October 2, 2025 • 36 mins
Director of Arts and Culture for the city of Morgantown with a recap of the 2025 Ruby Summer Concert Series.
Richard Judy from the Young Eagles Chapter on the Morgantown event Saturday.
Richard Judy from the Young Eagles Chapter on the Morgantown event Saturday.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
This is the Talk of the Town from Morgantown to Klerksburg.
If it's happening, we're talking about it. Call the show
toll free at one eight hundred seven sixty five eight
two fivey five. Now Here is your host for the
Talk of the Town, Mike notlting.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
Well.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
Good Monday morning. It is nine oh six, some clouds
and fifty nine degrees in the University City. Welcome to
Talk of the Town and happy Monday. By the way,
our producer today is Sophia was sick. You'll be able
to get Sophia at eight hundred seven six five eight
two five five. The text line that's your portal to
(00:54):
get your thoughts into the program. That number is three
oh four Talk three. Certainly look forward to hearing your
thoughts on this Monday. Of course, the Mountaineers they're looking
for answers this morning after they dropped their Big twelve
home opener to Utah forty eight to ten. Now, the
(01:14):
Utes converted touchdowns on four of their first I'm sorry,
on four of their five first half possessions at Milan
Pushgar Stadium. Utah quarterback Devin dan Pierre completed twenty one
of twenty six passes, two hundred and thirty seven yards
and four touchdowns before giving way to back up Bird
Fickland in the fourth quarter. Now, the Mountaineers split quarterback
(01:38):
duties between Jalen Henderson and Khalil Wilkins. Henderson attempted seven
passes and completed three for twenty two yards. Wilkins he
was three of six for sixty three yards and a touchdown.
WVU has twenty third ranked BYU. That will be a
(01:59):
road game on Friday. That'll be a ten thirty pm
kickoff locally. Your thoughts about the Mountaineers are certainly welcome.
At three to four Talk three four, a couple of headlines,
and then we'll get the program started and to lay
out that portion. At nine to fifteen, we're going to
(02:21):
spend a few minutes with the director of Arts and
Culture with the City of morgantent Vincent Kitchen. Vincent is
going to give us some details about how the Ruby
Summer Concert series turned out. Of course, this was probably
the rainiest summer concert series that they've had since the
I think that that event is just about three to
(02:43):
four years old. This has definitely been the rainiest season
that we've had so we'll talk with Vincent Kitchen get
his thoughts about this final about this most recent session.
Also the United Way, they'll be coming in studio today
be talking about their most recent campaign to raise money
(03:03):
to support financial health and safety net needs throughout Mond
and Preston Counties. And then at nine today we've got
Richard Judy and Richard is coming onto the program to
talk about the Young Eagles event that is coming up
Saturday at the Morgantown Municipal Airport. That's an opportunity for
(03:26):
young folks to get a free ride in an airplane.
Of the State Public Service Commission has received more than
eight hundred comments on the proposed mid Atlantic Resiliency Link,
all against the transmission line bound for Northern Virginia to
power data centers there. Metro News statewide correspondent Brad mcilhanny
has he's reviewed several of those more than eight hundred comments,
(03:50):
and he writes more story that is at wvonmetronews dot com.
Next Era Energy Transmission announced their preferred route on Friday.
Late Friday, we learned that a federal judge denied a
motion to dismissed dismiss a suit brought by nearly sixty
(04:10):
firefighters in Morgantown who claim the city has not properly
calculated regular and overtime pay. The judge did leave the
option open to seek a summary judgment after discovery is complete.
That is in addition to the state case that also
alleges the City of Morgantown has made the same errors
(04:33):
of the state Democrat parties on the road for their
Kitchen Table Tour two Listen to Voters and the next
stop Morgantown tomorrow night at the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department
Building Montaguellier County Delegate Avan Hansen says the state Democrats
are making ten stops across the state in advance of
the twenty twenty sixth legislative session. October seventh, in Charleston,
(04:55):
the October the fourteenth, they'll be in Fairmont in the
sixteenth of October, they'll meet with voters in Wheeling. West
Virginia University Police issued a campus warning earlier this weekend
after a contractors struck with stolen. A contractor's truck was
stolen near the Health Sciences campus of the GMC pickup
(05:19):
last scene Thursday night at about eight thirty It was
reported stolen Friday afternoon. Investigators say that truck was unlocked,
the window was down, and the keys just happened to
be left in the visor for the thieves. Anyone with
information is asked contact Campus police three zero four two
nine three three one three six or send a tip
(05:42):
through the Live safe app. And finally, you can add
Raleigh County to the list of counties and municipalities that
are having problems with panhandling. There are several anti panhandling
ordinances on the books in the state or Raleigh County
Commissioner at Daniel Hall learn from those while putting together
their own plan. Again. You can read that full story
(06:06):
at wvmetronews dot com. When we come back, spend a
few minutes with the Arts and Culture director with the
City of Morgantown, Vincent Kitsch. We'll get a readout on
the most recent Ruby Summer Concerts series that is coming
up next on Talk of the Town AM fourteen forty
FM oneh four point five WAJR.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
Join the conversation at one eight hundred seven sixty five
eight two fivey five. This is the Talk of the Town.
Speaker 3 (06:50):
Well, good Monday morning. The Ruby Summer Concerts series in
twenty twenty five featured twelve free community concerts at Ruby
Amphitheater down on the waterfront. Now, each one of those
shows that began just about seven o'clock and of course
free to the public. Always a good time. And on
the phone, we've got the Director of Arts and Culture
(07:12):
with the City of Morgantown, Vincent Kitch, with us. Vincent,
Good morning, sir, how are you?
Speaker 2 (07:17):
Good morning? How are you doing? I'm doing well? Thank you?
Speaker 3 (07:20):
Well? Good good Now? Are you a mountaineer fan?
Speaker 2 (07:23):
Well, I try to be. They make it difficult, but
I've been here five years, so I definitely try to be.
Speaker 3 (07:28):
I'm with you. I try to be too, and you're right.
This this weekend was definitely a little bit difficult. But
I guess looking back on the twenty twenty five Ruby
Summer Concerts series, it was probably the wettest one of
the bunch, wasn't it.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Yeah? You know, I think almost every Friday after the
first week or so in June and July it seemed
like it rained. And the rain, you know, always affects
the crowds.
Speaker 3 (07:56):
But this year, how what was the final result?
Speaker 2 (08:01):
Well, between well, we've had over fifty thousand people at
the Park, and that includes everything from the twelve concerts,
the Fourth of July, and the few things like the
West Virginia one and Jazz and five case, I would
say just the twelve concerts and the Fourth of July,
which we kind of fold in there. I think we
had around forty five forty four, forty five thousand people
at those events.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
Now, I know in years past we've been able to
go back through some of these numbers and tell that,
you know, folks have come from seven or eight different states.
What are we learning out of this batch of numbers
so far?
Speaker 2 (08:35):
For sure, we know that there were at least thirteen
states this year, plus the Netherlands. Really, yeah, somebody emailed
me they were coming from the Netherlands. I'm assuming they
were coming to the US before this, but they were
coming here specifically to see Dasha, just like we had
a son, a man and his son fly from Florida
to see Dasha.
Speaker 3 (08:55):
Really, Dasha and the Bennett Hall Band.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
Yeah, how who that is?
Speaker 3 (09:01):
I don't know anything about them.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
The Bennett Hall Band. Yeah, they are a young group
that I don't know. I think I first saw them
on probably on Facebook, on reels or something. So they
were teenagers, actually early teenagers, and from the region, and
they opened up and it was a fun concert.
Speaker 3 (09:20):
Okay, So how many of the twelve shows or maybe
next year or whatever, how many of those shows come
from you finding something on reels like that?
