for ATV riders, bikers, hikers, horseback riders, naturalists and others. In addition to the new Spearhead Trail, Woodard said several thousand motorcycle riders also have visited

the Back of the Dragon in recent years. The Back of the Dragon is a unique 32-mile motorcycle ride between Tazewell and Marion on Route 16. The unique regional ride has several sharp turns along the way with three mountain

climbs that represent the socalled humps on the dragon’s back — hence the name the Back of the Dragon. Woodard said the peak riding times for the Back of the Dragon are spring and fall. — Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com

rently usable. Browning said the state of West Virginia was initially reluctant to pursue such public-private partnerships, but has become more receptive to the concept in recent years. One of the most recent design build contracts, which brought the four-lane corridor to the Wyoming County

line, is saving the state about $5 million in construction costs. Browning believes a new long-term federal highway bill is still the best solution. “We just kick the can down the road, and that’s not what we should be doing,” Browning said. “The best example I can give you is

during the Clinton administration, the number of tractor trailers on our highways doubled because the economy was growing. If you want a good economy, you have to have a good infrastructure system. We can’t handle anymore traffic on our highways. If a good economy means more shipping of goods and

services, then we are never going to have a good economy again.” The Shawnee Parkway — a scenic two-lane roadway proposed to extend 22 miles from Ghent in Raleigh County to the mountaintop ridges of Mercer County before it ultimately connects with the King Coal Highway

near Crumpler in McDowell County — also remains stalled. So far only 1.22 miles of the Shawnee Parkway have been constructed in the Ghent area of Raleigh County, bringing the roadway within striking distance of the Mercer County line. — Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com

“That’s a nice shot in the arm. We’ve grown. This was a good year, and I’m really excited.” Lusk said trail permits have grown each year the trail system has been open, even during the Great Recession of 2008 and 2009. Moving forward Lusk said he can foresee the trail system partnering on different

projects in the future with the new Spearhead Trail system in neighboring Virginia. The two trails are close enough to connect near the town of Bramwell in Mercer County and the town of Pocahontas in Tazewell County. The trail authority was created by the state Legislature more than a decade ago for the purpose of serving as a

new economic development and tourism engine for southe rn West Virginia. Since that time the seven-county trail system has been successful in attracting thousands of out-o f-town visitors to Mingo, Logan, Boone, Wyoming, McDowell and Mercer counties each year. Those visitors in return spend money at local stores, convenience sta-

tions, restaurants, camp sites and motels providing a boost to the overall economy of southern West Virginia, according to Lusk. Although the number of available lodging sites and related accommodations needed to support the out-o ftown visitors has been a stumbling block in the past, Lusk said recent develop-

ments in the region are helping. One example The Buffalo Trail ATV resort has proven very popular. It is located just off of Lorton Lick Road near Bluewell and incorporates camping with a restaurant, bar, craft beers stone cabins, a waterfall and other accommodations. — Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com

also announced earlier this year that about 12 acres of prime property situated beyond the Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse in Princeton, near to Interstate 77 and U.S. Route 460 interchange near Princeton has become available for use. The land is located behind the Foxridge Apartments area. There has been inquires in the past about the property. One entity, a cinema chain, has expressed interest in the property, according to the earlier reports from Bailey. Across the state line border in neighboring Tazewell County, negotiations are continuing with the Vi r g i n i a Department of Transportation on a proposed limited-access break of U.S. Route 460 near the Leatherwood property at the state line of Virginia and West Vi r g i n i a . The application for a limited access break at the intersection of Commerce Drive and Route 460, near the existing Sam’s Club and Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse, was submitted late last year to VDOT. The change in the traffic pattern has been requested to accommodate a proposed 100-acre commercial and retail development that is expected to include a new big box store and other possible retails sites and restaurants.

