ATV Riders Ask Board for Help In Unlocking CNX Gates

by Cathy St. Clair
News Editor
   Concerned about recent decisions by CNX Gas to place locks on gates which formerly allowed ATV riders in the county access to ride on gas well roads were expressed Monday during a meeting of the Buchanan County Board of Supervisors.
  Members of the Lonesome Pine Trail Riders asked the board for its help in getting the locks removed, or at least in allowing them to use the trails again as they have been allowed to do since about 2000.
  Jim Osborne noted that until recently county ATV riders have been able to use the gas well roads, but after problems the company experienced with copper thefts last summer, he said the company had locked the gates and essentially destroyed any trail the group has on which to ride.
  "I don't know that we've caused any problems," Osborne said. "We ride at our own risk."
  Garden Supervisor Buddy Fuller said he remembered that in the past there had been an agreement worked out with CNX for the ATV riders to use some areas and he said that needed to be examined first.
  "We're not a bunch of outlaws," he said. "We're just country people who like to have a good time and they've locked us out."
  Board members agreed to form a committee to work with County Administrator W.J. Caudill and CNX to try to work out the issue.
  One rider in the audience, who did not identify himself, noted he was tired of being considered a thief because he rides a four-wheeler and he suggested that law abiding four-wheeler drivers were being accused of things in which they are not involved.
  Speakers pointed out ATV riders bring in tourism dollars to the county and suggested in fact they could help companies like CNX by keeping an eye out while they are on gas well roads to report any suspicious activities observed.
  "We will help you all we can, but we, ourselves, cannot make them take those locks off," South Grundy Chairman Roger Rife told the delegation of about 30 to 40 riders present for Monday's meeting.
  One man suggested that in order to have a key to the lock on the gas well roads as before, he would be willing to have a background check done and several other riders agreed they would also be willing to undergo a background check for the privilege of holding a key to the gates.
  Discussion also turned to current Virginia law as it impacts ATV riders, who may not ride on state or county roads.
  Board members noted that rights as far as where ATV riders may ride are predominantly controlled by the state and they noted that the ATV riders should contact their state legislators to see changes made in where ATV riders may ride.
  Some pointed out that in neighboring Kentucky and West Virginia they may ride their ATV's for short distances off the trail to restaurants or gas stations and they suggested it would be great if Virginia would allow the same.
  It was suggested they contact Del. Dan Bowling and Sen. Phillip Puckett to discuss potential changes in state law to allow that.
  In the meantime, however, in order to address the gas well road usage, the riders were asked to pick two or three of its members who know the locations of the locked gates to meet with Caudill and the mapping department to carve out a map showing the gate locations the riders would like to see opened. Caudill indicated he would then contact CNX to set up a meeting with the committee and his office in hopes of coming to some agreement on the usage of the gas well roads.

Feds Return Files to Buchanan PSA Office

by Cathy St. Clair
News Editor  
  Two box-loads of files taken from the Buchanan County Public Service Authority office by the federal government were returned to the Buchanan County office just prior to Thanksgiving.
 According to PSA Director Darrell Cantrell, the files were dropped off, unannounced, by federal agents.
  Federal prosecutors have never publicly stated their investigation(s) in Buchanan County have concluded, however since the PSA files have been turned back to the PSA, it appears any investigation involving that agency is now over.
  Likewise, files have previously been returned to the Buchanan County Administrator's office and Buchanan General Hospital.

Bids Rejected as Too High on Hurley Clinic

by Cathy St. Clair
News Editor
  Bids received to build the proposed Hurley Medical Clinic were formally rejected Monday as over-budget.
  Members of the Buchanan County Board of Supervisors agreed unanimously to reject the bids and to reissue an invitation to bid on the clinic project.
  According to Assistant County Attorney Lee Moise, two bids were received on the project including one from Corte Construction Co., Inc. and one from J&J Contractor's Inc. Both were more than what the county had anticipated.
  In agreeing to readvertise the project, board members also agreed to include language in the request for proposals to allow for any low bid received in the rebid process to be negotiated if the low bid is over the budgeted amount for the project.
  Moise noted the code of Virginia allows for the low bid to be negotiated in the event the board announces it will do so in its request for proposals in the event a bid is over-budget.
  The deadline to submit the new bids is December 14.
  The bids will then be considered when the board of supervisors meet in continued session on December 18 at 10 a.m.
  The motion to reject the bids and reissue the invitation for bids was made by North Grundy Supervisor Carroll Branham and was seconded by Garden Supervisor Buddy Fuller. The vote was unanimous.