October 10, 2025 • 37 mins
Morgantown Mayor Danielle Trumble talks about affordable housing, the warming shelter, and the Morgantown Municipal Airport
Michelle Risor from Wheeling for Hope- about how they use motorsports to deal with mental health challenges
Monongalia County Commissioner Tom Bloom on the Morgantown Municipal Airport
Michelle Risor from Wheeling for Hope- about how they use motorsports to deal with mental health challenges
Monongalia County Commissioner Tom Bloom on the Morgantown Municipal Airport
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
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 (00:13):
Well, good Friday morning, and welcome to Talk of the Town.
I'm Mike Nolting. You'll find me out on X there.
I am your news guy. Now Sophia Wasik she's producing
the program today. You'll be able to get Sophia at
eight hundred and seven six five eight two five five.
The text line texters always good on Fridays. That number
(00:37):
is three oh four Talk three oh four. And yes,
that's right, we finally made.
Speaker 3 (00:43):
It to the end of the week. And uh, you
deserve it. That's all about you got a great program
for you today.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
We'll start things off of the conversation with Morgantown Mayor
Danielle Trumble. Some of the things that we're going to
cover are going to be the decision to place the
warming shelter out at the West Run Road facility. We'll
also be talking about some of their affordable housing initiatives,
and we'll also work in some information about the airport
(01:17):
discussion that occurred between the County Commission and the city
earlier this week and also this weekend, there's an Arbor
Day event coming up that I believe the mayor would
like to address as well, So we'll do that with
the mayor. Then at nine point thirty, I've got Michelle Riser.
She is with Weals for Hope. Wheels for Hope is
(01:39):
an organization that uses motorsports as therapy for mental health.
They are going to be teaming up with back Roads
West Virginia down in Taylor County at the Evans Farmhouse
for that renovation and they're going to run the welcome
center for the motorsports part that is proposed down there.
(02:00):
So we'll talk with Michelle Riser about how Wheels for
Hope works and exactly what they do.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
Then I believe coming up at nine forty.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
We're going to have a conversation with mont County Commissioner
Tom Bloom will be talking about some of the things
related to the airport Authority. That's your roadmap for the program.
Let's take a look at a couple of headlines. All
Montagelia County schools are dismissing two hours early today and
(02:31):
plus on Monday.
Speaker 3 (02:32):
The thirteenth.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
That'll be a professional development day, so watch out for
an early nose of school bus traffic today on area roadways.
A Thursday afternoon, state police wrapped up a more than
a month long investigation into a vape shop in the
three hundred block of Fairmount Avenue in the city of Fairmont.
Investigators executed that search warrant after three alleged controlled marijuana
(02:57):
buys were conducted. That is an ongoing investigation. No other
information has been released. An unidentified Montagelia County school's student
now facing criminal charges after bringing a gun to a
local high school. Reports indicate the student brought the gun
to show it to friends. Criminal charges are next for
(03:20):
that student, then the Board of Education it could also
take action against that student. It is day ten of
the federal government shutdown. US Senator Shelley Moore Capito aguesst
Thursday on Metro News talk line. She refers to the
exercise as a misery march, and this especially especially a
(03:44):
misery march, as we had our way to the first
payday for members of the military that could be missed.
I believe that is October the eighteenth.
Speaker 4 (03:53):
Now.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
Many believe that could be the catalyst for a deal, Capital,
says Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has made it clear
the opposition is purely political. Now the Republicans are asking
the Democrats to agree to a continuing spending resolution. That's
a look at a few headlines. Working out, sorry, working
(04:18):
on a story out of Preston County. You know, recently
we've heard about some of the problems there in Tara
Alta with the budget, and we do know that they
are definitely one of the counties that has been losing population.
They've the police forces in let's see tara Alta they
had one officer. That officer has resigned. I believe Reidsville
(04:42):
they had one officer. That officer has resigned. At the
same time, you've got the Preston County Sheriff's department that
picks up that slack. Well, they've lost two officers, one
to the state police and in one to another local agency.
They do have a service test coming up later this
month and they hope that maybe through the next quarter
(05:06):
of the fiscal year they'll be able to address that shortage.
But here in the newsroom, we are working on a
story with Sheriff Scott Spiker over in Preston County. When
we come back, we'll spend a few minutes with Morgantown
may Danielle Trumbell. It's coming up next on a Friday
edition of Talk of the Town AM fourteen forty FM
(05:27):
one oh four point five WAJR.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
Join the conversation at one eight hundred and seven sixty
five eight two five five.
Speaker 5 (05:49):
This is the Talk of the Town.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
Well, good Friday morning, fair skies and fifty degrees.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
My apologies actually to the.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
Listeners, but we were working on getting General James Hoyer
to come on the program to provide his reaction with
the peace deal with Hamas. Now that's topic that the
General and I have talked about a lot kind of
sidebar conversations at different events. But we were going to
(06:19):
get him on the program today, but I think we'll
have to We'll have to delay that appearance. But in
studio we have Morgantown Mayor Danielle trumble Hey, good morning, Mayor.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
How are you?
Speaker 4 (06:30):
Good morning Mike. We've hit sweater weather. I'm kind of
cranky about.
Speaker 3 (06:34):
It, actually, are you really? As I'm a.
Speaker 4 (06:36):
Warm weather kind of person. I don't like coming out
in the morning when it's forty or fifty degrees.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
You know, I guess forty or fifty that's okay. Fifteen
to ten that's.
Speaker 3 (06:49):
Not so much. Okay, I hate that too.
Speaker 5 (06:52):
I'm with you.
Speaker 3 (06:53):
I'm with you. Okay.
Speaker 2 (06:54):
Well, mar I tell you what, let's let's start with
the warming shelter, because you know, that was an issue
that was certainly kind of a you know it was.
Speaker 3 (07:05):
It was just an issue, believe it at that. But
it's solved. It would appear.
Speaker 4 (07:11):
We hope we are moving in the right direction. I
want to stress that is not final by any means,
but Catholic Charities did come to us and say we
have a backup location at West Run that we could
explore if H three doesn't work out. And last week
the city managers and I, along with the Catholic Charities
(07:31):
representative went and toward the West Run facility and they
were able to offer some important things like daytime, a
lot more daytime area, and some case management and things
like that. And I looked at the Catholic Charities representative
and said, you know, you don't have to wait on
the city or whoever to make this decision for you.
(07:51):
If you guys have a preference one way or the
other time to let us know so we know which
path we're going down. And the director of Catholic Charities
did come to us, I don't know last week, earlier,
this week, time, time all blends together, Mike, but he
did come to us and say, you know, I think
we would like to explore that they're having some I
don't want to say they're having staffing issues, but they
(08:13):
are working to hire a full time shelter director, and
because the Coalition has that facility staffed, it'll they're still
going to have to hire some people to work West Run.
But yeah, Isturius, well, they're gonna have to hire some people,
but it it'll be a little less strenuous on them
(08:38):
having the Coalition staff on site there.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
Last time you were in, you mentioned that there were
some relatively minor repairs that were going on there.
Speaker 3 (08:47):
How's that? How is that going?
Speaker 4 (08:50):
It's my understanding that the construction crews have been on site.
There had been a water leak in that facility, so
they're working on replacing some flooring and a little bit
of dry wall work, nothing nothing major. I want to
make sure they're not replacing electrical systems or plumbing or
anything like that, so I don't foresee that being a problem.
