By Amelia A. Pridemore
FAYETTEVILLE — State legislators from Fayette County and local officials say citizens were left in the dark about a Thursday night hearing involving the possible transfer of Camp Washington-Carver, noting public hearing notices did not even include the camp’s name.
The West Virginia Public Land Commission conducted the public hearing regarding the proposed transfer of the camp in Clifftop from the state Division of Culture and History to West Virginia State University.
University officials said WVSU being a land-grant institution and a historically black college could be a source for more grant funding and opportunities for the property it had previously owned for 40 years. The site was dedicated in 1942 as the first 4-H camp for African-American youth in the nation.
Residents and local officials, though, had questions about WVSU’s financial ability to handle the facility and how the exchange would affect popular camp activities like the Appalachian String Band Music Festival.
However, others — some angrily — said they did not receive any information that would allow them to make an informed decision in the first place. Only an estimated 25 people showed up, and that included officials. Those from Fayette County blamed the low attendance on that lack of information.
Sen. Bill Laird, D-Fayette, required a glass of water in the middle of his scathing remarks. He said he received a memorandum and copy of the public notice of the meeting that had no mention of Camp Washington-Carver whatsoever. He only knew what it probably concerned because of his knowledge of past and current ownership interests.
Laird said the absence of such information could be understandable if it was consistent with other notices. But he pointed to a notice he had also received about a Jan. 6 PLC hearing in Point Pleasant involving Clements Tree Nursery — a specific reference to the involved property.
“I think that we can all agree that transparency in our government processes are of critical importance to our free and open democratic society,” he said. “The right to appear and be heard at a public hearing held to receive public comment on matters of important public policy cannot be overlooked or minimized.
“I know what’s going on in Point Pleasant, but I had to infer with this.”
Furthermore, he noted, it is required for the PLC to prepare written reasons and supporting data for public land transfers, to be available for public inspection at the affected land’s home county clerk office and for two weeks before the public hearing. Laird said he called Fayette County Clerk Kelvin Holliday at 10:30 a.m. Thursday and confirmed no such documents were placed on file and available for inspection there.
Laird said the PLC representatives should declare the public hearing null and void. He said he was also “quite confident” judicial authorities would agree with him.
Delegate Dave Perry, D-Fayette, showed his mailed hearing notice, which did not mention Camp Washington-Carver by name. The postmark was Nov. 10. He said he believed citizens were deprived of their “fundamental knowledge” of what was transpiring.
Fayette County Commissioner Matt Wender said he also received no notice. He said Laird’s concerns were valid.
“I’m a Fayette County commissioner, but I’m not here on behalf of the Fayette County Commission,” he said. “I was not notified of the hearing, and we have taken no position as a body.
“I’m fortunate I was e-mailed. If not, I would have been left out.”
Rebecca Mott, executive secretary for the PLC, said the PLC board would take the fact that citizens may not have known the notice involved Camp Washington-Carver under advisement. But she said a notice was posted at the Fayette County clerk’s office 30 days in advance. The PLC notified the county commission, county clerk and legislators, and it has certified mail receipts.
The PLC will hold another public hearing if board members believe the notice was legally insufficient, Mott said.
— E-mail: apridemore @register-herald.com
