By Liz Beavers
lbeavers@newstribune.info
managing editor
KEYSER — A complaint about oversized rocks in the roadway leading to Alumni Field at Tornado Alley prompted some strong words from a Mineral County Board member Tuesday evening.
Butch Wahl, who had signed up to speak to the board of education Tuesday as a representative of the Keyser High School Athletic Boosters, said he was passing along some concerns the Boosters have about the larger rocks in the roadway
Not only are they making it difficult for handicapped persons to navigate with their wheelchairs, but the combination of the rocks and a lack of lighting along the roadway is creating a safety hazard, Wahl said, expressing a fear that someone would turn an ankle or fall on their way to or from the stadium.
He said the Boosters were suggesting that some fine gravel or crusher run be placed on the roadway as soon as possible to make it safer.
Board member Bob Shook, who has volunteered at the stadium since the beginning of the project, fired back at Wahl.
Noting that it has been a group of community volunteers that have worked day after day at the stadium to get it ready for play, Shook said he resented the comments of the members of the Booster Club.
“How many Boosters were out there working on this?” he asked Wahl.
“Zero,” he said, making a large zero with his hands.
Shook said the volunteers had to prioritize the many tasks that needed to be taken care of before the field could be used, and the press box was at the top of the list.
“We had to take care of the press box in order to be able to have state playoffs up there if we get that far,” he said.
Shook also noted that the volunteers worked tirelessly to get the restrooms operational, especially after jokes were made prior to the season about using porta-potties.
Board President Terry LaRue noted that there are still many things that need to be completed at the athletic complex.
“It's probably going to take a year to two years to get things done,” he said.
“We're just going to have to live with these things until we can get them taken care of.”
“Until the funds are raised to do it,” Superintendent Skip Hackworth interjected.
Shook said he was aware that his comments Tuesday would not be popular with the Boosters.
“I guess I'll be on their #%$& list, but so bit it,” he said.