Speaker 2 (09:31):
Well, you know it happened. You know, it comes in
many ways. People wonder I see things all the time,
or I see postings for concerts at other venues where
I go, Oh, thirty eight special would be fun, you know,
and things like that. But we get a lot of
solicitations from agents and people sending us their electronic press kids.
We have an ongoing list of bands that were interested
(09:52):
in and we get routing sheets from agents about bands
that are out on tour. And so, you know, inspiration
and ideas come from everybody. From people filling out our surveys,
are people emailing me and saying you should have this band, I'm.
Speaker 3 (10:05):
Sure they are. Now, of these twelve shows, Vincent, which
one may have been the most well attended?
Speaker 2 (10:13):
Well attended? I would have to say maybe it's hard
to say. Chase Matthew was a huge crowd early on,
and then of course Maddie and Tata close out the
summer and even who was staying. Those were all kind
of larger scale sized audiences for sure.
Speaker 3 (10:29):
What about the Village people.
Speaker 2 (10:31):
You know, the Village People had a great crowd. It
was really responsive. I think the weather was also challenging
that night, if I could remember, But it was a
fun show and they were great guys.
Speaker 3 (10:40):
Now, you're right, the weather certainly was a challenge back
on July twenty fifth. That's like you said, that's back
when we were getting our weekly torrential dose.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
Of rain exactly. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (10:54):
Yeah, okay, So are you working on next year already
or are you still elebrating twenty twenty five?
Speaker 2 (11:02):
No, I mean, I'm you know, we're kind of glad
it's over because by the end of the summer you're
worn out. But we've already started working on next year.
We of course, we announced that Almost Queen is going
to open up the show next year. Our first tribute
out of the Gate in June will be Almost Queen,
which hasn't been to Morgantown in a few years. There.
They're a great group, and we have a number of
offers out. We're starting to we kind of start with
(11:24):
the sort of bigger headliners that we know are on
our target. Like we've been trying to make it work
with LeAnn Rimes for three years now, and it's just
the dates and the money just either don't line up
or you know, she's out of market because she's very
popular again. So we're we're already making offers to some
major groups, and we have two or three that are
(11:45):
kind of placeholders, are already already playing. But you know,
we'll announce all that around April first next year when
we get it all figured out.
Speaker 3 (11:52):
Okay, all right, well we'll circling the calendar right now.
We'll be sure and give you a call on April first. Now, Vincent,
let's dive into the economics of this. I think you
said more than forty thousand people down on the waterfront
between all of the events that were held through the summer,
including the concert series. What are the numbers look like
(12:15):
there from the dollars and cents?
Speaker 2 (12:17):
Well, you know, I think one of the surprising numbers
that people, you know, we have our food and beverage
vendors that are here every week, all the local food
trucks and such, and so if you talk about the
twelve concerts plus the fourth of July, they sold over
one hundred and eighty thousand dollars or the food and
drink just during the events, and the artist sold something
like I don't know, fifty thousand dollars in merchandise at
(12:38):
all these different events. So that's a lot of a
lot of economic generation happening over what is like four
hours on a Friday night, not to mention all the
hotels and restaurants and bars before and after the show.
So we know, we don't have we haven't done any
studies or anything. I mean, I track numbers as best
I can, but we know that the series is really
(12:58):
having a positive impact financially on the city and the tourism.
As you mentioned all the different states and people coming.
Speaker 3 (13:05):
So tell me this as I remember it, last year
that number was about one hundred and sixty thousand dollars.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
I think it has gone up. You know, I'm sitting here,
I have spreadsheets. I could probably look at some of that,
but you're right. I think it was right around one
hundred and sixty. So it's definitely definitely gone up. And
so and our attendance has gone up a little bit.
And so even with the rain and that has to
do that, we're getting we're getting bigger and better, and
you know, we're getting more well known, and we were
really proud of the season we put together this year.
(13:32):
I know Hinder. I think if you'd ask me who
put on the most electrifying performance, I think Hinder on
a rainy night really put on a great show and
people were really excited.
Speaker 3 (13:42):
Well, what do you hear from people like Hotel Morgan,
maybe all of Varios Mountain State Brewing folks like that.
Speaker 2 (13:50):
Well, Hotel Morgan is a sponsor of ours, and we
work directly with them, and I know that they fill
up because sometimes I go to ask them about rooms
on Friday nights and they don't have any vacancy. You know,
the restaurants down here I have. The first year we started,
I sort of suggested that they be working on specials,
especially like the Fourth of July. And I haven't had
as much data back from the restaurants about how it
(14:12):
impacts their business, but that's something that I definitely want
to work on and reach out to because I think
there's a lot of great opportunity and we certainly see
people coming into the park with Mountain State pizza and
other things that they bring, you know, with them with
their picnic, so we know they're getting hit. I just
like to know more about how we could work together
to make that a better situation for everybody.
Speaker 3 (14:32):
So when I'm down there on a night of one
of these events, I noticed there is a whole lot
of traffic, especially on the trail facing side of those restaurants.
And I know that you're always running around, you're doing
a little bit of everything in those nights, But don't
you see the same thing?
Speaker 2 (14:51):
Oh? Absolutely, we know because we know parking is challenged.
So we know the wharf garage gets filled up, especially
on popular nights, and people are trying to guerrilla park
all over the neighborhoods up and down, you know, anywhere
around the park. We've got the University Street garage, we've
got the you know, the garage up on Pleasant Street,
and so people are parking, but a lot of people
definitely walk down the trail and come into the park
that way. And it's it's great because you just start
(15:14):
seeing this, you know, this mass of people and they
keep building all night long. It's really it's really a
cool situation.
Speaker 3 (15:20):
What is gorilla parking?
Speaker 2 (15:22):
You know, where you park when you're not supposed to
and you just kind of find a place and you
hope that nobody's going to give you a ticket. I mean,
I see that. I remember very distinctly the first year
Sheets used to call me. I'd be on stage, you know,
doing announcements, and they'd be calling me saying, well, you
make an announcement. I'm like, no, just tell them if
they're parked illegally in you're lot, call the tow truck.
I mean, I you know, that's not what we can do.
(15:44):
So people sometimes get creative with parking, and we always
discourage that, but you know, people do walk down into
the park and make use of the trail a lot.
Speaker 3 (15:53):
You're right, And most people when they hear an announcement
like that, they're going to look at their significant other
and they're going to say, well, that they're not talking
to me right exactly.
Speaker 2 (16:03):
And we've had, you know, we've had to warn people
a few times for parking in the wrong place, and
it always.
Speaker 3 (16:07):
Gets taken care sure. Okay. Last thing I got for you, Vincent,
is the comparison between ticketed shows and then the free shows.
Do you have a preference? Is it worth all the
what you have to go through to put on a
ticketed show in comparison to the free shows, and is
the benefit there for the city and what does that
(16:29):
look like moving forward?
Speaker 2 (16:30):
Yeah, I mean we want to do so the ticketed
shows we've had to date have been through outside concert promoters,
so for us, that's a rental. So yes, that's very
positive because that drives revenue into the park that I
can use to book things like the free shows in
the summer, so we like having them here. We also
want to start doing some of our own We've been
looking every year, but we'd like to do two or
(16:52):
three ticketed events just to be able to expand because
we can't do everything in the twelve weeks that we'd
like to do, and some groups are so much money
that the only way we could do it is to
do it as a ticketed event and try to recoup
some of those costs. So it definitely will be more
of them in the future. But clearly the free concerts
are the most popular because the ticket price is the
right one.
Speaker 3 (17:12):
Yes, you are correct. Now, last year there were two
ticketed shows, Is that right?
Speaker 2 (17:18):
I think so? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (17:19):
Okay, yeah, I think Josh Turner and then Clutch I
believe right, this season yeah, yeah, all right, perfect well, Vincent,
I guess in closing, when you bring forty thousand people
down over the course of the summer to the waterfront,
what does that say about our ability to attract crowds
(17:41):
and put on great events.
