Update report: June 14, 2006.
I attended the Mon County Commission meeting today. They greeted me warmly and we had a very friendly conversation.
1. They are sympathetic to our desire to change the operation of the Cheat Lake Park and Trail, such that the monies can go to an integrated approach to recreation, safety, security and routine maintenance. The responsibilities of major maintenance and liability would remain with Allegheny Energy. Bob Bell, President of the Commission, said that he would attend our CLEAR meeting on June 22nd, Cheat Lake Fire Hall, 7 pm. John Pyles may also attend. It is my understanding that Asel Kennedy will be on vacation at that time.
2. I brought up the subject of the need for an understanding of the significance of Mt. Chateau as a part of the Cheat Canyon, as a part of "wild wonderful west virginia", and as a part of the Cheat Lake "community". We all agreed that it's future as the home of the West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey may or may not last. They agreed that this topic be on the agenda for next week's Commission meeting, at which time we will present a statement in writing of the significance of Mt. Chateau to Monongalia County and the State. Hopefully, then, the Commission will endorse the statement, will adopt it, and/or send a letter to the Governor and to the WV Public Land Corporation. [At one point, Bob Bell asked, "Is the State considering the sale of Mt. Chateau", to which I replied: "That is my understanding, yes."]
NOTE: There is probably more we can do. If you have ideas, please share them...... And, if anyone has hard information (details) in the public domain, please let me now. Thanks, Duane