They have a commercial kitchen that's been inspected, they're already
(09:12):
cooking in, they're ready to go. I'm optimistic. I think
our final piece of the puzzle that needs to be
put in place is making sure that transportation to that
facility is provided, whether that's a partnership with the Mountain
Line that we've been talking to, or some volunteers have
(09:33):
offered those services in the past. But the West Run
facility is a twenty four hour facility, so maybe a
little less need for people to kind of come and go.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
Is there a possibility that the Mountain Line could restart
that route into that area.
Speaker 4 (09:51):
We got a pretty detailed report from Maria Smith, the
director of the Mountain Line, in the last day or
two showing which lines go closest to that facility and
what would need to be in place in order for
them to kind of expand and get closer. Right now,
anyone that's trying to get to the West Run facility,
(10:11):
the bus stop is at the bottom of Easton Hill,
across the six lane road at that red light, and
there's no sidewalks or anything like that, and especially for
people with mobility issues. It's a problem, so we're looking
into different options. She needs a place for a bus
to turn around, so we're looking maybe talking to some
(10:33):
private property owners or the DOH to see what we
can do for.
Speaker 3 (10:36):
That last thing.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
I believe Hazel's House of Hope had a capacity of
anywhere from seventeen to twenty two, depending on who you
talk to.
Speaker 3 (10:48):
What about West Run?
Speaker 4 (10:50):
I think last year when the warming shelter was in
that old Hopeel Sobering Center space, it was at about
thirty and we're anticipate hitting a very similar number at
West Run. They have eleven rooms in the in the
first floor there that each could have at least three beds,
(11:11):
some of them more depending on need. So I think
there's there's some flexibility there.
Speaker 2 (11:16):
Okay, now let's shift gears talk a little bit about
affordable housing. A few weeks ago, Mark Down spent some
time with us to talk about his priorities in terms
of affordable housing. We really didn't talk about any kind
of specific policy, but other than you know, his priority
(11:38):
in affordable housing. So I guess, what can you tell
us what's going on amongst counselors on that front.
Speaker 4 (11:47):
I do think that there are a few small changes
that we can make pretty quickly that would actually start
tipping the tables in the right direction. As Director Yeager
was saying at that council meeting a couple of weeks ago,
some more in depth things like looking at at the
ad us and zoning reform, like which types of housing
(12:11):
are allowed in which city zones. Things like that will
take a little longer, and we definitely want to get
some public feedback on that. We're not looking to come
in and tear up, you know, single family neighborhoods per se,
but there's something there's some things that we can do.
In the meantime, we have had a lot of zoning
requests lately, rezoning requests because of a non conforming use.
(12:39):
Say in our one A neighborhood, which is a single
family residential neighborhood, there used to be a three unit
complex in that neighborhood, like a three apartment building. If
it is vacant for more than a year, then it
can't be used that way again unless it's rezoned to
an R two or an R three, which is multi family,
two family housing. You've seen several requests come across the
(13:02):
Planning Commission in the last couple of months of people
who are investing in properties that have been sitting vacant
for a decade in some cases, and they just want
to be able to re have that property and use
it for what it was built to be used for.
But the zoning is not allowing that right now. So
(13:23):
I've asked the city Attorney and Director Jaeger of the
Planning Department to look at who in the city could
possibly have some discretion. If there's an apartment building that's
been in use in an R one a neighborhood for
a long time, can we without rezoning that, because when
(13:44):
you rezone something it opens up to maybe some uses
that we don't want to have there. But making it
so that we can extend that grandfathered status that non
conforming use administratively or through an active council to make
to get those properties that have been abandoned back into
productive use. They've already been there. What's more of a
(14:07):
detriment to the neighborhood is what I've been asking myself,
like having a three unit complex there or having a
building that's just going to deteriorate because it's condemned it's
going to fall over. I think getting those back into
productive use to increase density a little bit is a
very good start.
Speaker 2 (14:27):
And I would say that it's definitely good for the
neighborhoods to see some of that redevelopment.
Speaker 4 (14:33):
Absolutely, we're not looking to take an R one a
neighborhood and let someone build a twelve unit complex, but
some of those houses or smaller places that have been
that way for years, let's get them back into use.
Speaker 2 (14:46):
Okay, Now, talk a little bit about your conversation with
the County Commission regarding the airport, because you know, I
remember years ago, I say years ago, three years ago.
I think that that was maybe when the conversation started
about the possibility of a tiff and uh maybe even
an airport authority.
Speaker 4 (15:08):
I admittedly was not necessarily privy to a lot of
those conversations. I will be completely honest with you and
the listeners, Mike, I have not generally in my time
on council been a huge fan of the airport. It
is not self sustaining. I looked at that ongoing cost
(15:29):
to to extend the runway and it just keeps ballooning,
and it seemed like we were never going to get there,
and I'm just like, what a money pit. Uh. But
I've always I've never spoken out against it, per se,
but I've always just kind of let it, let it
do its thing. Now that I am a mayor, I
(15:52):
have started participating in the Runway Extension Development Committee meetings
and with our new carrier and with the advertising that
they've been doing for that, and we have gotten a
few grants. Every time I was like we should just
let the airport go, we would get a grant large
enough that it was like, Okay, maybe we should continue
working on it. And we have gotten several of those recently,
(16:14):
you know, six million dollars here, ten million dollars there,
which doesn't get us where we need to be, but
it's enough to make sure that we're continuing that investment.
I think the airport's moving in the right direction. I
can say that I am supportive.
Speaker 2 (16:27):
Now.
Speaker 4 (16:28):
I think I may be flying out here soon. I
was always afraid of the tiny planes, but you know,
a fifty seater I might be able to get on.
Commissioner Bloom did bring up the idea again of having
an airport authority, and I am open to that conversation, certainly,
anything that would help us get closer and closer to
(16:50):
that funding gap that we're experiencing for the runway extension.
I think that that's probably a long term conversation. I
don't think we're going to be able to sign anything
next month. We would certainly want to make sure that
the city maintains ownership of the airport. That's that has
been something that we've invested in for a number of years.
(17:10):
But I think maybe an authority to run the day
to day operations and plan the extension. I'm open to
that conversation, and in the meantime, I think we discussed
at our joint City and County meeting maybe like a
MoU in the meantime between the city county stakeholders to
kind of move in that direction. As we're discussing and
(17:32):
hashing out long term.
Speaker 3 (17:33):
We're running close on time and I don't want to
cut you off.
Speaker 2 (17:36):
But when I think about the airport authority, I think
about it maybe in a larger group that would include
the proposed I sixty eight industrial park that could really
turn that block into like a multi modal park. I mean,
the only thing you would be lacking would be water
(17:56):
and train access.
Speaker 4 (17:58):
Yeah, I think that there's a lot of possibility and
a lot of potential there. The city and the county
have worked hard with the development Authority to acquire the
properties and good things for the future. Little ways down
the road, but we're getting there.
Speaker 3 (18:14):
Okay, Arbor Day, what are we going to do?
Speaker 4 (18:16):
Tomorrow morning? At ten am at the farmers Market, we
will be reading an Arbor Day proclamation. Most people probably
know Arbor Day is April. The City of Morgantown celebrates
in October because it's a better time for us to
plant trees. We'll be doing the proclamation and right afterwards
we will head over to South Walnut Street where there
will be a couple of tree plantings.
Speaker 3 (18:36):
Okay, and now let's see.
Speaker 2 (18:39):
This isn't the last farmers market of the year, is it?
Speaker 1 (18:43):
You know?
Speaker 4 (18:43):
I'm not sure. I don't. It usually goes through late October.
I think, yeah, I hope it's not the last one.
Speaker 2 (18:50):
Oh, there's still lots of good things that are ripening up.
