Wise County Citizens And My Appy People.

First to my beloved Appy folks and Dawgs.
You have and always will fight the good fight. We have earned that heritage, it is a Dawg tradition to protect the house.
You all have made me very proud for your desire to stand up, against all odds to fight for your principles. And what you believe in.
What more could any one ask for? A community that unites to say no. Not unless it is acceptable. I am more than proud of what you have done and the message that you have sent. Many see what you have done and are now asking, do we need to consolidate, or do we need to stand and for once object?
To the Wise County citizens. The other night, I seen something i had not seen in a long time. A whole county come together. Some joined in late. Some never thought they would ever have to. Reality hit home.
I have to say. I was overwhelmed with the turnout, even though consolidation was to be a dead issue.
I seen something i had not seen in a long time, in this area.
True and pure unity. It made me proud as i watched others talk and in all honesty. It reminded me of the days of my youth and all the mining strikes.
When many would come together to see that the Union was not done wrong, and the workers were not, those working and those who had retired.
I have to say. I applaud you all. We may face many more battles down the road.
And change may come. But i seen something that renewed a spirit in me.
I seen people who came together for a single purpose. And many who forgot where they were from. It was not about schools, it wasn't about colors. It was about how you felt about your children.
For that i applaud you.
Many can look in and call us whatever. Till they have walked in our shoes. Done the work, they will have no idea. But to see what i seen Monday night. I am assured Wise County will survive.
Some it may take them time to get on board. Just don't wait till the last minute next time.
When the call goes out. Answer it.
But Monday night, i seen something i had not seen in yrs.
A united people in Wise County.
I hope this is not the only time, many can say they were united. We need this all over our county to save it ourselves.
We have good leaders in many positions.
But we also need what we had Monday night. Citizens who will come together and work for what they want.
The time for change may come.
But when it does. Then make sure you are heard and you have input as you did Monday Night.
This ole Dawg was proud to see, many of Wise County and it's citizens, put aside their differences, to do what they felt was right.
We need this more often.
Your county, you pay the bills. You deserve to be heard.

[Big_AL]

nice post there lpd.

Thanks Al. I was typing it and put it in the sports forum to start with.
But honestly i had never seen such unity, since my youth and the days the people were fighting coal companies, for what was well then, just right and benefits.
Have to say. It stirred up a lot of old emotions.
Had a grandpa and several uncle work in the mines, some in dog holes to be done wrong.
Always told their son's. Don't follow me. Do better.
When my cousins stood up and said no to the companies, i was a kid i was your crazy.
Well they won more than they lost. It wasn't perfect.
But they helped many. I love this county. I love what it stands for.
Hate us or love us. We get the job done. And when it's on the line. Many want us there, and i think we may of opened the eyes of many others.
You pay the bills you have a right to question what goes on. It's your money.

[Jack_N_The_Green]

Sorry friend. I don't agree that the county came together. Pound and Appalachia came together. 1,000 people is not the majority, and I was ashamed to live in Wise County yesterday. When I saw the footage on WCYB, the people cheering and making damned fools of themselves, I was ashamed. You always hear people from this area wanting to be taken serious and not shown as redneck idiots, but what I saw on the television last night was just that, a bunch of redneck idiots.

People do not realize what they have done. Basham has done so much for these schools and has done so much for the arts in Wise County. If it weren't for Mr. Basham, the Children's Theatre would not be what it is today. You people on here do not know what has transpired. We do not have a Superintendent now, and you can't sit there and tell me that this debate is over. It's not. Consolidation will happen. Mark my words. It's the only answer.

I'm sorry. I am appauled (sp?).

Well your the one who wants to be a minister to? Yet you do what?
Your a joke Jack. Get a clue your not living in a city. Your living in the country.
You can leave. Oh but before you do. Who paid for your education?
I think you said you was out of here, after you graduated. Your not gonna stay around and fix Wise County. So you basically used Wise County to huh.
Ever heard the word Hypocrite. Look it up. You learn it in seminary.

[Jack_N_The_Green]

I've told you in posts before...the education i received....well pretty much sucked...
No, I am out of here...but I do have family that will be raised in this county...and they need to receive a better education than i did...Basham was on his way to do that...and yes, i agree he went about it wrong...change should be slow and gradual...as stated by Mr. Edmond Burke...you know who that is??????
How am I a hypocrite?

You want to help? You get what you need and run off.
Yes i know who your talking about. Im not a fool Jack.
Let me ask you this. You say your education got you nothing. How did you get into college. What did they look at? What transcripts?
You think your well rounded because you say UVA is a liberal arts school.
Well i attended one to. It made me look at a lot of things. Basically myself. Where did you miss that?

[NotSoSilentBob]

Where do you draw the line? When is consolidation acceptable? Is it well and fine to operate high schools with fewer than 150 students, just to foster a "community spirit"? 100 students? 75 students?

Is it fine to operate two high schools within 5 miles of each other?

It seems that some just look for an excuse to complain about something. And if they don't get their way, then prepare to listen to some whining.

I know one thing. I'm not willing to pay more in real estate and personal property taxes so Wise Co. can operate 6 high schools.

Go back to Twins Springs. No one says you have to live in Coeburn.
We all got screwed. Call Mr. Basham and thank him. He has $203,000 dollars to pay for it.
He may even help you move. Who knows or maybe he will donate it to Wise County Schools. Yeah Right.
Reality bro. We all got screwed. Basham won. Can no one see that?

[imported_OleTob]

I'll say this much I applaud them for trying and succeding to keep their schools open...Death and Taxes are a part of life...You either pay them or else...If they would have consolidated these schools they would have found something else to tax you on...Only thing I can tell you is move back to Nickelsville...Where you'll still pay taxes