With a few exceptions, the State Department of Highways has control of the streets in Marlinton. Consequently, the state paves streets they believe are in the worst shape.
The paving that took place in Marlinton over the last couple of weeks looks great. Actually, I was pleased to see the town receive more paving than expected. However, it’s never enough to please everyone. So, I hear the complaints from areas where the streets were not paved.
Just to name a few such areas, paving did not take place on Hamilton Hill, Thomastown Road or Lakeview.
The biggest complaint is about a section of one of the busiest streets. For some, the question is, what about Eighth Street?
From SR39 to 10th Avenue there are deep holes at, or around street drains. Both are legitimate gripes. Here’s my answer.
Even though the State owns the streets, the Town is responsible for providing the risers around the drains, when paving. (I’m not sure how that works.) The paving took place with about three days’ notice and the Town had no risers in inventory to set at the time of paving. Until those corrections can be made I am considering painting around those spots, to send a visual signal to slow down or turn away.
As for no paving on Eighth Street, I have questioned that since the last paving was completed in that part of town.
Keep in mind, State Route 39 is Eighth Street as it comes through town. However, when Eighth Street turns off SR39, the State does not claim it between there and 10th Avenue.
I contend it was a clerical error when the other streets were taken over by the state.
They say no.
For now, the state wins that argument.
On another subject, Pocahontas County is not the only county with trash issues. The Beckley Common Council recently voted to temporarily deed the former city trash dump to New River Gorge Regional Development Authority (NRGRDA), to have the land cleaned as part of an $8 million development project. There is nothing cheap about trash.
And…as always, “Know before you buy. Know before you build.”