Bad as it sounds? (Morgantown, Teays Valley: waterparks, motel, casinos)

[David Kennedy]

I've been to those great horse farms in Kentucky and once caught the 'Derby. It showed what we could have had here...
The leaders were not interested in promoting the state. If you consider the mind-set of 1880/90, it was a robber/baron mind-set similar to the british and dutch...'Take everything out of Africa and India but the carcasses of the people'
That is what we see...timber, oil, gas, coal, stone...mined, cut and drilled and the money piling up in some New York bank.
But its a new 'game a foot' now...people are smarter...Rocky can lose in November to a smart, home grown kid named Wolfe...good guy too!
Mr. MoJo is in trouble, his pet programs will face opposition now.
Several Demo's were turned out in the Primaries...
The investigation of the Fairmont Congressman is about to blow-up again.
West Virginian's have had a belly full and the approaching Obama band wagon will only fuel more resentment and desire for total change.

It's amazing how one curent issue of corruption (WVU's faking a Degree) can fuel a cauldron of resentment and cause change. West Virginia is on the upswing..good people are more than willing to step in and help (ex: Jennifer Garner/Ben Affleck)

The quick fix has been gambling because every one can cash in on the action...even a few members of the legislature work their full time jobs for the casino syndicates. I'm hoping that in the future, as West Virginia becomes more industry diversified that gambling can be relegated to select areas and not found on every single intersection or street corner as it is now done.
West Virginia has a fantasy image...its the old Al Capp, Little Abner image but its waining because of real people coming here and seeing the real West Virginia...I'm old, 60, I wish I was 30...I see folks like GHO and yourself who can push WV to the pinnacle and place she should be...everyone in high school should have a continuation of West Virginia History to catch a vision of the opportunity that lies here...It just takes a little education and hard work...the crooks can be pushed out and a better, more equal place can be made.

West Virginia only lacks a comprehensive, long range plan for development and culture.
The models for them exists in european countries and businesses...Mercedes/Benz is one of them...can tell you what their cars will be like in 15 years..Switzerland has one industry...banks. Why are they the top country for living? They have a plan...

With the change in the USA from a mobile society to a static one, several changes must occur in a hurry if we are to live at all.
Sadly, using the mindset of the leaders of our state at large, I can't see them solving much of anything..its time for a new group...more educated and traveled...Many of these people had never been out of the country...(Mr. MoJo's trip to China as an example)

We are looking at a price in time too...10 years. What would work would be to send retired college faculty to the legislature for a 5 year period. Extending their retirement credits for the work there. Using Economists and Social Instructors to impliment workable models of economies that are similar in the world and have proven to work.
These people travel every year compiling data to teach...they have contacts world wide.
As we integrate into a global society and put war behind us, this expertise could be used to create a new West Virginia...only a dream, as it stands now...it will take a strong resolve, and a continuing one.

[snorpus]

As DK loves to say, there is opportunity here... for those who wish to take a bit of a risk and put in the effort... WV has never been for the faint of heart... but Montani Semper Liberi.

Tamarack sells only West Virginia made products, as does (as far as I know) Mountain Made in Thomas. Every state park and forest has a gift shop, not to mention the dozens of grocery stores, general stores, and gift shops. Take a table at a fair or festival every weekend. Someone only needs some Mason jars and a recipe, and they'd be on their way to be the Heinz of West Virginia.

There's a company in Sandyville that makes a salad dressing called Wilted Lettuce. Sells for about twice what mass produced Italian dressing does. I've only seen it at Canaan Valley and Tamarack, and half the time they're sold out.

I'll agree that WV Tourism could use a shot in the arm. I'm sure part of it is budgetary, but it would be great if that "West Virginia's Calling" TV commercial ran nationally.

There are so many opportunities. In the State Park cabins, the standard dinnerware shows a cabin in the woods. Can you buy that anywhere? I'd love to have some plates rimmed in old gold and navy blue, with a discreet interlocking WV in the design? I've seen it in the seconds store at Homer Laughlin china, but never in any of the stores in the tourist regions.

Couldn't you just imagine the marketing campaign for "Pure Mountaineer Sippin' Whiskey?"

[David Kennedy]

Thing is Snorp...we have that 'Pure Mountaineer Sipping Whiskey in profusion...all illegal and all untaxable...one of the great cottage industries but not offered at Tamarac...but I'll bet it can found within 5 miles of that place...ha ha...

[snorpus]

The makers would probably take a cut in income if they went legit...

[David Kennedy]

$32.00 a quart...I'm told...overhead should be about 20% for that business.

Compared to a barrrel of oil...$130 per barrel against $6400.00 per 50 gallon...and both will power that auto....ha ha

[Retired Navy]

Originally Posted by David Kennedy

Thing is Snorp...we have that 'Pure Mountaineer Sipping Whiskey in profusion...all illegal and all untaxable...one of the great cottage industries but not offered at Tamarac...but I'll bet it can found within 5 miles of that place...ha ha...

LOL!!! It can be found within five miles of any town in West Virginia if you know where to look!! Problem is, only Mountain People can drink the stuff. It would kill a "flatlander" just to smell the mash much less drink the final run!!

[snorpus]

There was a time, back in the 60s, when they sold 'shine in the State Liquor stores. All taxed and regulated and legal, of course, but IIRC, they sold it in Mason jars and, like true 'shine, it wasn't aged in wooden barrels (it wasn't aged at all ), so it was clear, like water.

I was too young then to partake, but I imagine it packed a real punch.

[Threerun]

Best I had was from Hampshire County, flavored with peach. Man was that good.

[David Kennedy]

Remember those posts from a week or so ago...about cottage industries...Moonshine could be a multi-milliondollar business...but a great start-up cost and could never get past the red tape here in WV...would be a good side line to a kentucky firm or even overseas and then imported...say from Canada. but to really work and be marketed right, it would need to be made in Wv or Kentuck...anthing else would be a clone...

Might be a Historical Significance Grant out in the government world...
could also be tied to medical research....possiblities are positive...

[citybilly]

Take the model of Sam Adams Boston Ale, which is mass produced in Ohio. Just build a small local distillery for tourists, make it into a Dollywood attraction, and have the hooch made in China. I hate this stuff, but if you can't beat 'em, join 'em I guess.