StopPATH WV

You're all waiting for the pictures of the PATHata getting whaled on, aren't you?  Well, I'm going to keep you in suspense just a little longer.
 
Tonight, let's look instead at the other party games:  PATH darts and Pin the Head on PATH.  Both proved quite popular, with PATH darts gathering a crowd of eager players.  There was just something satisfying about the thunking noise the darts made when they hit the bullseye(s).  After the first few heads in the donkey game were carefully "routed" in PATH's "backyard," folks started complaining that all the prime real estate had been taken.  That's where the opposition's creative thinking took over...  And now the game is hanging on the wall in my garage, with a handful of heads leftover.  Who knows what may happen to it now...  :-)  You all are welcome to drop in anytime and route a head when you're feeling frustrated.  The PATH darts game has gone home with Steve, where I plan on paying it many, many visits in the future.

Since we had everyone (or most of us anyhow!) gathered together Saturday evening, it was the perfect moment to recognize our fellow PATH opponents for their tireless efforts to stop a really stupid project.

Over the course of the last 3 years, we've all made new friends.  We've shared high points and low points, encouraged each other and cheered each other.  We've supported each other during stressful moments, and we've spent so much time together, whether in person or on-line, that we've gotten to know each others' strengths, weaknesses, idiosyncrasies and talents.  It was in that vein that the party committee created the PATH Superlative Awards.  Some were funny, some were touching, and some were a combination of both, but we think we captured the spirit of the recipients -- and we all shared a laugh on Saturday night.

All awards were a complete surprise to the recipient, which meant some double-secret meetings among the planning committee to decide on each others' awards.

Here are the awards, in the order they were handed out:

Keryn Newman -  The "Human Pit Bull" Award
For grateful appreciation of her persistence, tenacity, humor, creative strategic thinking, and myriad other contributions to making PATH's life HELL!  "We're sure glad she's on our side!"

Patience Wait - The Most Outspoken Award
For grateful appreciation of her talent and ability to boldly speak up when it's most needed!  "Delivering our messages when we don't have the nerve!"

Steven Smith - The Man of Steel Award
For grateful appreciation of his talent for turning trash into treasure and his die-hard dedication to our cause!  "StopPATH WV's hardest worker!"

Cathy Jackson - The Heart of West Virginia Award
For grateful appreciation for keeping the focus on individual West Virginians and not allowing us to become "collateral damage."  "Cathy is the spirit of West Virginia!"

Robin Huyett Thomas - The Miss Manners Award
For grateful appreciation of her professionalism and tact in carrying out our official business.* 
*PATH land agents excepted.  They got what they deserved.

J.P. Burns - The Strong and Silent Award
For grateful appreciation of his wisdom and guidance when it really mattered!  "When group conflict strikes, ask for and follow J.P.'s advice!"

Bob Montgomery - The Super Geek Award
For grateful appreciation of his PowerPoint skills that made our educational presentations the best they could be.  "Three pictures and a word!"

Sharon Wilson - The Hard Bargain Lady Award
For grateful appreciation of her talent for tenacious negotiation.  "You're not going to win when you try to pull one over on Sharon!"

Debbie Royalty - The Queen Bee Award
For grateful appreciation of her ability to personally call out the corporate lackeys when they were feeding us a line of B.S.  "Debbie has never met a stranger!"

Roger Eitelman - The Worry Wart Award
For grateful appreciation of his dedication and leadership to ensure that we met our financial goals and left no stone unturned.  "We don't need to worry, Roger will do it for us!"

Clissy Funkhouser - The PATH Idol Award
For grateful appreciation of her incredible singing and songwriting talents which conveyed our message in a way that even PATH appreciated!  "They want to cut right through an electric avenue!"

Lynn Welsh - The Paul Revere Award
For grateful appreciation for spreading the word to her enormous circle of friends and acquaintances.  "The greedy corporations are coming!  The greedy corporations are coming!"

Bill Howley - The Canary in the Coalmine Award
For grateful appreciation of his talent for keeping us knowledgeable and patiently explaining the complex until we get it.  "First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win! -- The Power Line"

Samuel Smith - The Most Likely to Change the World Award
For grateful appreciation of his superior marketing and social skills and his help with so many activities!  "Sam knows more about PATH than many adults!"