Speaker 2 (17:43):
It's you know, it's just a fabulous affirmation of all
the hard work that we go through starting now all
the way up until next summer, and just to have
see the people and how happy they are. And it's
a family friendly event with the face painting and the
food and the kids, and it's just a wonderful feeling
that everybody's here enjoying music together and having a night
out in the park.
Speaker 4 (18:03):
You know.
Speaker 3 (18:03):
One last thing, is it twelve shows? Is that your format?
Is that your goal or was there maybe room for more?
Speaker 2 (18:10):
Well, it's every Friday, June, July, and August. That's pretty
well set. Anything outside and of course the fourth of
July either offset's one of those. This year it was
a Friday. So it's always those, you know, June, July
and August, and we deal with the Fourth of July
whenever it happens to be. And that's for the series.
We can do all kinds of other things on other dates,
we probably would just call it a Ruby Special Event
(18:30):
or something like that. So there's room for more. We're
probably just not going to extend the season because we
our headliners that we get are pretty notable, and our
budget's already pretty large, so we can only do so
much with the money that we have to spend.
Speaker 3 (18:41):
Okay, perfect, Hey, Vincent, keep up the great work and
really do appreciate your time this morning. Make it a
great Monday.
Speaker 2 (18:48):
Absolutely anytime.
Speaker 3 (18:49):
Thank you, sir, Yes, you better believe it. Vincent Kitch,
the Director of Arts and Culture with the City of Morgantown.
More people, more economic impact, more fun as part of
the Ruby Summer Concert Series. The twenty twenty five edition
looks like economic impact up slightly from the one hundred
(19:11):
and sixty thousand dollars back in twenty twenty four. That's
up to about one hundred and eighty thousand dollars, and
definitely that series picks up more steam and more notoriety
nationwide and as we find out today, whether or not
it was accidental or not, certainly international recognition for the
(19:34):
twenty twenty five Ruby Summer Concert Series. Coming up next,
we'll welcome some representatives into the studio from the Mont
Preston County United Way. We'll get a campaign update and
find out where they are, how you can help, and
exactly what some of the time constraints are as associated
(19:56):
with this campaign.
Speaker 1 (20:08):
Now back to the talk of the town.
Speaker 3 (20:15):
Well, good Monday morning. It is nine thirty five clouds
and fifty nine degrees in the University City. Glad you're
with us. On late Friday, we learned that federal Judge
Thomas Clee has rejected a request to dismiss the case
(20:36):
involving compensation for overtime and holiday pay. That lawsuit between
the City of Morgantown and her firefighters. Discovery will continue
and at the completion of discovery then each side will
then have the opportunity to either request summary judgment or
(20:56):
they have the opportunity to then continue to try that
case in federal court. Now, this is in addition to
the state case that is already that is also in process.
Of course, torres Saeva Law Teresa torres Seva and Joshua D.
Miller are representing the firefighters from the City of Morgantown.
(21:22):
Kind of got me to thinking over the weekend with
a new city manager, you've got a court case that
is now it's going to be five years old. That
the first case was filed in June of twenty nineteen,
just before the pandemic started to rage. And you know,
(21:44):
you've got to wonder as we continue this battle, the
costs are mounting for the city, and they're also mounting
for the firefighters as well. We've heard the firefighters talk
about that, not so much necessarily from the city, but
it begs the question as to with all the financial
(22:05):
pressures that are facing the City of Morgantown that we've
heard about, from insurance premiums to insurance coverage, even asking
the question of the mayor here just a couple of
weeks ago if maybe maybe the city might not have
(22:25):
matching money for their aggressive grant campaign. So you know,
there are definitely financial pressures out there for the city.
So it begs the question as to when does the
city get to the point where they maybe re examine
their legal services and how they obtain those legal services.
(22:47):
I think that what we've seen over the last five years, actually,
let's see k Caste and Cheney attorney Ryan Simonton has
represented the city since I've been here. I've believe that
that change. He moved from staff to a subcontractor with
(23:08):
the city after that, right before I came here. So
this has been the only type setup that I have seen. Now,
I can tell you that you look at the budget
numbers that they have for legal fees in the city,
and of course those numbers in those numbers is also
(23:33):
included settlements and things like that. So you know, we
can't just take one look at that number and say, Okay,
that's what the city is paying for legal services. Now,
that's what the city is paying as a result of
their legal services or lack thereof. And it just it
begs the question that I'm sure many, maybe many or
(23:57):
some in the city administration could be asking themselves as
we enter what will be soon the sixth year in
the dispute between the cities firefighters and the City of
Morgantown over their compensation for holidays and now. This dismissal
(24:20):
resulted directly from a testimony from Assistant City Manager Emily Mazzarelli,
in which she gave provided a different number for how
the firefighters are compensated in terms of their regular hours
worked each year. She provided a higher number than what
had been previously provided by the city. And it's certainly
(24:44):
a very very complicated issue, much more complicated than it
needs to be, because at one point the city was
within just a couple hundred thousand dollars of being able
to reach a settlement with their firefighters and declined to
do so. Then when a judgment was I guess that was,
(25:07):
Judge Gajoe offered. Judge Gajeoue ruled that would have required
the city to pay four to five million dollars, and
at the time, a city attorney, Ky Casto and Cheney
attorney Ryan Simonson told the judge that you know, that
would amount to about up to fifteen percent of the
(25:28):
city's revenue budget and it would be unfair for the
court to ask the city to make that payment. Well,
that number just keeps going up as the years in
this lawsuit continued to be logged. We'll watch it and well,
of course have updates as they are available right now.
Clouds and fifty nine degrees in the University City coming
(25:52):
up this weekend, the Young Eagles will be at the
Morgantow Municipal Airport and they'll be giving free flights to
young folks. I'm going to spend a few minutes with
Stephen Judy. I'm sorry, Richard Judy coming up next and
we'll talk. We'll get to know the Young Eagles and
find out exactly what they're going to be doing next weekend.
(26:13):
That's coming up next on Talk of the Town AM
fourteen forty FM oneh four point five WAJR.
Speaker 1 (26:33):
We are talking about your town. Now back to the
Talk of the Town.
Speaker 3 (26:38):
Well, good Monday morning. Coming up this Saturday at the
Morgantown Municipal Airport, it will be Young Eagles Day, free
flights for children from the ages of eight to seventeen
years old. This event will provide the opportunity for these
young people to get unique views of big attraction in
(27:00):
the Morgantown area, like maybe Mountaineerfield, the campus of West
Virginia University, Island Park. They get to get a bird's
eye view of all of these attractions. On the phone,
we've got Richard Judy. What us he is a Young Eagle.
Good morning, Richard. How are you?
Speaker 2 (27:20):
I'm doing great.
Speaker 5 (27:21):
Mike, how are you doing this morning?
Speaker 3 (27:22):
Hey, I'm doing good. Thank you very much. Richard. First off,
tell us about Young Eagles please.
Speaker 5 (27:28):
Okay, So Young Eagles was established in nineteen ninety three
with the goal the initial goal of having a million
kids get a totally free airplane ride by the Hunter's
Anniversary of powered flight in two thousand and three. Well
they did that and they actually exceeded it by about
one hundred thousand kids.
Speaker 2 (27:49):
So the new goal is.
Speaker 5 (27:53):
In two years they want to have two point five
million kids flown, and you know that's quite a goal.
Where at about two point one million right now. So
you know, we're trying to get to you know, every
kid out there a totally free airplane ride to kind
of peak their interest in you know, an aviation career,
(28:14):
be a pilot, a mechanic and air traffic controller, an
airport manager. The the limits are boundless. So I mean
it's a great to uh, you know, a great field.
Speaker 2 (28:26):
To be in.
