We're going to uh convene as the Bud
County Commission. Uh
we will start with the pledge of
allegiance. Just so you know, we'll have
flags in the back that we will face.
There is an American flag behind us. If
you will face that, all please rise.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all.
» All right, we have our uh general
business. We have orders presented by
our county clerk.
>> Make a motion to accept the orders
presented by the clerk as presented.
>> Second.
>> Got a motion. Second. All in favor say
I.
>> I.
>> Uh we have our edit registers as
presented by the county clerk.
>> All right. Make a motion to accept the
edit registries as presented.
>> Second.
>> Got a motion second. All in favor say I.
>> I. I.
>> We have our prior meeting minutes. Any
corrections?
>> Nope.
Make a motion to accept the prior
meeting minutes as presented.
>> Second.
>> Got a motion second. All in favor say I.
>> I.
>> Did not see erroneous assessments or
combined ads. We do have our personnel
and payroll orders.
>> All right. Make a motion to approve the
personnel and payroll orders as
presented.
>> Second.
>> Got a motion second. All in favor say I.
>> I.
>> We have our bills.
>> All right. Make a motion to accept the
bills as presented.
>> Second.
>> Got a motion second. All in favor say I.
>> I.
>> The state settlements fuciary orders.
Just need an off just need a motion
authorizing the president to sign off on
the estate settlement and fiduciary
orders.
>> Make a motion for commission president
to sign all necessary documents for the
estates and fiduciary orders as
presented.
>> Second.
>> Got a motion second. All in favor say I.
>> I. I.
>> All right. And we will come back to
budget revisions and board appointments.
So for those that don't normally come to
our meeting, uh we do have one board
interview scheduled. So, we will take a
uh short executive session break to do
this interview and then we will come
back into executive session. Should be
roughly 5 to 7 minutes. With that, I'll
entertain a motion to go in executive
session for purpose of board interview.
>> Make a motion to go into executive
session.
>> Second.
>> Got a motion to second. All in favor say
I.
>> I.
Sure.
Heat. Heat.
[laughter]
Yeah.
Heat.
Yeah.
Hallelujah.
Heat.
Yeah.
Heat.
Yeah.
Heat.
Yeah.
Heat.
All right, I'll entertain A motion to
come back into regular session.
>> All right. Make a motion to come into uh
regular session.
>> Second.
>> Got a motion to second. All those in
favor say I.
>> I.
>> All right. Ready?
>> Yep.
>> All right. I'd like to make a motion to
uh appoint Sherry OD to the Putnham
County uh
>> tourism to the Putnham County Tourism
Board uh to be effective August 25th for
a term to expire on June 30th of 2029.
>> Second.
>> Got a motion second. All those in favor
say I.
>> I.
>> Okay.
>> Thank you guys. We'll get to Sherry
Cherry, we'll send you the packet
afterwards.
>> Okay. Okay. Thanks.
>> I'd also like to make a motion to
appoint Richard Bowen uh to the Putham
County Board of Zoning and Appeals
effective August 25th, 2026 and a term
to expire on January 1st of 2027.
>> Second.
>> Got a motion second. All in favor say I.
I.
All right, for our agenda items, we have
a proclamation for Putnham County Goes
Purple, the Hope Dealer Project.
Is there anyone here from the project?
Okay, we'll go ahead and uh read the
resolution.
>> Okay,
[clears throat] excuse me. Proclamation
Putham County goes purple, the Hope
Dealer Project, September 2026.
Whereas the National Recovery Month is
held every September to increase
awareness and understanding of mental
and substance abuse disorders and to
celebrate those in recovery for their
strength and perseverance. hand. Whereas
the color purple has been utilized to
symbolize
the struggle taking place in communities
across the country as individuals,
families, healthc care providers, and
law enforcement agencies face the
growing crisis of opioid abuse. And
whereas Putnham County goes purple is an
awareness campaign focused on
prevention, treatment, and recovery
resources available in the community and
will you emphasize the role local
agencies play in combating this
epidemic. And whereas Putnham County
goes purple strives to promote
conversations around the dangers of
substance misuse and abuse and
encourages a community to take a stand
against it. And now therefore, the
Putnham County Commission in the state
of West Virginia does hereby proclaim
the month of September 2026 to be
Putinham County goes purple in the
county of Putnham and call upon the
people of Putnham County to observe this
month with appropriate programs,
activities, and ceremonies. And now
therefore, be it resolved that we, the
county commission of Putnham County,
West Virginia, in the state of West
Virginia, do hereby proclaim September
2026 as Putnham County goes purple
National Recovery Month
in Putnham County and encourage all
citizens to join in this observance. The
Putham County Commission encourages the
community to wear purple, light up their
homes or business with with purple
lights, tie a purple rabbin, excuse me,
tie a purple ribbon on their tree,
fence, or door, make a purple heart
display, or get creative and display
purple another way. Dated this 25th day
of August, 2026, and signed by each of
the county commissioners.
>> Thank you, Larry. So, kind of following
up that uh discussion and possible
decision to approve Putham County's
application for opioid settlement funds.
Uh the county has been in receipt of
opioid funds and early on we had
committed $250,000 to Marshall
University to be part of a leverage up
into a larger project. They were
applying for a grant to uh help things
regionally. uh Putnham County as well as
a few other counties had uh joined in in
setting aside those funds. Uh we were
informed by Dr. Franks with Marshall
that their application was rejected. So
therefore we have $250,000 in of opioid
funds that can be spent towards
treatment. Um in talking to Dr. Matthew
Christensen who is the region 5
represent uh representative for the West
Virginia First Foundation which holds
most of the opioid money. He said region
5 has a expert panel that can review
applications and as they come in. So
what we're looking to do now is uh
establish an application that uh
entities can apply for uh for treatment
and we can send it off to uh that expert
panel for review and comments back uh
just so we can make sure that the the
money opioid funds will be spent
appropriately.
Um, commissioners, you've had that
application submitted to you for review.
Do you have any comments or questions?
>> No, sir. I do not.
>> No, sir.
>> Okay. Um, with that, uh, if we do
approve this application, uh, county
manager, I'd ask that you would have it
available on the website and that we can
make it public for we can start
receiving those applications and send
them off for the expert panel to review.
Right.
Make a motion to uh accept the
applications for the overall funds as
presented.
>> Second.
>> Got a motion to second. All those in
favor say I. I.
>> I.
» All right. Next up, County Manager Tim
Hannah.
>> All right. So, what I have today is the
bid opening for the Pman County
Recycling Bin fencing uh project. Um,
looks like we've received uh three bids
to uh to purchase and install a fence
around some uh incoming uh recycling
bins that are be housed behind the
sheriff's department. So, the uh the
first bid is
it's from Ballard Fence Company.
Looks like they have
all their required documentation and
their bid comes in at 18,200.
The next
is from BPI Incorporated.
Looks like they have all their required
documentation as well. Um, their bid is
for $48,493.
And the final bid is from CJ Hughes
Construction.
Looks like they have their required
documentation and their bid comes back
at $37,562.
That's all the bids I've received.
So, if you guys wouldn't mind, I need a
uh a motion to approve the apparent low
bidder for the project
>> and pending staff staff review.
>> Correct.
>> Okay. Make a motion to approve the low
bidder uh pending staff review of
Ballard Fencing.
>> Second.
>> Got a motion second. All in favor say I.
>> I.
» All right. We have the Kuster Ridge
waterline project status and update and
resolutions for payment. We have
somebody from regional intergovernmental
council here.
Are they Were you given anything to
present?
>> No, I ain't giving anything.
>> Okay.
All right. We will move past that.
So, next up we have a Putin County
Planning Commission resoning request.
Melissa, sorry.
Good evening everyone.
>> Evening.
This is resoning request 2026-4
for Valda Court Farm Limited
Partnership. Desires to reszone tax map
172 parcels 2 and three in Winfield from
RR rural residential district to C2
highdensity commercial district. The
request should be considered in
accordance with chapter 8A of the West
Virginia code, Putnham County's adopted
plans, and the adopted zoning ordinance.
The applicable planning documents
include the comprehensive plan reference
attachment A, the 35 corridor management
plan, reference attachment B, and the
Taz Valley land use plan attachment C.
Full copies of each of these are at the
president's seat.
Article 150 of the zoning ordinance
defines an amendment while article 2000
establishes resoning procedures.
The RR district provisions are included
as attachment D and are intended to
establish low density residential areas
consisting of single family dwellings
and compatible uses. The C2 district
provisions are included as attachment E
and are intended to provide a wide range
of commercial uses requiring convenient
automobile and truck access.
The timeline and facts section of your
summary discusses the specifics.
In February 2005, the property deed was
recorded in the Putnham County Clerk's
Office. A copy is included as attachment
F. The deed states that the parcels
contain a total of 305 acres. However,
this figure does not account for acreage
acquired from the US 35 rightway.
Current county assessment records
indicate approximately 288 acres.
April 4th of this year, a resoning
application was submitted. A disclo the
disclos excuse me the disclosure
statement with the application is in
attachment G.
A current zoning map is included as
attachment H.
Yellow is RR, purple is I1, red is C2,
and blue is IOP.
Surrounding properties and zoning are as
follows. You'll see tax map 162 parcel
51. It's 141 acres also owned by Va
Court and assessed as a farm extending
from Canal River south of the US 35. It
includes I1 between the Canal River and
Winfield Road, RR in the southernmost
portion and C2 over the majority of the
property.
1729.1
28 acres to the south zoned RR and used
as a private residence.
1729
66 acres of woodlands to the south zoned
RR.
17210
40 acres of woodlands to the south zoned
RR
1724.2
2 32 acres of woodlands to the southeast
zoned IOP
and 1724
95 acres zoned C2 previously used as a
golf course extending from US Route 35
to the Canal River.
If approved, the resoning would create a
continuous area of C2 and industrial
zone property between the existing
zoning districts rather than maintaining
the present RR separation.
The subject parcels have approximately
2500 linear feet of frontage along
Winfield Road, 2400 ft along Route 35,
and 2700 ft along the Canal River.
The rights of ways for Winfield Road and
US35 divide each subject parcel into
three sections. Parcel 2 contains
approximately 13 acres between Winfield
Road and the Canal River, 84 acres
between Winfield Road and 35, and 60
acres south of 35. Parcel 3 contains
approximately 10 acres between Winfield
Road and the Canal River, 79 acres
between Winfield Road and Route 35, and
42 acres south of 35.
These estimates are approximately 288
acres, consistent with the current
county assessment records.
Attachment I are photographs of the
property and aerial imagery. FEMA's
mapped 100-year flood plane and floodway
are located within the site's
boundaries. See attachment J.
DOT traffic data indicates that traffic
volumes on Route 817,
which is an 80 foot wide roadway, have
declined significantly due to completion
of the 35 project, resulting in
underutilization of a roadway capable of
accommodating higher volumes.
The subject land is approximately 1,200
f feet from a tiff district. Attachment
K shows the existing tiff in yellow.
Water service is available through West
Virginia American. This property will
have a sewer service um available along
Winfield Road once sewer easements are
finalized and the current sewer
expansion project complete.
On June 25th, the planning commission
held a public hearing for the subject
application.
Public comments received are detailed in
Roman numeral six of your packet. After
closing the public hearing, the planning
commission deliberated and unanimously
re recommended approval citing the
creation of a continuous C2 and
industrially zoned area, elimination of
the existing RR zoning separation, and
the parcel's substantial frontage along
Route 35 and Winfield Road. That same
evening, staff did verbally announce
that this application would be presented
tonight.
On July 9th and 16th, legal
advertisement for the subject resoning
request and tonight's meeting was
published in the Hurricane Breeze. On
July 17, abuing land owners within 250
ft were sent certified notice of
tonight's agenda. Planning Commission
attendees who provided a mailing address
but were outside the 250 foot area were
notified by regular mail. Signs were
posted on site August 18. To date, the
only public comments received were
during the public commission the public
hearing at the planning commission.
Spot zoning is recognized as a zoning
amendment that is invalid because it is
inconsistent with a comprehensive or
well-considered plan. A resoning
decision should not be based on a
specific proposed use. Rather, the
application should be evaluated based on
the permitted uses of the requested
zoning classification.
If approved, the land owner would be
entitled to any permitted C2 use just as
the property is currently entitled to
any permitted RR use. Your different
options for tonight, there are four. You
may table the matter if you desire
additional information.
You may approve the application as
requested if you find that it protects
and promotes the public health, safety,
convenience, morals, and general welfare
and meets the intent of the referenced
planning documents.
You may deny the request if you find
that it does not protect and promote as
referenced. And you may approve in part
and deny in part if you find that only a
portion of the request meets the needed
standards. Um, on the back sheet of your
packet, you'll find the resoning
worksheet as normal, and I will do my
best to answer questions if you have
them.
>> Thank you, Melissa. Commissioners, any
questions, staff, before we go into
public hearing?
>> No, sir. I do not.
>> No, sir.
>> All right. I'll entertain a motion for
public hearing.
>> Make a motion for public hearing.
>> Second.
>> Got a motion to second. All those in
favor say I.
>> I. I.
>> So, this is a public hearing regarding
this resoning request. Is there anyone
that would like to make public comment
regarding this request? Yes, ma'am. If
you would please come to the microphone,
state your name and address for the
record.
» Hi, my name is Marilyn Fost. I live in
Nitro.
Um, I'm going to make a comment that I
will hope you will bear with me and the
people will bear with me for my first
comment. I don't believe in socialism. I
don't believe in communism. I believe
that people work for what they want and
what they need. I believe that um um you
get what you pay for. My first thing is I don't want more of these people,
but I know they're here, but I'm also
going to comment on that also.
>> Well, let's let's keep this one just to
this reasonzoning request that we'll
have another public comment for anything
else not on the agenda later on.
>> For so for the data center.
>> Yeah. Anything not on the agenda.
Correct. This is
>> anything but
>> this is only for this reasonzoning
request to reszone this parcel. And I
apologize.
>> No, you're fine.
>> Have nice zone.
» Either one. Yeah.
» Good evening. Uh, commissioners. Um,
>> if you would state your name and
address.
>> My name is Brian Martin and I've spoken
to you several times. uh Fraser's bottom
and uh I'm [clears throat] here because
of the data centers, but uh I noticed in
this resolution or this proposal here
that you're uh wanting to go from rural
residential district to high density
commercial district and uh that catches
my eye because data centers are high
density impact and uh those are that's
what this is and this is red we just
look at it it's red on the river you
know they want land they want water I
would like to know who is wanting to
make this high density, who who is
asking this and what are they going to
put there. Thank you.
>> Yep. So, just for clarification, uh the
Vakart Farms is the land owner and they
don't have to tell us what their intent
is. They're just asking for reasonzoning
of property.
>> What was the name of that company?
>> Valdacort Farms. Valda Court, V A L D.
And they they may choose to speak uh as
well during this this process.
Mike, do you want to speak?
Uh Mike Moeller, hello 57 Tate Hollow
Road in Hurricane. Um on on this issue
alone,
let's take it slow. Let's not make any
decisions on this today because you can
see all these people are here because of
a decision that was made hastily. Um, so
I would ask that you all table this for
now, have some more discussions about
it, look into the impacts of what this
is going to do to the county, both
negative and positive, and just uh just
slow things down a little bit and keep
us in the loop. We'll continue to show
up and be here for you. Thank you.
>> Anyone else like to make public comment
regarding this issue?
Shirley.
I had your name written down first,
Shirley.
» Well, hello everybody. Glad to see this
fall. Um, I've lived in Frasier's Bottom
all my life. I just want to make a
comment because I've been following the
Smith property. Um, I actually used to
babysit for them. Uh in February of
2023,
uh I went to a county commission meeting
and um uh the county commissioners voted
2 to one. Ellis was okay. They said no
from going to rural residential to C2
due to traffic concerns.
December the 28th, 2023,
unanimous they voted 3 to nothing. C2,
highly commercial, 35 acres,
600 parking spaces, three shifts. That's
1800 cars on Route 35.
When they voted three to nothing, I
thought, "Wow,
you wouldn't do it for this, but now
you're doing it for you. Look who's who
owns the property." That's all I'm
saying. And um
I just want to say we all vote
That is our power and the only power we
have. We need some new blood. Thank you.