Pam Gearhart - The Whistle Blower Award
For grateful appreciation of her quick action to send scammers heading for the border and for her continued faith that right will prevail.  "Ardent360, you have met your match!"

Richard Crim - The Foot Soldier Award
For grateful appreciation of his participation and support during the PATH fight.  He came to every meeting, helped at every fundraiser, wrote letters, and participated fully in whatever angle we were currently pursuing.  "Richard Crim is the epitome of citizen action and contributed greatly to our success!"

Dick Ishler & Ginny MacColl - The "Let 'em eat C.A.K.E.S." Award
For grateful appreciation of their professionalism and skill in building an outstanding grassroots organization!
"Citizens Against Kemptown Electric Substation"

Ed Hannon - The Pack Mule Award
For grateful appreciation of his willingness to always lend a hand, or a truck, or a trailer!  "Getting us and our junk to market!"

Al, Irene and Theresa Ghiorzi - The Family Affair Award
For grateful appreciation of their knowledge, talent and persistence in presenting the Virginia SCC with the truth!  "The truth shall set us free!"

J.B. Christensen - The Mr. Sunshine Award
For grateful appreciation for being our eyes, ears and voice in Charleston and his commitment to a better energy policy for West Virginia.  "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams!"

Doug Kaplan and Sugarloaf Conservancy - The Persistence Award
For grateful appreciation of their indefatigable pursuit of identified goals!  "Keeping politicians and government true to their word!"

Presented to all our significant others:  The Long Suffering Spouse Award
For grateful appreciation for supporting us throughout this fight, even when it meant no dinner companion (or simply no dinner), opening your homes for our meetings, and many lonely nights & weekends.  "Who is that stranger?"

And to everyone who contributed to the cause -- Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Like all funerals, PATH's send off included people showing up with food, lots and lots of food!  I'm not sure how PATH did it, but they managed to site their transmission line in the backyards of a lot of wonderful cooks.  Whenever we gather in large numbers, food is usually involved.  One time it even included elk burgers -- which everyone thought were delicious  -- except for Debbie and I who, ummm... weren't hungry?  Richard is never going to let me forget that!!!  :-)

We also held a creativity contest for Funeral Party food -- because creativity figured prominently in our victory!  And the guests delivered: 

Chris Koch and her Transmission Line Noodles
Clissy Funkhouser and her PATH salad
Pam Gearhart and her PATH green bean casserole
Bill Culley and his PATH poem cake

We couldn't decide on just one winner, so we declared them all winners! 

There were also a few other items made by our party planning committee we declared not in the running because of conflict of interest ;-)

Cathy Jackson and her StopPATH t-shirt cakes made by professional cake lady Danie Armstrong-Dillenger
Patience Wait and her "We stopped it!" brownies
Keryn Newman and her StopPATH cupcakes, potato salad and PATH demon eggs (yeah, I know, but I just kept getting ideas!)

Thanks to everyone who contributed to our buffet, whether it was decorated or not, it was all delicious!

Lots more party fun to come...

After more than a month of careful planning (fueled by Raging Bitch Ale -- which might explain some of the party games) by the funeral committee (Steve, Patience, Keryn and Cathy), party day arrived!  We spent most of the day transforming Robin & Jim's farm into the party zone... and part of today transforming it back into the beautiful farm it was before we showed up Saturday morning.  Thank you, Robin & Jim for providing the perfect venue for our party!

We had a great crowd of celebrants, amazing food, an inspiring party sponsor, appropriate music, awesome entertainment, gigglicious games, impassioned speakers, humorous and heartfelt awards, perfect weather and, of course, several coolers of Raging Bitch Ale!

Many thanks to all who traveled near and far to attend the party and celebrate PATH's demise.  We had PATH opponents from all three states, and representing all the PATH opposition groups, in attendance.  We shared our memories of various PATH events over the past three years, both the frustrating and the funny (mostly the latter!)  While we talked about the past, we also talked about the future and the work still before us to finish what we started and make sure the PATH-zombie stays dead.