Speaker 5 (28:26):
Lots of you know, high paying jobs and you know
they can say right here in Mont County.
Speaker 3 (28:32):
You know, Richard, when I was growing up, I grew
up near an old Air Force base. It was called
the ba Collar Air Force Base and it got transferred
over into private hands. And when they did that, they
I think this was before Young Eagles, but when they
did that, they had an opportunity where you could come
out and take a flight in a small aircraft. I
(28:54):
did that and it was the very first time that
I had ever flown, and I was just blown away.
So I'd like to know what kind of reactions do
you see in kids when they go up for the
first time.
Speaker 5 (29:08):
Well, Mike, I see the gamut. You know, we had
kids that you know, can't wait to get on the airplane.
You know, they they've waited, you know, a year or
more to do this. A lot of them come when
they're five, six, seven years old and we say, you know, hey,
you know sorry, you know, you can't do this till eight.
Speaker 4 (29:25):
So they've had a couple of.
Speaker 5 (29:26):
Years to you know, kind of build up the excitement
and they are ready to get on an airplane. And
then you know there's kids that you know, just aren't
too sure about, you know, going up in an airplane.
You know, without mom and dad. These flights aren't for
the kids only. And you know what we do, We'll
pair them up with two or three other kids. Most
(29:47):
of our aircraft hold four, i'm sorry, three kids in
a pilot. So, you know, the little the little talking,
little encouragement, you have a little peer pressure definitely, you know,
get the kids on the airplane.
Speaker 4 (30:02):
But once they come.
Speaker 5 (30:03):
Down from that, you know, twenty minute flight, they bound
off the airplane and I would say ninety percent of
say can I go again? And that's that's that's our payment,
you know, the pilots and all the ground volunteers. You know,
that's our payment seeing these these kids, you know, really
enjoy aviation. We have had kids that have taken a
(30:25):
Young Eagles ride, you know, back in the nineties that
you know, went on, got their Politic certificate and now
fly you.
Speaker 2 (30:33):
Know, Young Eagles again.
Speaker 5 (30:34):
Kind of paying it forward.
Speaker 3 (30:35):
Hey, give us an idea of what this twenty minute
flight is going to be. I realize that they won't
all be the same, but what are they going to see?
Speaker 5 (30:44):
Okay, so you know you're at takeoff from the airport. Uh,
you know probably you know, headed south bound and you
know you're gonna make a make a right turn. You
kind of flying over the I sixty eight, I seventy
nine split, follow the river Den. You get to see
myland Park, you get to see Mountain air Field, you
get to see I guess now it's Hope Poliseum.
Speaker 2 (31:06):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (31:07):
And you know then we'll kind of.
Speaker 5 (31:08):
Turn back into the airport. You get to see you know,
all of WVU, both downtown and evan Zale. You get
to see the all.
Speaker 4 (31:16):
The engineering buildings.
Speaker 5 (31:18):
Uh. And then coming back you get to see all
the both power plants up north of north of the airport.
So it really is a great you know flight that
packs the lot in and only about seventeen to twenty minutes.
Speaker 3 (31:34):
Now while you're doing this, you're gonna sneak in some
lessons about science, engineering, technology and math. So how do
you do?
Speaker 2 (31:43):
Oh?
Speaker 5 (31:44):
Absolutely, so you know, just explaining you know to the kids,
you know, how the aircraft function. What is what is
actually keeping us up in the air.
Speaker 4 (31:54):
It's not the.
Speaker 5 (31:54):
Engine, it's you know Bernoulli's principle, and you know, the
the the fact that air you know, creates a lifting
force you know, on the underside, on the top.
Speaker 2 (32:05):
Side of the wings.
Speaker 5 (32:06):
So you know, we we we do that, and then
we talk about.
Speaker 4 (32:10):
You know, all the navigation systems that.
Speaker 5 (32:12):
We used, you know how the uh uh, you know
how we talk to the air traffic control over the radio,
and you know, just try and peak their interest in,
you know, using those skills in kind of a real
world type scenario.
Speaker 3 (32:26):
And now you mentioned the flight crews, the ground crews
and all the volunteers that make this happen. How many
people offer airplanes for this event and how many people
will be helping you?
Speaker 5 (32:39):
Well, we're gonna have four airplanes for this event. Uh,
you know local pilots who you know. I have a
couple coming from Fairmont and one coming from Comminsville, Pennsylvania,
and then one at the field.
Speaker 2 (32:54):
They all come.
Speaker 5 (32:55):
They they love doing it. We'll probably have about probably
about the too twelve the helpers on the ground. Going
to have more members of the Morgantown Squadron of the
Civil Air Patrol helping us.
Speaker 2 (33:06):
And you know, if the kids.
Speaker 4 (33:08):
You know, really have an interest, we will go ahead
and you know.
Speaker 5 (33:11):
Point in towards Civil Air Patrol where they can learn
more about aerospace and take even more free airplane rides.
Speaker 3 (33:18):
How many kids are you planning for?
Speaker 5 (33:21):
Well, we we have cut off registration at seventy five
kids and that was gone very early in the process.
I've had lots of inquiries about you know, additional sign ups.
And right now what we're gonna do is we're going
to you know, see what the weather looks like on
Saturday and kind of make a decision from there if
(33:43):
we're going to allow walk ins.
Speaker 2 (33:45):
Uh.
Speaker 5 (33:45):
If we do allow walkins, it will be after two
o'clock in the afternoon. People can always, you know, send
me an email eight four two Young Eagles at gmail
dot com and I will go ahead and get back
with them, you know, as soon as I see the
email about whether they're you know, we're accepting walkins or not.
Speaker 3 (34:07):
Well, it's a little early to make an ambitious prediction.
But Metro Newszaki weather does tell us that Saturday looks
to be sunny and I have seventy five so it
looks like it'll be a great day to be in
the air.
Speaker 4 (34:20):
Oh, absolutely, you know, and we we do rely on.
Speaker 5 (34:25):
Metro News Weather to help us in our pre flight process.
Speaker 4 (34:28):
We also use the aviation weather.
Speaker 5 (34:31):
To you know, to make sure it's not going to
be you know, too bumpy.
Speaker 2 (34:33):
For the kids.
Speaker 5 (34:34):
But seventy five degrees this time of year should be
light winds and it should be a perfect day to
go for an airplane ride.
Speaker 3 (34:41):
Last thing I got for you, Richard is Young Eagles
is a nationwide organization. You are affiliated with Chapter eight
forty two. Tell us just a little bit about your
group and how people can join if they like.
Speaker 5 (34:54):
Okay, so what Chapter eight forty two is part of
the Experimental Aircraft Assoisiation Headquarter in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. We are
group of you know, like minded aviation individuals. You do
not have to be a pilot, but just have to
have an interest in aviation. We meet on the second
(35:16):
Thursday of the month around the Fairmount Airport and if
if anybody has an interest, they can go to e
A A dot org and search for chapter eight four
two and that'll give them more information.
Speaker 3 (35:30):
Okay, perfect, Well, you can't deny that the aviation industry
and the aviation sector in this state is really becoming
very exciting.
Speaker 5 (35:41):
Oh yes, I mean, you know all the development going
on at Clarksburg with m h I r J and
the new terminal building and all the all the you
know aviation coming down down to that area. And also
in Morgantown we just have a brand new hangar going
up for a couple of corporate clients. And then you know,
(36:01):
I heard from the airport director that there's some you know,
some other talks for more aviation centric organizations at the airport.
So very exciting time to be in aviation, no matter
what facet it's in.
Speaker 3 (36:16):
Richard Judy, thank you very much for your time today, sir,
and hope you have a great Monday.
Speaker 2 (36:22):
All right.
Speaker 5 (36:22):
Thank you, Mike, you too.
