Local Writers, Authors, Yarnspinners…
Life was good, or so I thought
All those years ago…
Childhood innocence so unsure
yet often lonely so…
Self assured with behavior true,
compliance, consideration, care…
My thoughts, desires, aspirations
set aside, locked away in fear…
Get it right, don’t upset,
be kind to all you meet…
Be good, be true, be right,
your evil self defeat…
Who am I, I do not know
I have spent so much of my time…
Trying to figure out the right thing to do
My self no more to find…
Do you like me, do you care?
Do you think I’m special?
Your answer is very important you see.
For all I am, my existence,
My definition is wrapped up
In what you think of me…
I reserve the right to do what I please
my secret vice to keep.
But I promise I will do my best
Your esteem to maintain.
And my thoughts keep locked away,
My behavior kept refrained…
Mercer County is ready to begin reaping benefits from extensions of the Hatfield McCoy trail system which will be tapping into the county from Bramwell and the Matoaka, Montcalm area in the near future. Bramwell already has plans for an ATV resort according to Mayor Louise Stoker. In a report in Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Stoker said that two units were already under construction which would contain kitchenettes and sleeping accommodations. Jeff Lusk, Executive Director for the trails, told Mercer officials in a previous report that Bramwell could be a major player in future designs for the trail system. Lusk also mentioned Matoaka as a strategic location for a future extension. Mercer County is a prime location for tourist traffic due to the intersections of I-77 and Highways 52 and 460. Construction is also under way on the Mercer County airport in order to entice commercial traffic back into the area.
In 2006, the Hatfield McCoy Trails commissioned an economic impact study by the Center for Business and Economic Research from Marshall University. The basic conclusion from the report is that due to the low income levels and rural nature of the Southern West Virginia region, the trail system is a major contributing factor in the overall economic improvement of the area. The only criticism of this promising endeavor is the apparent posturing and power grabbing by political figures during the development stages. West Virginians have always fallen victim to the merger of major corporate and political players. It would appear on the surface that the Hatfield McCoy business venture is falling prey to the same type of takeover. While this entrepreneurial venture has the potential to unlock hundreds of jobs and opportunities for the people of Southern West Virginia, it remains to be seen whether or not state and local politicians and officials will grab up the lion’s share of revenue for themselves or open the floodgates of entrepreneurship for the entire area.