[applause]
Anyone else?
[applause]
Anyone else regarding this issue?
All right. Entertain a motion to close
public hearing.
>> Make a motion to close public hearing.
>> Second. Got a motion second. All in
favor say I. I. I.
All right, gentlemen, you have the
packets before you and as it's been laid
out. Um, so as we look at how uh this
proposed resoning uh along US Route 35
um affects our US 35 corridor management
plan, our TA Valley land use plan, our
comprehensive plan, uh things to
consider. We have to consider how it
impacts the community, but we also have
to consider the land owner of why um if
we chose not to reszone, why we we would
choose not to resone his property
compared to other uh properties in the
area. Um
first off, any other questions of staff
before we deliberate?
>> Yes, sir. county.
>> So the first question we have to ask,
will the proposed amendment protect and
promote the public health, safety,
convenience, morals, and general
welfare?
>> Commissioner Ellis,
>> my answer to that is yes, it will. In
fact, the the 35 quarter plan, the uh
the land use plan, that's why Route 35
was built is to access West Virginia
better. uh to to bring West Virginia in into the the the current I say future
of of the United States, the uh
the land owner has every right to to
apply for a a reszoning of his
personally held properties as anyone
does. Uh so my answer to that would be
yes.
>> Mr. reverse it.
>> I think a lot of the property
surrounding it is already zoned that way
anyway. So, I don't really see a big
downside to it. So, I would say yes.
>> Okay. I would also say yes, this is
consistent along US35
um with the land owner. He has
additional land in the area that's
already zoned C2. Um, you know, I I
don't think we have the ability to deny
his request to change the usage. I do
understand u we've had many discussions
in these chambers about traffic on 35
and and the accidents that we've have
there and we we fully understand that
and we will continue to to put pressure
on DOT regarding those issues but again
um we have to have justification in
order to deny this application which I
feel like we don't have. Number two, is
the amendment consistent in achieving
the objectives of the adopted
comprehensive plan, US 35 corridor
management plan, and the Taz Valley land
use plan? Commissioner Ellis,
>> answer is yes, it does. Uh it is yes to all three of those. And um again, it
is why
>> would you speak up? It's why that the uh
route 35 was was constructed
again to to access West Virginia to a
broader market. So my answer to that is
yes.
>> Commissioner Pearson.
>> Obviously with its uh location there by
US35 I think it does meet the u
objectives of that comprehensive plan.
So I would say yes.
>> I would also say yes along with the
frontage that it has along US35. Uh, it
absolutely fits into the US35 corridor
management plan and the Taz Valley land
use plan that were created in the
mid90s.
All right, answering one and two. We
don't have to go to number three. With
that, we'll go back to our agenda and
I'll entertain a motion.
>> All right, I'll make a motion to approve
the reasonzoning request by Victor Court
Farms as presented.
>> Second.
>> Got a motion second. All those in favor
say I. I. I.
All right. Uh we have a have a grant
contract. Tim Hannah.
>> All right. [clears throat]
So we have applied for and received uh
HABA which is helping Americans vote act
security fund uh grant
uh funds for the county clerk's office.
Uh we received $7,572.40
40 cents to purchase election equipment
and other uh supplies for the county
clerk's office. Um I really just need a
motion for the president to sign the all
necessary documents for this grant.
>> All right. I'll make a motion for
commission president to sign all
necessary documents on the grant
application as presented.
>> Second.
>> Got a motion second. All in favor say I.
>> I. I.
>> All right. The uh the next thing I have
is the 24th cycle funding application
for the courthouse facilities
improvement authority grant program. Um
so this year we are going to request
$28,000 you from the courthouse
facilities improvement authority in
order to purchase a new power unit for
our aging elevator in the end of
courthouse to to make sure that people
can get to and from you the first and
second floors used safely. Um you guys
have any questions? I do not.
>> I just need a motion for the president
to sign.
>> All right. Make a motion for the
commission president to sign all
necessary documents on the uh courthouse
funding grant as presented.
>> Second.
>> Got a motion second. All those in favor
say I.
>> I. I.
» All right.
>> Larry.
>> Yes. Commissioners, as you know, we are
in the process of uh trying to get in
the Fisher Bridge waterline extension
program or project. Uh there are two
documents that we have been provided.
They're asking for the first one, which
is the uh county commission president to
sign a letter of intent for the Fiser
Ridge Waterline Extension Project. And
then there is a second document that
they're asking to be sent back and sent
signed. It's the non-federal sponsors
selfcertification
of financial ability for decision
documents and agreements. U and I would
suggest that Mr. Hannah be authorized to
make that to sign those documents on
behalf of the county commission. But the
first one in the letter of intent u just
requires the president's signature.
>> Good with that?
>> All right. I'll make a motion for the
commission president to sign the letter
of intent for the waterline extension as
presented.
>> Second.
>> Got a motion second. All those in favor
say I.
>> I. [clears throat]
>> I'll make a motion for Kim Hannah to
sign all all necessary documents uh on
our behalf as presented.
>> Second.
>> Got a motion second. All in favor say I.
>> I. I. Uh for those in the audience, this
is a $3 million water project out on
Fischer's Ridge that will bring uh water
to about 70 homes out there. And this is
going to be 80% federally grant funded
with the the state matching the 20%
grant.
» And this has been a long time long time
coming on on uh Kuster Ridge and Fiser
Ridge, by the way. Yeah.
>> Yes.
>> Is everybody in Fisher Ridge here
tonight?
Okay, just checking.
All right, we will do budget revisions
and purchase orders and then we will
have public comment for everything not
on the agenda. So Tim, you want to do
>> All right. I do have one budget
revision. It's for the Department of 405
prosecutor's office. Uh they are
requesting to decrease capital outlay by
$3,000 and increase contracted services
by $3,000.
>> Make a motion to accept the order as
presented.
>> Second.
>> Got a motion second. All those favor say
I. I.
>> I.
>> All right. The first payment order I
have is to issue a check from the
general county fund in the amount of
$25,000 made payable to Hurricane Fire
Department for the county's portion of
the Falcon Highway rollover tanker
training prop.
>> Make a motion to accept it as presented.
>> Second.
>> Got a motion second. All in favor say I.
>> I. I. Uh, the next is to issue a check
from the dog fund in the amount of
$2,262.50
made payable to selling associates for
architectural design services for the
Putnham County Animal Shelters Kennel
Canopy Project.
>> Make a motion to accept the order as
presented.
>> Second.
>> Got a motion second. All those in favor
say I.
>> I. I.
The next is to issue a check from the
opioid fund in the amount of $2,15
made payable to recovery point of
Huntington Incorporated for Pton County
beds for the month of July 2026.
>> Make a motion to accept the order as
presented.
>> Second.
>> Got a motion second. All those in favor
say I.
>> I.
>> And the last two I have are both out of
the TIFF fund. Uh the first is to issue
a check in the amount of $226,46148
payable to West Banko Bank Incorporated
trustee for July 2026 TIFF revenue. And
the next is to issue a check in the
amount of $90,54947
payable to benchmark construction
incorpor.
>> If you would give me our lady here go
that tried to jump in ahead of time.
We we if we can uh we can finish it off.
Uh
>> so start over.
>> Okay.
>> I don't believe in socialism. I don't
believe in communism. I believe you work
for what you want. You pay for you get
what you pay for. One of the things I'm
here for for two issues. First one is we
passed the levy for Pupman County for
the fire department. 5% increase on
taxes. I have no problem with that. I
live in Nitro.
Even though I won't receive any of the
services from that, I am fine with it.
Everybody deserves to have a fire
department. We in Nitro have one of the
best that you can have, police and fire
department. They are absolutely amazing.
whenever they've been needed here,
they're there and immediately
I have been working with the mayor of
Nitro and saying that because we pay
already pay because we live in the city
Nitro 7%
for our fire department. We also pay for
five 5% for everybody else that's not in
our nitro area which use our services.
My problem with that is is that if I
need them and they're in Taz Valley or
they're here or they're there,
I'm not getting what I'm paying for.
So, I have no problem with that. But I
just feel so I talked to you about this
before.
>> Yes.
>> And now I'm being told that it's not
going to happen for the simple fact that
well, what if someone dies? Well, what
if my family dies?
>> Yeah. So, if you have a call in Nitro,
uh, PA and Taz Valley will both be toned
to come to your home. Now, Nitro will be
there first. Absolutely.
>> Well, they should go to the other one
first that's not in Nitro. They should
>> Well, I I'd like all three units will
come to your house. If your house is on
fire, Nitro will be toned first and then
PA. We've got a three system mutual
>> already called out to somewhere else
that they're not paying that 7% like
>> then then Ellaner will come or then
Bankraftoft will come.
>> I'm sure they'll get there very quickly
just as quick as Nitro. whipped beans.
>> So, Nitro,
>> Nitro also comes to other they come to
Taz Valley, they come to PA and
>> and you know, I have no problem with it,
but I would like for everybody to help.
Hey, I'm helping you pay for yours, help
pay mine.
>> So, we we do
>> So, everybody should be paying 12%, not
just the people of Nitro.
>> So, that is a difference of living in a
city.
>> It doesn't make any difference. It
doesn't matter cuz they're going to be
clear out in the boondocks. So, if they
take my fire fire department, clear out
in the boondocks, they're not going to
come for me. What if I So the the poker
fire station's right there on Main
Street in PO when they get there cuz
it's all volunteer. It
>> it is. And county is all volunteer when
they get there. Instead of being 5
minutes, it could be 30 minutes.
>> So that's what we're trying to change.
And that's what the levy is there to
change is we have more money now where
we do have paid staff 12 hours a day, 7
days a week. And so right now during the
daytime, there would be Putin County
Fire will come to your establishment.
>> Right. Yeah. It's going to take longer.
>> Absolutely.
>> Yeah. Absolutely.
>> Yeah. No respond.
>> We need them to get the quick service,
but I'm But they're not helping me to
keep my fast service. So, cuz if we go
up somewhere else,
>> we do support Nitro. Again, this is just
starting.
>> I hate cuz I the money that I give cuz I
live in Nitro. You know, it's not going
to be a problem in a few years anyway
because me and my family have already
decided we're leaving the area. and just
bring up another comment is um we we
moved here from Ohio. I had a friend
that worked for the board of education.
He says go here. So when I pulled into
that neighborhood and I seen all the
kids, I remember thinking, is this the
house? And then I, you know, I went
down, I looked at the school and I'm
like,
it's in Pman County. I mean, all these
other beautiful schools in Pupman
County, but being Rock Branch is in
Nitro,
goodness knows they told me not to judge
a book by the cover, and I'm so grateful
that I didn't. This one of the best
schools I've ever seen, and I really
don't want to complain to the board of
education cuz I don't want them to screw
it up.
>> Well, I I'm a Golden Bear from Rock
Branch, so I would agree with you that
it's a great school
>> and it's an amazing school. So, as soon
as my grandchildren are done with
elementary, cuz I wasn't real [cough]
impressed with Poke Middle School or the
high school, we will be leaving. But
we're going to make sure that my kids
get that best education in the
beginning. So, we will be leaving.
>> Okay.
>> And that's another thing going back to
this data center that everybody is here
for. It's being shoved down our throat
with no say. Socialism, communism is
what it feels like. because we have
absolutely no say and no matter what we
do, we are going to pay for it with our
water, with our electric bill. I mean,
I've already seen the water bill because
we wonderful American water just took
over the nitro sewage.
Wait till you get the bill.
>> [clears throat]
>> There's no way that a family and the way
I look at it too is that Nitro is one of
the poorest
areas of Pupman County that are in that
area. One of the poorest and being taxed
and paying the school. It's not right.
I'm done. I'm not even going to argue
with you anymore. We're just going to
leave.
>> Okay. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
>> Yes, ma'am.
» Yeah, you're fine.
Good evening, commissioners. Good
evening, Putham County. Look at you
guys. It is great to see such a full
room. So, my name is Jessica Lacy. I'm a
third-year law student at Penn State
Dickinson, lifelong Putham County
resident. My current address is in Red
House.
and I'm also recently accepted a
position as the lead point of contact
and organizer for Putinham United. Now,
I wanted to come before you tonight to
introduce myself and to tell you a
little bit about our organization.
I also want to introduce something that
I hope represents the kind of
relationship that we're trying to build
between the people of Putnham County and
this commission.
Tonight, Putnham United is bringing to
you a resolution.
At its core, this resolution is about
something very simple. The people of
Putham County having a meaningful voice
in the decisions that affect the future
of this county. [clears throat]
Now, I personally am proud to be from
Putnham County. We have great schools.
We have a nice area. And we have people
who care to show up and be here.
So, the resolution we're presenting to
you this evening, it's grown out of
concerns that we've heard from the
residents of this county about
development, transparency,
public participation,
and the changes that our county may face
in the coming years. But I want to be
very clear about res what this
resolution is and what it is not. It is
not an attack on the commission. It is
not an accusation
[cough]
and it is not an attempt to create an us
versus them conflict between the
citizens and their elected officials.
It's an invitation, to recognize that whatever
challenges or opportunities come before
Putnham County, the people who live here
deserve a seat at the table. And I think
the best way to explain that is with
three very familiar words. We the
people.
So 250 years ago, take from five to
seven, the founding fathers created the
constitution. And in that constitution,
they said, you know, we the people
in order to form a more perfect union,
not an already perfect union, but a
union that's a work in progress,
establish justice, ensure domestic
tranquility,
provide for the common defense,
promote the general welfare, and secure
the blessings of liberty to ourselves
and our posterity due here, ordain, and
establish this constitution.
We the people.
Those words are so familiar that
sometimes I think we forget how
extraordinary they really are.
Our system of government begins with the
idea that government does not simply
happen to people. It belongs to them.
And democracy only works when we the
people are willing to participate in it.
That is what we're going to try and
encourage through Putinham United. For a
lot of people, government can feel
intimidating and inaccessible. They care
deeply about what happens in their
community, but they may not know how to
participate. They may have never
attended a county commission meeting.
They may not even know who it is that
actually represents them. They may not
know where to find information,
how to ask questions, or even what
happens when they walk through these
doors. So, we decided to start there. We
asked the people of Putham County to
show up and tonight they did. We did not
invite people here to attack this
commission.
We did not invite them here to make your
jobs harder. And we certainly did not
invite them to create hostility between
the citizens and their elected
officials.
We invited them here because this is
their government.
We want people to learn how it works. We
want them to learn to participate. And
most importantly, we want to help the
people find their own voices.
Putnham United does not intend to be a
substitute for the voices of the people
who live here. Our goal is to help
amplify those voices and to help people
understand how to use them for
themselves. That's what this re
resolution really represents. It's one
of our first attempts at taking the
concerns of the citizens and turning
those concerns into constructive civic
participation.
We are saying here is something that the
people in our community greatly care
about and here is an opportunity for the
citizens and their elected
representatives to come together and
find common ground. But as important as
that resolution is, the most important
thing we brought into this room tonight
isn't a piece of paper. It's these
people. People who cared enough about
their community to show up, come to a
public meeting, listen, learn, and
participate. And to everyone who came
here tonight, I want to say something to
you. We, the people have
responsibilities, too. Having a voice
does not mean that we get to drown
everyone else's out. If we expect our
elected officials to listen to us, we
must be willing to listen to them. If we
expect to be treated with respect, we
must show respect. We must be kind. We
must be willing to listen. And we have
to be willing to hear something we
disagree with without immediately
deciding that the person saying it is
our enemy. We can ask the difficult
questions. We can disagree passionately.
We can absolutely hold our government
officials accountable.
And we can do all of those things while
treating one another like neighbors
because we the people whether we like it
or not includes those who disagree with
us.
That may be one of the hardest parts of
self-government but it may also be the
most important. And commissioners, it is
my hope that you will help us foster
that kind of participation.
The people who came here tonight are not
your adversaries. They are your
constituents, but more than that, they
are your neighbors.
You are part of we the people, too.
There will be time when residents come
into this room frustrated, as I'm sure
you guys are well aware and used to at
this point.
>> You sure are.
>> There will be times they ask questions
you cannot answer. There will be times
when they ask you to do something you
don't have the authority to do. And
there will absolutely be times we
disagree. That's okay.