Speaker 3 (36:23):
Take care everybody, absolutely take care of yourself. Right now
clouds and sixty in the University City. We'll be back
to wrap things up, coming up right after this on
Am fourteen forty f M one oh four point five W. A.
Speaker 4 (36:37):
J R.
This is the Talk of the Town from Morgantown to Klerksburg.
If it's happening, we're talking about it. Call the show
toll free at one eight hundred seven sixty five eight
two fivey five. Now Here is your host for the
Talk of the Town, Mike notlting.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
Well.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
Good Monday morning. It is nine oh six, some clouds
and fifty nine degrees in the University City. Welcome to
Talk of the Town and happy Monday. By the way,
our producer today is Sophia was sick. You'll be able
to get Sophia at eight hundred seven six five eight
two five five. The text line that's your portal to
(00:54):
get your thoughts into the program. That number is three
oh four Talk three. Certainly look forward to hearing your
thoughts on this Monday. Of course, the Mountaineers they're looking
for answers this morning after they dropped their Big twelve
home opener to Utah forty eight to ten. Now, the
(01:14):
Utes converted touchdowns on four of their first I'm sorry,
on four of their five first half possessions at Milan
Pushgar Stadium. Utah quarterback Devin dan Pierre completed twenty one
of twenty six passes, two hundred and thirty seven yards
and four touchdowns before giving way to back up Bird
Fickland in the fourth quarter. Now, the Mountaineers split quarterback
(01:38):
duties between Jalen Henderson and Khalil Wilkins. Henderson attempted seven
passes and completed three for twenty two yards. Wilkins he
was three of six for sixty three yards and a touchdown.
WVU has twenty third ranked BYU. That will be a
(01:59):
road game on Friday. That'll be a ten thirty pm
kickoff locally. Your thoughts about the Mountaineers are certainly welcome.
At three to four Talk three four, a couple of headlines,
and then we'll get the program started and to lay
out that portion. At nine to fifteen, we're going to
(02:21):
spend a few minutes with the director of Arts and
Culture with the City of morgantent Vincent Kitchen. Vincent is
going to give us some details about how the Ruby
Summer Concert series turned out. Of course, this was probably
the rainiest summer concert series that they've had since the
I think that that event is just about three to
(02:43):
four years old. This has definitely been the rainiest season
that we've had so we'll talk with Vincent Kitchen get
his thoughts about this final about this most recent session.
Also the United Way, they'll be coming in studio today
be talking about their most recent campaign to raise money
(03:03):
to support financial health and safety net needs throughout Mond
and Preston Counties. And then at nine today we've got
Richard Judy and Richard is coming onto the program to
talk about the Young Eagles event that is coming up
Saturday at the Morgantown Municipal Airport. That's an opportunity for
(03:26):
young folks to get a free ride in an airplane.
Of the State Public Service Commission has received more than
eight hundred comments on the proposed mid Atlantic Resiliency Link,
all against the transmission line bound for Northern Virginia to
power data centers there. Metro News statewide correspondent Brad mcilhanny
has he's reviewed several of those more than eight hundred comments,
(03:50):
and he writes more story that is at wvonmetronews dot com.
Next Era Energy Transmission announced their preferred route on Friday.
Late Friday, we learned that a federal judge denied a
motion to dismissed dismiss a suit brought by nearly sixty
(04:10):
firefighters in Morgantown who claim the city has not properly
calculated regular and overtime pay. The judge did leave the
option open to seek a summary judgment after discovery is complete.
That is in addition to the state case that also
alleges the City of Morgantown has made the same errors
(04:33):
of the state Democrat parties on the road for their
Kitchen Table Tour two Listen to Voters and the next
stop Morgantown tomorrow night at the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department
Building Montaguellier County Delegate Avan Hansen says the state Democrats
are making ten stops across the state in advance of
the twenty twenty sixth legislative session. October seventh, in Charleston,
(04:55):
the October the fourteenth, they'll be in Fairmont in the
sixteenth of October, they'll meet with voters in Wheeling. West
Virginia University Police issued a campus warning earlier this weekend
after a contractors struck with stolen. A contractor's truck was
stolen near the Health Sciences campus of the GMC pickup
(05:19):
last scene Thursday night at about eight thirty It was
reported stolen Friday afternoon. Investigators say that truck was unlocked,
the window was down, and the keys just happened to
be left in the visor for the thieves. Anyone with
information is asked contact Campus police three zero four two
nine three three one three six or send a tip
(05:42):
through the Live safe app. And finally, you can add
Raleigh County to the list of counties and municipalities that
are having problems with panhandling. There are several anti panhandling
ordinances on the books in the state or Raleigh County
Commissioner at Daniel Hall learn from those while putting together
their own plan. Again. You can read that full story
(06:06):
at wvmetronews dot com. When we come back, spend a
few minutes with the Arts and Culture director with the
City of Morgantown, Vincent Kitsch. We'll get a readout on
the most recent Ruby Summer Concerts series that is coming
up next on Talk of the Town AM fourteen forty
FM oneh four point five WAJR.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
Join the conversation at one eight hundred seven sixty five
eight two fivey five. This is the Talk of the Town.
Speaker 3 (06:50):
Well, good Monday morning. The Ruby Summer Concerts series in
twenty twenty five featured twelve free community concerts at Ruby
Amphitheater down on the waterfront. Now, each one of those
shows that began just about seven o'clock and of course
free to the public. Always a good time. And on
the phone, we've got the Director of Arts and Culture
(07:12):
with the City of Morgantown, Vincent Kitch, with us. Vincent,
Good morning, sir, how are you?
Speaker 2 (07:17):
Good morning? How are you doing? I'm doing well? Thank you?
Speaker 3 (07:20):
Well? Good good Now? Are you a mountaineer fan?
Speaker 2 (07:23):
Well, I try to be. They make it difficult, but
I've been here five years, so I definitely try to be.
Speaker 3 (07:28):
I'm with you. I try to be too, and you're right.
This this weekend was definitely a little bit difficult. But
I guess looking back on the twenty twenty five Ruby
Summer Concerts series, it was probably the wettest one of
the bunch, wasn't it.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Yeah? You know, I think almost every Friday after the
first week or so in June and July it seemed
like it rained. And the rain, you know, always affects
the crowds.
Speaker 3 (07:56):
But this year, how what was the final result?
Speaker 2 (08:01):
Well, between well, we've had over fifty thousand people at
the Park, and that includes everything from the twelve concerts,
the Fourth of July, and the few things like the
West Virginia one and Jazz and five case, I would
say just the twelve concerts and the Fourth of July,
which we kind of fold in there. I think we
had around forty five forty four, forty five thousand people
at those events.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
Now, I know in years past we've been able to
go back through some of these numbers and tell that,
you know, folks have come from seven or eight different states.
What are we learning out of this batch of numbers
so far?
Speaker 2 (08:35):
For sure, we know that there were at least thirteen
states this year, plus the Netherlands. Really, yeah, somebody emailed
me they were coming from the Netherlands. I'm assuming they
were coming to the US before this, but they were
coming here specifically to see Dasha, just like we had
a son, a man and his son fly from Florida
to see Dasha.
Speaker 3 (08:55):
Really, Dasha and the Bennett Hall Band.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
Yeah, how who that is?
Speaker 3 (09:01):
I don't know anything about them.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
The Bennett Hall Band. Yeah, they are a young group
that I don't know. I think I first saw them
on probably on Facebook, on reels or something. So they
were teenagers, actually early teenagers, and from the region, and
they opened up and it was a fun concert.
Speaker 3 (09:20):
Okay, So how many of the twelve shows or maybe
next year or whatever, how many of those shows come
from you finding something on reels like that?
Speaker 2 (09:31):
Well, you know it happened. You know, it comes in
many ways. People wonder I see things all the time,
or I see postings for concerts at other venues where
I go, Oh, thirty eight special would be fun, you know,
and things like that. But we get a lot of
solicitations from agents and people sending us their electronic press kids.
