StopPATH WV
  • News
  • StopPATH WV Blog
  • FAQ
  • Events
  • Fundraisers
  • Make a Donation
  • Landowner Resources
  • About PATH
  • Get Involved
  • Commercials
  • Links
  • About Us
  • Contact

The PATH Funeral, Part 7 - The Funeral Pyre

5/29/2011

1 Comment

 
As the party, ummm... I mean funeral, was winding down, we grabbed some protest signs and took a short walk to PATH's prepared funeral pyre.  Burn, baby, burn!  Unfortunately, none of the PATH guys showed up and volunteered to jump into the fire, so we tossed in boxes of old literature, including the letter signs we used at the Manchin demonstration in Shepherdstown in 2008, the day the original route was abandoned.

We've done just about everything we could think of short of driving a wooden stake through PATH's heart (since PATH is heartless that would be an exercise in futility) to kill this stupid project.  Give up, PATH, and stay dead!

Tomorrow... the last of the funeral pictures... the miscellaneous candid shots of the "mourners."
1 Comment

The PATH Funeral, Part 6 - PATHata!!!

5/27/2011

3 Comments

 
Well, here's what you've been waiting for... Funeral party guests spanking the snot out of PATH with a baseball bat (it was technically a stickball bat, but that made the PATHata last a little longer).  Take a good look at the faces (on the people, not the PATHata) and you'll know how good it felt to pay them back for all the misery, worry and money they have cost thousands of landowners over the past 3 years over a project that was NEVER NEEDED IN THE FIRST PLACE!

The PATHata lasted a lot longer than I thought it would (kind of like PATH itself, who keeps trying to hang on by its fingernails).  But, it didn't last quite long enough for everyone to have a turn, unfortunately.

I guess this kind of makes up for that WV-PSC status hearing in August of 2009 where the PSC expected us to show up with torches and pitchforks and storm the castle.  For some reason, they had police present... and when everyone behaved like ladies and gentlemen, the PSC looked paranoid and foolish.  And then there was the Frederick County, MD, Charlie Foxtrot in September of 2010 where PATH hired two undercover sheriffs to threaten people and bodily eject them from a "public meeting" for raising their voices, dropping the "f-bomb" on self-important, pompous asses, or taking pictures of them.  Apparently the only time PATH really needed to worry would have been if we had shown up carrying a stickball bat pasted with StopPATH stickers. 

Go away, PATH.  We've now officially finished you off.
3 Comments

What's in a PATHata?

5/27/2011

0 Comments

 
So what exactly was in the PATHata that gave us the giggles so badly?  Here's what was left over after the celebrants collected their own personal "trophies" for their display cases...

It's amazing what you can find at the dollar store... maybe PATH should have been shopping there for the past 3 years so that there's not a mountain of debt left over after they abandon their project.
0 Comments

The PATH Funeral, Part 5 - Entertainment & Speakers

5/26/2011

0 Comments

 
It's late and I'm tired... so tonight's installment of party fun is going to be the entertainment and speakers.

"Electra" performed the PATH fight song for a cheering crowd.  It was too hot and not dark enough for the costume... so she was just the amazingly talented Clissy this time!  Thank you once again, Clissy, for lending your talents to our cause!  Click below for sound to go with the photos...

When we opened the floor for speakers, we had plenty of volunteers who shared their thoughts with us.  Whether it was inspiring, funny, a victory cheer, an expression of gratitude, or plans for the future, all speakers were warmly welcomed by the crowd.  I can't remember what every speaker talked about.  I can hardly remember what I said, except that it started out, "I've been waiting 2 years, 9 months and 10 days to say this..."  For once I wasn't sitting there with a notebook documenting everything for later use.  Forgive me... the Raging Bitches made me derelict :-)

Stay tuned... PATHata coming up...


0 Comments

The PATH Funeral Party, Part 4 - Fun & Games

5/25/2011

5 Comments

 
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.






5 Comments

The PATH Funeral Party, Part 3 - The Awards!

5/24/2011

0 Comments

 
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!
0 Comments

The PATH Funeral Party, Part 2 - The food!

5/23/2011

2 Comments

 
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...
2 Comments

The PATH Funeral Party, Part 1 - Preparation!

5/22/2011

2 Comments

 
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!
2 Comments

Today's weather forecast: Sunny and warm with a chance of mischief!

5/20/2011

2 Comments

 
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!
2 Comments

Who's ready for the victory party?

5/19/2011

16 Comments

 
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.
16 Comments
<<Previous
Forward>>

    About the Author

    Keryn Newman blogs here at StopPATH WV about energy issues, transmission policy, misguided regulation, our greedy energy companies and their corporate spin.
    In 2008, AEP & Allegheny Energy's PATH joint venture used their transmission line routing etch-a-sketch to draw a 765kV line across the street from her house. Oooops! And the rest is history.

    About
    StopPATH Blog

    StopPATH Blog began as a forum for information and opinion about the PATH transmission project.  The PATH project was abandoned in 2012, however, this blog was not.

    StopPATH Blog continues to bring you energy policy news and opinion from a consumer's point of view.  If it's sometimes snarky and oftentimes irreverent, just remember that the truth isn't pretty.  People come here because they want the truth, instead of the usual dreadful lies this industry continues to tell itself.  If you keep reading, I'll keep writing.

    Need help opposing unneeded transmission?
    Email me

    Search This Site
    Got something to say?  Submit your own opinion for publication.

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    June 2025
    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010

    Categories

    All
    $$$$$$
    2023 PJM Transmission
    Aep Vs Firstenergy
    Arkansas
    Best Practices
    Best Practices
    Big Winds Big Lie
    Can Of Worms
    Carolinas
    Citizen Action
    Colorado
    Corporate Propaganda
    Data Centers
    Democracy Failures
    DOE Failure
    Emf
    Eminent Domain
    Events
    Ferc Action
    FERC Incentives Part Deux
    Ferc Transmission Noi
    Firstenergy Failure
    Good Ideas
    Illinois
    Iowa
    Kansas
    Land Agents
    Legislative Action
    Marketing To Mayberry
    MARL
    Missouri
    Mtstorm Doubs Rebuild
    Mtstormdoubs Rebuild
    New Jersey
    New Mexico
    Newslinks
    NIETC
    Opinion
    Path Alternatives
    Path Failures
    Path Intimidation Attempts
    Pay To Play
    Potomac Edison Investigation
    Power Company Propaganda
    Psc Failure
    Rates
    Regulatory Capture
    Skelly Fail
    The Pjm Cartel
    Top Ten Clean Line Mistakes
    Transource
    Valley Link Transmission
    Washington
    West Virginia
    Wind Catcher
    Wisconsin

Copyright 2010 StopPATH WV, Inc.