My hope is that someone can walk into
this room, stand before their elected
officials, have what they say what they
have to say, even if it's a
disagreement, and walk out believing
that participating mattered. Because if
the people believe that participation
matters, they will come back. They will
learn. They will pay attention. They
will vote. And they will meaningfully
participate in the growth and
development of this county.
That is what we want Putinham United to
help foster. We want to build a bridge
between this commission and the
community that feels so divided at this
time.
We also want to bring concerns from the
residents to you and help take
information from you back to the
residents. If misinformation is
circulating, let us help correct it. If
people have questions, help us find the
answers. If this author, if this
commission has the authority to address
something, we want residents to
understand how they can participate in
that process. And if you don't have that
authority, we want to be able to explain
that too and to help people direct their
energy towards avenues that will
actually produce a sustainable outcome.
I don't expect that Putinham United and
this commission will always agree
because we won't. But disagreements do
not have to mean hostility.
Accountability does not have to mean
antagonism.
And cooperation does not require
unquestioning agreement. There is an
enormous amount of space between silence
and hostility.
That is the space where democracy lives.
It lives in rooms like this. It lives
when ordinary people decide to show up.
Democracy lives when someone
[clears throat] who has never spoken at
a public meeting before finds the
courage to stand at this podium or that
microphone. It lives when an elected
official listens to criticism. It lives
when citizens listen to answers they may
not like.
Democracy lives when we disagree, shake
hands, and come back tomorrow willing to
work together.
Because ultimately, regardless of where
any of us stand on any particular issue,
we share something much more important.
This is our home. I was raised here. I'm
raising raising my family here. And the
people sitting throughout this room are
our neighbors. We may disagree about
what is best for Putnham County, but I
believe most of us are here because we
care deeply about what happens to it. So
tonight, I extend a hand in both
directions.
We will ask questions. We will advocate.
Sometimes we will challenge you. But we
will also listen. We will come to the
table in good faith.
And I hope you will receive this
resolution with the same spirit. not
simply as a list of demands, but as an
opportunity to say that when major
decisions about the future of Putnham
County are being made, the people who
call this place home deserve to know
what is happening, deserve an
opportunity to participate, and deserve
to have their voices heard. And my
fellow residents of Putnham County, keep
showing up. Learn how your government
works. Ask questions. Listen to the
answers. Speak when you have something
to say.
Be respectful. Be kind. And do not ever
convince yourself that your voice does
not matter because you're not an elected
official, a business owner, a
politician, a lawyer, or someone with
political connections. Our government
was never supposed to belong only to the
people who hold office. It belongs to
all of us. We the people. Not we the
politicians, not we the powerful, not we
the people who already know how the
system works, but we the people. That
means all of us. And that's ultimately
what I hope this resolution represents.
Not just about one project. It's not
just about one controversy. And it's not
about one meeting. It's about something
much more fundamental. When decisions
are being made about the future of
Putnham County, the people of Putham
County should have a voice in those
decisions.
This is our community. This is our
government. And this is our
responsibility.
So, let's show up. Let's listen to one
another. Let's find places where we
agree. And when we disagree, let's show
each other some respect because Putham
County belongs to we the people and its
future should be something we build
together.
>> Commissioners, with your permission, I'd
like to approach and hand you a copy of
the resolution.
>> Yes, please.
energy.
» So, I'm going to leave that in your
hands to [clears throat] take a look at
and I'm just going to ask I have one
simple request for this evening.
Commissioners, will you sit in the space
where democracy lives with us this
evening? [cough]
[clears throat] Thank you. I'd like to
turn the podium over to my friend
Joseph. There he is. I was looking in
the wrong direction so that he can
explain this resolution to you a little
bit more in depth. Thank you for
listening to me and thank you Putnham
County for coming here tonight.
» Wow.
So my name is Joseph Deg Grath and
that's a tough act to follow because
that's a very difficult space that she's
talking about.
You know, it's very easy. It's very easy
for us to come to our commissioners, to
our elected officials, and to talk at
them.
But it's another thing altogether to
talk to them.
And at some point, we have to lay down
our swords and we have to agree to talk
to one another. As she said, she brought
up the words of a more perfect union.
You know, it's very easy often right now
to think that the division in our
country is Republican and Democrat, left
and right.
But perhaps it's the relationship the
people have with the government that we
need to unify.
So, with that said,
this resolution, it's a tricky one
because you see, if we're going to
create a resolution that's going to
stand for the county, we have to be
inclusive to all of the voices in the
county or at least with the general will
of the county.
And so when we have a resolution, many
of you here, you're wearing shirts,
you're wearing signs that say no data
centers. And that's to be respected
because everybody has a voice and
everybody has an opinion and it's all
very valid. But the commissioners also
have to respect the voices of those that
maybe they do want them for whatever
reason.
So if we're going to create a
resolution, we have to have a resolution
that's on a point that we can all agree
because that space that Miss Lacy was
talking about where democracy lives and
resides, it begins in agreement.
So with that said,
I'll read the resolution here.
So the first part of it says
[clears throat] whereas hyperscale da d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d da
centers are massive facilities that can
have the geographic footprint of a small
city.
We can all agree that these things have
the footprint of a small city. That's
not in debate.
That's just a simple fact. Look at the
size of them.
The increased energy demand from the
hypers scale data centers could impact
grid reliability and energy costs for
all rateayers while increasing CO2
emissions. That's also not up for
debate. That's the n national discourse
right now is the grid reliability and
increasing costs. Nobody's arguing that
these are the cases.
the extent to which they may argue, some
people say more, some people say less,
but that it affects it. Well, that's a given.
Whereas hypers scale data centers can
consume immense amounts of water per
day, depleting resources and risking
contamination for local users and
negative ecosystems.
There's no dispute that these things
require water and immense amounts of it.
Again, the extent to which people will
debate, people are always going to
debate,
but that these things consume water in
immense amounts. That's part of the
national discourse.
Whereas the presence of hypers scale
data centers puts community members at
risk of decreased property values. Can
you imagine what your property values
are if you're living next to one?
There's no no question about these.
It also alters the character and the
function of property or loss of private
property to eminent domain. That's a
frightening one that's happening to many
people. Again, not up for debate. This
is the national discourse. These things
are happening all over the country. We
know they're happening.
Whereas the presence of hyperscale data
centers changes the fabric of a
community with noise and light pollution
and loss of large tracks of potential
farmland or reconstruction of the
national natural terrain. Yes, putting a
data center
this is going to change the very fabric
of a community.
Now, some might argue, developers, for
instance, may argue that it's better.
Some may argue that it's worse, but that
it changes the fabric is just part of
the facts. It's just the way it is.
So,
that's the whereas statements. That's
kind of like the the reasons that this
statement exists. But where do we go
with this? Do we say we can't do this or
shake our fists?
No, we have to have a point of agreement
between the commissioners and between
the people. And what's that point of
agreement?
Two points of agreement.
The position of the undersigned
is that the presence of hypers scale
data centers in West Virginia
communities.
We should evaluate these decisions on
more than just the financial impacts.
That's the first thing. [clears throat]
Okay? Because a lot of what the people
are being here are hearing is that the
money, the money, the money, the money,
the decision needs to be evaluated on
more than the money.
And that's part of the agreement that we
have to agree is that decisions are more
than just money. Some things matter more
than just the money.
And then the next point of agreement
is that decisions about these data
centers should reside with the people of
the communities in which they reside.
These things impact [applause]
» [applause]
» The point of our constitutional
government
was that when a decision impacts people,
the people should have a say in that
decision.
Now,
what is the role of government and what
is the role of people?
Because it can't just be that the people
decide everything
and our elected officials have nothing
in it.
That's not fair either. There is a space
between democracy, between the people
and our elected officials.
You see, the job of government
is to help us to help you
to know the decisions that you need to
make
to help you to see the things that you
don't see
and to provide to you the necessary
information on the matters that impact
you the most.
That is their job to provide those
things to you.
Your job is to reciprocate
and to share with them the ways in which
these things impact you all.
And when they do their job and you do
your job,
then the decision is made together
and the people make the decision.
Because the people are you and the
people are you.
But if you don't show up for them
and if you don't show up for them,
then the system breaks down.
But we all have an opportunity here
today
to build the system back up
by agreeing with something.
It is very easy to agree
that decisions are more than money
and that we the people should make the
decisions.
And that's the question that we have for
you all today is can we agree on these
matters
and if we can agree on this
then we can have a common conversation.
Thank you very much.
[applause]
» [applause]
>> Real quick before anyone else speaks, I
will say that uh uh on behalf of Miss
Lacy and Mr. Degraph, I appreciate the
approach and I I can appreciate the uh
the time and effort put into uh I I can
tell this wasn't just thrown together.
There has been deliberation and
discussion on that and your approach
this evening is appreciated by the
commission. I just want to get that out.
But we'll carry on public comments.
Ma'am, if you would state your name and
address for the record.
>> Absolutely. Hi, my name is Janette
Domenico. I live right on the border of
Putham County and Mason County. I have a
48 acre farm going on five generations.
And I love that everybody showed up. And
yes, decorum is so important here to be
polite and respectful to you guys that
we put sitting here in these chairs. And
I respect each and every one of you. and
thank you so very much for your time on
such urgent matters. I have a couple
questions you guys and then a couple
statements and I'll try and be as brief
as possible.
Number one, are you guys going to stand
up for our community? Not just us, but
our children, our grandchildren, and
great grandchildren. I'm at the end of
my yard stick. I'm 64. I've been through
cancer three times. And the last thing I
want is a data center that's 4 minutes
away from my beautiful farm that can
possibly give me more cancer. Straight
up.
In order for you guys to restore the
local control over our zoning and
development in Mason and Putnham County,
which can be achieved by the West
Virginia legislature, passing an
amendment or a new bill, repealing the
restrictive elements of HB214
that Governor Morrisy did that was so
shady to take away your rights and our
rights to even have a voice. That was
bull. [applause]
» [applause]
>> YOU guys can do a thing called a home
rule and due process. The arguments, you
can argue that stripping the localities
of all zoning in horiculture ordinances
and enforcements fundamentally violates
the rights of the property owners in the
scope of the municipal home rule
charters, which is you all, the
politicians. What they did was wrong. If
it was so good, why did they keep it a
secret?
There were 30 states in the United
States of America that governors did
this to. We are one of the 30 where they
took away our local politicians rights
and put you guys on the border of
offense because you guys got to have a
budget. If you don't do what they tell
you, you don't get your budget. I did
that. But you know what? I don't want
nine or 10 data centers right around
from my farm that's going to kill the
wildlife.
I have rescued 180 head of horses. I
can't tell you how many animals I've
rescued, dogs. I'm a retired equipment
operator originally from Cleveland,
Ohio. I love the nature. I can't imagine
a world where I wake up and I don't see
American bald eagles in my farm or on my
farm. the red hawks, the coyotes, the
foxes, the coons, the deer, they have no
voice. They can't pack up a suitcase and
leave. And you know what? I'm not going
to leave my farm. I am going to fight.
Even if I lose, at least when I do go to
the other side to be with my ancestors,
I will know that I gave it my all. And I
love each and every one of you for
having the guts to come here tonight
because as far as I'm concerned, data
centers are bad. I can't find one thing
good about them. I'll go on with my
notes and I'm sorry for getting off
track. I apologize. I I'm very
passionate about this.
Do you guys know if um these data
centers have done any long-term impact
studies concerning the health on human
beings, the wildlife along with our
environment in our communities over a
five or 10 or even a 20-year period?
They've been around for a while. Do you
know if they've done any?
The answer is no, Andy. They have not
analyzed any environmental impacts on
humans health. The massive AI data
centers that are currently being built
in West Virginia. Not one data center is
worth our land, our water, or our
health.
Real time environmental impacts
disruptions are happening right now in
Mason County near Point Pleasant. These
folks are experiencing immediate health
and environment environmental impacts
now during the initial construction
phases of the Monarch Compute campus
which is the largest data center ever
being built in the world. Our country is
the only one doing this at neck break
speed. 5,500
data centers have been built. Ohio is
number five.
Flood waters have poured into nearby
neighborhoods in Mason County, damaging
homes, creating mold, huge dust clouds,
making it hard to breathe, poor air
visibility, constant noise, and heavy
truck and machinery traffic. That is
ridiculous. You wouldn't believe it
unless you pulled out of my road to see
how dangerous it is. They expect these
elderly people to sell their homes where
they have lived their whole lives and
move where their families are here.
Where are they going to do? Where are
they going to go? I'm so sorry.
Next. The reason why these data centers
are being built. Who owns the flock
cameras? Flock safety does. There are
80,000 of these AI powered devices
across America watching us. Flock
cameras track your every move and
repurpose all of the data collected
about you every time you pass them. They
are a national security risk. They are
easily hacked. Senators and
representatives have drafted a letter
right now to investigate the findings.
Who pays for these flock cameras owned
by Flock Safety? An AI powered
surveillance group? We do. $2.28 million
a contract. our tax dollars for West
Virginia. While thousands are losing
health care, our infrastructures are
horrible, our roads are being tore up by
these big trucks and heavy machinery,
and clean water is still not available
in many counties, and people still haul
water. It is disgusting.
Also, here's something very important
for everybody to know. Flock does not
sell these cameras outright. They charge
a subscription roughly $2,500 to $3,000
per camera a year. The correlation
between these flock cameras and data
centers is simple. Flock cameras rely on
AI data centers to instantly process the
billions of vehicle scans their network
captures monthly. They need massive
amounts of storage space for these flock
cameras. That's why there's this land
grabbing thing happening in the United
States. This this is just crazy what's
happening. We have just woke up in the
Twilight Zone and everybody better
realize these things do not bring
anything good to our communities and my
God, I have done the research to see
there's nothing good. I can't I cannot
honestly say this is good anywhere.
These billionaire companies are trying
to change our society to a dystopian
society to to dehumanize us.
This has got to stop.
I'm going to end cuz I could just go on
forever. You guys, I hope I got my point
across and I thank you all for your
time, each and every one of you. And I
hope that the information I'm giving you
might shake you to the core to realize
this stuff is really bad and toxic. And
I understand that you guys are kind of
on the fence and it's hard for you to
voice your true opinions, but each and
every one of you have family members
here. This is our community and I know
you love living here, too. Amen.
>> Thank you.
[applause]
» Hello everyone. Uh my name is Mike
Moeller. I'm the Democratic nominee for
House of Delegates in District 21 in
Hurricane and Colon. Uh gentlemen, I
come to you today uh with a quick
question. Those flock cameras that she
was talking about, have those been
removed, taken down?
>> I believe, yeah, we did. We were coping
on an email that the sheriff had
requested Flock to come take the
cameras.
>> Okay. And so, has Flock taken them down
yet?
[applause]
» I I can't speak to the whether they're fully down. I know the request
was sent and uh Um,
>> we can always follow up on that.
>> Um, I have uh a couple things in front
of me. It's basically fiscal year 24
into 25 on the opioid settlement money.
And what you said you all donated $3,000
to where with the opioid settlement
>> $250,000 we had set aside to go to
Marshall University a part of a larger
grant and we're trying to leverage those
funds for more funds. Oh, I thought
earlier in the meeting you all had
donated a few thousand to a local.
>> Yes, we have a recovery point. We've
actually supported recovery point beds
since 2014 and but since the boy funds,
we use that funding to support two beds
for Pton County residents.
>> That's commendable. I appreciate that
guys. Um I have a cousin, she was
addicted her entire adult life for 25
years. Uh she was dependent on every
form of government assistance. She never
worked. Um, and about two years ago, she
had to go to drug court and she failed.
And through rehab facilities, through sober
living homes and things like that, she
was able to become sober, stay sober,
get a job, get a promotion, and become a
productive member to society. And I
think that's that's wonderful. So, I've
got a couple of examples here of Canal
County's uh expenditures when they spend
the the money from the opioid settlement
fund. They spent $86,999
on the Canal Valley Fellowship Home,
which I think is great.
Um, they spent, let's see, a lot of
paperwork here. So, they also spent
they had to spend some money on
themselves. obviously for, you know,
dealing with it. Here it is. Union
Mission, $249,89,
which I think is great. Uh, they also
put money into the um the the jail
system, which unfortunately those who
don't want to do drug court, they do go
to jail, and I understand that the
counties have an obligation to help with
those expenses.
uh they donated $65,000 to RIA of Hope
and so those I mean and WVU Thomas
Hospital where a lot of people go they
gave $154,000.
