For the second time this week, in the same newspaper and on the front page of that paper controversy has arisen over the integrity and truthfulness of the Pocahontas Times' news coverage.
The first issue was the attempted coverup of the actual submissions to the county seal contents. There were seven, not five. The Times took upon itself to declare that there were only five appropriate submissions. The only qualification was that the submitter must be a county resident, not that the submission should be "serious."
There is significant doubt in the community that a "county seal" is either legal or necessary, especially if it costs the county against to use it. In fact, it may even be illegal to have one!!!
On the same front page, we have the headline above which makes a hero out of a deputy who some believe should be prosecuted for dereliction of duty. Instead of a hero, he may be have been a villain. Here's why.
The Pocahontas Commentator received a report that indicated that Shinaberry knew that the fire was going on some time before he reported. Kristy Lanier who lives in the "middle" building upstairs smelled smoke and had exited to the street where she asked Shinaberry if he had called the fire in. He indicated that he "hadn't."
Why not? What was he waiting on?
Our Woodrow source who has close connections with the town called the Commentator to complain that several community members are questioning the delay in reporting of the fire. Now that we know that a sheriff's deputy was on site (via the Pocahontas Times) the question is even more poignant. This is highlighted IN that the fire department is located an adjacent block within less that a 100 feet and yet THE WHOLE BLOCK BURNED DOWN.
What would have happened had Shinaberry called in the moment he realized there was a fire?
Kristi was able to grab a sheet and her dog and exit to the street while Shinaberry was not calling in the fire. Don't those guys have radios on them. Furthermore, Shinaberry would have been in a cruiser WITH HIS RADIO. Why couldn't he have radioed from it the moment he saw flames?
OR WAS THE FIRE INTENDED TO BURN DOWN THE COFFEE SHOP which town officials hated with a purple passion!
This fire jumped two buildings to get to the McK building. Was Kristi supposed to have been burned up in the fire? Shinaberry was able to alert several apartment dwellers in the McK building, but was Kristi "supposed" to sleep through this!!
NO, THERE ARE FOLKS WHO BELIEVE THAT SHINABERRY WAITED TOO LONG TO CALL IN THE FIRE. THEY WANT SHINABERRY PROSECUTED!
Maybe the Times should do a little soul searching and go back for a followup report on this question!!
What do you think?
The Town of Marlinton own officials are its worst enemies! They fought Kristi and the Coffee Shop! She wasn't allowed to park her car on main street in front of her store during the day time! They cited her once for that!!!!!
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Sunday, December 8, 2013
Controversy Over Times Article
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About Me
- Norman Alderman
- A local archivist who specializes in all things Pocahontas County
Also not sure why the local press would dedicate space and ink for police propaganda to the citizens and community.
ReplyDeletewho better to torch a building than a deputy??????who would question a deputy???????was not hudsons in finicial trouble??????and why does every major fire in the county always occur at 2.30 in the morning????????cheer up next week there will be another informative article about beer can or chief run a mucks wonderful children or wife!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteNorman,
ReplyDeleteWhen I first ran to the street I saw no one. After managing to run back in after my dog, I tried to go in the shop to get the phone to call it in myself but couldn't. There was too much smoke. When I turned around from the shop door, I saw Shinaberry on the radio. I do not know what time he arrived and got on the radio or how long the fire was going before anyone noticed. All I know was that I was in the street alone for the first few minutes that I got out of my apartment. There is a lot of speculation, some of which may be justified. The sad thing is, we may never know for sure, only the Hudsons know the truth whether accidental or not. I would like to believe it was an accident. It serves me no good at this point to be resentful, though it is hard not to be at neighbors and a town government that tested my patience. I trust that the deputy and firemen involved all gave their best efforts to stop the fire. My shop and my home are gone. There is nothing anyone can do to bring back what I worked the last 9 years to establish. All I can do is try to figure out what I can and want to do from here. Hopefully town and the property owners can figure out a direction that will be positive for all. I know I need it right now. D'bean
Reports should be documented...time call was made etc....i would hope......Maybe Shinaberry saw Kristy and knew she was out....Any report on the Fire marshal's say so???
ReplyDelete