Speaker 4 (18:54):
I just pulled my garden out yesterday. I need the
Farmer's market now more than ever.
Speaker 3 (18:57):
Yes you do, Yes you do, Hey, Danielle, thank you
very much for coming in. Really do appreciate it.
Speaker 4 (19:02):
Thanks Mike.
Speaker 3 (19:02):
See you next week, absolutely, you bet it.
Speaker 2 (19:05):
Let's see just about nine to thirty in time to
check in with Metro News. But before we do that,
coming up next, we'll be talking with Michelle Riser with
Wheels for Hope. They use motor sports to help people
with mental health issues. We're going to find out exactly
how they do that. Right now, it is a fair
(19:26):
and fifty.
Speaker 5 (19:38):
Now back to the talk of the town.
Speaker 3 (19:41):
Well, good Friday morning.
Speaker 2 (19:42):
It is nine thirty five fair skies and fifty degrees
in the University City.
Speaker 3 (19:48):
Now.
Speaker 2 (19:48):
Wheeling for Hope has a goal of improving your state
of mind through outdoor adventure. On the phone, we've got
Michelle Riser with us. Michelle Top, good morning to you.
Speaker 3 (20:00):
How are you?
Speaker 6 (20:02):
Good morning, I'm great today.
Speaker 4 (20:04):
How are you?
Speaker 3 (20:05):
Hey? Pretty good? Pretty good? Well?
Speaker 2 (20:06):
Hey, tell us about Wheeling for Hope. How did all
this get started?
Speaker 6 (20:13):
So? Willing for Hope is a nonprofit organization that I've
started raising funds for the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention
about three years ago. When they contacted me, I was
part of an all girls jeep group and my local
(20:33):
chapter of the AFSP had contacted and said, listen, you know,
we know that outdoor adventure is growing, that not only jeeping,
but side by siding and fore willing has really taken off.
Do you think that you girls would like to host,
like maybe a car show for us? And I said,
(20:55):
of course, certainly, that's the things that we do. But
I'd like to learn a little bit about because although
I have personal experience with loss of suicide and of
course you know, personal mental health and family and friends,
I said, I need to know a little bit about
your organization.
Speaker 7 (21:13):
So when she.
Speaker 6 (21:14):
Started sending me all of these facts and all of
this information, I was really moved and shocked and saddened
at some of the statistics. West Virginia, our second leading
cause of death is suicide between the ages of ten
and thirty four, and then we're fifth leading cause of
(21:37):
death is suicide from thirty four and up. And that's
just staggering to me, particularly you know, with the children
concluding ten years old and even younger at times, but
being the second leading cause of death, and I said,
you know, we've just we've got to do more. Worldwide,
we lose eight hundred thousand people worldwide suicide a day.
(21:59):
That means a person and commit suicide every forty seconds.
And so I started willing for hope. And what we
do is we use all outdoor events, whether it's cheaping,
side by siding, we use target practice, golf, anything that
gets you outside, gets you out of your home. We
use all these things as a catalyst to improve mental
(22:20):
health and combat suicide.
Speaker 2 (22:22):
So what are the reactions that you see when you,
you know, take a nice, big, loud, jacked up jeep
out on an outdoor course and give somebody a whale
of a.
Speaker 6 (22:32):
Ride happiness, it's your happiness, improve mental health. We're out
there hooping and hollering and getting muddy and dirty. And
you know, we also where we're a woman controlled organization,
not only do we do events for everyone, but we
also do a lot of breakout classes for women because
(22:54):
you know, these pig jacked up jeeps and side by
siding tends to be more of a mail dominated field.
So sometimes women are a little well, you know, I
don't know if I want to go on this jep
ride or this side by side ride, or I don't
know if I want to do this that or the other,
because I might be made fun of or I might
not be able to keep up with the men, or
(23:15):
I'm not sure what my abilities are. So we do
a lot of women breakout sessions to give women a controlled,
safe environment. You're out here with other women. You're out
here with amazing women that happen to be mechanics, and
we do the same thing and we enjoy ourselves and
have a good time. But you know, I don't know
anybody that hasn't had a bad day and hasn't gotten
in their car even with the windows rolled down and
(23:37):
the radio jacked up, and went for a ride. And
a lot of times we just go for a ride
to improve our mood, to clear our head, or we'll
ride down to the river, we'll ride through a particular
trail in the mountains. Because we are in the most
beautiful state to be able to utilize this outdoor activity.
So you take people out on these trails and they
(23:58):
accomplish something like climbing through a rock garden, or you know,
getting muddy and dirty and bouncing around. You forget the
world and you laugh and you enjoy, and you bond
and make friends, and it's getting you out of the
house and it's can you know, we all know that
nature is healing it's giving you out in nature.
Speaker 3 (24:18):
Now.
Speaker 2 (24:19):
You could get more information at Wheelingforope dot com. I'm
looking at the website, Michelle, and I don't see any timid,
fragile women at all.
Speaker 6 (24:31):
Oh they start that way, they start that way.
Speaker 7 (24:35):
Trust me.
Speaker 6 (24:36):
We have so many women. We have a lot of
women that absolutely love to do it in our gung
ho and we'll get out there no matter what. And
then we have a lot of women that's say, you know,
this is my first time going off road. I'm a
little scared. And we build them up and they go
out and they get these accomplishments and it builds their
confidence and they have a great time. And of course
we're all screaming and acting like feral women like we
(24:59):
do sometimes, and we have a great time out on
the trail and they absolutely love it and they want
to do it again and again.
Speaker 2 (25:06):
Well, I tell you what, Michelle, really do appreciate you
spending a few minutes with us here this morning. And
you know, we're going to keep our eyes on you
as the situation down in Taylor County develops, because.
Speaker 3 (25:18):
There may be future opportunities for us to talk.
Speaker 6 (25:23):
Absolutely, we'll be down there hosting and helping to run
down there in Taylor County, and we've got a lot
of trails opened up down there in that area, and
you'll certainly be seeing.
Speaker 7 (25:35):
A lot of us.
Speaker 2 (25:35):
Okay, all right, hey, Michelle, keep up the good work
and pleasure talking with you.
Speaker 3 (25:40):
Thank you very.
Speaker 6 (25:40):
Much, great talking with you. Thank you.
Speaker 7 (25:43):
Have a good day.
Speaker 3 (25:44):
Yes, ma'am, you take care. First, guys, fifty degrees.
Speaker 2 (25:47):
When we come back, spend a few minutes with Mind
County Commissioner Tom Bloom. We're going to be talking about
the Morgantown Municipal Airport. That's next on Talk of the Town.
Am fourteen forty f M. One four point five w
A j r.
Speaker 1 (26:15):
We are talking about your town.
Speaker 5 (26:17):
Now back to the Talk of the Town.
Speaker 3 (26:21):
Well, good Friday morning.
Speaker 2 (26:22):
It is nine to forty five, fair skies and fifty
degrees in the University city.
Speaker 3 (26:27):
On the phone.
Speaker 2 (26:28):
We've got Mont County Commissioner Tom Bloom, also a former
city councilman in the city of Morgantown.
Speaker 3 (26:35):
Good morning, Tom, Thank you very much for joining us.
How you doing.
Speaker 7 (26:39):
I'm doing fine for a Friday. It's a beautiful day.
Speaker 3 (26:41):
Yes, yes, yes, it is. Okay. Now, care to tell
us what you're up to this morning.
