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ELKINS -- Two Randolph County residents spoke against the Elkins-Randolph County Airport Authority's proposed obstruction removal project during the public comment section of the Randolph County Commission's meeting this week.
"I'm here today to add my voice and my wife's to those of our neighbors and concerned Elkins citizens who question and oppose the airport project that is underway without adequate public dissertation and without proper and sufficient clarification about what this project is and what it entails," said resident Joao Barroso. He added he was not aware of the project in any capacity until being contacted by a neighbor.
"He had mentioned that surveys were going to take place and that for noncompliant property owners, eminent domain will be used to allow the project to go ahead. We were not impressed and definitely not surprised," he said. "The use and abuse eminent domain for private gain and to meet private interests is a common practice these days. It is unconstitutional. It violates the sacred rights of land and property owners."
"Eminent domain comes with intimidation intended to bring about forced compliance," he added.
Barroso then questioned the transparency, benefits and impacts of the project.
"When the impact study is done, what is understood by impact, and who are the relevant impacted parties? Bats and salamanders in trees and a million other species and plants are all worth protecting, no doubt," he said. "Our wild and wonderful West Virginia will not be wild or wonderful if we destroy the resources we have here."
Barroso then discussed the negative ways in which he believes the project will affect his life as a resident and business owner on Arnold Hill Road.
"Jet airplanes are going to be flying at low altitude just above our heads. If trees must be cut and silos must be removed, it's going to be very low, and this will be a major problem," he said.
"The noise will be a nuisance. The disturbance will rob us of the enjoyment of our property and, potentially, our livelihood," he said, adding that he and his wife own an elderly care home facility on Arnold Hill Road.
"We wanted to serve the local community. We provide what we advertise as top-quality service-- not only because we treat elderly folk who choose to move in with us as family-- but also because the surroundings are beautiful. We are surrounded by farms, a view of the mountains, and the place is quiet and relaxing. All that may well be gone if this goes ahead."
A public hearing on the Elkins-Randolph County Airport Authority's proposed obstruction removal project took place last week.
At the Randolph County Commission meeting, resident Milford Jones stated, "I am absolutely upset at the way the commission is allowing the airport authority […] to handle it."
"I don't have a dog in the thing, but I am absolutely upset with your lack of respect to private people and private property. I just cannot understand why you're just springing this on people, why you can't take care of the people's private interests. (The majority) will probably not ever use that airport or give a darned if it's ever used," he said.
Also at the meeting, resident Clark Martin spoke against the proposed annexation of three 'donut hole' properties by the City of Elkins.
"About a month ago, Frontier let it be known that they are looking to go into bankruptcy, if not now, soon," Martin said. "One of the things that they may have to cut would be their telemarketing, which Ibex is currently running for Frontier," he said.
"We're talking about an agency that employed anywhere from 50 to 100 people at one time."
"(Ibex) could potentially be affected by the taxes that the city of Elkins could possibly put on that lot. If that happens, my concern is if there's a decision to be made on the part of Frontier or the part of Ibex, it's going to be either that they close the Elkins division down altogether, move it to another town or consolidate it with the Beckley division," said Martin.
"What bothers me is that we need to have these little areas around the city of Elkins. We try to make it easier for these companies so they can employ people and so they can stay open," he said. "I'm all for Elkins, but I just feel that this is the wrong route to go, and I hope (the commission) will hold off on the annexation."
According to Commissioner Mark Scott, the county is in possession of the annexation application papers from the city, and they are currently being reviewed by Randolph County Prosecuting Attorney Michael Parker.
The three properties, which were approved for annexation by Elkins City Council in December, are the "old Texaco Station" on Harrison Avenue, including a small part of the street itself as well; the former Reibord Plant on Wilson Lane; and the Tygart Valley Apartments, also on Wilson Lane.
The next meeting of the Randolph County Commission is scheduled at 1:30 p.m. March 5 in the James Cain Courthouse Annex.