The Shadow
We embark on our adventure with today’s watchful word: Integrity.
Horton Beirne, former publisher of the Virginian Review, and Buck Rumpf, the original Shadow, were always clear about the intersections of journalism and politics: let the press be the watchdog, the guardian of the public interest, and let politicians serve with unyielding integrity. Mixing the two? That’s like trying to mix oil and water – you might stir up a storm, but it will never blend into something wholesome.
Regrettably, following Horton’s passing in 2015, the General Manager of the Virginian Review seemed to cast aside Horton’s guiding lights and added the Vice Mayor of Covington to his curriculum vitae. Talk about the fox guarding the hen house. This gave him the ability to put his thumb heavily upon and control the political news narrative for Covington as he saw fit. Then in 2020, he jumped ship to continue this same questionable behavior at The Recorder as the “Alleghany County News Editor.” The Shadow pointed out this blatant conflict of interest in last week’s online article remembering Horton Beirne.
Of course, the Vice Mayor’s response to The Shadow’s article was as predictable as a rerun of an old sitcom – you know the ending before it begins. “If you value your integrity, be prepared to take a beating from those who have none…,” he says with a statement as smooth as a well-aged whiskey, but just as intoxicating and misleading.
Integrity, Mr. Vice Mayor, is not a shield to deflect criticism nor a sword to slay your opponents. It’s a quiet, unwavering commitment to truth and honesty. It’s about being the same person in the dark as you are in the light. Integrity is not about standing tall against adversaries; it’s about standing apart from the very hint of impropriety.
Speaking of local government, in last week’s Poll, The Shadow asked, “What’s the biggest issue or problem citizens of Alleghany County face? A whopping 47% said Local Governance. 19% said Guns Drugs and Crime, and Healthcare & access came in at 12%. The rest consisted of homelessness, poverty, internet access, education, and unemployment.
Well, guess what dear shadowers, you’re in luck. 2024 is an election year, with many spots on our local city councils becoming available. To affect the change you seek, new faces for those positions are needed and good citizens to vote for them.
The Facebook Shadow group is growing strong and has been ablaze with good, wholesome dialogue about all of these issues. There’s too much to unpack for this column, so stay tuned. I highly encourage anyone interested in putting in their two cents with ideas for businesses, restaurants, education, affordable housing, local governance, and economic development to join the group. Just go to the Virginian Review main Facebook page and you’ll find the link.
Speaking of economic development, last week, Pandora’s box was opened on the 410 on Main Street project (Gordmans building.) The Shadow has been inundated with questions and whispers about whether not only will the business uphold its promises as stated in its beautiful brochure, but also questions about how the whole project came to be and is currently being managed.
Looking at the City building permit number 3257, issued October 30, 2023, David Bostic is the owner and not a corporation, and is the “self” contractor for “alterations and repairs.” This prompted questions on whether this is an end-run to side-step required licensing, inspections, and accountability. According to the VA Code, claiming “SELF” only applies to homeowners doing work on their own houses for their personal use.
The Shadow has also heard from several sources that Mr. River Reed, CEO of “Core Solutions LLC” formed in September 2023 is also allegedly doing work on the premises. At the time of press, The Shadow has been unable to find his contractor’s license, so until those come to light, let’s be optimistic and say both Bostic and Reed have the proper licenses.
However, is this the same River Reed that’s also related to the Covington Mayor? And owner, or co-owner Mr. Lane has been overheard by several sources allegedly saying the building was “Gifted” to him. Does that mean a building with a tax assessment valued at $577,400 by VamaNet was given to a commercial entity for free?
What makes this more confusing is, that the building was sold to “Mountain Hospitality LLC” which is not a registered corporation in either WV or VA where the owners reside. Perhaps it’s a far far away corporation? The Shadow continues to search official public records for clarity.
In a twist that’s as intriguing as it is peculiar, the Mayor of Covington’s name keeps surfacing in other private building affairs. Take, for instance, the Church on Main Street, where the Mayor attends church, is rumored to have received a rather cozy arrangement for their Main Street property. This deal, whispered about in hushed tones, has raised eyebrows among those who envision downtown as a vibrant mosaic of shops and eateries, rather than sanctuaries.
And the energizer bunny keeps going. Now there’s discourse around Covington’s Nettleton Project, revealing a growing unease among community members, particularly regarding the project’s governance and transparency. Central to the debate is the concern that the lease for the project was railroaded and signed without the consent of all involved parties, eventually favoring a single entity – HKG-ING LLC, helmed by James Hogendobler.
This move seems to marginalize other partners and deviate from the initially perceived cooperative spirit that involved several local businesses. Moreover, the city’s opaque approach and deficient communication, particularly concerning the lease agreement and procedural aspects, have only deepened the community’s concerns about the trajectory and ethical conduct of the project.
Over in Clifton Forge, recently the Shadow mused over a Council member allegedly being perfumed with eau de alcohol in council meetings. While this is a troubling thing in and by itself, the Shadow received several moral outcries on the matter. How does this person supposedly year after year, glide under the radar smoother than a moonshiner on a back country road while risking the safety of other drivers? And, with zero doubt, if Joe or Jane from down the street turned up to work with brewery breath, they’d find themselves unemployed faster than you can say “Last Call.” Will this behavior be officially addressed, or continue to be passed and forgotten like a good belch after a hearty gulp?
Despite the turbulent currents, there is a beacon of hope shining bright in downtown Covington on Main Street. Have you wandered into Jay’s Trading Post yet? Oh, it’s a must-visit emporium! Allocate a good chunk of your day; Jay’s treasure trove is an Aladdin’s cave of wonders. From glistening gold and silver coins to retro video games, fashionable attire, and an array of trinkets and baubles that could make Old Mother Hubbard’s cupboard look bare. And Jay, the master of this realm? He’s not just a store owner; he’s a storyteller, a wizard of wit, and this week’s unsung hero of Downtown.
In the journey of life, integrity is the North Star that guides us through the darkest nights. May we all strive to be keepers of this sacred flame, for it is in integrity that we find our truest selves. I’m out of time, and out of coffee, but never out of faith that all folks are intrinsically driven by integrity and goodness.