Speaker 7 (26:48):
Well, un fortunately, or fortunately, a farmer donated all these tomatoes,
Pepper's hollapeno plants, and they're in Gaylords and right now
is just another person and I have taken them off
the truck and put him in boxes right now. So
this is a nice break because there are hundreds and
(27:10):
hundreds and I'm glad you gave me a break.
Speaker 2 (27:12):
Okay, good deal, All right, Tom, Well, let's shift gears
talk a little bit about the Morgantown Municipal Airport. I
know that you're a proponent of an airport authority that
would be an organization dedicated solely to development at the airport,
as opposed to maybe just a city entity. First, if
you could just maybe delineate those differences for us, sure.
Speaker 7 (27:37):
Well, first, I want to clarify that there have been
no discussions. This has just been something that I have
recommended ever since been on City Council. We've had four
Flight Base Operations FBOs that have run it when I
was there. They've had several more, and then the city
took it back. The problem is that the city has
(27:58):
it as an afterthought because you're functioning running the rest
of the city. Government, and what money has left is
that goes out there, and that has always been something
that's been going on for thirty forty years. If you
have an authority, you look around. Any successful airport area
has an authority because their own priority and only priority
(28:21):
is the running and growing of the airport. Impossibligy. I
heard you say, you know the business park. That would
make a lot of sense. Unfortunately, there have been no discussions,
and I've brought it up, but even I've not talked
and got a consensus with the county commissioners. So I
want to clear that this is an idea and it
(28:44):
doesn't happen overnight and it would take months. One of
the other things if you look at what the city
and county did when I was on the city was
organized the bus system and make a bus authority. It
took about seventeen months and it works very well. The
problem is that it is probably the future economic engine
(29:08):
of the City of Morgantown and our county, and unfortunately
we don't talk about it. We're talking about other issues
that may affect one percent of the people, and this
needs to be looked at very carefully. But both the
city Council has to have a directive and the county
Commission before we move forward.
Speaker 2 (29:26):
Tom, if you could help us understand, because I'm not
totally clear, but under the umbrella of an airport authority,
you maybe stand a better chance of getting federal grants.
Speaker 7 (29:40):
Not only grants, but the running. What it basically does
is the priority becomes the airport. So you will have
city council members on the committee, You'll have county commission,
say you have two from each and then three other
people that are selected in the community, maybe by the
development authority. That way, the priority is just the airport,
(30:00):
and then each the city and county put in funds
like we do in the past to try and move
the airport forward. My one big concern is the priority
needs to be what is our priority? Unfortunately, right now,
even though we have say ten thousand employments, it's wu
(30:22):
and private airplanes. It is not commercial airlines, and it'll
be difficult to bring in more commercial airlines unless we
even extend another thousand feet of what they're wanting to
extend now. So there's a lot of discussion that has
to be looked at.
Speaker 3 (30:37):
Where does the terminal factor into all.
Speaker 7 (30:39):
This great comment? Besides all the funding here, and that
was one of the questions that I had asked the
airport director. We have thirty five million, say already put
into it, we're going to need another thirty five million.
My concern individually is where is that money going to
come from? Because they're going to look at priorities and
(31:03):
terminals are not a priority. Building airports for private and
universities is not a priority. It's to bringing commercial and
for the community. So the money may not be there,
and that's why we really need to look at this
in the long term.
Speaker 2 (31:19):
You know, Tom, the airport runway extension got off to
a great start. Pandemic hit inflation, you know, just a
lot of wrenches got thrown into a lot of works.
Over the course of the last three or four years.
Has really extended the life of that project. And one
(31:40):
of the concerns that I have is that maybe the
vision for the I sixty eight Commerce Park becomes a
little blurry.
Speaker 7 (31:49):
I will say that, you know, that is not my expertise.
That's where the development of oart in Sean Skor has
been working really hard on that they go together with
the airport, using the you know, the dirt and so
on to build this. That is why we really need
some vision on that. And if the development authority is
moving forward on that, then we also need to compare
(32:11):
it with an airport authority. And I have some reservations
and concerns, and especially with what's going on right now
where so much money was cut and a lot of
the funds that we first got for the airport is
not there anywhere now, So where is that money gonna
come from?
Speaker 2 (32:32):
Last thing I've got for you is, you know, typically
you'll hear people say, you know, a similar size city
has an airport with an airport authority and they're able
to do X.
Speaker 3 (32:44):
Can we provide that example in this situation.
Speaker 7 (32:48):
Well, look at the North Central Airport that is Marion
and Harrison County. Look what they have done. Look how
they've grown, Look how they've expanded it and gone to
other areas of the country. We I would like to
do that, but I mean, you know concern I have. Yes,
we have a larger plane, but like he stated, which
(33:09):
blows my mind, you can't have fifty people on it.
You have to have so many less or if you're
carrying gas and we need, you know, a plan and
a development for the airport, and I'm just concerned where
that money's gonna come from. And the only way it's
gonna work is we all work together. And I was
on the city and it is not the priority of
(33:32):
the city and it's never been, and I want to
admit that it isn't their fault. It's just we had
as a city to run other services.
Speaker 2 (33:40):
Gotcha, Mond County Commissioner Tom Bloom. Tom, looks like you're
headed back to haul plants around.
Speaker 7 (33:48):
Yes, yes, I am. That's literally what I'm about to do.
So you'll have a great weekend, And thank you for
calling for allowing me speak.
Speaker 2 (33:55):
Absolutely, you take care of yourself, Tom, take care Mond
County Commiss Tom Bloom. We'll be back to wrap things
up and provide a preview for the mid Atlantic Resiliency
Link meeting. It's coming up next week. That's coming up
next on Top of the Town. AM fourteen forty f
(34:16):
M one oh four point five W A Jr.
Speaker 1 (34:34):
Join the conversation at one eight hundred and seven sixty
five eight two fivey five.
Speaker 5 (34:39):
This is the talk of the town.
Speaker 2 (34:43):
Good Friday morning, Sure looks like an awfully nice Friday
right now. Fair Skies in fifty degrees. Metro News Zaki
Weather says a very nice day highneer seventy in sunshine,
and the weekend looks awfully good, although maybe a chance
for a shower Friday night and even possibly on Sunday,
but definitely fault like temperatures coming up. On Wednesday at
(35:07):
six thirty, there'll be a meeting out of the Cheat.
Speaker 3 (35:10):
Lake Fire Hall.
Speaker 2 (35:12):
It will help areas, I'm sorry, it will help a
residence of Mont and Preston Counties understand the impact of
the mid Atlantic Resiliency Link. Now, the group is going
to have a series of speakers, some of which you've
heard right here on this program, like Karen Newman. She
is going to be there to provide out an analysis
(35:34):
of how PGM they are, the grid operator, Next ERA
they are the organization that is contracted to build a
transmission line, and the PSC the state organization in place
to manage both PGM and next ERA. She'll be there
(35:55):
to provide an analysis of how those three organizations work. Also,
so Beth Bossio will be there to talk about damage
to homeowners. Kent Hunter is there to talk about, you know,
the basic lingo of the project to kind of help
you get a leg up and understand exactly what people
(36:16):
are talking about. And we'll have more information coming up
as the meeting approaches. But once again, that is coming
up on Wednesday, October fifteenth, six point thirty at the
Cheat Lake Fire Hall, so be sure and put that
on your calendars. Also, it is the one hundredth homecoming
(36:36):
for University High School. Congratulations to University. They'll welcome Connellsville
to Baker's Ridge tonight, and of course everybody be careful,
be sure and utilize that shuttle. I think it will
be taking off from two ninety nine Baker's Ridge Road.
Looks like it's going to be a great night, a
(36:57):
good game and lots of lots of celebrations and alumni
getting together. Believe tailgating gets started out back there at
five o'clock tonight.
