Beckley Post-Herald The Raleigh Register from Beckley, West Virginia • Page 9

Shopper Williams At Rrogers; (Below) Ransom's Market 'The Chestnuts Are From I By JOHANNA MAURICE Staff Writer In the old days, local producers would, and often did. sell their produce through local markets. Not anymore. "There's not a quantity of local stuff." one 50 year Beckley grocer said of his own business, ''because there's no demand for it. "We used to buy chickens, eggs, milk, butter he admitted.

you can't do it." he laughed. they "got inspectors inspecting the inspectors 7.. "There are occasions when somebody will bring in a bushel of beans or ten pounds of tomatoes." he said, "but not often." But. he added, if anybody would know about local produce anymore, it would be Charlie Ransom of Ransom's Market. In Beaver.

Ransom looked around his roadside store: "The rutabagas are from the South, the apples from Virginia and Pennsylvania, the tomatoes from Mexico and Florida, the green beans from Florida, the onions from Texas, the lettuce from Arizona, the- chestnuts from Italy and the pecans from Georgia He could go on, too. But Ransom still handles locally- grown vegetables when he can get them, especially during the summer. tomatoes, com. he listed a few. "We buy a lot of local garlic, a lot of local cucumbers, a lot of peppers banana peppers and sweet peppers a lot of 'local cab- "bage." His potatoes, neatly packaged in white paper bags, come from John Scott's farm at Grandview.

Some of the turnips also come from a Grandview farm. Ransom has been running a market, in Beaver since 1952. he said! after a 30- plus-year career with the Chessie System. He admits that there is still a small market for local growers, but most can't or won't compete with the large agribusinessmen in other parts of the country. "The biggest problem here is people won't clean it (their produce) up." Ransom says.

"They want to sell it but they won't clean it up." Large growers contract all or a large part of their premium crop out to buyers for large chains, he explained. Grading and preparing their products for market is standard operating procedure because large buyers inflict penalties if the apples or tomatoes they contracted for are not of the quality they thought would be getting. Local growers aren't so used to doing that kind of preparation work. Ransom said, and it shows. Many grocers won't handle local produce anymore because they have to check every bushel basket to make sure what quality they are buying.

Yet people still interested in quality produce from this area. Like corn, for example. "Ideally, you should already have the water hot when you pick the corn." Ransom laughed, if you are going to get fresh-tasting sweet corn. Local growers can still deliver com that fresh. "It can be picked in the morning and on the table that evening." he said.

Radar Equipped Beckley Police To Ride 'Cyclei By TONY BAZZIE Staff Writer Heavy traffic will soon be less of a problem for Beckley policemen attempting to reach the scene of an accident or crime. Berkley Police Chief Thomas Durrett said the department will purchase three motorcycles as part of an accident prevention program now being initiated. The purpose of the program, he said, it to cause a reduction in the number of accidents through strict enforcement of driving laws. The three motorcycles, along with two radar units and three accident investigation kits, will be purchased with a 815.750 grant awarded to the city by the Governor's Criminal Justice and Highway Safety Division of the Office of Economic and Community Development. The grant award was announced Friday by Gov.

Jay Rockefeller. In a letter to Beckley Mayor John H. McCulloch. Rockefeller said, "As we both realize, this project does not provide a permanent solution to the traffic problems of Beckley. 1 do believe, however, the project will be of assistance until longer range solutions are achieved." Durrett said two of the motorcycles will be equipped with radar so traffic, can be monitored better.

"We feel the number of accidents that are occurring is extremely high," Durrett said. "We feel the number -can be reduced, and the way to do this is through strict enforcement of the law." Durrett said it is the small violations that are occurring daily such as the blocking of intersections, speeding, red light violations and center lane violations that are the main contributors to the high accident rate in Beckley. especially on Valley Drive. He said 20 percent of the accidents that occur in Beckley take place on Valley Drive. "What we sre doing is i together a concept that will include having two marked cruisers equipped with said.

