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Having lived and worked within the Beckley-Raleigh County community for many years and been associated with the POA for five years, I know many residents of the Glade Community. For those I do not know, I am a retired CPA having been associated with my own firm and other firms for many years, worked in private industry and held a number of volunteer positions on various boards and the like. I further served for twenty-five years as an assistant soccer coach at Woodrow Wilson where I was part of three state championships, and was fortunate enough to be elected to the WV High School Coaches Hall of Fame in 2017, most likely due to longevity rather than any special characteristics I possess.
Many of you also know my wife Kimberly, who is a CPA, and is the chief financial officer at Beckley Health Right, which provides a number of healthcare services to underserved members of the community. Kimberly is from the area having graduated from Shady Spring High School. I have two children, Shannon and Andrew, who both live in Denver as does my grandson, Colby.
Being most familiar with the administrative, accounting and financial side of organizations, I will endeavor to strengthen the “back office” procedures within the POA. Although not totally versed in all aspects of community management, I have the good fortune of able assistance within our office. Sandy Looney, whom many have met or spoken with, is well versed in many of the day-to-day aspects of the community be it ACC matters, collections and almost all other “how” and “where” questions that arise.
While Sandy has five years’ experience with the POA, Brittany Coleman is just beginning her association. She has taken on a number of administrative and accounting tasks, and her willingness to learn will be great asset to the Community.
I have openly expressed my opinion that the Glade Community represents an important economic driver for our area. One only has to drive a couple of miles from the Glade entrance to see Shady Spring schools all of which are new or significantly renovated to account for growing attendance. This is a clear sign that the Glade Community is driving growth for our area.
In the last year plus, increased interest in the Community is evident. Whether it is new construction or major renovation, building activity is growing and property sales trends are more positive. The POA has processed over eighty deeds so far in 2024, evidence of the number of properties changing hands and of the interest more folks have in living within Glade.
Recent developments within the Community give all of us confidence that we are entering a new era for the Glade Community. The POA looks forward to partnering with the Resort to bring new energy to improving the Community for those residing here and promoting the Community for visitors and prospective owners. While building relationships that enhance these efforts will take time, the POA is hopeful all will support the efforts of the POA and the Resort as we move forward.
Projects planned over the next few months include:
- Resurfacing of the bridge over Glade Creek.
- A more robust effort for fall paving.
- Significant replacement of the street surface markings; arrows and the like.
- Clean-up of some road edges that are, or close to, degrading the road surface.
- Replacement signage.
- Major culvert work in a couple of areas.
- Beautification project at the back gate.
- Removal of the somewhat confusing triangle at the entrance of Old Farm Road.
As always, the staff at the office is available to assist you when we can. We may not have every answer off the top of our head, but we will endeavor to find those answers that we do not know or will steer you to someone who can help.
David Harrah
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