Speaker 3 (37:08):
Well, everybody, have a great Friday.
Speaker 2 (37:10):
It's time now for Metro News talk Line on the
Voice of Morgantown WAJR.
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 (00:13):
Well, good Friday morning, and welcome to Talk of the Town.
I'm Mike Nolting. You'll find me out on X there.
I am your news guy. Now Sophia Wasik she's producing
the program today. You'll be able to get Sophia at
eight hundred and seven six five eight two five five.
The text line texters always good on Fridays. That number
(00:37):
is three oh four Talk three oh four. And yes,
that's right, we finally made.
Speaker 3 (00:43):
It to the end of the week. And uh, you
deserve it. That's all about you got a great program
for you today.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
We'll start things off of the conversation with Morgantown Mayor
Danielle Trumble. Some of the things that we're going to
cover are going to be the decision to place the
warming shelter out at the West Run Road facility. We'll
also be talking about some of their affordable housing initiatives,
and we'll also work in some information about the airport
(01:17):
discussion that occurred between the County Commission and the city
earlier this week and also this weekend, there's an Arbor
Day event coming up that I believe the mayor would
like to address as well, So we'll do that with
the mayor. Then at nine point thirty, I've got Michelle Riser.
She is with Weals for Hope. Wheels for Hope is
(01:39):
an organization that uses motorsports as therapy for mental health.
They are going to be teaming up with back Roads
West Virginia down in Taylor County at the Evans Farmhouse
for that renovation and they're going to run the welcome
center for the motorsports part that is proposed down there.
(02:00):
So we'll talk with Michelle Riser about how Wheels for
Hope works and exactly what they do.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
Then I believe coming up at nine forty.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
We're going to have a conversation with mont County Commissioner
Tom Bloom will be talking about some of the things
related to the airport Authority. That's your roadmap for the program.
Let's take a look at a couple of headlines. All
Montagelia County schools are dismissing two hours early today and
(02:31):
plus on Monday.
Speaker 3 (02:32):
The thirteenth.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
That'll be a professional development day, so watch out for
an early nose of school bus traffic today on area roadways.
A Thursday afternoon, state police wrapped up a more than
a month long investigation into a vape shop in the
three hundred block of Fairmount Avenue in the city of Fairmont.
Investigators executed that search warrant after three alleged controlled marijuana
(02:57):
buys were conducted. That is an ongoing investigation. No other
information has been released. An unidentified Montagelia County school's student
now facing criminal charges after bringing a gun to a
local high school. Reports indicate the student brought the gun
to show it to friends. Criminal charges are next for
(03:20):
that student, then the Board of Education it could also
take action against that student. It is day ten of
the federal government shutdown. US Senator Shelley Moore Capito aguesst
Thursday on Metro News talk line. She refers to the
exercise as a misery march, and this especially especially a
(03:44):
misery march, as we had our way to the first
payday for members of the military that could be missed.
I believe that is October the eighteenth.
Speaker 4 (03:53):
Now.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
Many believe that could be the catalyst for a deal, Capital,
says Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has made it clear
the opposition is purely political. Now the Republicans are asking
the Democrats to agree to a continuing spending resolution. That's
a look at a few headlines. Working out, sorry, working
(04:18):
on a story out of Preston County. You know, recently
we've heard about some of the problems there in Tara
Alta with the budget, and we do know that they
are definitely one of the counties that has been losing population.
They've the police forces in let's see tara Alta they
had one officer. That officer has resigned. I believe Reidsville
(04:42):
they had one officer. That officer has resigned. At the
same time, you've got the Preston County Sheriff's department that
picks up that slack. Well, they've lost two officers, one
to the state police and in one to another local agency.
They do have a service test coming up later this
month and they hope that maybe through the next quarter
(05:06):
of the fiscal year they'll be able to address that shortage.
But here in the newsroom, we are working on a
story with Sheriff Scott Spiker over in Preston County. When
we come back, we'll spend a few minutes with Morgantown
may Danielle Trumbell. It's coming up next on a Friday
edition of Talk of the Town AM fourteen forty FM
(05:27):
one oh four point five WAJR.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
Join the conversation at one eight hundred and seven sixty
five eight two five five.
Speaker 5 (05:49):
This is the Talk of the Town.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
Well, good Friday morning, fair skies and fifty degrees.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
My apologies actually to the.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
Listeners, but we were working on getting General James Hoyer
to come on the program to provide his reaction with
the peace deal with Hamas. Now that's topic that the
General and I have talked about a lot kind of
sidebar conversations at different events. But we were going to
(06:19):
get him on the program today, but I think we'll
have to We'll have to delay that appearance. But in
studio we have Morgantown Mayor Danielle trumble Hey, good morning, Mayor.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
How are you?
Speaker 4 (06:30):
Good morning Mike. We've hit sweater weather. I'm kind of
cranky about.
Speaker 3 (06:34):
It, actually, are you really? As I'm a.
Speaker 4 (06:36):
Warm weather kind of person. I don't like coming out
in the morning when it's forty or fifty degrees.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
You know, I guess forty or fifty that's okay. Fifteen
to ten that's.
Speaker 3 (06:49):
Not so much. Okay, I hate that too.
Speaker 5 (06:52):
I'm with you.
Speaker 3 (06:53):
I'm with you. Okay.
Speaker 2 (06:54):
Well, mar I tell you what, let's let's start with
the warming shelter, because you know, that was an issue
that was certainly kind of a you know it was.
Speaker 3 (07:05):
It was just an issue, believe it at that. But
it's solved. It would appear.
Speaker 4 (07:11):
We hope we are moving in the right direction. I
want to stress that is not final by any means,
but Catholic Charities did come to us and say we
have a backup location at West Run that we could
explore if H three doesn't work out. And last week
the city managers and I, along with the Catholic Charities
(07:31):
representative went and toward the West Run facility and they
were able to offer some important things like daytime, a
lot more daytime area, and some case management and things
like that. And I looked at the Catholic Charities representative
and said, you know, you don't have to wait on
the city or whoever to make this decision for you.
(07:51):
If you guys have a preference one way or the
other time to let us know so we know which
path we're going down. And the director of Catholic Charities
did come to us, I don't know last week, earlier,
this week, time, time all blends together, Mike, but he
did come to us and say, you know, I think
we would like to explore that they're having some I
don't want to say they're having staffing issues, but they
(08:13):
are working to hire a full time shelter director, and
because the Coalition has that facility staffed, it'll they're still
going to have to hire some people to work West Run.
But yeah, Isturius, well, they're gonna have to hire some people,
but it it'll be a little less strenuous on them
(08:38):
having the Coalition staff on site there.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
Last time you were in, you mentioned that there were
some relatively minor repairs that were going on there.
Speaker 3 (08:47):
How's that? How is that going?
Speaker 4 (08:50):
It's my understanding that the construction crews have been on site.
There had been a water leak in that facility, so
they're working on replacing some flooring and a little bit
of dry wall work, nothing nothing major. I want to
make sure they're not replacing electrical systems or plumbing or
anything like that, so I don't foresee that being a problem.
They have a commercial kitchen that's been inspected, they're already
(09:12):
cooking in, they're ready to go. I'm optimistic. I think
our final piece of the puzzle that needs to be
put in place is making sure that transportation to that
facility is provided, whether that's a partnership with the Mountain
Line that we've been talking to, or some volunteers have
(09:33):
offered those services in the past. But the West Run
facility is a twenty four hour facility, so maybe a
little less need for people to kind of come and go.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
Is there a possibility that the Mountain Line could restart
that route into that area.