We also want to thank our party sponsor, Mountain View Solar & Wind, who helped us pull off a great party on a shoestring budget by donating the rental of the two porta-potties (porta-potties go with Raging Bitch Ale just like peanut butter goes with jelly).  Not only did the crew from Mountain View provide for an important party element, they also shared with us the future of real reliable power, self-reliance!  In their words,

"As we celebrate this victory over a transmission high-line labeled "PATH", we recognize that the answer to our growing energy need is to follow a better path:  The Solar Path!  Make a difference where you live by installing solar on your home today!"

Find out all about becoming your own power company by visiting them on the web - Mountain View Solar & Wind!

We also owe our thanks to Rick Smith, our awesome DJ, Clissy Funkhouser, our entertainment, and to all those who contributed food, equipment and party supplies!  And also to everyone who contributed to our victory, whether big or small, it took every last one of us working in cooperation to achieve this victory!

Because the PATH Funeral was such a big event, with so much going on, and I've got hundreds of photos to upload, I'm going to break this up into manageable segments.  This one details the prep and set-up, but there's lots more to come this week as we get into the food, the people, the awards, the games, the funeral pyre... keep checking back this week, there's lots more to come!

It's Funeral Party day!  We didn't set a rain date because we were fully confident that party day weather would cooperate... and once again, luck is on our side!  After more than a week of daily rain, today promises to be sunny and 80 degrees, perfect weather to celebrate the death of PATH's three state applications!

We did some pre-party prep. last night and everything is ready to go!  Here's a little teaser of party shenanigans to come...

Hope to see you all at the party this afternoon!

Remember when you were a kid and liked to play with your food?  It's still fun as an adult, but only if you switch to playing with your beverages!

Click for full-sized photo


We're now stocked and ready for Saturday's PATH Funeral Party, and we even invited a couple of Arrogant Bastards to the party!  All those Raging Bitches in the fridge with their tiny torches and pitchforks gave the four Arrogant Bastards a very special welcome this afternoon.  I hate to think what's going to happen when I shut the door and the light goes out!

Guess what I discovered?  There's a little essay on the back of the Arrogant Bastard bottle that I never read before.  Patience will tell you that's because I was pie-eyed last November, but I was only "happy" and completely exhausted after getting up at 4 a.m. to do a StopPATH yard sale and a landowners' meeting before driving over to Frederick.  Here's what the Arrogant Bastard has to say for itself:

Arrogant Bastard Ale

ar ro gance (ar o gans) n.  The act or quality of being arrogant; haughty; undue assumption; overbearing conceit.

Arrogant Bastard Ale:  This is an aggressive beer.  You probably won't like it.  It is quite doubtful that you have the taste or sophistication to be able to appreciate an ale of this quality and depth.  We would suggest that you stick to safer and more familiar terrirtory --- maybe something with a multi-million dollar ad campaign aimed at convincing you it's made in a little brewery, or one that implies that their tasteless fizzy yellow beer will give you more sex appeal.  Perhaps you think multi-million dollar ad campaigns make a beer taste better (or a transmission line "needed").  Perhaps you're mouthing your words as you read this.

See you all on Saturday!  Even you, PATH... you can come and stand at the fence on the property you own next door and watch us having fun at your expense, like the dorky kid who didn't get invited to the party.

Time is fast running out to RSVP for StopPATH WV's PATH Funeral Party on May 21st!  RSVP deadline is this coming Saturday, May 14.  We need a headcount in order to make sure we've got enough delicious food for everyone.  Those of you who have attended some of our numerous meetings over the years know food is something we do rather well!  Chef Steve will be manning the grill and there will be a wide assortment of PATH-themed side dishes and desserts for your enjoyment.

We welcome everyone with an interest in the PATH project to join us in an evening of celebration and frivolity, not necessarily in that order!  If you haven't received a personal invitation but would like to come, don't be shy... email us today!

We've got a great line-up of activities planned for the party... live entertainment by "Electra," presentation of PATH superlative awards, and special guest speakers, including party sponsor Mountain View Solar & Wind and The Powerline's Bill Howley.

