The Pocahontas County Public Service District Board listened to input from residents during a public comment period at its regular meeting last Tuesday in Linwood.

George Fleck, a property owner near the proposed Rigby plan site, voiced his opposition to the Curtis property site, a two-acre plot near the junction of U.S. Route 219 and State Route 66. Fleck said the location would have a negative impact on nearby property values.

"This proposal has holes I can sail a ship through," said Fleck, a naval and merchant marine officer. Fleck also asked board members why the PSD had not contacted the homeowner's associations that would be affected by the proposal.
Harvey Galford asked board members why he was not contacted by PSD when a site on his property was being considered.

"Nobody has ever called me to ask if you can come on my property to look at anything," said Galford. "It highly irritated me that I wasn't contacted. Treat me right, I live in this valley, I'm gonna be buried here. Don't treat me like I don't exist."

Russell Holt addressed board members with a scathing statement, criticizing the performance and intentions of PSD board members. Holt accused board members of squandering public funds and stated, "It's time for the U.S. attorney's office to investigate this whole sordid public project."

Bob Forrest, a Snowshoe resident, commended Fleck and Galford on their statements. Forrest expressed his appreciation to board members and his desire to get on with the project.
"In my mind the majority of the PSD is doing a very good job of looking after homeowners, rate payers, existing people that are funding this process, looking after our interests. I'd like to compliment them on what they're doing and let them get on with it," said Forest.

Eric Lindberg spoke on behalf of the Slaty Fork Farm Owner's Association, voicing his opposition to the Curry property site proposal, a third of a mile south from the intersection of U.S. Route 219 and State Route 66.

"This was a topic at the association meeting. They were very concerned with the new developments," said Lindberg. "The majority of our membership does not oppose a valley plant. We feel like in the long term, health and growth of the valley, a plant is necessary. It's going to help the overall environment and the development of the valley. Like everybody else, we don't want it in our backyard."

Board members decided a special work session should be held to determine a new billing policy. The board agreed that a nonintrusive audit of homes recording the number and location of rooms would help determine water usage and provide the fire department with accurate information in case of an emergency.
PSD meets again November 22 at 7 p.m.

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