We have an ongoing list of bands that were interested
(09:52):
in and we get routing sheets from agents about bands
that are out on tour. And so, you know, inspiration
and ideas come from everybody. From people filling out our surveys,
are people emailing me and saying you should have this band, I'm.
Speaker 3 (10:05):
Sure they are. Now, of these twelve shows, Vincent, which
one may have been the most well attended?
Speaker 2 (10:13):
Well attended? I would have to say maybe it's hard
to say. Chase Matthew was a huge crowd early on,
and then of course Maddie and Tata close out the
summer and even who was staying. Those were all kind
of larger scale sized audiences for sure.
Speaker 3 (10:29):
What about the Village people.
Speaker 2 (10:31):
You know, the Village People had a great crowd. It
was really responsive. I think the weather was also challenging
that night, if I could remember, But it was a
fun show and they were great guys.
Speaker 3 (10:40):
Now, you're right, the weather certainly was a challenge back
on July twenty fifth. That's like you said, that's back
when we were getting our weekly torrential dose.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
Of rain exactly. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (10:54):
Yeah, okay, So are you working on next year already
or are you still elebrating twenty twenty five?
Speaker 2 (11:02):
No, I mean, I'm you know, we're kind of glad
it's over because by the end of the summer you're
worn out. But we've already started working on next year.
We of course, we announced that Almost Queen is going
to open up the show next year. Our first tribute
out of the Gate in June will be Almost Queen,
which hasn't been to Morgantown in a few years. There.
They're a great group, and we have a number of
offers out. We're starting to we kind of start with
(11:24):
the sort of bigger headliners that we know are on
our target. Like we've been trying to make it work
with LeAnn Rimes for three years now, and it's just
the dates and the money just either don't line up
or you know, she's out of market because she's very
popular again. So we're we're already making offers to some
major groups, and we have two or three that are
(11:45):
kind of placeholders, are already already playing. But you know,
we'll announce all that around April first next year when
we get it all figured out.
Speaker 3 (11:52):
Okay, all right, well we'll circling the calendar right now.
We'll be sure and give you a call on April first. Now, Vincent,
let's dive into the economics of this. I think you
said more than forty thousand people down on the waterfront
between all of the events that were held through the summer,
including the concert series. What are the numbers look like
(12:15):
there from the dollars and cents?
Speaker 2 (12:17):
Well, you know, I think one of the surprising numbers
that people, you know, we have our food and beverage
vendors that are here every week, all the local food
trucks and such, and so if you talk about the
twelve concerts plus the fourth of July, they sold over
one hundred and eighty thousand dollars or the food and
drink just during the events, and the artist sold something
like I don't know, fifty thousand dollars in merchandise at
(12:38):
all these different events. So that's a lot of a
lot of economic generation happening over what is like four
hours on a Friday night, not to mention all the
hotels and restaurants and bars before and after the show.
So we know, we don't have we haven't done any
studies or anything. I mean, I track numbers as best
I can, but we know that the series is really
(12:58):
having a positive impact financially on the city and the tourism.
As you mentioned all the different states and people coming.
Speaker 3 (13:05):
So tell me this as I remember it, last year
that number was about one hundred and sixty thousand dollars.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
I think it has gone up. You know, I'm sitting here,
I have spreadsheets. I could probably look at some of that,
but you're right. I think it was right around one
hundred and sixty. So it's definitely definitely gone up. And
so and our attendance has gone up a little bit.
And so even with the rain and that has to
do that, we're getting we're getting bigger and better, and
you know, we're getting more well known, and we were
really proud of the season we put together this year.
(13:32):
I know Hinder. I think if you'd ask me who
put on the most electrifying performance, I think Hinder on
a rainy night really put on a great show and
people were really excited.
Speaker 3 (13:42):
Well, what do you hear from people like Hotel Morgan,
maybe all of Varios Mountain State Brewing folks like that.
Speaker 2 (13:50):
Well, Hotel Morgan is a sponsor of ours, and we
work directly with them, and I know that they fill
up because sometimes I go to ask them about rooms
on Friday nights and they don't have any vacancy. You know,
the restaurants down here I have. The first year we started,
I sort of suggested that they be working on specials,
especially like the Fourth of July. And I haven't had
as much data back from the restaurants about how it
(14:12):
impacts their business, but that's something that I definitely want
to work on and reach out to because I think
there's a lot of great opportunity and we certainly see
people coming into the park with Mountain State pizza and
other things that they bring, you know, with them with
their picnic, so we know they're getting hit. I just
like to know more about how we could work together
to make that a better situation for everybody.
Speaker 3 (14:32):
So when I'm down there on a night of one
of these events, I noticed there is a whole lot
of traffic, especially on the trail facing side of those restaurants.
And I know that you're always running around, you're doing
a little bit of everything in those nights, But don't
you see the same thing?
Speaker 2 (14:51):
Oh? Absolutely, we know because we know parking is challenged.
So we know the wharf garage gets filled up, especially
on popular nights, and people are trying to guerrilla park
all over the neighborhoods up and down, you know, anywhere
around the park. We've got the University Street garage, we've
got the you know, the garage up on Pleasant Street,
and so people are parking, but a lot of people
definitely walk down the trail and come into the park
that way. And it's it's great because you just start
(15:14):
seeing this, you know, this mass of people and they
keep building all night long. It's really it's really a
cool situation.
Speaker 3 (15:20):
What is gorilla parking?
Speaker 2 (15:22):
You know, where you park when you're not supposed to
and you just kind of find a place and you
hope that nobody's going to give you a ticket. I mean,
I see that. I remember very distinctly the first year
Sheets used to call me. I'd be on stage, you know,
doing announcements, and they'd be calling me saying, well, you
make an announcement. I'm like, no, just tell them if
they're parked illegally in you're lot, call the tow truck.
I mean, I you know, that's not what we can do.
(15:44):
So people sometimes get creative with parking, and we always
discourage that, but you know, people do walk down into
the park and make use of the trail a lot.
Speaker 3 (15:53):
You're right, And most people when they hear an announcement
like that, they're going to look at their significant other
and they're going to say, well, that they're not talking
to me right exactly.
Speaker 2 (16:03):
And we've had, you know, we've had to warn people
a few times for parking in the wrong place, and
it always.
Speaker 3 (16:07):
Gets taken care sure. Okay. Last thing I got for you, Vincent,
is the comparison between ticketed shows and then the free shows.
Do you have a preference? Is it worth all the
what you have to go through to put on a
ticketed show in comparison to the free shows, and is
the benefit there for the city and what does that
(16:29):
look like moving forward?
Speaker 2 (16:30):
Yeah, I mean we want to do so the ticketed
shows we've had to date have been through outside concert promoters,
so for us, that's a rental. So yes, that's very
positive because that drives revenue into the park that I
can use to book things like the free shows in
the summer, so we like having them here. We also
want to start doing some of our own We've been
looking every year, but we'd like to do two or
(16:52):
three ticketed events just to be able to expand because
we can't do everything in the twelve weeks that we'd
like to do, and some groups are so much money
that the only way we could do it is to
do it as a ticketed event and try to recoup
some of those costs. So it definitely will be more
of them in the future. But clearly the free concerts
are the most popular because the ticket price is the
right one.
Speaker 3 (17:12):
Yes, you are correct. Now, last year there were two
ticketed shows, Is that right?
Speaker 2 (17:18):
I think so? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (17:19):
Okay, yeah, I think Josh Turner and then Clutch I
believe right, this season yeah, yeah, all right, perfect well, Vincent,
I guess in closing, when you bring forty thousand people
down over the course of the summer to the waterfront,
what does that say about our ability to attract crowds
(17:41):
and put on great events.