Bluefield, Va. Town Manager Mike Watson is hoping that an agreement can be finalized with VDOT later this summer. Also still in the planning stages for Tazewell County — despite continued widespread opposition to the project by citizens living in the Bluefield, Va. area — is a large-scale wind turbine farm planned for scenic East River Mountain. Jim Eck, vice president of business development for Dominion Virginia Power, submitted a letter to the Tazewell County Board of Supervisors earlier this summer reiterating the company’s desire to develop a commercial wind farm on East River Mountain while also objecting to proposed zoning ordinance for the Eastern District of Tazewell County. In the letter, Eck said the company “remains convinced” that Tazewell County has the necessary resources for the development of a utility scale wind project, adding that the best way to address the energy needs of Virginia is through an “all of the above” approach that includes nuclear, coal, natural gas, hydro, solar and wind. Eck adds in the letter that Dominion wishes “to preserve our option to responsibly develop” the wind turbine project on East River

Mountain. However, Eck also voiced c o n c e rns in the letter over the proposed Eastern District d r a ft ordinance, arguing that the proposed zoning plan taken in conjunction with the existing tall structure ordinance would appear to establish a local policy that “significantly deters wind development” and is “inconsistent” with the recommending rezoning of land adjacent to the 2,600 acres of property owned by Dominion on East River Mountain. “Isolating only Dominion Virginia Power’s property with this restrictive zoning seems arbitrary,” Eck said added in the letter. Dominion acquired more than 2,600 acres of land on East River Mountain near

Bluefield, Va., in 2009 for the purpose of developing the proposed wind turbine farm. The county supervisors later adopted the so-called tall structure ordinance that intended to protect certain ridgelines, including East River Mountain. The proposed zoning ordinance for the Eastern District of Tazewell County would prohibit certain undesirable developments, including wind turbines and medical waste facilities. Also in Tazewell County, efforts to market the Bluestone Regional Business and Industrial Park, located along U.S. Route 460 between Bluefield, Va. and Springville, are continuing. Charles Stacy, the Eastern District representative on the Tazewell

County Board of Supervisors, told the Daily Telegraph earlier this summer that the continued threat of having wind turbines on the mountain behind the technology park is negatively impacting the ability of county officials to market the property, including plans for residential dwellings in the area. Stacy said wind energy hasn’t lived up to its billing. “As time has gone on wind energy has been exposed to be a very, very unproductive energy source,” Stacy said. “It is a tremendous drain on the tax dollars of Americans, and is part of the portfolio responsible for the war on coal that we are seeing directly.” — Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com

Continued from A-1 helps speed the game up a lot more," Meade said. "When you hit on the turf it leaves bruises more, but nothing major. You get burns, bumps and bruises, just normal things, nothing too serious." Weather plays a role in most games, but its effect is limited on a field that has doesn’t retain water and is void of mud or other issues. It also helps team with players that can run. “It helps the kids because every day we can do what want to do practice wise,” Eddy said. “We don’t have to worry about rain, the only way we can ever miss practice if there is thunder and lightning. “We know we are coming here every day to work out and we have some speed, and being on a rug helps the speed, it is true every night. That is important, I like playing a clean game, I don’ t want to worry about grass and mud and all that. I want to play our best versus their best and we will see who wins.” There was a time when Mitchell Stadium included a grass field that could get virtually unplayable in certain conditions. "It was awful. Now you don't have to worry about that anymore, you can worry about wet, but as far as the field conditions, it is 10 times better than what it was walking around in mud...,” Pa l m e r said. If you can run a turf field does help some." Ditto for the players. Meade has played quarterback on both, and there is little doubt about his preference. He can do without grass fields. “It is way different, because of the holes and stuff, it is just very different,” Meade said. “It is hard to explain, it is usually rough and there is a crown in the middle of the field, and if it rains it is awful. “It is muddy and the ball gets wet and heavy. It gets hard to throw the ball, you

Spearhead... Continued from A-1 County, the Spearhead Trail also is open in Wise County, and the Coal Canyon multiuse trail segment of the Spearhead Trail opened in

Highway... Continued from A-1 section of the highway in McDowell County through a public-private partnership. A 1.5 mile non-paved section of the Coalfields Expressway was constructed in McDowell County in 2001, but is not cur-

Trail... Continued from A-1 actual number of visitors to the seven-county trail system. “For the fiscal year that just ended from July 1 we were up 4.8 percent on permit sales, and it will go up a lot more than that” Lusks said.