I think these are some wonderful
investments because we can get people
clean. We can get drug addicts off the
streets and we can turn them into
productive members of society like we
owe it to them because we do. Um, I'm
not going to get into, you know, the
peddling of the pills into the state and
who did that and all that. I'm just
going to leave that alone. Now, let's
look at Putnham County cuz I'm a little
concerned.
$480 at Jersey Mike's,
$186.38
at Enterprise,
$3042
at Speedway. This is the opioid
settlement money. $54 at Sheets,
$38,944
at Chick-fil-A,
$491.96
at Panera Bread, $99.72 at Giovani's
Pizza,
uh $3,519.82
at Cery, I believe that's drug
screening.
Uh what's up with that? I mean the
individual cost
>> what what what do restaurants have
>> it's from a training they put on a
crisis intervention training so they put on a training they transported
people they paid for their lunches they
paid for gas
those are the individual expenses you
were referencing
>> I have yet to find any other county that
has expenses like that I've I've done a
deep dive but um
>> it was training for those drug
interdiction uh conferences.
>> Okay. Well, I will give you gentlemen a
copy of Oh, and here's just one I wanted
to point out that
in a direction we don't want to go. The
city of St. Albins's spent $157,674
thou uh674
with the armored group for an MRAP.
That's not going to help us cure the
opioid problem. the the cure for
addiction is connection. It's not
military hardware and it's it's not a
bunch of lunches. So, I'm going to give
you all a copy. I'm sorry. Sorry, I only
have two. If you all wouldn't care to
either share or um make another copy of
Cana County's expenditures, how much
they spend, where they spend it at,
because you can make a huge difference
in the recovery of people in Putham
County by donating to these uh rehab
facilities and to these halfway houses.
And and that would go a long way. And
>> and that's that's part of our discussion
with Dr. Matthew Christensen is having
region 5 vet these applications because
then they have I think $397 million of
opioid money and then they can then take
it to the West Virginia First Foundation
and hopefully if they do see a project
worthwhile leverage that up to have a
greater impact.
>> That's our goal.
>> I appreciate your gentleman's time and
uh if you if with your permission I'd
like to approach to hand you these
copies and I thank you very much.
» [applause]
» THAT'S ALL RIGHT. THANKS, MIKE.
SIR,
my name is AJ Bird. Bird of Prey is the
ministry that I follow Jesus very
closely. And I was sitting on my couch
and I saw a post earlier about this
meeting. So, it's not a be not going to
be conventional about speaking to these
folks, but I am going to speak to you
and this is what's called holding
someone accountable following Jesus.
Okay, folks, we are in that time. Okay,
AI is going to be joined clay and metal,
right? Daniel, he talks about it and it
doesn't stand. And my heart grieavves
for people, okay? And I'll just tell you
real quick and I'll I'm I'm going to go
as long as the Lord tells me. But here's
the thing. I follow Jesus on the street.
I go where he tells me to go. Bird of
prey. I stood I was laying in a jail
cell. I had cops asking me not to kill
them at one point. And the Lord said
through me to me. I helped you through
these days to show people my ways. And I
jumped up and he changed my life. Took
me to heaven and took me to hell. Okay?
He showed me what's real, guys. And I'm
going to be completely straight up
honest with you. these secret societies
and all this stuff that pull the strings
behind the scenes. We know about it,
okay? God knows about it. He's watching.
He sees you.
We as followers of Jesus doing this in
West Virginia, okay? Most people know
Jesus. Most people know what he did.
It's not like a big community. Okay? We
are trampling when we do this to the
nondisclosure is fraud. Period. It's
fraud. I don't care. They would hold you
totally accountable in court if you
didn't disclose something and they
signed non non-disclosure agreements.
So, here's what I'm going to tell you. I
didn't put a speech together. I'm
letting him lead me. This is what the
Lord has shown me and I'm burning up
inside. And I'm not nervous. I'm
passionate. Okay? Title 18, section 241
and 242 is conspiracy to deprive people
of their rights.
That's what our government has done
since 1871. They overlaid the
Constitution just like they did. They
overlaid the Bible saying, "Oh, it's
just grace. We don't have to worry about
anything. We can go on and sin and do
anything we want to do. We can chop up
kids and tell them that they are um a
girl or a boy." Judgment is here in the
for the house of the Lord. And we are
the house of the Lord. If you believe in
Jesus Christ, if you say you believe in
Jesus Christ, judgment is here. He is
coming for us, through us, and we will
answer for everything. We will stand in
front of him. And for all the lies,
guys, we can we can call it like it is.
We've all lied and we've all fallen
short. But it stops for us. You all work for us. And we love
you. If they have the love of God in
their heart, we love you. We don't want
to see anything happen to you. But I'll
remind you that back when we found this
country for a 3% tax, what did those
guys do for a 3% tea party? What did
they do? And and we're taking people's
homes.
It's coming, guys. Jesus is not happy.
These people aren't happy. How long do
you think this is going to go on?
Now, I love you guys. I love all of you
because that's what I do. I cast out
demons on the street and I draw people
to Jesus. They get set free from drugs.
I bring them to my house. I pray for
them. 25, 30 hours of deliverance,
praying with them, spending time with
them, personal one-on-one, discipling
men.
What are you all doing? Are you taking
the money behind the scenes? Show us. We
know. Okay. We know. He knows.
Bless you guys. Have a good day.
[applause]
Anyone else? You want to speak?
[clears throat]
» Hello, my name's Melanie Lacy. I live at
60 out of Street in Buffalo. I believe I
was here a couple months ago and spoke
to the commission. Um, I had come and
spoke about our storm runoff problems
down in the bottom. I live two houses
beside the water treatment plant there
um at the end of town in Buffalo, which
is actually just thousands of yards away
from where the pro proposed site of the
Google data center is. But before I will
start with that, I would like to
approach y'all to show you some pictures
of the storm water runoff problem that
we have down there.
[cough]
[clears throat]
kind of
if you look at those that's on 10th
Street which is terminal route 62 by
Frog City Park
and then there is a ditch line that goes
from 10 street right there and it goes
all the way down between
there's two rows of houses there's route
62
And then right behind them is another
row and then there's ID street. But in
between that property on them houses is
a big long ditch that goes to the water
treatment plant for Buffalo.
Here's the pictures
of the water in those ditches.
This continues as part of the ditch.
You can see I'm not even completely over
in the ditch. The water is half high on
me.
And then this goes
on down towards the water treatment
plant.
And then these are on IDA street between
my house and Barb
which I believe is in the audience. This
is actually the front of her house and
her property.
>> So is all this town limits?
>> The town says that it's the state owns
it. The state says the town's under it.
So you tell me, we've had this problem
before.
Uh so that's just some of the flooding
issues. It comes off of the main road
because the cos and the drain system. We
are flood plane. Uh most of the property
on 62 that Google owns is in a flood
plane. Uh I don't actually have that map
today but I would love to come back and
bring you the map which shows from
Google what they have showing because I
do have those
>> we can see it on our county maps too.
Okay. So, you know what else is flowing
down through there. U with that being
said, it is supposedly supposed to be on
the other side of Buffalo's
plant, maybe a proposed wastewater
treatment plant and water treatment
plant, which will be be being buil in
the flood zone with also a storm water
pond on that piece of property.
But as I would like to go on tonight, as
I said, I lived at 60 out of Street in
Buffalo. And I'm here tonight because
Project Avalon is not simply a
development somewhere in Pman County.
The proposed Google data center is
planned for the property located at
22272
Charleston Road. And this project could
have major effect on the surroundings of
Buffalo Community.
As we all know, it's 1,700 acres on both
sides of Route 62. And I want to make
something clear at the beginning. I am
not against economic development. I am
asking that economic development not
come at the expense of people who
already live there.
[applause]
I know what the flood plane means. The
concern about flooding is personal to
me. As I addressed you guys once before,
we just put in a margin home on the
property six years ago and we had to
raise it approximately 6 ft to get it to
above the required flood elevation with
the level of Route 62.
Why? Because this is low-lying land.
This is floodprone area. I had to take
extraordinary measures just to protect
one home. That's not talking about the
homes that's been sitting in that
community for 20 or 30 years that aren't
6 foot high like I am.
Now, we are talking about changing the
natural landscape across the
approximately 1,700 acres that is
adjacent to me. And this concerns me
because we will remove trees,
vegetation, grades, hillsides, and
replace natural ground with buildings,
roads, parking areas, and other
impervious surfaces. You change the way
the water moves.
Rainwater that once had time to soak
into the soil can become much faster
surface runoff. So my question is,
commission is very simple. Where is all
the additional water going to go? Follow
the water. The project spans both sides
of Route 62. This makes the existing
roadside drainage system extremely
important. Route 62, its ditches, and
its culverts are part of the drainage
system serving the area. If the storm
water from a development this size
reaches those drainage systems faster
than they can safely carry it, what
happens? What happens when the covert
becomes a bottleneck? What happens if a
ditch cannot carry the volume of the
water coming towards it? With almost
45,000 linear feet of streams that's
going to be filled in on that piece of
property. That's a lot of water to run
off and that's just on one side
basically
across the road on the railroad track
side.
So my question is
if the storm water from the develop this
size reaches those drainage systems
faster than they can carry it and it and
it becomes bottleneck and the ditch
cannot carry the volume of the water
coming towards it. What happens when the
drainage system fails and becomes
overwhelmed? The concern is not there
are homes directly downstream of the
project. The concern is what happens if
the drainage system backs up and those
ditches are not clear. If the water
cannot get through the ditchers and
culitz, it could come back along the
road and eventually move into the
surrounding neighborhood. And this is
what concerns me. And ultimately, I want
to know
where will the water go if a system
cannot handle it. And and water doesn't
recognize a property line.
It doesn't recognize a zoning boundary.
And it doesn't care what a drainage plan
says it's supposed to do. If the system
becomes overwhelmed, water will find
another path. And in this case, we need
to know whether that path could be back
up the roadway and into our
neighborhood. That's why I'm asking for
an independent third party storm water
study be done. And I don't want the
study to stop at Google's property line.
[applause]
Start at 22272
Charleston Road and follow the water
through the entire drainage system.
Follow it through the proposed draining
system. Follow the retention areas.
Follow this Route 62 ditches. Follow it
through the culverts. Then show us what
happens if those citizens become
overwhelmed. Show us what happens on Ida
Street, on Tim Street, on Frog City
Park. Show us what happens to that
low-lying area in Buffalo. And show us
what happens around the municipal
wastewater treatment facility. What
happens to the flood plane? I also want
the commission to look at the direct
effect of changing the elevation of this
land if they do decide to build up for
the wastewater treatment plant. The
water, it will be filled in, graded,
raised. The water will have to be
occupied. The space doesn't simply
disappear.
Where would that water go instead? If
additional wastewater infrastructure is
planned near the existing Buffalo
wastewater treatment plan, I want the
county to explain where those facilities
will be located, how high will they be
built, whether additional flow will be
required, and what effect the
construction will have on flood
elevations and the movement of water
through this low-lying area.
I want I want the answer with
engineering not assumptions because when
I bought my home I had to raise it like
I said 6 ft in the air. That tells me
something very important. Elevation
matters here. Drainage matters here.
Flood plane matters here. And a project
of this size cannot be evaluated without
looking at the entire area as a
connected system. Existing residents
should not become the experiment.
my home on Ida Street, the other homes
in the community, they've been there for
decades. Many of our neighbors are
elderly. Some have mobility problems,
and some cannot easily evacuate during
emergency if they're not 6 ft high. And
some simply cannot afford to absorb the
financial consequences of flooding or
major property damage. These people
should not have to become the test case
of whether a massive industrial
development drainage system works. We
shouldn't have to wait for the first
major storm to find out. The engineering
should prove it beforehand. Construction
is another risk. There is also the
construction period itself. And we're
looking at 8 years of construction down
there. Before the data center is
completed, there could be extensive
clearing, grading, excavating, heavy
equipment, and disturbed soil. And I
believe it was 66,000 cubic feet of soil
that they're supposed to be moving into
that area.
And that's on the high side of the road,
not on the lowlying area.
Um
before the data center is completed.
I'm sorry, I lost my pro my place. Um
anyway, what happens when the major
storm hits construction? Where does the
runoff go? Where will the sediment go?
Can the existing ditches and culverts
handle it? What happens if the sediment
blocks the drainage during the
construction? What happens if runoff
reaches a neighboring property? And who
is responsible for someone's property is
damaged? Those questions need to be
answered before construction begins, not
after the damage occurs. We don't want
to be Mason County.
[applause]
The Buffalo wastewater treatment plant
is an essential public infrastructure.
My home is in the community sound
surrounded by that facility. If project
Avalon adds additional wastewater
infrastructure and changes the
surrounding landscape, the county needs
to know exactly how that effect will
change the drainage, the flood
elevations, and the existing wastewater
system.
I want to know how far or how high those
facilities will go. I want to know um
what additional land will be filled or
raised. We should know where the water
will go if the land can't no longer
absorb it or hold it and what happens
when we have extreme rainfall events.
The question needs to be answered before
construction begins.
Storm water is my primary concern, but
it isn't my only concern. The county
should all examine the construction
traffic, the long-term traffic, the
noise from construction and data center
operations, the waiting nearby on our
homes, the backup generators associated
with noise and emissions, water damage,
water capacity, emergency response,
property impacts on surrounding
homeowners, the long-term effect of
replacing natural land with buildings
and pavements in field, changes in
elevation and drainage caused by
upgrading and feel the effect of the
additional wastewater infrastructure on
the existing flood plane. And again, I
just don't want general asurances. I
want engineering. I would like to have
maps. I want calculations. I want
models. I want flood analysis because I
have to live there. And that's where I
plan to spend hopefully the next at
least 30 to 40 years of my life.
And I want to know what happens during
the worst reasonable storm, not just
what happens under the perfect
conditions.
I understand that Google may bring
investment, jobs and community and
benefits. And I appreciate investments
in our schools, our seniors, emergency
services, and other community
organizations. But I want to say
something very plainly.
A community grant cannot replace a safe
home. and it cannot undo damage after it
happens. Google has enormous resources.
The residents of Buffalo, all we have is
our homes and our families and our
community and they deserve to know that
their safety is being considered before
the project moves forward. And my
request to you as the commission,
I am asking you to require an
independent third-party impact study
before Project Avalon moves forward.
>> [applause]
» I am asking for storm water modeling
downstream damage analys an analysis
extreme rainfall and flood analysis
analyze of Route 62's ditches and
culverts. What happens if the drainage
system becomes overwhelmed and becomes
blocked? What happens whether the water
could back up along the roadway and move
into the surrounding neighborhood
in places like out of street, 10 street,
and frog city park.
Analysis and changing the flood
elevations caused by gradient in field.
Analysis of additional wastewater
treatment facilities and their effect to
the existing flood plane.
I want the results made available to the
public because we the public deserve to
know. I don't want the genuine assur as
assurances.
I want to know what happens when the
system doesn't work perfectly. We live
here on out of street. My neighbors live
here. Our streets are here. Our park is
here. Our wastewater infrastructure is
here. And this is our community. We want
Buffalo to prosper. But economic
development should improve our
community, not transfer the risk of
development onto the people who already
live here.
[applause]
So I'm asking you, commission, follow
the water, follow the drainage, follow
the elevations, the coverts, the flood
plane, and the wastewater
infrastructure.
Look at what happens when the system is
overwhelmed. And before I approve you
approve the project of this magnitude,
make sure you have proven that the
people who already live here will be
protected.
Like I said, I had to raise my home
approximately 6 ft and you've seen the
pictures of what it's like already in
that bottom and I didn't even go over on
the other streets.
[snorts]
Anyway, I like to thank you for your
time, for listening. Um, that's what I
had to say. I also have a couple of
things from my neighbors. If I could
speak on their behalf real quick.
Uh my neighbor, her name is Mary Tucker.
She lives at 36 IDA Street in Buffalo,
West Virginia. She is 79 years old.