Speaker 2 (17:43):
It's you know, it's just a fabulous affirmation of all
the hard work that we go through starting now all
the way up until next summer, and just to have
see the people and how happy they are. And it's
a family friendly event with the face painting and the
food and the kids, and it's just a wonderful feeling
that everybody's here enjoying music together and having a night
out in the park.
Speaker 4 (18:03):
You know.
Speaker 3 (18:03):
One last thing, is it twelve shows? Is that your format?
Is that your goal or was there maybe room for more?
Speaker 2 (18:10):
Well, it's every Friday, June, July, and August. That's pretty
well set. Anything outside and of course the fourth of
July either offset's one of those. This year it was
a Friday. So it's always those, you know, June, July
and August, and we deal with the Fourth of July
whenever it happens to be. And that's for the series.
We can do all kinds of other things on other dates,
we probably would just call it a Ruby Special Event
(18:30):
or something like that. So there's room for more. We're
probably just not going to extend the season because we
our headliners that we get are pretty notable, and our
budget's already pretty large, so we can only do so
much with the money that we have to spend.
Speaker 3 (18:41):
Okay, perfect, Hey, Vincent, keep up the great work and
really do appreciate your time this morning. Make it a
great Monday.
Speaker 2 (18:48):
Absolutely anytime.
Speaker 3 (18:49):
Thank you, sir, Yes, you better believe it. Vincent Kitch,
the Director of Arts and Culture with the City of Morgantown.
More people, more economic impact, more fun as part of
the Ruby Summer Concert Series. The twenty twenty five edition
looks like economic impact up slightly from the one hundred
(19:11):
and sixty thousand dollars back in twenty twenty four. That's
up to about one hundred and eighty thousand dollars, and
definitely that series picks up more steam and more notoriety
nationwide and as we find out today, whether or not
it was accidental or not, certainly international recognition for the
(19:34):
twenty twenty five Ruby Summer Concert Series. Coming up next,
we'll welcome some representatives into the studio from the Mont
Preston County United Way. We'll get a campaign update and
find out where they are, how you can help, and
exactly what some of the time constraints are as associated
(19:56):
with this campaign.
Speaker 1 (20:08):
Now back to the talk of the town.
Speaker 3 (20:15):
Well, good Monday morning. It is nine thirty five clouds
and fifty nine degrees in the University City. Glad you're
with us. On late Friday, we learned that federal Judge
Thomas Clee has rejected a request to dismiss the case
(20:36):
involving compensation for overtime and holiday pay. That lawsuit between
the City of Morgantown and her firefighters. Discovery will continue
and at the completion of discovery then each side will
then have the opportunity to either request summary judgment or
(20:56):
they have the opportunity to then continue to try that
case in federal court. Now, this is in addition to
the state case that is already that is also in process.
Of course, torres Saeva Law Teresa torres Seva and Joshua D.
Miller are representing the firefighters from the City of Morgantown.
(21:22):
Kind of got me to thinking over the weekend with
a new city manager, you've got a court case that
is now it's going to be five years old. That
the first case was filed in June of twenty nineteen,
just before the pandemic started to rage. And you know,
(21:44):
you've got to wonder as we continue this battle, the
costs are mounting for the city, and they're also mounting
for the firefighters as well. We've heard the firefighters talk
about that, not so much necessarily from the city, but
it begs the question as to with all the financial
(22:05):
pressures that are facing the City of Morgantown that we've
heard about, from insurance premiums to insurance coverage, even asking
the question of the mayor here just a couple of
weeks ago if maybe maybe the city might not have
(22:25):
matching money for their aggressive grant campaign. So you know,
there are definitely financial pressures out there for the city.
So it begs the question as to when does the
city get to the point where they maybe re examine
their legal services and how they obtain those legal services.
(22:47):
I think that what we've seen over the last five years, actually,
let's see k Caste and Cheney attorney Ryan Simonton has
represented the city since I've been here. I've believe that
that change. He moved from staff to a subcontractor with
(23:08):
the city after that, right before I came here. So
this has been the only type setup that I have seen. Now,
I can tell you that you look at the budget
numbers that they have for legal fees in the city,
and of course those numbers in those numbers is also
(23:33):
included settlements and things like that. So you know, we
can't just take one look at that number and say, Okay,
that's what the city is paying for legal services. Now,
that's what the city is paying as a result of
their legal services or lack thereof. And it just it
begs the question that I'm sure many, maybe many or
(23:57):
some in the city administration could be asking themselves as
we enter what will be soon the sixth year in
the dispute between the cities firefighters and the City of
Morgantown over their compensation for holidays and now. This dismissal
(24:20):
resulted directly from a testimony from Assistant City Manager Emily Mazzarelli,
in which she gave provided a different number for how
the firefighters are compensated in terms of their regular hours
worked each year. She provided a higher number than what
had been previously provided by the city. And it's certainly
(24:44):
a very very complicated issue, much more complicated than it
needs to be, because at one point the city was
within just a couple hundred thousand dollars of being able
to reach a settlement with their firefighters and declined to
do so. Then when a judgment was I guess that was,
(25:07):
Judge Gajoe offered. Judge Gajeoue ruled that would have required
the city to pay four to five million dollars, and
at the time, a city attorney, Ky Casto and Cheney
attorney Ryan Simonson told the judge that you know, that
would amount to about up to fifteen percent of the
(25:28):
city's revenue budget and it would be unfair for the
court to ask the city to make that payment. Well,
that number just keeps going up as the years in
this lawsuit continued to be logged. We'll watch it and well,
of course have updates as they are available right now.
Clouds and fifty nine degrees in the University City coming
(25:52):
up this weekend, the Young Eagles will be at the
Morgantow Municipal Airport and they'll be giving free flights to
young folks. I'm going to spend a few minutes with
Stephen Judy. I'm sorry, Richard Judy coming up next and
we'll talk. We'll get to know the Young Eagles and
find out exactly what they're going to be doing next weekend.
(26:13):
That's coming up next on Talk of the Town AM
fourteen forty FM oneh four point five WAJR.
Speaker 1 (26:33):
We are talking about your town. Now back to the
Talk of the Town.
Speaker 3 (26:38):
Well, good Monday morning. Coming up this Saturday at the
Morgantown Municipal Airport, it will be Young Eagles Day, free
flights for children from the ages of eight to seventeen
years old. This event will provide the opportunity for these
young people to get unique views of big attraction in
(27:00):
the Morgantown area, like maybe Mountaineerfield, the campus of West
Virginia University, Island Park. They get to get a bird's
eye view of all of these attractions. On the phone,
we've got Richard Judy. What us he is a Young Eagle.
Good morning, Richard. How are you?
Speaker 2 (27:20):
I'm doing great.
Speaker 5 (27:21):
Mike, how are you doing this morning?
Speaker 3 (27:22):
Hey, I'm doing good. Thank you very much. Richard. First off,
tell us about Young Eagles please.
Speaker 5 (27:28):
Okay, So Young Eagles was established in nineteen ninety three
with the goal the initial goal of having a million
kids get a totally free airplane ride by the Hunter's
Anniversary of powered flight in two thousand and three. Well
they did that and they actually exceeded it by about
one hundred thousand kids.
Speaker 2 (27:49):
So the new goal is.
Speaker 5 (27:53):
In two years they want to have two point five
million kids flown, and you know that's quite a goal.
Where at about two point one million right now. So
you know, we're trying to get to you know, every
kid out there a totally free airplane ride to kind
of peak their interest in you know, an aviation career,
(28:14):
be a pilot, a mechanic and air traffic controller, an
airport manager. The the limits are boundless. So I mean
it's a great to uh, you know, a great field.
Speaker 2 (28:26):
To be in.
Speaker 5 (28:26):
Lots of you know, high paying jobs and you know
they can say right here in Mont County.