Speaker 4 (09:51):
We got a pretty detailed report from Maria Smith, the
director of the Mountain Line, in the last day or
two showing which lines go closest to that facility and
what would need to be in place in order for
them to kind of expand and get closer. Right now,
anyone that's trying to get to the West Run facility,
(10:11):
the bus stop is at the bottom of Easton Hill,
across the six lane road at that red light, and
there's no sidewalks or anything like that, and especially for
people with mobility issues. It's a problem, so we're looking
into different options. She needs a place for a bus
to turn around, so we're looking maybe talking to some
(10:33):
private property owners or the DOH to see what we
can do for.
Speaker 3 (10:36):
That last thing.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
I believe Hazel's House of Hope had a capacity of
anywhere from seventeen to twenty two, depending on who you
talk to.
Speaker 3 (10:48):
What about West Run?
Speaker 4 (10:50):
I think last year when the warming shelter was in
that old Hopeel Sobering Center space, it was at about
thirty and we're anticipate hitting a very similar number at
West Run. They have eleven rooms in the in the
first floor there that each could have at least three beds,
(11:11):
some of them more depending on need. So I think
there's there's some flexibility there.
Speaker 2 (11:16):
Okay, now let's shift gears talk a little bit about
affordable housing. A few weeks ago, Mark Down spent some
time with us to talk about his priorities in terms
of affordable housing. We really didn't talk about any kind
of specific policy, but other than you know, his priority
(11:38):
in affordable housing. So I guess, what can you tell
us what's going on amongst counselors on that front.
Speaker 4 (11:47):
I do think that there are a few small changes
that we can make pretty quickly that would actually start
tipping the tables in the right direction. As Director Yeager
was saying at that council meeting a couple of weeks ago,
some more in depth things like looking at at the
ad us and zoning reform, like which types of housing
(12:11):
are allowed in which city zones. Things like that will
take a little longer, and we definitely want to get
some public feedback on that. We're not looking to come
in and tear up, you know, single family neighborhoods per se,
but there's something there's some things that we can do.
In the meantime, we have had a lot of zoning
requests lately, rezoning requests because of a non conforming use.
(12:39):
Say in our one A neighborhood, which is a single
family residential neighborhood, there used to be a three unit
complex in that neighborhood, like a three apartment building. If
it is vacant for more than a year, then it
can't be used that way again unless it's rezoned to
an R two or an R three, which is multi family,
two family housing. You've seen several requests come across the
(13:02):
Planning Commission in the last couple of months of people
who are investing in properties that have been sitting vacant
for a decade in some cases, and they just want
to be able to re have that property and use
it for what it was built to be used for.
But the zoning is not allowing that right now. So
(13:23):
I've asked the city Attorney and Director Jaeger of the
Planning Department to look at who in the city could
possibly have some discretion. If there's an apartment building that's
been in use in an R one a neighborhood for
a long time, can we without rezoning that, because when
(13:44):
you rezone something it opens up to maybe some uses
that we don't want to have there. But making it
so that we can extend that grandfathered status that non
conforming use administratively or through an active council to make
to get those properties that have been abandoned back into
productive use. They've already been there. What's more of a
(14:07):
detriment to the neighborhood is what I've been asking myself,
like having a three unit complex there or having a
building that's just going to deteriorate because it's condemned it's
going to fall over. I think getting those back into
productive use to increase density a little bit is a
very good start.
Speaker 2 (14:27):
And I would say that it's definitely good for the
neighborhoods to see some of that redevelopment.
Speaker 4 (14:33):
Absolutely, we're not looking to take an R one a
neighborhood and let someone build a twelve unit complex, but
some of those houses or smaller places that have been
that way for years, let's get them back into use.
Speaker 2 (14:46):
Okay, Now, talk a little bit about your conversation with
the County Commission regarding the airport, because you know, I
remember years ago, I say years ago, three years ago.
I think that that was maybe when the conversation started
about the possibility of a tiff and uh maybe even
an airport authority.
Speaker 4 (15:08):
I admittedly was not necessarily privy to a lot of
those conversations. I will be completely honest with you and
the listeners, Mike, I have not generally in my time
on council been a huge fan of the airport. It
is not self sustaining. I looked at that ongoing cost
(15:29):
to to extend the runway and it just keeps ballooning,
and it seemed like we were never going to get there,
and I'm just like, what a money pit. Uh. But
I've always I've never spoken out against it, per se,
but I've always just kind of let it, let it
do its thing. Now that I am a mayor, I
(15:52):
have started participating in the Runway Extension Development Committee meetings
and with our new carrier and with the advertising that
they've been doing for that, and we have gotten a
few grants. Every time I was like we should just
let the airport go, we would get a grant large
enough that it was like, Okay, maybe we should continue
working on it. And we have gotten several of those recently,
(16:14):
you know, six million dollars here, ten million dollars there,
which doesn't get us where we need to be, but
it's enough to make sure that we're continuing that investment.
I think the airport's moving in the right direction. I
can say that I am supportive.
Speaker 2 (16:27):
Now.
Speaker 4 (16:28):
I think I may be flying out here soon. I
was always afraid of the tiny planes, but you know,
a fifty seater I might be able to get on.
Commissioner Bloom did bring up the idea again of having
an airport authority, and I am open to that conversation, certainly,
anything that would help us get closer and closer to
(16:50):
that funding gap that we're experiencing for the runway extension.
I think that that's probably a long term conversation. I
don't think we're going to be able to sign anything
next month. We would certainly want to make sure that
the city maintains ownership of the airport. That's that has
been something that we've invested in for a number of years.
(17:10):
But I think maybe an authority to run the day
to day operations and plan the extension. I'm open to
that conversation, and in the meantime, I think we discussed
at our joint City and County meeting maybe like a
MoU in the meantime between the city county stakeholders to
kind of move in that direction. As we're discussing and
(17:32):
hashing out long term.
Speaker 3 (17:33):
We're running close on time and I don't want to
cut you off.
Speaker 2 (17:36):
But when I think about the airport authority, I think
about it maybe in a larger group that would include
the proposed I sixty eight industrial park that could really
turn that block into like a multi modal park. I mean,
the only thing you would be lacking would be water
(17:56):
and train access.
Speaker 4 (17:58):
Yeah, I think that there's a lot of possibility and
a lot of potential there. The city and the county
have worked hard with the development Authority to acquire the
properties and good things for the future. Little ways down
the road, but we're getting there.
Speaker 3 (18:14):
Okay, Arbor Day, what are we going to do?
Speaker 4 (18:16):
Tomorrow morning? At ten am at the farmers Market, we
will be reading an Arbor Day proclamation. Most people probably
know Arbor Day is April. The City of Morgantown celebrates
in October because it's a better time for us to
plant trees. We'll be doing the proclamation and right afterwards
we will head over to South Walnut Street where there
will be a couple of tree plantings.
Speaker 3 (18:36):
Okay, and now let's see.
Speaker 2 (18:39):
This isn't the last farmers market of the year, is it?
Speaker 1 (18:43):
You know?
Speaker 4 (18:43):
I'm not sure. I don't. It usually goes through late October.
I think, yeah, I hope it's not the last one.
Speaker 2 (18:50):
Oh, there's still lots of good things that are ripening up.
Speaker 4 (18:54):
I just pulled my garden out yesterday. I need the
Farmer's market now more than ever.
Speaker 3 (18:57):
Yes you do, Yes you do, Hey, Danielle, thank you
very much for coming in. Really do appreciate it.