As my neighbor is speaking for me today,
Melanie Lacy, because I wanted her I
want my concerns to be heard even though
I'm not available to speak for myself. 5
years ago, I made the decision to move
down into the bottom in Buffalo to be
closer to my family. I chose this place
because I wanted to enjoy a slower,
quieter way of life. I wanted quiet
mornings, quiet evenings. I wanted to
sit on my porch and watch the lightning
bugs come out at night. I wanted to
watch the birds and the wildlife. I
enjoy seeing the raccoons and the deer
crossing the yard as they make their way
towards the river. Every spring, I enjoy
seeing the geese come down on the lower
part of the Google property and they lay
their eggs and they raise their babies.
These may seem like small things to some
people, but at 79 years old, they are a
great deal to me. This is the peaceful
place I have chose for the years that I
have left. Now I'm facing a very
different reality. The Google data
center is being built just yards from
within my home. I understand development
is coming to our community. I understand
the progress can bring jobs. But I also
ask you as a to remember the people who
already live here.
I'm not asking for anything
unreasonable. I'm asking you to consider
the residents who have to live beside
this project every single day. I am
concerned about the construction noise
beginning early in the morning. I am
concerned about the construction
traffic, the heavy equipment, the
lights, the dust, the constant activity
that will come with the project this
size. I don't want to lose the ability
to sit on my own porch and enjoy the
quiet life for what years I do have
left. I don't want the wildlife
to disappear from the noise and the
activity. And most importantly, I don't
want the peaceful home I have chose
after working my whole life of 60 years
to become a place where I can no longer
enjoy the simple things.
That's what brought me to Buffalo in the
first place, the simple things. At my
age,
I do know that I want the years to be fe
peaceful. And I am 79 years old. And I
moved here for this simple life. And the
simple life is what Buffalo should stay
to be. Thank you.
[applause]
I have one from April Spencer. She
actually owns two pro pieces of property
on that road.
Her home of residence is at 3210 Tim
Street and her proposed rental property
is at 290
20909
Charleston Road, Buffalo, which is about
three houses down from the data center
property.
[clears throat] She currently takes care
of her 90-year-old mother and her
residence. And when she passes away, she
would like for her intention to be to
sell her home. She is also currently
trying to sell her rental property with
no ow. That's not anything coming of it.
Because of that, she would like to know
how this development could affect the
future value, the taxes, the
marketability, and the sale of her
property. One of her biggest concerns is
property taxes. If this development
causes property values in the area to
increase, I'm concerned that my property
taxes could also increase. That could
create an additional financial burden
for homeowners who may not have the same
financial resources as some major
billion-doll company.
At the same time, I am concerned about
the possibility that nearby properties
could actually become less desirable
because of the development, increased
traffic, construction, activity, noise,
and storm water problems.
As Melanie showed you in several of
those pictures, that is also the
backside of my home and the rental home.
If it happens, property owners could
find themselves in a situation where
taxes increase while the inability to
sell the property or actual market value
decreases. This is a serious concern for
her. She's trying to sell her rental
property now, but since people has heard
the data center is coming through, she
hasn't got any interest in it. She's
also extremely concerned about the water
off storm water runoff and flooding.
She would also like to know what happens
when the ditches and the culverboards
become backed up.
She would like for answers. She would
like to know how this project could
affect our future property taxes, how it
could affect the actual market value and
the ability to sell our homes if we
decided we do wanted to leave. Whether
existing drainage ditches and culverts
are capable of handing handling the
additional storm water. What protections
will be in place for existing homeowners
if flooding or drainage problems occur?
Who will be responsible if storm water
from the de development causes damage to
private property? And what assurances
existing property owners will have that
they will not be left financially
responsible for problems created by this
large-scale development.
I have invested in my properties and in
this community. I should not have to
choose between protecting my property,
being able to sell it, and dealing with
problems caused by development that we
did not create or ask for.
She is simply asking the commission to
look beyond the immediate project site
and consider the people who live around
it. And we've waited and we've waited and still no one has
come and knocked on our doors and asked
us how we felt or what we wanted.
And anyway, she would like to thank you
for listening to her concerns about the
impact of this project.
» Thank you.
>> All right. Thank you. [applause]
>> I have one more.
and this is actually for my
husband Tim Lacy that he didn't want to
get up and speak.
Um
he's lived there for 35 years. His home,
of course, we know is in a flood plane,
too, cuz we share homes. The things that
he is concerned about is the noise and
the light pollution. He works 12-hour
shifts. Sometimes he needs to sleep
during the day.
With the construction, the cooling
equipment, the pumps, the generators,
the traffic, and the lighting, it could
significantly affect the nearby
residents, what noise and lighting
limits will apply, who will monitor
them, and who will address the
violations.
There is also the area supports deer,
coyotes, minks, birds, hawks, eagles,
monarch butterflies, bats, and other
wildlife. Clearing land and changing
drainage could destroy the habitats.
What studies have been done, especially
regarding protected or endangered
species?
I appreciate Google's community grants,
of course, he says, but those
contributions do not replace the
responsibility to protect the nearby
residents who has been living in this
county, like I said, for 35 years when
there was only three or four houses in
that bottom.
He believes that development must be
matched by aquatic adequate
infrastructure and safeguards. Residents
should also be informed earlier and
should have been given a meaningful
opportunity to participate.
People should not learn about this
project this large after major decisions
has already been made. Why weren't
nearby residents better notified? And
why is farmland being considered instead
of not an industrial site?
residents should have a meaningful
opportunity, including a vote if
appropriate, to decide whether this
facility belongs here.
Moving forward, he also asked what
myself and other neighbors ask.
The storm water and the flooding, the
impacts, the culverts, the water damage,
the impacts on the nearby properties and
waterways, the light control, and the
protection for the nearby homeowners,
the responsibility for future problems.
He would also like to know why farmland
is not be is being used. Like he said,
this is a piece of property that is part
of our history.
It'd be different if it didn't have
history to it, but it does. And we
should not have to choose between
economic development and safe, peaceful
homes. Responsible development means
addressing these concerns before they
occur. Please listen to the residents
closest to this project. require
thorough studies and safeguards, involve
the community, and address the existing
dra drainage problem before adding a
major development or a major
catastrophe.
And please don't let longtime residents
just be an afterthought.
Thank you.
>> Thank you. [applause]
» Just a couple of comments on that one.
the um you know they do have to go
through the Army Corps of Engineer and D
would be involved in construction. Um
but I would encourage you to go to the
uh the site that they created um and ask
any of these questions uh regarding
their their plans.
>> Every time I try to use it or they don't
respond
[clears throat]
>> no response
here in the audience that won't get a
response.
>> Okay. permit
on that site.
>> No. Yeah, I agree with that. That's held directly through them. No
response on website. Okay, we'll we'll
reach out on that [clears throat] one.
>> Yes, sir.
>> Hi. Hello. I'm Dr. Kyle McCoslin. I'm
from Ply. I've been here a few times
before and I want to talk about a couple
little things. I appreciate what Miss
Lacy said because she's right on target.
All you got to do is look at Mason
County and see. And it will be much
worse in Putnham County. There's no
doubt. I've seen the maps. I've seen
what they're going to do to those
hillsides. Um it's going to be a wash
out. And not just when they build, it'll
be in the future. She she's right on
target, by the way. But we're going to
talk about a couple other things. So, I
thought about this for a while and I
thought, you know, I'm going to use AI.
I'm gonna I'm gonna ask it a question.
And the first question I asked was what
biological species destroys its own food
source? You want to know what the answer
was? Interesting. Humans are the primary
biological species that systematically
and knowingly degrades or destroys their
own food producing resource. We're the
only ones. I mean, sure, sometimes you
have biological species like deer that
become overpop populated and they
degrade their environment and then they
die off.
But but we systematically do it.
No other single species does this. We're
the only ones. I mean, you need to think
about that. All of you. All of you. All
of us. Because that's our future.
So Franklin Delanar Roosevelt said it
the best. A nation that destroys its
soils destroys itself.
[applause]
Now, let's talk about Putnham County.
1950, 21,000 people, give or take a few,
lived in this county. 2020,
57,000,
give or take.
Now, let's talk about the total land.
and harvested acres lost
in Putham County since 1950.
Harvested prime farmland.
Total loss has been 15,000 to 18,000
acres.
Right now, 2020, we have less than 5,000
acres less left in this county. Our
farmland has not been protected.
And this particular data center is going
to destroy hundreds of more acres. We We
do not have that much to lose. It's the
most natural resource we have. We've
been wasteful.
And I've heard you talk a little bit
about planning. I've heard nothing about
agriculture.
I mean, and I pointed out at the last
time I was here that in 1998, there was
an order created by your predecessors,
three other commissioners who were
supposed to create a land plan. Nothing
was done. So now here we are with less
than 5,000 acres. And now we're talking
about destroying some of the most prime
land we have left.
And here's something other to know about
that prime land.
It is recognized by the National
Department of Agriculture, national, not
state, not local, as nationally
important in the USA.
Now, first of all, there's very little
in West Virginia that's even considered
nationally important from an
agricultural standpoint. We're not Ohio
and it's all in the Cana Valley or in
the Eastern Panhandle. We're a little
bit left in the Ohio River Valley.
That's it. And Putnham County only has a
little chunk left of the Cana Valley
farmland.
And when you take out what's going to
happen with this data center and a few
other parcels like around Frasier's
bottom
and what I heard tonight on the
Courtland Smith property, you're going
to lose another thousand acres. that's, you know, 20% of what you have
left. If you don't do something right
now, you're gonna have nothing. It's
very important that you think about
this.
And let's talk about the high technology
valuation act quote data center. Now,
this is this is about why everybody
wants a data center. You know, they
think it's all about money because it is
all about money. Okay, but let's talk
about it for a minute.
for property tax purposes, it's going to
be valued at 5% of the original cost of
the property.
It sounds like a lot of money and and it
is, but it's nothing compared to what
the rest of us have to pay. I mean, they
get the deal. We get the shaft.
And in addition, the sales tax exemption
for all purchases of pre-written
computer software, computers, computer
hardware, servers, building materials,
and tangible personal property for
direct use in qualified high technology
businesses or internet advertising
businesses. It's exempt.
Again, bad deal. I mean, even if you are
totally focused on the money, it is a
bad deal for us. Good deal for the
state, I guess. Bad deal for everybody
in this room
>> and you all too.
>> Us included.
>> Yeah, absolutely. It's a horrible deal.
And to top it off, 70% goes to the
state. I mean, come on. Who who who even
came up with this idea? Wasn't anybody
in this room, I bet. And it wasn't you
all.
But it's your job to defend us. I mean,
you need to make a better deal. I mean,
if you're going to put a data center,
you at least should be getting paid well
so that at least we can benefit.
So, let's talk about the pros. The pros
of a data center. Income, right? That's
the biggie. You're going to make all
this money. Yet they can't really tell
you how much money. They surmise and
they hypothesize, but nobody really
tells us exactly, you know, and they
talk about construction jobs, which are
great and they're very good for the
economy, but they're temporary and a lot
of them are going to be out of sters.
They're not going to be locals.
And then they talk about the long-term
jobs. And this is the part that really
gets me because if you use AI, which is
what they all talk about, the average
number of jobs at a data center long
term is 18. It's not 300. It's not 400.
It's 18. And if you read a little
further, there will be even less because
what do you think AI is supposed to do?
It's supposed to reduce the need for
people because we, you know, we we
technologically improve. So instead of
two people, we need one person.
So the pros are limited, but what are
the cons?
Well, you're going to degrade your
historical value there. And what amazes
me is that that's probably one of the
most historical parts you have of
Lefture County. I didn't know it. I've
learned a lot. I've become much more
proud of that area and its and its
historical value. The agricultural
destru destruction is is unheard of
because you don't have enough to work
with and you're destroying your prime
agricultural land that you have left.
The water issues, people have talked
about this, the amount of water and of
course it's about water. I mean, look at
the West. If you read about the aquifers
that are being drained in Texas and
Nebraska and Kansas and god forbid, look
at the Colorado River. I mean, it's a
trickle when you get to Mexico.
Why do you think they're coming? They're
coming for our water. You know, even
Michigan knows this with the Great
Lakes. They made a pack with Ohio years
ago because they see what's coming.
They're trying to protect themselves. We
should be doing the same. WE REALLY
SHOULD.
>> [applause]
» AND THEN WE TALK ABOUT electrical
consumption. It's going to be massive.
And the problem with that is, is the
grid capable of handling it? If not,
what's going to happen to us? We're
going to be the first people without
electric. Not all of us have generators.
And and then what happens, of course, is
if they can't handle it. They use their
backup generators. And what does that
do? Well, that creates more noise and
more pollution. And by the way, this
electric that has to be produced
somewhere is going to create more
pollution and everybody's going to be
breathing it and that's going to create
more health problems. Maybe not here,
but probably, but it's probably in other
parts of the county or certainly other
parts of the state.
You got to think about these things. And
then you have the noise disruption and
the lighting disruption and how that
affects people and their health and the
animals and and just everybody's
well-being.
And then you talk about the decreased
local property values. This poor ladies
will never sell her house. It's not
going to happen. Who's going to buy it
when they know this is coming? It's
already started and it's only going to
get worse. So that hurts us and in the
end it may hurt you all too a certain
degree, but hurts us a lot more. And
then you talk about the endangered and
the threatened and the potential species
that are going to be driven out. Even if
they're not killed, they're going to be
driven out. And that is important. It's
part of our life. It's part of our
ecology. It adds to our world.
And the health issues, well, they're really coming. Wait till you see
the COPD. Wait till you see the asthma.
Wait till you see the h the cardiac
problems. It's coming. They haven't
proven it yet. They haven't done enough
studies because been around long enough.
But it is coming. I promise you. It's
just a matter of time. And it may be you
all or some of us or even worse it'll be
your children.
And then we talk about climate
disruption. These are heat islands.
These are going to raise your
temperature in that area by 5 6 10°. And
that's going to affect our crops that
are left, the farmland that's left. The
animals, they're not going to reproduce
nearly as well.
And you have to think about these
things. These are the cons. And and this
was the whole point of the resolution,
which is yes, I know money is important.
I know growth is important, but it has
to be it has to benefit all of us and it
has to be balanced. This is not
balanced. Not yet. I'm not saying the
data center can't happen at some point
in the future. It's being pushed and
it's being pushed too quickly. And when
you do anything too quickly, you make
bad decisions and then you have to live
with all the consequences. And that's
why you should always sleep on it for a
night or two when you make a decision.
All right. So, I'm going to end this
here.
It's a call to what I do not want and
what I do want. What I don't want is I
don't need self-driving cars.
I don't need humanoid robot robots.
I don't need AI in every app that I use.
Okay? I don't need it. What I do need is
clean water, a stable climate, and a
habitable planet. That's what we need.
[applause]
And this is my last statement
and this is deals with agriculture which
I think you need to think very seriously
about. It's no farms, no food, no
future.
>> [applause]
» THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
Anyone else?
>> I have a question. Has there been an
impact study done on how these centers
are going to affect us?
>> I have no idea.
>> No.
>> Shouldn't there have been one before was
all
>> I Yes. And I I think all these are great
statements and I think if you guys take
this passion to the legislature, may
maybe we can have an impact. Uh
>> do you have the authority to address our
problems?
>> We don't. We have to go to Charleston to
do that.
>> You have to go to Charleston.
>> We need to get rid of everybody else.
>> I I'm just saying that you House Bill
2014 takes all of our local authority
away. Whether it be zoning, whether it
be permitting, we a data center doesn't
have to do anything with the county
commission.
>> How do they have the authority to do
that?
>> They they passed a law, House Bill 2014.
>> But how can they strip local governments
of their right to govern you guys?
>> Yes. Because they
strip your right away.
>> They wrote the law. They stripped it
away.
>> Yeah. All right. Now with the power
company, Mr. McCall was talking about
power. I am all electric. The last time
my power went off, I was on 17 days, not
hours. If they use all the electric that
I hear they're going to use, what's that
going to do to my house? So, so one part
that what we've been educated on is the
reason they're located where they are is
the location to the 756 transmission
line. That's actually over on the
Frasier's bottom side. It's about 2 mi
away. So, they are not hooking into
actually to the local grid. They are
hooking into the 756 transmission line
that goes through that area.
>> So, it won't I
>> I'm not saying that. I'm just telling
you what we've been told. I have no
idea. I don't work for the power
company. I don't know how that works.