Speaker 3 (28:32):
You know, Richard, when I was growing up, I grew
up near an old Air Force base. It was called
the ba Collar Air Force Base and it got transferred
over into private hands. And when they did that, they
I think this was before Young Eagles, but when they
did that, they had an opportunity where you could come
out and take a flight in a small aircraft. I
(28:54):
did that and it was the very first time that
I had ever flown, and I was just blown away.
So I'd like to know what kind of reactions do
you see in kids when they go up for the
first time.
Speaker 5 (29:08):
Well, Mike, I see the gamut. You know, we had
kids that you know, can't wait to get on the airplane.
You know, they they've waited, you know, a year or
more to do this. A lot of them come when
they're five, six, seven years old and we say, you know, hey,
you know sorry, you know, you can't do this till eight.
Speaker 4 (29:25):
So they've had a couple of.
Speaker 5 (29:26):
Years to you know, kind of build up the excitement
and they are ready to get on an airplane. And
then you know there's kids that you know, just aren't
too sure about, you know, going up in an airplane.
You know, without mom and dad. These flights aren't for
the kids only. And you know what we do, We'll
pair them up with two or three other kids. Most
(29:47):
of our aircraft hold four, i'm sorry, three kids in
a pilot. So, you know, the little the little talking,
little encouragement, you have a little peer pressure definitely, you know,
get the kids on the airplane.
Speaker 4 (30:02):
But once they come.
Speaker 5 (30:03):
Down from that, you know, twenty minute flight, they bound
off the airplane and I would say ninety percent of
say can I go again? And that's that's that's our payment,
you know, the pilots and all the ground volunteers. You know,
that's our payment seeing these these kids, you know, really
enjoy aviation. We have had kids that have taken a
(30:25):
Young Eagles ride, you know, back in the nineties that
you know, went on, got their Politic certificate and now
fly you.
Speaker 2 (30:33):
Know, Young Eagles again.
Speaker 5 (30:34):
Kind of paying it forward.
Speaker 3 (30:35):
Hey, give us an idea of what this twenty minute
flight is going to be. I realize that they won't
all be the same, but what are they going to see?
Speaker 5 (30:44):
Okay, so you know you're at takeoff from the airport. Uh,
you know probably you know, headed south bound and you
know you're gonna make a make a right turn. You
kind of flying over the I sixty eight, I seventy
nine split, follow the river Den. You get to see
myland Park, you get to see Mountain air Field, you
get to see I guess now it's Hope Poliseum.
Speaker 2 (31:06):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (31:07):
And you know then we'll kind of.
Speaker 5 (31:08):
Turn back into the airport. You get to see you know,
all of WVU, both downtown and evan Zale. You get
to see the all.
Speaker 4 (31:16):
The engineering buildings.
Speaker 5 (31:18):
Uh. And then coming back you get to see all
the both power plants up north of north of the airport.
So it really is a great you know flight that
packs the lot in and only about seventeen to twenty minutes.
Speaker 3 (31:34):
Now while you're doing this, you're gonna sneak in some
lessons about science, engineering, technology and math. So how do
you do?
Speaker 2 (31:43):
Oh?
Speaker 5 (31:44):
Absolutely, so you know, just explaining you know to the kids,
you know, how the aircraft function. What is what is
actually keeping us up in the air.
Speaker 4 (31:54):
It's not the.
Speaker 5 (31:54):
Engine, it's you know Bernoulli's principle, and you know, the
the the fact that air you know, creates a lifting
force you know, on the underside, on the top.
Speaker 2 (32:05):
Side of the wings.
Speaker 5 (32:06):
So you know, we we we do that, and then
we talk about.
Speaker 4 (32:10):
You know, all the navigation systems that.
Speaker 5 (32:12):
We used, you know how the uh uh, you know
how we talk to the air traffic control over the radio,
and you know, just try and peak their interest in,
you know, using those skills in kind of a real
world type scenario.
Speaker 3 (32:26):
And now you mentioned the flight crews, the ground crews
and all the volunteers that make this happen. How many
people offer airplanes for this event and how many people
will be helping you?
Speaker 5 (32:39):
Well, we're gonna have four airplanes for this event. Uh,
you know local pilots who you know. I have a
couple coming from Fairmont and one coming from Comminsville, Pennsylvania,
and then one at the field.
Speaker 2 (32:54):
They all come.
Speaker 5 (32:55):
They they love doing it. We'll probably have about probably
about the too twelve the helpers on the ground. Going
to have more members of the Morgantown Squadron of the
Civil Air Patrol helping us.
Speaker 2 (33:06):
And you know, if the kids.
Speaker 4 (33:08):
You know, really have an interest, we will go ahead
and you know.
Speaker 5 (33:11):
Point in towards Civil Air Patrol where they can learn
more about aerospace and take even more free airplane rides.
Speaker 3 (33:18):
How many kids are you planning for?
Speaker 5 (33:21):
Well, we we have cut off registration at seventy five
kids and that was gone very early in the process.
I've had lots of inquiries about you know, additional sign ups.
And right now what we're gonna do is we're going
to you know, see what the weather looks like on
Saturday and kind of make a decision from there if
(33:43):
we're going to allow walk ins.
Speaker 2 (33:45):
Uh.
Speaker 5 (33:45):
If we do allow walkins, it will be after two
o'clock in the afternoon. People can always, you know, send
me an email eight four two Young Eagles at gmail
dot com and I will go ahead and get back
with them, you know, as soon as I see the
email about whether they're you know, we're accepting walkins or not.
Speaker 3 (34:07):
Well, it's a little early to make an ambitious prediction.
But Metro Newszaki weather does tell us that Saturday looks
to be sunny and I have seventy five so it
looks like it'll be a great day to be in
the air.
Speaker 4 (34:20):
Oh, absolutely, you know, and we we do rely on.
Speaker 5 (34:25):
Metro News Weather to help us in our pre flight process.
Speaker 4 (34:28):
We also use the aviation weather.
Speaker 5 (34:31):
To you know, to make sure it's not going to
be you know, too bumpy.
Speaker 2 (34:33):
For the kids.
Speaker 5 (34:34):
But seventy five degrees this time of year should be
light winds and it should be a perfect day to
go for an airplane ride.
Speaker 3 (34:41):
Last thing I got for you, Richard is Young Eagles
is a nationwide organization. You are affiliated with Chapter eight
forty two. Tell us just a little bit about your
group and how people can join if they like.
Speaker 5 (34:54):
Okay, so what Chapter eight forty two is part of
the Experimental Aircraft Assoisiation Headquarter in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. We are
group of you know, like minded aviation individuals. You do
not have to be a pilot, but just have to
have an interest in aviation. We meet on the second
(35:16):
Thursday of the month around the Fairmount Airport and if
if anybody has an interest, they can go to e
A A dot org and search for chapter eight four
two and that'll give them more information.
Speaker 3 (35:30):
Okay, perfect, Well, you can't deny that the aviation industry
and the aviation sector in this state is really becoming
very exciting.
Speaker 5 (35:41):
Oh yes, I mean, you know all the development going
on at Clarksburg with m h I r J and
the new terminal building and all the all the you
know aviation coming down down to that area. And also
in Morgantown we just have a brand new hangar going
up for a couple of corporate clients. And then you know,
(36:01):
I heard from the airport director that there's some you know,
some other talks for more aviation centric organizations at the airport.
So very exciting time to be in aviation, no matter
what facet it's in.
Speaker 3 (36:16):
Richard Judy, thank you very much for your time today, sir,
and hope you have a great Monday.
Speaker 2 (36:22):
All right.
Speaker 5 (36:22):
Thank you, Mike, you too.
Speaker 3 (36:23):
Take care everybody, absolutely take care of yourself. Right now
clouds and sixty in the University City. We'll be back
to wrap things up, coming up right after this on
Am fourteen forty f M one oh four point five W. A.
Speaker 4 (36:37):
J R.
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