Speaker 4 (19:02):
Thanks Mike.
Speaker 3 (19:02):
See you next week, absolutely, you bet it.
Speaker 2 (19:05):
Let's see just about nine to thirty in time to
check in with Metro News. But before we do that,
coming up next, we'll be talking with Michelle Riser with
Wheels for Hope. They use motor sports to help people
with mental health issues. We're going to find out exactly
how they do that. Right now, it is a fair
(19:26):
and fifty.
Speaker 5 (19:38):
Now back to the talk of the town.
Speaker 3 (19:41):
Well, good Friday morning.
Speaker 2 (19:42):
It is nine thirty five fair skies and fifty degrees
in the University City.
Speaker 3 (19:48):
Now.
Speaker 2 (19:48):
Wheeling for Hope has a goal of improving your state
of mind through outdoor adventure. On the phone, we've got
Michelle Riser with us. Michelle Top, good morning to you.
Speaker 3 (20:00):
How are you?
Speaker 6 (20:02):
Good morning, I'm great today.
Speaker 4 (20:04):
How are you?
Speaker 3 (20:05):
Hey? Pretty good? Pretty good? Well?
Speaker 2 (20:06):
Hey, tell us about Wheeling for Hope. How did all
this get started?
Speaker 6 (20:13):
So? Willing for Hope is a nonprofit organization that I've
started raising funds for the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention
about three years ago. When they contacted me, I was
part of an all girls jeep group and my local
(20:33):
chapter of the AFSP had contacted and said, listen, you know,
we know that outdoor adventure is growing, that not only jeeping,
but side by siding and fore willing has really taken off.
Do you think that you girls would like to host,
like maybe a car show for us? And I said,
(20:55):
of course, certainly, that's the things that we do. But
I'd like to learn a little bit about because although
I have personal experience with loss of suicide and of
course you know, personal mental health and family and friends,
I said, I need to know a little bit about
your organization.
Speaker 7 (21:13):
So when she.
Speaker 6 (21:14):
Started sending me all of these facts and all of
this information, I was really moved and shocked and saddened
at some of the statistics. West Virginia, our second leading
cause of death is suicide between the ages of ten
and thirty four, and then we're fifth leading cause of
(21:37):
death is suicide from thirty four and up. And that's
just staggering to me, particularly you know, with the children
concluding ten years old and even younger at times, but
being the second leading cause of death, and I said,
you know, we've just we've got to do more. Worldwide,
we lose eight hundred thousand people worldwide suicide a day.
(21:59):
That means a person and commit suicide every forty seconds.
And so I started willing for hope. And what we
do is we use all outdoor events, whether it's cheaping,
side by siding, we use target practice, golf, anything that
gets you outside, gets you out of your home. We
use all these things as a catalyst to improve mental
(22:20):
health and combat suicide.
Speaker 2 (22:22):
So what are the reactions that you see when you,
you know, take a nice, big, loud, jacked up jeep
out on an outdoor course and give somebody a whale
of a.
Speaker 6 (22:32):
Ride happiness, it's your happiness, improve mental health. We're out
there hooping and hollering and getting muddy and dirty. And
you know, we also where we're a woman controlled organization,
not only do we do events for everyone, but we
also do a lot of breakout classes for women because
(22:54):
you know, these pig jacked up jeeps and side by
siding tends to be more of a mail dominated field.
So sometimes women are a little well, you know, I
don't know if I want to go on this jep
ride or this side by side ride, or I don't
know if I want to do this that or the other,
because I might be made fun of or I might
not be able to keep up with the men, or
(23:15):
I'm not sure what my abilities are. So we do
a lot of women breakout sessions to give women a controlled,
safe environment. You're out here with other women. You're out
here with amazing women that happen to be mechanics, and
we do the same thing and we enjoy ourselves and
have a good time. But you know, I don't know
anybody that hasn't had a bad day and hasn't gotten
in their car even with the windows rolled down and
(23:37):
the radio jacked up, and went for a ride. And
a lot of times we just go for a ride
to improve our mood, to clear our head, or we'll
ride down to the river, we'll ride through a particular
trail in the mountains. Because we are in the most
beautiful state to be able to utilize this outdoor activity.
So you take people out on these trails and they
(23:58):
accomplish something like climbing through a rock garden, or you know,
getting muddy and dirty and bouncing around. You forget the
world and you laugh and you enjoy, and you bond
and make friends, and it's getting you out of the
house and it's can you know, we all know that
nature is healing it's giving you out in nature.
Speaker 3 (24:18):
Now.
Speaker 2 (24:19):
You could get more information at Wheelingforope dot com. I'm
looking at the website, Michelle, and I don't see any timid,
fragile women at all.
Speaker 6 (24:31):
Oh they start that way, they start that way.
Speaker 7 (24:35):
Trust me.
Speaker 6 (24:36):
We have so many women. We have a lot of
women that absolutely love to do it in our gung
ho and we'll get out there no matter what. And
then we have a lot of women that's say, you know,
this is my first time going off road. I'm a
little scared. And we build them up and they go
out and they get these accomplishments and it builds their
confidence and they have a great time. And of course
we're all screaming and acting like feral women like we
(24:59):
do sometimes, and we have a great time out on
the trail and they absolutely love it and they want
to do it again and again.
Speaker 2 (25:06):
Well, I tell you what, Michelle, really do appreciate you
spending a few minutes with us here this morning. And
you know, we're going to keep our eyes on you
as the situation down in Taylor County develops, because.
Speaker 3 (25:18):
There may be future opportunities for us to talk.
Speaker 6 (25:23):
Absolutely, we'll be down there hosting and helping to run
down there in Taylor County, and we've got a lot
of trails opened up down there in that area, and
you'll certainly be seeing.
Speaker 7 (25:35):
A lot of us.
Speaker 2 (25:35):
Okay, all right, hey, Michelle, keep up the good work
and pleasure talking with you.
Speaker 3 (25:40):
Thank you very.
Speaker 6 (25:40):
Much, great talking with you. Thank you.
Speaker 7 (25:43):
Have a good day.
Speaker 3 (25:44):
Yes, ma'am, you take care. First, guys, fifty degrees.
Speaker 2 (25:47):
When we come back, spend a few minutes with Mind
County Commissioner Tom Bloom. We're going to be talking about
the Morgantown Municipal Airport. That's next on Talk of the Town.
Am fourteen forty f M. One four point five w
A j r.
Speaker 1 (26:15):
We are talking about your town.
Speaker 5 (26:17):
Now back to the Talk of the Town.
Speaker 3 (26:21):
Well, good Friday morning.
Speaker 2 (26:22):
It is nine to forty five, fair skies and fifty
degrees in the University city.
Speaker 3 (26:27):
On the phone.
Speaker 2 (26:28):
We've got Mont County Commissioner Tom Bloom, also a former
city councilman in the city of Morgantown.
Speaker 3 (26:35):
Good morning, Tom, Thank you very much for joining us.
How you doing.
Speaker 7 (26:39):
I'm doing fine for a Friday. It's a beautiful day.
Speaker 3 (26:41):
Yes, yes, yes, it is. Okay. Now, care to tell
us what you're up to this morning.
Speaker 7 (26:48):
Well, un fortunately, or fortunately, a farmer donated all these tomatoes,
Pepper's hollapeno plants, and they're in Gaylords and right now
is just another person and I have taken them off
the truck and put him in boxes right now. So
this is a nice break because there are hundreds and
(27:10):
hundreds and I'm glad you gave me a break.