"These marked cruisers and motorcycles will combat the two main causes of accidents speed and inattentiveness." "This is a new approach to the problem." Durrett said, adding it will be more or less a lest to determine if nr.y charts be rrade later. Durrett said it is unknown how soon the motorcycle squad will be formed." "We just learned this week the grant had been approved by the governor," he said. "We still have to write up the specifications for bidders and formulate a policy on the use of 'he Page 9 BECKLEY POST-HERALD Beckley, W.Va., Saturday Morning, Nov. 19, 1977 Parking: City Council Will Consider Options Submitted By Firms By RUTH SWATZYNA Staff Writer Perhaps the biggest item on Beckley Common Council's agenda Tuesday night is parking. Studies show that the demand for downtown parking spaces is for slightly more than 3,000 spaces, but the supply is only slightly more than 2,000, including private lots.

Despite the fact that the demand exceeds the supply, the city's revenues from parking meters has declined tremendously over the past several primarily because of a lack of proper administration and a negative attitude on the part of the buyers. There are two plans to solve the parking problem in Beckley. both by adding another parking structure and by more adequately using the places we have. The figures presented here and the suggestions come from the architectural firm Scruggs and Hammond and from the firm Central Parking System- Scruggs and Hammond's suggestion for a parking building has been under advisement for more than a year; Central's improvements in parking management will be considered by council Tuesday. The proposed multi lerel parking building would be located between Val ley Drive and Prince Street, and would add about 700 parking spaces.

Tht building would have an entrance or North Fayette Street and would have an exit to Valley Drive via Pinev Avenue. Beckley Mayor John H. 5vIcCulloch has said that the new building could be financed by reworking the existing municipal bonding on the city's parking building. Previous reports indicate it would add about 700 parking spaces. The parking building is part of a general downtown revitalization.

especially of Main Street. Plans on Main Street include taking out the parking meters, planting trees and shnibs. adding lights and benches and beautifying store fronts. Plans for downtown revitalization also include blocking off North Heber Street beside the courthouse, and rounding the corner on Neville, Heber and Main streets. High priority, however, is the parking building.

The plans to be considered by council Tuesday would, according to Central Parking System, increase revenues immediately and put available spaces to better use. It would require an initial capital investment and mean that the dirver is less likely to get by without paying when he parks. For an initial investment of S32.795. a debt which could be amortized over seven years, the city could install a "positive control system." which would be, basically, a barrier gate and a ticket dispenser. This would mean that the parker wouldn't be able to get off the lot without paying for time parked.

The firm came up with some additional recommendations for increasing parking revenues, which rose only 1.5 percent during 1978, while downtown retail sales rose 58 percent over 1375. These include increasing parking rates and heavier policing of existing meters, and imposing and enforcing a maximum of two hours of parking on two hour meters. Sections of the parking lot and the parking building could be set aside with for those with" monthly parking permits. The consultant estimated that once the equipment is installed, operating expenses would amount to about S42.000 annually. Their study indicated that under the current, less efficient system, annual operatins costs amount to S44.000.

County Library Schedules Set For Bookmobile Bookmobile I of the Raleigh County Public Library-, with staff members Ruth Givens and Steve Reynolds, will make the following stops this week: MONDAY Pack's driveway on Old U.S. 19-21 at Cherry Creek from 8:459:05 a.m.: Ghent Elementary School from a.m.: Stoco Elementary School at Besoco from p.m.": Prince Lillv's driveway in Coal City from p.m.; TUESDAY Piney View Elementary School from a.m.: O'Dell's Trailer Court in Lanark from 11:45 a.m.-12:10 p.m.: Stnanford Elementary School from p.m.: comer of Hancock Mulberry in Caiiaway Heights from p.m.; WEDNESDAY Midway Elementary School from a.m.: Second Street in Crab Orchard from 11:2511:55 a.m.: Crab Orchard Elementary School from p.m.: George Bennett's home on Old Cleveland Road in Crab Orchard from p.m.; THURSDAY Sand Branch Baptist Church in Bradley from a.m.; H.A. Meadows" home on Maple Fork Road in Bradley from a.m.; Bradley God from 11:30 a.m.noon: Bradley Elementary 7 School from p.m.; FRIDAY Richmond District Community Center from a.m.: Bragg's Corner in Richmond District from a.m.: Mogene Bennett's home from a.m.; James E. Williams' home on Pluto Road from p.m.; and Raleigh Post Office from p.m. Bookmobile n.