>> Is this thing going to be self-contained
in the water because I went to Colorado
just recently and it just so happens was
a lady sitting beside of me from Indiana
I believe it was and her company builds
these
and she said all of them today are
supposed to be self-contained.
>> Yeah, closed loop is what they call them
as and that's the indication that's been
made is that they intend to be a closed
loop system. permit for 30 water and
river
» if you want information.
» Okay.
>> And when I was out of power and I called
the public service and you people pay
attention. I told her what my problem
was and you know what she did? She
laughed and she said, "Well, that's what
you get for living out in the country."
Oh, I forgot her name.
Yeah,
>> I get it.
>> All right, let let's let's give it to
the microphone. Hi,
>> my name is Cheryl Manny Penny Thrift. I
am a resident of Scott Depot. Uh I will
be as brief as possible. My
granddaughters are hungry and bored.
[laughter]
Um, I I've questioned how we got here
and and I know we got here to a large
extent due to House Bill 2014,
[snorts]
but what I don't understand is the
nondisclosure agreement that I
understand that you all uh have signed.
Can you explain to me what that is?
>> So, I I was the only one that signed it.
>> Okay. Uh, and this was probably about a
year and a half ago. And because there
was talk of some development, I didn't
know it was a data center or anything,
but I never had any contact with the
company. So, I signed a non-disclosure
to start to have talks about what could
come to the community. And I guess that was probably right about the time
House Bill 2014 was in legislation. So,
once that passed, they didn't have to
have any contact.
that that helps me understand. Thank
you. Um do you I I know that your power
essentially has been taken away. Uh I
appreciate that you all have sat here
and listened to the public and all of
our concerns and I share all the the
concerns that you've heard here this
evening. [gasps]
But what can we do? What can we do to
have House Bill 2014 revoked, repealed,
whatever the correct terminology is? Can
you all file a lawsuit directly? That's
my direct question.
>> I mean, anybody can file a lawsuit.
>> I don't think individuals can. I think
only
>> Well, I mean, just just in general, just
I was just speaking, you know, in
general, anybody can file a lawsuit
whether they're right or wrong. We have
looked at it. We have had contacts with
Mon County um who is also looking at the
same issue. Um because regardless of
what what happened, we have to deal with
this. It's in our community and and
again, we know there's pros and cons and
we know I I've been on record and I'll
say it again. Not all data centers are
created equal. I I believe there is a
difference between um a developer data
center that is I'm going to build it and
they're going to come or one like we're
dealing with Google. Um I will say I
know I'm talking to a room that wants no
data center, no way, no how and I get
that. I fully understand that. But in my
dealings with Google, I have seen that
their willingness to try to share
information and try it seems we did do a
tour uh for those that weren't here at
the previous committee. All three
commissioners went to the new Albany
site in Columbus, Ohio. Uh we did a
about a 4-hour tour of the facility. Its
size is very comparable to the one that
is being proposed in Buffalo.
um it's on about 700 acres where what
they p purchased from a and that that's
another important point I think we need
to talk about as well is it's not like
they bought from one private entity um
you know I I understand the farmland I
understand that discussion you know that
was a private entity decided to make
that sale of farmland and those those
families decided to sell to a 60 70
years ago uh so this has kind of been a
trickle down effect of why are we where
we're at now? Your original question.
Um, but during that tour in New Albany,
Ohio, um, we did see I think there's uh
there were six units online. They were
building a seventh unit. Uh, we had a
chance to talk to some of the workers uh
that are there in the the the data
center that size. You had about 400
Google employees. You had about 400
daily contract workers. And then over on
building seven, the one they were
building, you had roughly about 800
trades people that were working in
construction at that time. Um, looking
at that site, um, I again it I know it's
a in in your backyard it's a different
story and I get that 100%. Um, my
biggest concern is the construction
phase. This is a long construction
phase. the road to get these
construction materials. That's a huge
concern because that's coming right
through town and that's going to be all
day long. So, that is that is a huge
concern that I feel like that we need to
be looking at because as of right now,
even if House Bill 2014 didn't exist,
that that was an unzoned area of Putham
County. So, zoning zoning didn't matter.
They are uh Google is going through the
planning office with some of the
permitting requests that would be
required uh addressing some of the
concerns probably not all of them that
Miss Lacy brought up concerning runoff
and things like that. Uh but there is uh
there will be some information shared
through through the planning office that
will will be open to the public uh as
they go through that process. Um then
army corps engineer once they go through
their review my understanding that
probably takes about a year and then u
during construction phase you have D
that will be monitoring the construction
side of things. Um I know I just went on
a rant there but uh did did I address
some of your questions?
>> You you did.
>> Okay.
>> Um I guess the rest of what I have to
say is not only for your information but
for the rest of the group here. Uh I
spent probably 30 years of my career
doing environmental permitting for a uh
interstate transmission pipeline.
So I know quite a bit about the Clean
Water Act, the National Historic
Preservation Act, the Endangered Species
Act, etc., etc.
And I'm very upset with our state
legislature for taking any local control
away.
And I'm upset with the state in general
for uh taking if we end up with this
thing and we we don't get the money kind
of thing. Exactly there. But
>> we still have the federal government
that we can try to push on. All these
permits
>> are under federal law. The endangered
species act is the federal endangered
species act. the clean water act which
is uh done by the core of engineers is
the federal clean water act. So, if we
can't fight this battle, for lack of a
better way to put it, with our state
legislature or our local D or whomever,
we need to start looking at what can we
do through the federal laws in the
federal entities. I don't know that it
will help, but it is another avenue I
think we can pursue to try to make sure
if this thing goes in, it goes in as
environmentally sound as it possibly can
and preferably not go in at all. Uh, I
thank you for your time. I I'll leave
you with one last thing.
I don't know how I feel about you as
individual commissioners, but I do
respect what you put up with. Uh, I was
born and raised in Hancock County. My
father was a county commissioner for 18
years.
>> Oh, wow. God bless you.
>> That was before cell phones and
computers and everything else. And our
phone never stopped ringing. And of
course, my mother quit answering it. So,
being a teenager in the house, I
answered it. I wanted to talk to my
boyfriend. I did not want my dad on the
phone for another hour listening or
talking to somebody. I know that you
must feel at times that the weight is on
your shoulders. The of the weight of the
world is on your shoulders. Um, and I
know you listen tonight very patiently
when you sat there knowing there's not a
whole lot you can do. But if you can do
something, including going forward with
a lawsuit on behalf of your
constituents, I for one would be very, happy.
[applause] Thank you.
>> Go feed those grandkids.
» Miss Mills Polly.
>> Thank you, Ellen Mills Polly. I'm from
Scott Depot, Crooked Creek. Um, and I
have to say thank you all too for
putting up with it. I know that it's
difficult. Uh, and I appreciate you
paying attention to us. Um, and I'd like
to I agree with and for the all of all
of the aforementioned reasons I believe
this is not right. It's not being done
right. It isn't going to happen right.
Isn't you know it just isn't. I am
opposed to data centers and even if it
makes no difference to the powers that
be in Charleston, I urge all of you and
you collectively as the county
commission to express your opposition in
writing to someone, the governor, the
data zar, whatever it is
in your opposition to the way this is
being done and what is being done unless
you are secretly for data centers and
you don't want to tell those people you
don't want to be for them. But I would
urge you to stand up and say we're
opposed to the way this is being done.
House Bill 2014
is horrible and I feel certain that at
some point it will be uncovered and
discovered what a terrible thing that
was to all of us in West Virginia. Um
the other thing I'd like to bring up
quickly and that is um the the uh Valley
North transmission lines that come out
of John Amos. It's already a 55 or 60
year old facility to go through 12
counties to the eastern panhandle to
send electric to a data center
in Virginia. not even for us to use. And
that facility is already old. That
facility, it's down the river. Um, it's
already up the river. It's already old.
It can't handle being having the
electric sucked out of it to take it to
Virginia. So, other county commissions,
I had the paperwork for two of them, but
I believe that there are eight or 10
more out of the 12 counties. Other
county commissions have expressed in
writing to the public service commission
and to the Valley North people that they
res are opposed to the Valley North
transmission line going through our
county and their county. It's going to
devastate more of North Putton. I
respectfully respectfully asked you to
join them in writing some kind of a
letter in opposition to the Valley
North. We beat one line and that was
PATH about 20 or 25 years ago and it is
possible for us to express stand up for
ourselves. we're getting screwed with
the uh data center. We don't need to get
it twice. So, please consider some type
of correspondence with the powers that
be that you're opposed to it if you are
indeed opposed to it. And I think the
people in this room would like to see
you all stand up and do that. Thank you
so much.
[applause]
Good evening, gentlemen.
>> Good evening.
>> My name is Alicia Rice and I live on the
border of Putnham and Mason County.
Therefore, I'm a member of both Putinham
United as well as Mason United.
So, tonight I'd like to zoom out a
little bit. We've spent time talking
about data centers as buildings and
operations and talking about their size
and their resource use, pollution, jobs,
and economic opportunity. These are
important questions, but I think there's
another question we need to ask. What
are all these data centers actually for?
They're part of the physical
infrastructure supporting an
increasingly datadriven world where
enormous amounts of information can be
collected, stored, processed, and most
importantly analyzed at a speed and
scale we've never experienced before.
And that's where I'd like to connect a
few dots. Um, I know that Putnham County
was considering installing flock cameras
and I'm not exactly sure what the future
of that might be. Um, these cameras are
often presented to us as a public safety
tool and I understand why that sounds
appealing. As the world gets crazier,
safety matters, especially as we age and
may feel a little bit more vulnerable
than we once did. If someone tells us
that a camera can help catch the person
who stole our car or find a missing
child, most of us are probably going to
think that sounds like a really good
thing. And it very very well may be at
first blush, but I think it's important
to go deeper and to look under the hood.
Think about the old security camera at
the corner store.
If police wanted that footage, someone
generally had to go get it. and that
camera only knew what happened in front
of that camera.
Flock completely changes the equation.
It doesn't merely record an image. It
captures searchable information about a
vehicle, including the license plate,
the car characteristics, the location,
and the time it was seen. And it puts
all that information into a network
system that law enforcement can search
from their office chair, sometimes
thousands of miles away.
The difference isn't simply better
cameras.
The difference is that surveillance has
become instantaneously
searchable.
And there are constitutional re reasons
to pause here in cases like both
Carpenter and Kylo versus the US. The
Supreme Court has recognized that
advancing technology can change the
Fourth Amendment equation, especially
when it allows government to track our
movements or obtain information it
couldn't previously access without a
search.
Neither case involved flock cameras, but
the principle matters because advancing
technology doesn't erase our rights to
protection from unreasonable searches
and seizures.
Most of us don't particularly care if
somebody sees our car drive past Kroger.
That's one photograph in time.
But what happens when thousands of those
photographs can be assembled?
At some point, we no longer have a
photograph.
We have a movie. And increasingly,
artificial intelligence can help
assemble the pieces of that movie over
time to create a story.
And that's where data centers enter this
conversation because all of that data
requires somewhere to live.
Cameras collect it. Digital networks
move it. Data centers provide the
computing infrastructure to store and
process it. And AI helps make sense of
it.
History also teaches us that technology
rarely stays exactly where it starts.
The cell phone started as a telephone
and social media was a way to connect
with friends.
both became something much larger over
time.
And somehow along the way, we became
products ourselves.
Our clicks, purchases, movements,
relationships, and even biometric
information like our fingerprints and
faces have become extraordinarily
valuable data. In a sense, corporations
have learned how to digitally mine us.
There's even a name for part of this
economic model. It's called surveillance
capitalism.
Information about human beings has
value. And the more that can be gathered
and connected, the more valuable and
powerful it becomes.
We are building capabilities today that
future generations, corporations, and
governments will inherit.
And we don't get to choose who will
always be sitting behind the controls.
The question isn't only do we trust the
people using this technology today.
The question is, what power are we
creating for whoever controls it
tomorrow?
When the political guard changes, as it
always does, what seems acceptable under
one set of leaders may look very
different under another. Once these
cameras, databases, and computing
systems become interconnected,
they become increasingly difficult to
unwind.
That's why these conversations need to
happen now while citizens still have an
opportunity to ask questions and weigh
in on decisions that may shape our lives
for decades.
And that's why I keep returning to
something I've written and talked about
before.
Sometimes, maybe even often, progress
moves faster than wisdom.
We become so fascinated by what
technology can do that we forget to ask
what it should do.
Just because we can do something does
not mean that we should.
ask whether something makes us
safer
and then perhaps we should also ask what
we're giving up in exchange for that
safety.
We can ask whether a data center will
bring economic development.
But perhaps we should also ask what kind
of digital future these enormous
facilities are helping make possible and
at what cost.
Is the juice worth the squeeze?
These aren't questions coming from fear
of technology. I enjoy technology.
They're questions about responsibility.
The question is whether our wisdom,
privacy, accountability, and consent are
going to evolve as quickly as technology
does. And right now, I'm not convinced
they are.
So, as Putnham County considers the
technologies and infrastructure coming
into our communities, I'm simply asking
us to connect the dots with foresight.
Look beyond the individual camera.
Look beyond the individual data center.
And for a moment, look beyond the
promise of safety, convenience, or
economic development and ask what kind
of system all these individual pieces
may eventually create when they're
connected together.
Yes, economic opportunity matters, but
so do freedom, privacy, and quality of
life
because we're not simply deciding what
kind of technology we want in Putham
County.
In some way, we're helping decide what
kind of world we want to live in and
what kind of world we're living to we're
willing to leave behind for our children
and our grandchildren.
Thank you for your time. J, [applause]
» you were a school teacher, right, Miss
Rice? School teacher, librarian.
>> No.
You told me that I should be reading
to
>> Yes. Yeah. But yeah, I mean,
>> I'd listen to you talk about anything.
>> You
Okay.
>> Thanks.
» I'm going to take a different approach.
My name's Barbie Franc. What was
>> the last name? I'm sorry.
>> Franc F R O N K. I live Well, let me
start from the beginning. I was born and
raised right here in Putham County at
one of the most prominent sites where
the first Putham County bus garage was
ever built. My grandfather was the first
head bus mechanic. I come from a
established Putinham County family.
I've grown up, moved out, lived away,
was really, really, really, really happy
and proud to find a piece of property
back in Putnham County. July 9th last
year, my husband and I purchased a flat
little piece of property, 33 Ida Street,
right across from Miss Melanie Lacy.
Was so excited.
My husband
is
has some health issues. He's battled
cancer twice
and we're in the process of finding out
if he has Parkinson. So, this was a
blessing in disguise to find this flat
piece of property with an open floor
plan where I can keep him safe and I can
have emergency crews come in and get him
if I have to because he has had to be
rescued twice in the property we live in
at Milton and they had a hard time
getting up and down those 13 steps and
through our tiny little hallway.
So, this is huge to us. Right after
purchasing this property that we're so
excited about,
Melanie came out and told us about HB2
2014 in the data center.
And you saw the pictures of the front of
my property that's already flooding
every time
we have any any water. So, my fear is,
[clears throat]
are we going to get flooded out as soon
as we move in? We haven't even been able
to move in yet. We are in the middle of
a rehab
that ought to be completed in the next
couple of months.
My question,
because this is very personal to me, is
what can we as a community, as a group
do to get behind you all to help us
pursue some of these answers?
» I mean, the legislative session that
will be coming up will be very
important.
um regarding House Bill 2014, whether
any changes are made to it. Um you know,
we are evaluating the legal uh aspect of
things. Um that's that is difficult to
get that uh proper feedback again
because we don't want to waste county
dollars in hiring an attorney and and
going through that process. U but
working with some other counties in the
state that are affected and and looking
at the same thing. um to determine if it
is legitimate or if it can be overturned
in court. Um
>> thank you
>> seeking that feedback. Um but I mean you
know you're showing us now you're coming
out you're you're you're showing us that
the issues I I think from your personal
issue with storm water. Um and I I have
already relayed the message that the
website wasn't responding uh properly
and got a message back that that has
been realized and and so responses
should be coming uh in in the next day
or so. But get on the website, you know,
make your uh requests of information and
how it is going to directly impact you
because it will directly impact you.
