by Barbara McQuain

ELKINS, WV---Randolph Countians braved cloudy skies Saturday, January 23, 1999 and turned out in full-force to show their support, along with local and state officials, for the building of the Corridor-H highway. Sponsored by the Committee for Corridor-H, the grassroots afternoon rally was held at the historic downtown Elkins train depot and featured speeches by West Virginia Governor Cecil Underwood, State Senators Mike Ross and Walt Helmick, and Delegates Joe Martin, Bill Proudfoot and others.

The afternoon got off to a rousing start with live entertainment by reknown fiddler Woody Simmons and company as well as the stylish voice of recent Mt. State Forest Festival Queen Sylvia Mindy Cookman. Young and old alike could be seen enjoying free hot dogs and soft drinks as they showed their monumental support for the building of the Appalachian highway. Nearly all of those present displayed either a button, lapel pin, bumper sticker or banner reading, "Corridor-H ... BUILD IT!" A lone protestor sped past the crowd on a bicycle prior to the Governor's arrival yelling, "Save our forests!"

Governor Cecil Underwood was escorted into town around 1 p.m. courtesy of the biggest convoy ever seen in recent years. Well over one hundred 18-wheeler, flatbed, logging, dump, gravel and cement trucks blasted horns for nearly an hour in the highlight of the rally festivities. Governor Underwood and other elected officials stood with the crowd cheering each vehicle, giving hearty thumbs-ups and waving a "Corridor-H ... BUILD IT!" sign. Senators Ross and Helmick proudly wore their support with identical homemade "I'm For Corridor-H. Build it, Dammit!" T-shirts.

Following this parade of blaring support, rally organizer Bill Hartman took the stage, introducing elected officials. Chip Slaven, representative for Congressman Bob Wise, presented Hartman with a study detailing 16,000 jobs already created by the completion of 12 similar roads and the projected creation of an additional 42,000 by the year 2015 upon Corridor-H completion. Hartman recalled journeying to Washington in 1988 to visit U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd, accompanied by Delegate Joe Martin and Senator Walt Helmick, Byrd having then promised that if support could be found for Corridor-H he would find the funds to build it. Martin later took the stage himself saying, "West central West Virginia wants Corridor-H built ... we'll get the road built!" He also read excerpts from a recent House bill that passed without dissent in support of Corridor-H completion.

As Governor Underwood took the stage he noted the light sprinkle that had just dispersed, leaving behind "a rainbow right over Corridor-H." Reading a letter from Sen. Byrd he noted that West Virginians had waited too long, at the expense of safety, quality of life and new business for Corridor-H completion. A 1998 poll indicated that 79% of the people support Corridor-H and "this rally validates that."

Underwood stated that $46,000 a day is being lost as equipment sits idle while Corridor-H opponents file injunction after injunction against completion and seek further delays. He is pleased that a Friend of the Court brief is being filed by supporters and vowed to, "counter transparent motives with the facts." First authorized by Congress in 1965, Corridor-H is one of the few Appalachian corridors not completed. Eastern West Virginia remains the largest part of the State not accessed by a major highway. Underwood indicated that 30 million dollars have been spent on historical and environmental studies and considerations. "Opponents of the project," said Underwood, "know the will of the people is real. We have waited long enough!."

Underwood stated, "I am here to listen to your voices and to amplify them at every opportunity." The new highway would allow new visitors to discover the beauty of West Virginia as well as generate new economic activity. Noting that there are "far too many accidents between here and the Virginia line," Underwood stated that Corridor-H completion would decrease the accident rate by 61 percent. In conclusion Underwood stated, "It is time to move forward. Time to build Corridor-H. You and I say, YES!"

Echoing Underwood's thoughts on safety and economic development were Delegate Harold Michaels, 47th District, representing Hardy and Pendleton Counties; Delegate Bill Proudfoot, Randolph County; and Delegate Obie Collins, Tucker County, who said "We need jobs! We need safety! I'm gonna keep up the fight!" Tucker County Commissioner Jerry Dibacco also read letters of support from Delegate Douglas K. Stalnaker, 34th District, and Barbour County Corridor-H Completion chairman Rick Everson. State Senator Mike Ross also lead the crowd in several rounds of cheer chanting, "WE WANT CORRIDOR-H! WE WANT CORRIDOR-H! WE WANT CORRIDOR-H! BUILD IT! BUILD IT! BUILD IT!"

The January 23, Elkins rally received a $2,000 contribution from the "Cooking Ladies" of Tucker County who were recently honored by FEMA in Washington, D.C. for flood control monies raised through the sale of baked goods. Other donations for the day's rally came from the Committee for Corridor-H, Davis Memorial Hospital and Duke's Steakhouse. Similar support rallies are planned for Tucker and Hardy counties in February. Contributions to the Committee for Corridor-H can be mailed to Bill Hartman in Elkins, WV or Jim Cookman in Parsons, WV.

PICTURED TOP TO BOTTOM:

1.) Corridor-H supporters turned out in record numbers 
2.) Governor & Mrs. Cecil Underwood cheer with the crowd
3.) A convoy of over 100 trucks showed Corridor-H support by honking horns for nearly one hour 
4.) Senator Mike Ross wears his show of Corridor-H support 
5.) Ashley Thompson of Elkins displays her rainbow of support at an early age 
6.) The crowd ardently listens to the guests speakers, frequently breaking out into cheer and applause 
7.) This truck said it in a big way ... "Corridor-H ... BUILD IT!"

ALL PHOTOS BY BARBARA McQUAIN
all rights reserved