Growth... Continued from A-1 soon be coming to Princeton near the interchange of I-77 and Route 460. The development authority board also passed a resolution of support for a new housing project along Route 52, near Bluefield and the existing 84 Lu m b e r. Bailey said the townhouse community’s plan includes efficiency heating and cooling, a tenants lounge, playground, laundry facility, clubhouse and off street parking. Bailey also said there have been discussions with a recycling company about establishing a facility at the Cumberland Road Industrial Park in Bluefield. If the company finalizes an agreement with Mercer County, the project would create between 10 to 20 jobs. The company would recycle materials from household garbage and sell it to markets in China or India, according to earlier reports. Work on a new stand-alone Chick-Fil-A on Oakvale Road in Princeton also was expected to resume in late August. The project had been stalled due to complications with underground fuel tanks and Department of Environmental Protection regulations. The development authority

Staff photo by Eric DiNovo

BC Rams... Adrian Pope carries the ball against the Point Skyhawks during a recent game at Mitchell Stadium in Bluefield.

thing every day and you ruined your shoes, your uniforms,” Mance said. “Now when you walk off here, my shoes are filthy and look at here, it cleans your shoes, you don’t have to wash practice gear. “We wash it every day, but you don’t have to scrub it and spray it and get mud out of them and ruin your equipment.” Now Simon has own wish list. How about turning his practice field at Bluefield High School into half turf and half grass in order to prepare for whatever surface the next opponent might have. “There are not many high school teams that get to play on that type of field surface, it is great, you won't get any complaints from me, we love it,” he said. “The only thing I would like to see is part of our field in field turf. It would be neat to practice on about 50 yards on field turf for ourselves and have 50 for regular grass when we play away and they don't have field turf.” Many of the high schools on Bluefield’s schedule have turf, but certainly not all of them. “A lot of teams are starting to get it, right now I think the only schools that we are playing that don't have it are Woodrow Wilson this year and Oak Hill, everybody else has got field turf,” Simon said. “If you are thinking other schools, Wayne and James Monroe would be the other teams on our schedule, and Gate City, but Greenbrier East has the field turf, Princeton has field turf, and that is pretty good.” Shoes are no longer a problem at Richlands. Neither are excuses. "We tell the kids, if we don’t get it done, it is our fault," Mance said. "We have got sleds, tackling sleds, blocking sleds, you have got the best field in Southwest Virginia, probably in the state of Vi r g i n i a . . . “We are blessed, we thank the Lord and Jon Bowerbank every day.”

Thursday, September 24, 2015 PRIDE V 15

ASK ABOUT OUR PRICE MATCH GUARANTEE! THEREâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NOTHING, NADA, NO WAY, NO HOW, NOT ANYTHING, LIKE FREEDOM!

Quick Lane

NOW OPEN! No Appointment Necessary

Open 7-7 Mon. - Fri. Sat. 8-5. Closed Sunday. Any Make or Model. David Coleman

Lee Dye

John Craft

General Manager

Car Manager

Jeremy Dotson

Finance Manager

Brad Ratliff

Special Financing

Sales

Stephen Altizer

Johnny Lawrence

Sales

John Potter

Howard Dean

Zac Perkins

Sales

Carl Collins

Brian Stapleton

Sales

John Rosenbaum

Marcus Jewell

Marcus Jesse

Sales

Jack Long Commercial Truck Sales

Frank Boyer

Commercial Truck Sales

Sales

WWW.FREEDOMCLAYPOOLHILL.COM TOP DOLLAR FOR YOUR TRADE!!! Your Premier Dealership Located In Pounding Mill 888-547-4064 OR 276-963-FORD Y

A292458

16 Section V Friday, September 25, 2015

O Y