Save the Sharp Farm of Pocahontas County
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Calvin Hill's Resignation Letter

Thursday August 3, 2006
The Pocahontas Times

I am writing this letter because I want to do the right thing and be fair with the people. I recently resigned as chairman of the Public Service District after serving for a good while. I have had some things on my mind that concern me that I want to share with you.

The PSD was having trouble paying its bills so we agreed to take on Snowshoe's sewer customers because we were told it was a way of getting out of debt. However, I am unhappy with recent developments. I feel like there were very important issues that should have been brought to our attention that were decided behind closed doors without my knowledge. Meetings were held in Charleston and elsewhere that we were not invited to or informed about. I don't like the way things have been going on behind our backs. The attorney, Tom Michael, seems to be running the show.

Our plant manager, who is not a member of the PSD board, was sent last week by Mr. Michael to my house to discuss the water plant and to sign checks.

I felt uncomfortable making decisions about the water plant without the other board members present. In my mind, a special meeting should have taken place with the entire board.

The county commission should be working with us so we can all pull together to make the right decisions for the community, but this is not happening. I am receiving lots of letters from citizens expressing their opposition to the location of the sewer plant and the use of eminent domain. These are also some of my concerns and have been weighing heavily on my mind.

I am not happy about how information was withheld from us during our decision making. The proper information at the right time would have allowed us to make the best decisions. In all good conscience, I believe Snowshoe should stand on its own two feet and take care of the sewer itself.

I am proud to have served on the PSD.

I am asking Joel Callison to reconsider his stance on eminent domain for the Sharp Farm. He has been dedicated to the citizens of Pocahontas County. He will regain their much-deserved support if he listens to the people and does the right thing. He has been a great supporter of growth of tourism that has steadily increased. He has increased jobs and new businesses for our county. Joel is also a member of the Pocahontas County Farm Bureau and helped create the local Farmland Protection program ensuring that future generations would have farmland in our county.

Let's help save the Sharp Farm, as well, for future generations.

Sincerely,
Calvin Hill
Durbin