A Bridge for Evacuation

Prior to the 1950's if there was a train derailment on the tracks through Keyser there was a way for those on the north side of the tracks to escape. The could simply drive across the bridge into Maryland. For the past 50 years that has not been an option. When Memorial Bridge was completed at set of stairs were added for evacuation in an emergency. That is fine if you are able bodied, but not if you have health issues. A question ask is will the new bridge even have a set of stairs for evacuation of the north end? There is another escape route, the Porter St tunnel, but if the water is high it will be blocked as well.

While nothing has happened for the past 50 years it does not mean that nothing can happen. Consider trains hall many types of hazardous materials; Explosives, Chlorine Gas, Fuel and things we many not even want to think about, then it would be very easy for a train to derail and block both crossings which are only about 350 feet apart. What if the derailment causes a fire on the north end? Most modern fire and rescue equipment can't fit through the Porter Street tunnel. Many homes could be lost while trying to build an emergency rail crossing in a different location.

The intent of this story is not to be alarmist or predict catastrophe, but to make a simple suggestion. The city could take an opportunity to look in to building a small bridge to McCoole at the end of Main Street where the original US 220 bridge once stood. It may not be something that is economically feasible, but if we don't check we will never know. Perhaps there is money available from Homeland Security to provide and escape route. Perhaps not, but if we never ask the question, then we will never know. Maybe we should just ask to see if it is something that is feasible to add to our community.

City of Keyser Backs Green Mountain Wind Farm

After a unanimous vote of approval, Keyser City Councilman Dave Sowers said of a proposed Green Mountain wind farm that it would generate county tax revenues, create more jobs, and help expand national renewable energy production.

Pinnacle Wind Force plans to spend $131 million to create the facility on the mountaintops above Keyser.

This puts the Keyser City Council potentially at odds with some members of the county commission who have expressed reservations about wind energy. Some concerns cited include the altering of aesthetics, damage to wildlife, and questions about what would happen if wind power was not profitable in the long run.

However Mineral County will gain benefits for years from the farm. Property tax revenues will bolster school budgets. The ripple effect from a $131 million investment will boost Keyser's flagging economy. Also it will promote the perception that Keyser and Mineral County embrace new technologies and ideas. Windmills are a symbol of clean energy independence.

Better City Government for Keyser

The City of Keyser is reportedly considering a modification to its charter which would change the City Council from three members to five. This would at least diminish the likelihood that the Council would, in the future, get into its present woeful state where there are two members, causing the Council meeting to be postponed if one can't or won't attend, and giving either council member a veto by virtue of their ability to withhold a second for any motion made. If only to alleviate chaos, a charter change to add two more members would be warranted.

There would be the additional benefit of being able to add two additional portfolios which might help the Council deal more directly with issues of concern to the citizenry, and the concerns of businesses and other organizations which are in Keyser, or are considering locating in Keyser. I would argue that one of the new seats should be a director of planning who would represent the City on planning committees and commissions, and who would, over time, lead in the development of long and mid-range plans for the City. With the new 220 bridge moving closer to the construction phase, the City needs to take a good look at how the actual construction process is going to impact on the areas adjoining the construction site on the Keyser side. The Arnold Street Bridge, a relatively small project, was far too disruptive for far too long a time to be acceptable. The 220 bridge is a vastly larger project with the potential of devastating businesses and other activities located near the project. In addition, there will certainly be a need for and interest in redeveloping downtown Keyser after the bridge has been completed; the planning for that should start immediately so that investor interest can be capitalized upon, and where grants may be needed, Keyser is able to get in the queue early, and muster the support it will need.

A second portfolio could be intergovernmental relations. There are a plethora of situations in which nothing much can be done because the state or county does them, but not inside city limits. For example, deer and other wildlife are proliferating and increasingly becoming a nuisance. Do we want the police called to shoot groundhogs, shoot or poison them ourselves, or should the DNR have some more effective provisions for handling wildlife nuisances in city limits? Another example would be water and sewer lines outside the city. It certainly appears that if anyone chooses to develop property near Keyser, all they have to do is petition the State Public Service Commission to order Keyser to take them into the existing systems, and it will be so ordered, even though they are not incorporated into the city. There are other problems, as well. In addition, this council member would be the one who developed the City's legislative package for each session of the State Legislature, and worked with the County Commission and the School Board, as well.

Keyser has a chance to move itself from the ridiculous to the sublime, and the voters need to express their strong support for a charter change

Keyser's Continuing Council Conundrum

The Keyser City Council now is officially short one member. It may have been short one member since August 13th, or maybe even back to the last election.

On August 13th, Mayor Glen "Bunk" Shoemaker announced that council member George Chidester had submitted a written letter of resignation. This would be effective September 24th. One of the issues was the re-appointment of Jim Hannas as Supervisor of Streets and Sewers. Council member Sally Burnside has staunchly defended Hannas while Chidester has been critical. Burnside made a motion to accept the resignation of Chidester. However Marques Rice refused to second it.

One of the problems is that Chidester never took the oath of office, making him legally ineligible to have ever held a council seat. This could potentially call into question actions taken by the city while Chidester acted as a council member. This includes the designation of times for street parking around Potomac State College.

Keyser has over 5,000 residents, many of whom pay taxes. Hopefully whomever fills the vacancy left by Chidester can help strengthen the city government and its ability to meet the needs of the people. In many areas the city government provides outstanding service. However, the city council must quickly move past its own problems and get its house in order. The appearance of disorder in government will create an image detrimental to development.