>> Um
>> because they're going to build that up.
>> Yes,
>> we already have water issues. I'm sorry
this number you used to get all of this
>> the I I contacted our development
authority director
>> um but
>> but yes that's that's what I would
suggest is um and then if you aren't
getting answers then that come back to
us and and we will try to help you get
the answers you seek.
>> Okay. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
» [applause]
» Hello commissioners. Christopher
Pototts. My mom is a mccosland. Um we've
been in Ply for six generations now. Uh
hopefully a seventh. We would love that.
Um just kind of like an update on AI,
it's recent discoveries, what's going
on. I feel like sometimes we get lost
and we don't really know what we're
supporting. Um so somebody said like is
there research on AI? There's not
research on data centers, but there's
research on the effects that the data
centers give out. So, for example, um do
data centers create light pollution and
do data centers create noise pollution
and sound pollution, um air pollution? I
did a search on air pollution alone and
like 3,000 studies come up. Um I started
the study with Marshall um
overwhelmingly saying that uh air
pollution causes AIB atrial
fibrillation. Um it's when one of your
atria and your heart cannot fully
contract to expel blood to the body. Um
just think when you think of aphib just
think of clots going to the brain. Um
when you think of clots going to the
brain we call it a stroke. Um so anyone
who is exposed to light pollution, noise
pollution, air pollution is increasing
the risk for stroke baseline. Um so we
can't say data centers cause this but we
know data centers do indirectly. Um so
by the process of elimination that is
genuine research that should support the
impact of a data center. Um that we
don't have those longitudinal trials yet
that will come.
um some general AI advancement things.
You tal you talked about like the
difference between Google versus
developing AI. Um so the thing is I'll
use an example of a company. Have you
heard of Claude?
>> Claude.
>> So I've heard so there's like three big
runners in AI right now. It's Chat GBT
that's open AI collude which is ran by
someone called Anthropic and then
there's Google's Gemini. These three
models are running against each other.
So Claude's model has only been
collecting data on us since 2021.
Um, and on June 11th of this year, they
released a new version of their AI. It's
called Fable 5. Within 24 hours, Fable 5
unearthed uh public records that were
supposed to be uh confiscated or
supposed to be um withheld by the
government, government information,
national security information. Um, and
then the government put out a directive
to suspend the new versions. Um, so I
talked like a few months ago saying that was imminent and it happened in
Mexico and now it's happening on US
soil. Uh, that is with only data
collected since 2021 on us. I think that
Google's more dangerous. They've been
collecting data on us since the
beginning of the Google era. You've all
used Google to do your search engine
strategies for a long time now. Um so
maybe they have more sanctions but they
have more data to utilize and I think
their model will come up stronger. Um by
the time this thing is completed we'll
have no idea what it's capable of. So
let alone the financial impacts the um
the AI will be so far advanced. What is
it 8 years it will be built?
>> Uh yeah I think it's a well I think it's
a 10 to 12 year build is
>> 10 to 12 year build. We didn't even know
what it was capable of in June.
>> Right. So, and there there was a
government directive within 24 hours to
suspend that from public use. So, these
AI data centers we're not even going to
be able to use. It's going to be
governments.
Um, I asked last time I stood up here
and talked, what has been done to
alleviate or to reassure us that other
data centers are not going to come after
this one?
>> None. And that's that's my biggest
concern is um you know again you only
have so many sites I think that they can
locate but we do have other sites that
they can locate. So um I think that's probably the the biggest concern
is
>> um and and I understand your concerns
with
>> Google whether it's built in Buffalo or
whether it's built somewhere else. you
still have those AI concerns and and
what AI is going to be, what AI is going
to do, but uh I'm more uh focused and
concerned on what other companies would
try to, you know, cuz we are the
proximity to the Canal River, the
proximity to the 756 AP transmission
line.
>> Mhm.
>> That that is enticing for one of these
developer data centers or or another
company to come behind it um if it's
able to acquire the land uh to to do the
same thing. Um, and with House Bill
2014, we'd have no say. So, the the site
that Google has acquired, again, wasn't
zoned. There could be other areas that
are zoned. Um, and we, as a county
commission, if House Bill 2014 didn't
exist, we could deny the resoning
request. Um, but if House Bill 2014
still in effect, we have no control.
[clears throat]
>> So, what can you do to say some place is
going to get developed? What can you do
to negotiate for it to be something else
than a data center?
>> Nothing.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah. I mean, the only the only options
are House Bill 2014 gets changed or we
sue the state.
>> Mhm.
>> Okay. Have you considered it? I know you
said yes.
>> Yes. Yes. We've talked to M County who's
also considering it. Um it is a
extremely uphill battle.
>> Um but not not to say it's not worth
taking on. Um but it's something that we
want to evaluate and be sure of before
we would go through a very long process
that
by the time you get results uh there
might be Google would be built and
something else may be built but and not
to discredit that it's not worthy but it
would be an uphill battle from our
initial research.
>> When you visited in New Albany did they
tell you the jobs that would persist
after the data center was complete?
Yeah. So, I mean, there were six units
up and running. Um, there was only one
under construction and there were 800
daily workers there. Um,
>> 800 programmers or
>> No, they were doing logistics, uh,
security. Um,
>> so 800 people guarding this place.
>> Uh, I mean, you had a you had a
lunchroom that was you had 50 people
working in the lunchroom u for for the
workers. Mhm.
>> Um but they you they had 400 Google
employees on site that were actual
Google W2 employees
>> and then you had 400 contracted services
that were day-to-day workers and then
you had about 800 uh trades people that
were working building the seventh unit
in that area and it was surrounded by it
wasn't an industrial park and it was
surrounded by three other data centers.
I think there was a meta data center and a couple other on this large
industrial park area. So, was there like
400 desks or where are these people
going to work? Do they just
>> Yeah, there was a lot of office space.
Um, a lot of conference room, meeting
rooms. Um, and then you could tell a lot
were in logistics that were, you know,
constantly on the move and and it it was
about a 700 acre site.
>> So, a lot of movement.
>> Okay. So, why why do you feel that
Google's better than the next one that
can come? So
like in Mason County, what we've seen
from the beginning of that where that's
a uh um almost like a private equity uh
type firm that's still raising money.
>> Uh Google has money, has capital, um has
shown the ability to to use it. Um
again, I know that they were going to
make money at the end of the day. I
mean, that's their whole goal. They made
$400 billion last year.
>> Mhm.
>> But, you know, they're going through the
county permitting process and paying
fees that they don't have to pay to the
county. Um,
and it just seems like they have the
capital and the intent and they're going
to be the end user. When you see these
developmental data centers, you see
somebody come in and again they're going
to build it hoping someone will come.
They're not the end user. So, if they
take shortcuts during construction or, you know, try to try to get by or
around that. And again, I'm not I'm not
fully on board saying that, you know, thank goodness Google is
coming. I'm saying thank goodness for my
research that if we have a data center
that it is Google.
>> Yeah. Thank you for pointing out that
these other centers are corrupt because
I promise you Google will be selling our
data to those places and they they will
be misusing it.
>> I don't credit the end use of it. and
the end use is going to happen whether
they build in Buffalo or they build
anywhere else uh because they've got so
many data centers now that um they're
it's going to locate somewhere. So I
don't discredit the inuse and AI and
where we're going and and the scariness
of this. I fully grasp that and
understand that and and um maybe not so
much for my generation but for for yours
and I've got children your age uh their
generation of how AI is going to affect
their life. I I get that 100%.
>> Uh but as my job as county commissioner,
I'm more focused on the development in the county and on site and how that
affects the community.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah. Thank Well, thank you for
listening. Uh just I I really want to
encourage you to consider how we can
protect from future data centers and
encourage you to think about behind
these decisions. Just because someone
will build it elsewhere doesn't mean
that we should sacrifice our morals to
build it here.
I'm a third-year medical student and I
will use a different example. Um, just
because someone else will perform
abortions does not mean as a
practitioner of medicine I have to.
>> So take that into consideration with
your morals wherever you go and whatever
you apply that to. Thank you so much
guys.
>> Thank you.
[applause]
» I guess it's me.
>> Yep.
My name is Alex Cole. I live on a farm
that's been in my family for six
generations up on Dun Levy Ridge, right
across from the data center proposal.
Six generations over 200 years.
Fought tooth and nail like everybody
else here to make a living in West
Virginia and keep that legacy alive. I'm
a little worked up and I hesitated to
speak because AP came calling today
looking to steal if we don't sell to
them four new 200t wide riderways from
the existing power line that you've
already mentioned. That power line
crosses our farm. It was stolen from us
then. We did not agree to sell it. They
are looking to branch four off of that
one from each tower specifically to fund
the data center and brought up imminent
domain. And the very first conversation
we had,
so
some of the other land owners between
the power line and the data center are
here tonight. Now we get to pit against
each other. I don't want it. You don't
want it. I don't want it. It's
ridiculous that they can just steal this
land.
I understand the government has
different branches and different
delineations of duty and I'll yell at
the PSC about that, but I I had to bring
it up.
And I understand the county commission,
your main job, well, one of your main
jobs is zoning and planning here. And
I've heard you bring up this potential
lawsuit against HP 2014 several times. I
really hope you all do that. I know you
guys are all Republican. I I hear you
guys talk about small government. I
don't know how you can stand there and
let the state government steal one of
your primary duties specifically for
this one thing obviously. But can all
three of you please come out publicly
against 2014 and big government stealing
your rights or your powers and by
extension our powers. Even if you don't
do the LAWSUIT
[applause] and please push that on your
own party that it's just ridiculous. You
can't stand up here and say you're small
government and then allow the state to
just strip your powers from local
control. And that's all I really have to
say. But I'd like to hear your all three
personal opinions on that if you don't
mind.
>> Yes or no about how
>> would you be willing before your next
election cycle to come out against HB
2014 as individuals, not the county
commission?
>> Yeah. Well, I think that uh that can be
seen in the legislative session and and
I did go to the floor when House Bill
2014 was presented when it was uh before
the Senate. Um and and I'll I'll be
honest, at the time it was mostly about
tax dollars. Um it was I I I didn't know
anything about data centers at the time.
Um, and it was mostly about um, you
know, some local control and and not
having say, but if we're going to get it, why why should we take a haircut
on the money? Um, so I I was on the
floor at the Senate. Um, and I would
agree that uh, you know, we need to have
uh, um, those decisions should be made
locally. IT'S
[applause]
I think my broader point was too it
doesn't just affect the legislators in
their elections. It affects yours too.
And I'm sure you already know that. So,
uh, as you can see from the support
tonight, I think you'd be better off
coming out against these in your own
elections. Thank you. Thank you.
[applause]
Anyone else? Ma'am,
» don't let those signs trip people now.
>> Well, yeah, we brought our signs. Um,
thank you all for having me and and
letting us keep your time. I know you're
all tired as we are too. My name is
Janie Miles and I've spoken before. Um I just wanted to bring up the fact that
um when I was here the last time and you
all shared with us that you had taken a
kind of a field trip to Ohio to look at
the data centers and I want you to know
that we were appreciative of that effort
of you all uh and then for you to come
back and share what you had found out
because we were so much in the dark um
since then and that's been a few months
ago and and when this all first started, I had no idea what a data
center was. I just thought, well, it
sounds kind of good. She going to bring
some jobs and stuff. And now, now that
I've learned more and with all due
respect, what you brought back to give
us and was in hopes of massaging our
fears.
It didn't help. I mean, we're watching
the national news [clears throat] and
back in March and April, you didn't see
it on TV. You didn't hear about it. I
didn't I didn't until it started coming
to Buffalo. And then little by little,
we're hearing more. And I'm sure you all
see on TV every day now that states all
across this nation are facing the same
evil monstrosity that we're facing. And
I I feel like it's evil. It's affecting
our lives and our homes. Not that it's
that you all. It's not your fault. We
realize that. But what we do hope with
the resolution that was presented to you
all tonight.
There are things that can be done.
People in other states are fighting and
they're winning. They're stopping these
things. They are putting bans on them,
moratoriums, just pausing long enough
for us to learn more about it to find
out what is the actual impacts
healthwise, environmentally, the whole
nine yards, jobs. Um, I'd love to have
my little grandson that was here. I'd
love to have him stay here and have a
good, productive life, but with with
these kinds, I just don't see it
happening. So with that being said, all
I would like to say is on behalf of
Putnham United and the citizens that
have showed up here tonight, please, take a look at that resolution
and dig real hard in your hearts to see
that you can support us with that. It
can happen, but we need you all.
[applause]
My name is Ashley Armstrong. I'm from
Eleanor, West Virginia. My question is
concerning these unknown health risks. I
have learned personally that our health
system is not in good support. I started
here with a neurologist. She wasn't very
good. I went to Cleveland, saw three
doctors there, moved to Wheeling, saw a
doctor there, came back home, finally
found a doctor that addressed my
concerns, which I got diagnosed with my
gravis. So essentially, my muscles can
just stop and so I can stop breathing.
And with the pollution that's going to
come out of these data centers, that can
kill me. And I'm concerned about that.
And the other point is the whole reason
I found the neurologist I have is
because my dad has multiple myoma. He
cannot walk now. He had a tumor on his
spine. And it also proves to me that
there was another woman down in
Huntington diagnosed with the same
cancer. It is a pretty rare cancer to
get. And if you look at all the kids
that have died here, it's been bone
cancers, it's been blood cancers, and
it's been brain cancers.
What other cancers are we going to bring
in with these data centers? So, you as a
commission, how would you bring forth
medical experts that are going to
understand these difficulties and what
this society needs?
>> Yeah. Unfortunately, I don't have an
answer for you. Um, and I've got just as
much fear as you do um regarding that.
Okay.
>> Thank you.
THANK YOU.
>> [applause]
» I'M BECKY SCHULER FROM BLIMEY, West
Virginia, and I've been a wife, mother,
grandmother, librarian, and Sunday
school teacher for 42 years. My passion
is children. I fought Aptus incinerator
plant in Mason County, Parsons and
Whitmore,
oat milk plant that wanted to come where
new core is same spot because that was
not going to benefit West Virginia or
our children. And that is why I'm
against the data center. But everybody's
already said everything that I was going
to say today except I brought props
being a teacher and a sign
house bill 2014.
[applause]
It's unconstitutional.
And you heard them. Our only recourse is
to go to the legislature. So everyone
here be there because this needs to be
stripped. It needs to be done away with
because the reason I was able to help
with against the actus and we went to
Coffeeville, Kansas to view their
incinerator plant which we did not need
here. But anyway, um the reason we were
able to stop those two from coming to
our area was because they didn't have
2014.
We had a say and they listened to us.
And with this data center, we don't have
a say. And they don't have a say. Nobody
has a I tell you what, 250 years ago,
they had a Tea Party to stop THIS VERY
THING.
AND WE HAVE STEPPED back 270 years into
our time um with a a insidious House
Bill 2014. We lost rights and our
forefathers are ashamed of us.
» [applause]
» God bless our teachers and librarians.
They got the props.
>> Yes.
>> Anyone else like to make comment?
» Thank you, commissioners and staff for
your patience tonight. U just going to
hit the refresh uh button here for just
a moment. uh several months ago uh after
the uh
capital dropped the uh DC bomb on us in
March, Mike and I were here on a uh
Tuesday morning at one of these uh
stating our case, letting you know how
we felt about things. And Mike at
[clears throat] that time had uh offered
uh legal services to um challenge
uh HB 2014 because it's simply
unconstitutional.
We are the people. We have a right to
run our lives. And that's been taken
away from us. It's been taken away from
you and it's been taken away from all of
us. And uh and we felt like as county
commissioners, y'all had rolled over
like the Titanic. And uh so Mike uh made
that proposal at that time and
uh Mr. Ellis there said, "Well, we you
know, we're not uh thinking about that.
We're not going down those terms. We
have tens of thousands of citizens to uh
consider in these things." And uh and
that was easy to say when it was just
two or three of us here that morning uh making the case. This evening, you
have a room full of citizens that don't
want these things. These data centers
are parasites. They're going to take our
land. They're going to take our water.
They're going to take our power and give
us almost nothing in return as a people.
Yeah. Uh
Charleston's going to get money and
they'll be able to spread it out, but
very few dollars are ever going to help
anybody in this room. And so it's a
parasite and we don't need it. We don't
want it. We didn't elect it. We didn't
vote for it. We didn't have a say in it.