Speaker 2 (27:12):
Okay, good deal, All right, Tom, Well, let's shift gears
talk a little bit about the Morgantown Municipal Airport. I
know that you're a proponent of an airport authority that
would be an organization dedicated solely to development at the airport,
as opposed to maybe just a city entity. First, if
you could just maybe delineate those differences for us, sure.
Speaker 7 (27:37):
Well, first, I want to clarify that there have been
no discussions. This has just been something that I have
recommended ever since been on City Council. We've had four
Flight Base Operations FBOs that have run it when I
was there. They've had several more, and then the city
took it back. The problem is that the city has
(27:58):
it as an afterthought because you're functioning running the rest
of the city. Government, and what money has left is
that goes out there, and that has always been something
that's been going on for thirty forty years. If you
have an authority, you look around. Any successful airport area
has an authority because their own priority and only priority
(28:21):
is the running and growing of the airport. Impossibligy. I
heard you say, you know the business park. That would
make a lot of sense. Unfortunately, there have been no discussions,
and I've brought it up, but even I've not talked
and got a consensus with the county commissioners. So I
want to clear that this is an idea and it
(28:44):
doesn't happen overnight and it would take months. One of
the other things if you look at what the city
and county did when I was on the city was
organized the bus system and make a bus authority. It
took about seventeen months and it works very well. The
problem is that it is probably the future economic engine
(29:08):
of the City of Morgantown and our county, and unfortunately
we don't talk about it. We're talking about other issues
that may affect one percent of the people, and this
needs to be looked at very carefully. But both the
city Council has to have a directive and the county
Commission before we move forward.
Speaker 2 (29:26):
Tom, if you could help us understand, because I'm not
totally clear, but under the umbrella of an airport authority,
you maybe stand a better chance of getting federal grants.
Speaker 7 (29:40):
Not only grants, but the running. What it basically does
is the priority becomes the airport. So you will have
city council members on the committee, You'll have county commission,
say you have two from each and then three other
people that are selected in the community, maybe by the
development authority. That way, the priority is just the airport,
(30:00):
and then each the city and county put in funds
like we do in the past to try and move
the airport forward. My one big concern is the priority
needs to be what is our priority? Unfortunately, right now,
even though we have say ten thousand employments, it's wu
(30:22):
and private airplanes. It is not commercial airlines, and it'll
be difficult to bring in more commercial airlines unless we
even extend another thousand feet of what they're wanting to
extend now. So there's a lot of discussion that has
to be looked at.
Speaker 3 (30:37):
Where does the terminal factor into all.
Speaker 7 (30:39):
This great comment? Besides all the funding here, and that
was one of the questions that I had asked the
airport director. We have thirty five million, say already put
into it, we're going to need another thirty five million.
My concern individually is where is that money going to
come from? Because they're going to look at priorities and
(31:03):
terminals are not a priority. Building airports for private and
universities is not a priority. It's to bringing commercial and
for the community. So the money may not be there,
and that's why we really need to look at this
in the long term.
Speaker 2 (31:19):
You know, Tom, the airport runway extension got off to
a great start. Pandemic hit inflation, you know, just a
lot of wrenches got thrown into a lot of works.
Over the course of the last three or four years.
Has really extended the life of that project. And one
(31:40):
of the concerns that I have is that maybe the
vision for the I sixty eight Commerce Park becomes a
little blurry.
Speaker 7 (31:49):
I will say that, you know, that is not my expertise.
That's where the development of oart in Sean Skor has
been working really hard on that they go together with
the airport, using the you know, the dirt and so
on to build this. That is why we really need
some vision on that. And if the development authority is
moving forward on that, then we also need to compare
(32:11):
it with an airport authority. And I have some reservations
and concerns, and especially with what's going on right now
where so much money was cut and a lot of
the funds that we first got for the airport is
not there anywhere now, So where is that money gonna
come from?
Speaker 2 (32:32):
Last thing I've got for you is, you know, typically
you'll hear people say, you know, a similar size city
has an airport with an airport authority and they're able
to do X.
Speaker 3 (32:44):
Can we provide that example in this situation.
Speaker 7 (32:48):
Well, look at the North Central Airport that is Marion
and Harrison County. Look what they have done. Look how
they've grown, Look how they've expanded it and gone to
other areas of the country. We I would like to
do that, but I mean, you know concern I have. Yes,
we have a larger plane, but like he stated, which
(33:09):
blows my mind, you can't have fifty people on it.
You have to have so many less or if you're
carrying gas and we need, you know, a plan and
a development for the airport, and I'm just concerned where
that money's gonna come from. And the only way it's
gonna work is we all work together. And I was
on the city and it is not the priority of
(33:32):
the city and it's never been, and I want to
admit that it isn't their fault. It's just we had
as a city to run other services.
Speaker 2 (33:40):
Gotcha, Mond County Commissioner Tom Bloom. Tom, looks like you're
headed back to haul plants around.
Speaker 7 (33:48):
Yes, yes, I am. That's literally what I'm about to do.
So you'll have a great weekend, And thank you for
calling for allowing me speak.
Speaker 2 (33:55):
Absolutely, you take care of yourself, Tom, take care Mond
County Commiss Tom Bloom. We'll be back to wrap things
up and provide a preview for the mid Atlantic Resiliency
Link meeting. It's coming up next week. That's coming up
next on Top of the Town. AM fourteen forty f
(34:16):
M one oh four point five W A Jr.
Speaker 1 (34:34):
Join the conversation at one eight hundred and seven sixty
five eight two fivey five.
Speaker 5 (34:39):
This is the talk of the town.
Speaker 2 (34:43):
Good Friday morning, Sure looks like an awfully nice Friday
right now. Fair Skies in fifty degrees. Metro News Zaki
Weather says a very nice day highneer seventy in sunshine,
and the weekend looks awfully good, although maybe a chance
for a shower Friday night and even possibly on Sunday,
but definitely fault like temperatures coming up. On Wednesday at
(35:07):
six thirty, there'll be a meeting out of the Cheat.
Speaker 3 (35:10):
Lake Fire Hall.
Speaker 2 (35:12):
It will help areas, I'm sorry, it will help a
residence of Mont and Preston Counties understand the impact of
the mid Atlantic Resiliency Link. Now, the group is going
to have a series of speakers, some of which you've
heard right here on this program, like Karen Newman. She
is going to be there to provide out an analysis
(35:34):
of how PGM they are, the grid operator, Next ERA
they are the organization that is contracted to build a
transmission line, and the PSC the state organization in place
to manage both PGM and next ERA. She'll be there
(35:55):
to provide an analysis of how those three organizations work. Also,
so Beth Bossio will be there to talk about damage
to homeowners. Kent Hunter is there to talk about, you know,
the basic lingo of the project to kind of help
you get a leg up and understand exactly what people
(36:16):
are talking about. And we'll have more information coming up
as the meeting approaches. But once again, that is coming
up on Wednesday, October fifteenth, six point thirty at the
Cheat Lake Fire Hall, so be sure and put that
on your calendars. Also, it is the one hundredth homecoming
(36:36):
for University High School. Congratulations to University. They'll welcome Connellsville
to Baker's Ridge tonight, and of course everybody be careful,
be sure and utilize that shuttle. I think it will
be taking off from two ninety nine Baker's Ridge Road.
Looks like it's going to be a great night, a
(36:57):
good game and lots of lots of celebrations and alumni
getting together. Believe tailgating gets started out back there at
five o'clock tonight.
Speaker 3 (37:08):
Well, everybody, have a great Friday.
Speaker 2 (37:10):
It's time now for Metro News talk Line on the
Voice of Morgantown WAJR.
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