Earning Brownie Points

**Unchained** · February 28th, 2008, 03:48 PM

ST. PAUL, Va. - A committee organized to rebuild the historic High Knob Observation Tower that an alleged arsonist burned to the ground on Halloween received its first financial donation this morning when Dominion Virginia Power gave the group $15,000 and a promise to kick in some more as the project moves along.
The High Knob Preservation Association is raising money to rebuild the wooden tower and to design improvements to the area around High Knob. Rita McReynolds, a St. Paul town councilwoman and a member of the rebuild committee, said this morning that the $15,000 contribution will start things moving. A silent auction is also set for March 8 at the Norton Inn to raise money for the project, she said during a news conference at the site of Dominion's proposed $1.8 billion power plant here.
James Beasley, government affairs representative for Dominion, said the company received many news articles of the High Knob Tower fire last year and immediately wanted to help local efforts to rebuild the landmark.
"We're willing to come back and help in the future as well," Beasley said.
The Dominion donation comes one day after federal officials announced the arrest of a suspended Coeburn volunteer firefighter on an arson charge related to the tower fire. Nicholas Owens, 22, of Coeburn, is charged with setting the blaze at High Knob and at a restroom in another federal recreational area at Hanging Rock.
Owens allegedly started the fire just 36 hours after he joined the Coeburn Volunteer Fire Department. He is on bond pending a preliminary hearing in March.
Read Friday's Bristol Herald Courier to learn what the head park ranger in the Clinch Ranger District has to say about the tower and its importance to the region as well as an update on efforts to rebuild.

**MikeJones** · February 28th, 2008, 09:17 PM

Yeh its kinda sickening. I think they should reject it. They should stick with 5, 10 and 20 dollar donations from folks that really care about it.

**NotSoSilentBob** · February 28th, 2008, 09:59 PM

What is sickening about it?

**MikeJones** · February 28th, 2008, 10:12 PM

15,000 isn't anything to them. Thats a joke. Its trying to get brownie points as Indian_Dad said. If someone really thinks they give a [censored] about this area other than a profit. Then that's sickening that someone would be such an idiot. I,d much rather it be built by folks that give a [censored] about the place. Not someone acting. Guess we can name it The Tower of Virginia Power.

**plantsman** · February 28th, 2008, 10:48 PM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NotSoSilentBob</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What is sickening about it? </div></div>

God forbid, let's not let private companies get involved. Let them continue to spend our tax dollars on it. Better yet, where's [richard] Austin and all his tree humping firends? They should finance it all.

**MikeJones** · February 28th, 2008, 10:58 PM

Not sure who richard austin is. But it sounds like your familier with tree humpers. I dont think the tax payers burnt it down. They shoudl let the dude that burned it down incure some of the costs. Also Mr pine fetish when did I say let tax dollars build it? If you could get knot holes and hung limbs off your mind you would have read I stated donations.

**NotSoSilentBob** · February 28th, 2008, 11:13 PM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: boney</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NotSoSilentBob</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What is sickening about it? </div></div>

God forbid, let's not let private companies get involved. Let them continue to spend our tax dollars on it. Better yet, where's [richard] Austin and all his tree humping firends? They should finance it all. </div></div>

Don't you actually have to have money before you can donate it? Austin is a nut.

**LCAS_712** · February 28th, 2008, 11:32 PM

I think that it dont matter where you get the money as long as you rebuild it. It would be nice for them to kind of clean up the trails around the tower, esp. chief Bengie's trail. we prob wuld get more tourism into the area if the high knob area would turn into a mt.biking/hiking park. IMO

**plantsman** · February 28th, 2008, 11:44 PM

I didn't address you, so why are you complaining? My response was to NSSB's post. Read, man, or else get someone to read to you.

**MikeJones** · February 29th, 2008, 12:50 AM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: boney</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I didn't address you, so why are you complaining? My response was to NSSB's post. Read, man, or else get someone to read to you.
</div></div>

HEHE. Who is richard Austin?

LCAS I would like to see it promoted more for outdoor tourism. The last 2 times I hiked the scout trail it seemed in pretty good condition untill you got to Bark Camp and the bridges around the back of it. I think I read they are trying to make it more horse accessible and for mountain bikes. Couldnt remember the details. I would rather them have 1 primarily for horses and the one for bikes and hikers. Also be good if they would stock the recreation lake and the creek below it again. Be fun the like it and do some fishing before you get to BCL