And uh and I am very happy to to uh hear
tonight uh that you are considering that
because [clears throat] several months
ago that wasn't even an option. And now
you are thinking about that.
Janie said that uh other communities
have won battles. those communities won
battles because they had control.
Um I know Mr. Seisborn, you have said uh
time and again that 2014 has taken away
your right to do anything to have any
say in this. Um fight it. It's
unconstitutional. It's not legal. Stand
up to Charleston. UM
[applause]
at the same time at the same time we
need to remember that uh we are a
community. We live here and we don't
want we don't want that noise. We don't
want uh that pollution. We don't want
that [clears throat] closed loop system.
No loop loop system is ever entirely
closed. uh it's going some of that's
going to go back into our water system.
We need if if we can't stop this
particular data center, we need
guarantees. We need guarantees on the
water that's going to be put back into
the system. We need guarantees on how
much light they're going to produce, how
much noise those generators are going to
produce, how much pollution those
generators are going to uh produce. We
need guarantees. You talk to Chris
Morris, you talk, you look, you look at
their websites and all that stuff. It's
all general, you know, garbage. It
doesn't say anything. You know, it
tickles your ears, but doesn't give any
factual backup. We need you guys as our
[clears throat] elected representatives,
as the people that are fighting for us,
the people,
to at least be looking at how you're
going to to help us if this thing comes
in. How are we going to be able to sleep
at night? How are we going to be able to
breathe? How are we gonna be able to
drink our water thinking that we're not
getting cancer? You guys got to do that
for us. These things are ugly. You know,
it's a parasite and [clears throat] then
15 years from now when this technology
is obsolete, who's going to clean it up?
We're going to clean it up like every
other mess that's left after people come
in and and rape and pillage our great
state.
It's not it's not being done right. So,
thank you very much.
[applause]
Anyone else like to make comment?
Charlie,
» commissioners, everybody that's here, I
won't take very long because I know
everybody's tired, but I just wanted to
say number one, um, Route 35 was
designed for a quick exchange from Taz
Valley to Ohio.
And um
I just you know like I say I've lived in
Fraser's Bottom all my life. I thought
the warehouse was bad that's coming
evidently.
Um but when I heard
what's going on with the data center,
I could not believe it. This is a
monster.
128 cooling towers,
184 acres of field dirt. They're going
to put in
this, like I say, and we are not
prepared.
The infrastructure is not prepared for
this. And this is another thing I found
out. Mason County, 2,300 acres
of data center,
1,700 acres in Putnham County. And if I
did my calculations right, we're less
than 30 miles from them.
Um, something's wrong.
You know, nobody's even mentioned the
bees, the honeybees.
they cannot
work if they cannot communicate with the
other bees.
Um,
and quantum technology
has supposedly already been uh being
done with the cloud.
I just worry about what what is going to
do to
our county.
It is going to affect all of us. And
like I say that and we found out that
they call it a campus.
And you're thinking, "Oh gosh, that's a
campus.
It's got eight data different data
centers in it. Four miles by four miles. four by four miles. It's
a monster. And who's going to clean it
up when it's finished? The coal, it's
like the coal companies all over. But
now, and they picked West Virginia
because we're poor
and uh they know that we have bottom
land.
And I just feel like if you could do a
mortorium or whatever it's called
because technology
is moving at a pace that we need to
catch up some. Um and I just like I say
I'm I'm glad everybody's here tonight.
Everybody's tired, but if we don't push
back,
we don't know what's coming. This is our
future. And I just can't understand
4,000 acres within less than 30 miles
from each other.
Please be involved and we've got to do
something. If anybody voted for that
House Bill 214, don't put him back in
office. Thank you. [applause]
One more thing.
Call the governor. 3045582000.
Call every day. Have your neighbor call.
We've got to do something and push back.
Thank you.
>> Thank you. [applause]
» Anyone else?
>> Hey, I have just one second. Um, I just
wanted to say in September, minutes in
um before an Indianapolis city council
was slated to reszone a proposal that
allowed Google to build a huge data
center on a 468 acre track of land. They
withdrew from the project because there
was enough opposition from the
community. So, it has been done. Um in
2015
in ciao uh Google has had and operated a
Google center there.
Um give me just one second.
In 2022 it was reported that the roughly
annual consumption was 8500.
it it had enough water consumption
to for 8,500 households every day that study showed. There's also another
study that showed just in as of in May
2026
97,000 job cuts were due to AI. That's
almost a 100,000 jobs just in one year
that we have lost that AI has replaced.
like it's not helping our economy. Yeah,
it might boost us up for a little bit.
It might put our coal miners back to
work for a few years until our
databilated mines fall down and kill one
of them because they John Amos needs to push out more coal for more
electricity. Um or we lose
stenographers, we lose um assistants, we
lose telephone operators. Shoot, we've
lost the lady. Is AI now even at the
Taco Bell? 97,000 jobs. That's not
helping our country or our economy.
[applause]
Um this was also done by United Nations
study. So this is done on the world
globally globally. But furthermore, AI
infrastructure could generate up to 2.5
million tons of electric waste each year
by 2030. Much of it processed in
lowincome economies with limited
safeguards with critical minerals
extracted in jurisdictions with weak
environmental oversight. I think that's
what West Virginia is cuz that's the way
we've always been treated.
[snorts]
Um,
let's see.
I got one more here. And then in
California, Pittsburgh, California, the
Center of Biological Diversity sued the
city of Pittsburgh, California.
Um, this was written back in November.
It says for approving development
including a massive data center without
considering or planning for the
environmental effects including the
greenhouse gas emissions, water usage
and harms to wildlife and surrounding
wetlands. The project that was set there
was set on wetlands that would habitate
near nearby streams and other um
waterways.
The area served as an important wildlife
corridor to the region is home of the
well red tail hawks which we have here
and we also have other raptors. Data
centers pretend to be unassuming but in
fact they pose huge risk to the air
quality and water supply of the
communities [snorts] said Meredith
Stevenson's a staff attorney at the
center. We would let a large industrial
plant We wouldn't let a large industrial
plant move into town without first
analyzing how it'll affect the
neighboring wild wildlife and residents.
This is no different here in West
Virginia. In Pittsburgh, California,
leaders, they were told to go back to
the drawing board and give this project
the thorough review that the community
deserves. We're asking for the same
thing. Data centers will accommodate
artificial intelligence servers and
other computer systems and are extremely
energy intrusive and require enormous
amounts of land and water which we all
know. And as the industry grows,
communities are rapidly realizing how
environmentally destructive these
centers can be. [snorts]
All data centers currently operating
across the country together require
about the same amount of electricity as
the state of New Jersey. They also use
the massive amounts of water for
cooling. A midsize data center uses an
average of 300,000 gallons a day. We're
looking at a hyperscale data hypers
scale data center. By 2030, the global
data center industry will produce about
40%
of what the entire United States emits.
40% in four years of the total
greenhouse gas emissions.
That's sure that's what West Virginia
needs. I mean, if the wind blows right,
hopefully it'll blow to Red House or
Hurricane and maybe in y'all's backyard
instead of mine. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
[applause]
» Keep it brief, Eddie. [laughter]
Oh, hey. Come on.
>> I just got a few questions. Alex asked
y'all a question. You answered it, but
Brian, you didn't. Are you for House
Bill 2014 still or are you against it?
Now,
>> this is not a question and answer
session.
>> Well, it is. I mean, Andy said he's
against it. So, it is an answer injury
for guessing. That tells me all I need
to know. Okay.
>> The other question I got is a rumor of
another data center coming to Pman
County. 2,000 acres.
Y'all just reszone Courtland Smith's
place.
And what I understand, Courtland is part
of the Bowler Woods. He's in that
people that owns
>> They've got over 2,000 acres on the
road.
>> Yeah, that's what I'm saying.
>> Yeah.
>> So, is it coming there? the I I don't
know. I I've I've heard the same thing
over the last week that the Berwoods or
Part D or whatever you call it, right?
Um does have the acreage that would be
uh attractive to a data center. And I
kind of alluded to that tonight that
that's my concern is more than one. Um
even if uh
and I've I've went ahead and looked at
the part D land and it is not zoned you
know it it has residential zoning in it
but again with house bill 2014 that
doesn't matter
>> right I understand that understand
>> so again I I don't have anything
definite but I have heard a rumor over
the last week that say you need to look
into this and I at least looked into see
the zoning of it uh currently as it
stands and it's mixed but mostly
residential uh the party land
>> and talking about real estate. Um, I was
told today from a realtor,
I don't know this property in Buffalo.
Doug, you might know it. The Reigns,
Rudy Rains Farm. You know where it's at?
It's
>> up on the hill.
>> It's up on the hill.
>> Yeah.
>> I heard it was sold, but once the people
was told that the data center was
coming, they biked off of it cuz they
got young kids. It come from the realtor
that hadn't sold it.
It's up on Cross Creek Hill.
>> Is that where it's at?
>> But I didn't know where it was, but
that's what I was told about 3 hours ago
from a realtor
that I was talking to.
So, it is going to affect everybody down
through there. And I am one of the farms
and so is my neighbor that they're
looking to pass with A.
And we are said no. But we know under
domain they can take it.
So
>> y
>> with that being said, I know a lot of
you live this way
and are for this, but you better think
if they put that one at B your woods,
the pollution's coming right in your
back door. This the same as it is coming
in ours. That's all I got to say. Thank
you, Annie. [applause] ANYONE
ELSE?
>> All right. Yes. Got one more.
» Good evening, commissioners. I was back
there taking notes the whole time and
I'm going to try to stick to that
because y'all know I can drone on for
longer when everybody's trying to get
out of here. So
>> mind just name address for the event?
>> Yes. Uh so my name is Heather Ransom. I
am a Putnham County voter. I own
property in Ply um about a mile from the
proposed site next door to Alex. So I'll
be the neighbor that's over there
enjoying those transmission lines um
once those go up. Um, but first of all,
I I do want to thank you all for the
time today. Obviously, you've you've
listened to us for a very long time and
we appreciate it. Um, but also since we
first started sharing these concerns
back in April, um, you guys have been
very generous with your time um, every
time since. So, we appreciate that. Um,
and so back then, your position was that
you needed more information. I
appreciate you doing some of your own
investigation. Um, one thing I want to
say about what you brought back from
that site visit is in reference to the
comment that not all companies are
created equal and Google is one of the
good ones. So, let's take that at face
value. Many of the people in this room
fundamentally disagree, myself included,
but let's let's take that at face value.
You've also recognized that these data
centers come in droves, right? It's not
just one. It's never just one. So
everything we do here right now is going
to set the precedent for what's to come
and we cannot leave these companies to
their own devices.
So the other thing about that is saying
that they're one of the good ones. It
it's kind of like saying, "Hey, sorry we
dropped a bomb on you, but at least you
only lost an arm. You should be grateful
that you're not Mason County. Hell, they
lost both legs." That's sort of what
this feels like.
Um,
so I I won't I won't harp on that. I
also just want to thank everybody in
this room, even if you had to leave.
There was, you know, as we know a lot of
folks here earlier, we've been here for
a minute. Um, or people that sent their
remarks with someone else cuz they
couldn't be here. Um, but especially
those who are still sitting here after
all this time. For months, you all have
shown up consistently
um to provide that information that they
asked for. You have researched, you've
provided news, deeply personal stories,
and you've plainly illustrated why the
people who live closest to this thing
should have a say in its development and
why we have a responsibility to consider
all of the implications, not just the
tax dollars.
[applause]
What's amazing to me is that after 5
months, state officials in Google are
still keeping us in the dark about the
scope of this project, despite the
national environment, which is both
telling and terrifying.
Um, as we heard earlier, there is a
nationwide movement to reveal the truth
about data centers. Local and state
governments across the country are
stepping up. Um, and it's working, but
we learn something new about them every
single day. And the only thing we really
know for sure is that each new piece of
information is more damning than the
last.
So, I want to just take a minute to tie
some of this back to West Virginia
specifically. And
don't I'm going to go a little bit on a
tangent through the lens of Appalachin
bias, which is literally just a fancy
term for a very simple concept that
everyone here has experienced. It's the
Appalachin stereotype, the perception
that we're poor, backward, uneducated
hillbillies. Um, and that justifies our
exploitation in the minds of
billionaires and others who ain't from
here.
West Virginia has experienced this
probably even more than our other
Appalachin neighbors in part because our
leaders have inflamed the problem. At
times, they act as facilitators and
participants in the exploitation.
HV 2014 is the latest chapter in that
story. Our state officials have
literally invited outofstate
billionaires to come take advantage of
us poor dumb West Virginiaians.
[applause]
So the other thing to understand is that
we have what everyone else wants, right?
We've talked about that a bunch tonight.
Resources. Vast resources. First is our
timber and our coal. We give up our
lungs and our limbs and our lives. So
some out of state baron could make
millions on those. And then it was our
natural gas, our mineral rights that
were essentially stolen for pennies on
the dollar. And now they're coming for
our water. Literally the most valuable
resource on planet Earth because to them
we're expendable. We're less than. Our
health and our livelihood don't matter.
So we sure as don't have any right
to those finite resources that the tech
oligarchs believe they deserve.
And it's no wonder that so many of our
neighbors simply throw up their arms in
defeat, right? Once you've been held
hostage for generations, you see the
writing on the wall. It's really hard
not to be apathetic.
And as my aunt Becky said, this is
full-on taxation without representation.
We are paying taxes in the form of our
air, our water, our livelihood, um, and
yet again, our health for something we
did not have a say in. People who have
never stepped foot in this room, who
have no stake in Buffaloy or the farms
down river or cross the river, decided
that we should give up our night skies
and our history, our physical and mental
health, our rural way of life, all in
the name of flock cameras, mass
surveillance, imminent domain, and
billionaires making more billions.
But here's the thing, we are not dumb
hillbillies.
[laughter]
Everyone here has proven that. And so of
our friends and our neighbors in Mason
County and in Tucker and Berkeley and
Mingo who are speaking out against the
same injustice. We're finally speaking
our truth with a unified voice, a
bipartisan unified voice. And we're
ready to hold others, our leaders,
accountable to that truth.
And so we're asking you, our
commissioners, to join the chorus. As
Joseph and Jessica said, we believe that
government works best when elected
officials and the people they represent
can work together, which requires common
ground. So this resolution that we've
presented tonight, we believe represents
that common ground. If we can agree on
the very basic premise that we as West
Virginiaians as the people who already
live in Buffalo or Plying deserve
respect from our leaders and from
billionaires.
If we can agree that the people should
have a say in the presence of hyperskll
data centers in their community and that
there's more to them than the financial
implications, then we have a foundation
from which we can move forward together.
So you all have said that your power has
been taken away by 2014. And I'm not
denying the reality and the tragedy of
that bill. But what you do still have is
the power of your voice. Voices matter.
Our voices matter. Yours matter more.
They just do. So I'll end with an
invitation for you all to share your
position. Will you pass the people's
resolution on the presence of hyperskll
data centers in our community?
Thank you.
» [applause]
» Hello, gentlemen. How are you this
evening?
>> How are you?
>> I promise. I think we're done. I
promise. I've got one easy thing I do
want to say. I thank you guys for
everything about the opioid sediment
there. When will applications be open
for that? Or do we have any idea?
>> Post it on the website. We've got the
application ready to go. It was approved
tonight, so we'll probably post it
tomorrow.
>> Okay. Awesome. Awesome. I'll definitely
let a couple different organizations
know about that. Um, just one last thing
to end on here. Today is the 105th
anniversary of the Battle of Blair
Mountain when the government chose to
work for the company as opposed to the
people that elected him there. And
that's how that turned out. If anybody
knows the story about that, there were
machine guns. [applause]
The government chose to use machine guns
against West Virginia citizens instead
of siding with people over company. So,
just something to think about today.
Thank you.
[applause]
If we don't end, I'm going to have to
take a bathroom break. So,
nothing else. I'll entertain a motion to
adjourn. Our next scheduled meeting is
on
Tuesday, September 8th at 9:00 a.m. Make
a motion to adjourn to our next
scheduled meeting.
>> Second.
>> Got a motion. Second. All in favor say
I. I.