We're also working on an exciting lineup of party games!  Take your turn pinning a head on the PATH Donkey; or take a swing at our PATHata!  Our custom-made pinata is full of surprises, just like our friends at PATH.  ;-)  How many times over the past three years have you fantasized about beating PATH with a baseball bat?  Go ahead, admit it!  Now you can... safely and legally!  Will you be the one to bust PATH wide open to see what's lurking inside?  We'll also have croquet, Bocce ball and other lawn games to keep you entertained.

At the end of the evening, join us for the symbolic bonfire where we will be burning PATH in effigy!  Good riddance to bad rubbish!

If I haven't convinced you to come party with us in WV yet... here's one more reason.  Every guest will receive a free commemorative button as shown below!  Come on out and take a bow for your contribution to the group effort to stop PATH!  Annoying the power companies isn't the only thing we do well... we also know how to throw a great party... the only thing still missing is YOU!

StopPATH WV's very own Electra will be performing live at our PATH Funeral Party on May 21!  You've probably all seen the video, now meet the singer/songwriter!  And, yes, she'll be wearing the famous light up dress and hat... don't miss it!  Send in your RSVP today!

For all you blog fans, Bill Howley, author of The Powerline, will also be attending our party!  If you love the blog but haven't met Bill in person, here's your chance!

Our friends at Mountain View Solar & Wind will also be at the party and will have staff to consult and information available about how you can get off the grid!  It's cheaper and easier than you may think... be sure to check them out during the party and also thank them for helping to sponsor the party!  Wait until you see their contribution...  you'll be cheering for them before the party is over... guaranteed!

More to come...

Invitations to StopPATH's celebration of state application withdrawals have begun to go out and will continue over the next several days.  If you would like to come but haven't received your invitation, let me know.

We've got a fun evening shaping up and are looking forward to reveling in PATH's demise with all our friends from West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland!  Here are some of the things we have planned:

A delicious meal cooked on the grill and served with a tempting array of homemade goodies creatively decorated to commemorate the death of the PATH project.  This will be followed by live entertainment and open mike for all who would like to say a few words about the citizens' victory.  Next up -- remember those senior superlatives from high school?  Well, we've created our own PATH Superlatives version, which will be awarded to various individuals present!  Each one of us has brought our own unique talents and strengths to this fight and only through our collective might was this victory made possible.  We're going to cap the night off with a symbolic bonfire where we're going to burn PATH in effigy (unless the PATH guys crash the party and want to volunteer to be tossed into the flames for added realism-- we're flexible)!

We have some accommodations available, as well as space for overnight camping.  Hope to see you all there!

This coming Friday night, April 15th, The Journal will be hosting a Candidate Forum, starring all the gubernatorial hopefuls (or at least all the main ones).  The forum will be held at Musselman High School and begins at 7:00 p.m.  Come wearing your StopPATH t-shirt and join our group!  We have submitted several questions for the candidates to The Journal's coordinator that you'll find interesting.

And speaking of the Governor's race, Patience and I met John Perdue over the weekend at one of his town hall meetings in Shepherdstown.  He had some interesting ideas when I questioned him about his utility rate increase "moratorium."  Yes, he knows that's not the complete answer and that power company pork, imprudent expenditures and sloppy accounting needs to end... or at least he does now :-)  He also said he wants to overhaul the WV-PSC.  He was shocked to learn that the commissioners have ties to the industry and that needs to end (ok, we laughed here, couldn't help it!)  He would also like to increase the number of commissioners and have them represent different areas of the state, instead of our current Charleston good ol' boy crew.  I can't quote him exactly, but he thinks PATH was a stupid idea and is glad it was stopped (of course we told him it's merely been turned into a zombie-project).  He favors strong regulation on Marcellus shale drilling that both protects landowners and brings real cash benefits to our state.  He went on a lovely anti-corporate rant and said that out-of-state corporate dominance in Charleston needs to end.  Interesting...  I should have tried pasting a StopPATH sticker on his lapel just to see if he'd rip it out of my hand, like Manchin did that time he ended up wearing it in his palm in front of the TV cameras.  That would have been the real test...

Hope to see you all Friday night!