Dear  Editor:
Spring has sprung and nowhere better than Durbin. There is currently an active Durbin library/community building committee consisting of several local members and they had hoped that there would be more than flowers springing up this year. They have spent the last year raising funds by traveling to Charleston, where they were promised $30,000 by their congressmen; petitioning the Pocahontas County Commission and receiving a promise of $20,000 in matching funds; accepting from the Durbin Town Council donated Durbin Days bingo proceeds of $1,000; sending out mailings to Durbin Graded School alumni and local philanthropists, many of which are part-time residents in the area; and the local businesses. Donations are coming in - some at $1,000, many at $100 and many at $50. The latest endeavor has been a meeting with the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development representative to apply for federal stimulus money targeted for libraries as well as a low interest loan for just this kind of project.
On March 16, the Pocahontas County Free Libraries Board (which is the only county-wide organization which has a rotating meeting in Durbin) met and discussed the building of the Durbin Library/ Community Center. The history of the project is long (at least four years long) and for much of that time the justified complaint from PCFL Board was that the local community was not behind the project. Allen Johnson, the director of the PCFL, has worked hard in putting together a combination of county services to share the space and expenses and to match the needs of the unique profile of Durbin community life. The local leaders have acknowledged the benefit that a multi-use building would bring to Upper Pocahontas. As the committee—now ready to consider the contracting for the concrete pad and start the building phase—attended the library board meeting that Tuesday, the weather had changed. The PCFL Board stepped back from support of the low interest loan that comes with the USDA grant and was hesitant even to start the project at this time. The board, responding to a cash flow problem, stemming from the reduced hotel/motel  tax revenue this year, changed their tune.
The Durbin Library Building Committee members see this as the time to move. The stimulus money is available now. The loan payments would be slightly more than the current rent on the library space. The land is bought and the building pad readied. Can’t we find the will to bring this community project into being with all this support developing in the same direction?  This issue would seem to be something The Pocahontas Times would be interested in covering. Once again there will be a delay which will test the will of the local community and may end in disillusionment. We really want to make the Durbin Library/Community Center a reality for everyone visiting Durbin next spring.

Sincerely,
Judith Fuller, Chairman
Durbin Library/Community Center
Building Committee


Dear Editor:

It has come to my attention that the National Forest Service wants to close off to vehicles a local camping spot.   Island Campground in the Monongahela National Forest has been a popular destination for anglers and hunters with recreational vehicles for many years.    Due to bridge safety they are scheduled to close these sites and it will be walk in with tent camping only.

People complain that our economy is suffering and tourism has been dropping in our area.   I know for a fact that many returning visitors stayed in Island Campground and helped support our local businesses.   The forest service and government might as well post signs at our county lines stating, "Welcome to Pocahontas County, please drive straight through."    These visitors purchase gasoline, groceries, eat at local establishments, as well as visit the NRAO, Cass Scenic Railroad and hike the Greenbrier Trail.

Camping with recreational vehicles and tents are economical ways of having a family vacation.   In this day and time families need a little extra help.    Families who play, camp and enjoy the great outdoors stay together.    Local families use this location to get a weekend away from home as well.

It is now time for people to speak out, save this county treasure and voice your opinions.   I support the fight to keep Island Campground open to vehicles so that everyone can enjoy Wild Wonderful West Virginia.

Sincerely,
Francine Lambert
Durbin

Dear Editor:
Thanks to Geoff Hamill for his clear and concise reports on so many subjects.  His writing makes very clear to me some complicated stuff sometimes.  I wanted to thank him for myself and Paul Detch, who was delighted with Mr. Hamill's article about his talk to CreatePocahontas.  I had invited Mr. Detch to come talk to us about his experience with the early days of development of Lewisburg.  The article Mr. Hamill wrote was completely accurate.

Now, after reading the fishing article he wrote in the Mountain Times section, he has inspired me to take up fishing this summer.  Since I haven't fished since I was 8-years-old, we'll see if this old dog can learn new tricks!  Thank you again, Mr. Hamill, for your conscientious, precise and well-written articles.
Sincerely,
Arol Wulfing
Beaver Creek