with Mary Howe and Grutb. will follow this schedule: MONDAY Sycamore Drive in Callaway Heights from a.m.; Cranberry Post Office from a.m.; Greater Beckley Christian Schools in Prosperity from 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: Maxwell Hill Baptist Church from p.m.; trailer park in Mt. Tabor from p.m.: Blake's driveway in Cabell Heights from p.m.": COP Community Building in Oak Grove from "p.m.: Bailey's store in Pleasant Kills from p.m.: Hatcher's drive in Pleasant Hills from p.m.: TUESDAY Beaver Elementary School from p.m.: WEDNESDAY Rogers" driveway on Airport Road at Crow from a.m.; Crow Christian Church from 9:209:45 a.m.: Wolf's lane on 4-H Lake Road from a.m.: Richmond District Elementary School from a.m.: Basham's Garage in White Oak from a.m.: White Oak Post Office from p.m.; Shady Spring Elementary School from p.m.; Ward's Grocery on Sullivan Road "from p.m."; Smith's drive on Sullivan Road from p.m.: THURSDAY Daniels Elementary- School from a.m.: Ray's Leisure Time Shop in Shady Spring from 11:4512:15 a.m.: Lake Front Grocery at Ghent from p.m.: Odd Elementary School from p.m.: Beaver Methodist Church from p.m.: FRIDAY Mabscott Elementary School from a.m.; Soak Creek Elementary School from p.m.; Ragland Road exit at Stanaford from p.m. Breakfast Table Talk By The Staff radar monitoring traffic arid informing the public of the areas and the times these cruisers will be patrolling," the chief said. He added the information will be passed along to newspapers and radio stations a day in advance so motorists will be informed of the general areas and times radar will be used.

"The theory behind it is that if you keep it before the public constantly, it will make the driving public aware there are potential hazards." Durrett Durrett said any motorists observed in violation of any of the driving laws will be cited. "That's the purpose of having the motorcycles equipped with radar, yet at the same time, the motorcycles will provide the mobility to move in traffic. That's something we don't have now." he said. "The motorcycle policemen will be able to arrive at the scene of an accident faster and will be able to relieve traffic congestion until a cruiser arrives," he added. THERE ARE 1,015 parking meters in Beckley, reports Central Parking System.

Central studied'ways to improve parking revenues for the city. RS ON a car in Beckley Friday: "Thing? Go Better With Christ." JLM 0 ANOTHER BANNER has gone across Main Street In Beckley. "Yeah! Eagles -Beckley's Proud of You," reads the banner, referring to Woodrow Wilson High School's football team going to the state play-offs. TB RALEIGH' COUNTY PIONEERS: John and Robert Acord, from Monroe County, settled on Breckenridge Creek near Bolt about 1825. Jack (as John was known) was a story teller, hunter and wit.

Totally he was, however, a born leader. He was an ardent Confederate, and although 65 years old at the beginning of the Gvil War. enlisted for service. He was honorably discharged after about a year. Two of his sons, Robert and Floyd, were Confederate soldiers.

Jack was the guide com- panion of Virginia Gov. John Floyd on the politician's hunting trips to Raleigh Robert Acord was thefather of William C. Acord, who served for many years on the Raleigh County Court. JLW McDONALD'S IS opening its first Beckley restaurant today on North Eisenhower Drive. Ever wonder what it costs to start a fast food business? McDonald's requires an investment of $190,000 for a franchised outlet, according to Robbins Associates.

JLW BECKLEY MOTORISTS had to be careful in the municipal parking lot Friday. At several different spots, small clusters of broken glass posed hazards to tires. TB AN INDIANA radio station strong enough to be heard occasionally in Beckley carried a Thursday announcement which said Indiana Gov. John Orr is urging all state residents to start conserving energy now for the winter. The reason: the anticipated UMWA coal strike JLM 0 ELIZABETH FINK has moved into the office in city hall formerly occupied by the Fire Prevention Bureau.

She is the record keeper for the sanitary board. RS.