We're Talking About Westmoreland with Jason Arthur

>> Brett Johnson: This is the tri state time machine brought to you by Alex R. White, pllc@suedistractedriver.com. each week, your host, Vanessa Hankins, and her guests share memories and stories about the past, the present and the future of the tri state area. That's West Virginia, Kentucky and the Ohio areas. If you used to live here or you currently live here, you're going to catch yourself saying out loud, wow, I remember that. Now here's Vanessa.

>> Vanessa: Good morning. Or afternoon, wherever it is that you're choosing to listen for us, it's morning. So I'm sticking with that.

Tri state welcomes Huntington city council district one hopeful Jason Arthur today

Good morning, tri state. Today I have a treat for you. I'm letting my nerd show, and I think, uh, my guest is going to let his show a little bit. But it's a fun one for me, too. We're talking about Westmoreland today. Not to be confused or thrown into the same spot as the west end. Not that we dislike the west end, but we do like to distinguish ourselves from the neighborhoods. We're, uh, a proud bunch in Westmoreland, and we have no problem admitting it. So joining in the conversation with me today is Huntington city council district one hopeful, Jason Arthur. Jason, how are you?

>> Jason Arthur: Good. Good morning. How are you?

>> Vanessa: I can't complain. We're having beautiful weather here in Huntington, so, uh, I'm always happy about the weather.

>> Jason Arthur: Absolutely.

>> Vanessa: I love summertime in Huntington. So how long have you lived in Westmoreland, Jason?

lived there off and on since: 2003

>> Vanessa: Oh, okay. So that's a good run. Yeah, good run. All right. What made you want to move to Westmoreland?

>> Jason Arthur: Honestly, just, it's such a great family, community.

>> Vanessa: I agree.

>> Jason Arthur: And in Huntington, where are you going to find that at anymore? I mean, you know, there's been ups and downs everywhere, but it's just such a good, close knit group of people that are always willing to help, do whatever they can.

>> Vanessa: Absolutely.

>> Jason Arthur: I love that.

>> Vanessa: Absolutely. We had, um, one of, uh, the other hopeful running candidates, uh, had mowed some of the state property this past weekend. And I think that is a, uh, I think that's a testament to the kind of people that we have in Westmoreland.

>> Jason Arthur: Absolutely. That's what we do.

>> Vanessa: I agree.

A great book about Westmoreland came out recently

Um, so let's talk one of my favorite topics, history. Let's talk about how Westmoreland came about and why it is that we still choose to love and grow our families here.

>> Jason Arthur: Yeah, absolutely. So a great book that I read, the gate to Westmoreland. Um, I think a lot of times in Huntington, we always hear about the history of holder bees landing, and we hear about the battles in the civil war with guyan dot and things like that. But a lot of people have no idea of the history of Westmoreland.

>> Vanessa: Um, yeah.

>> Jason Arthur: And it actually goes way, way back, past, even further than I thought with the Paleo Indians and things like that, you know, which if you tie in Camden park and some of those kind of issues there, it really is funny how it really coincides with each other. But one of the things that I thought was really good was, you know, our beginnings in Virginia. Even when this was older bees landing, Westmoreland was still a very thriving area. Had a lot of great people that were moving, you know, in Huntington. You had the Buffingtons and the Huntingtons and all that stuff that were trying to just truly establish this area. And Westmoreland was doing its own thing. There was a lot of farmland, a lot of great people. And we actually, when Westmoreland started, were in Greenbrier County, Virginia. And when you think of Greenbrier county, which would now be West Virginia, West Virginia. Yeah. You can think anything about Westmoreland's not at all pretty cool history.

>> Vanessa: Yeah, I think it's really awesome. Um, the book that you're referring to is one of my favorite things. It was a gift that I was given by my grandmother in law. Uh, as soon as I moved to Westmoreland, I knew I had to get my hands on it, and it was really hard to come by. Um, written by Paul N. Fulkes and Willard Daniels junior. Um, they went around when they wrote this book and did tons of interviews and all that. Feel super bummed that I didn't live in the area when they did that, because they went into the schools and did interviews with a lot of the families. But, um, I found myself driving around Westmoreland looking to find these properties that was in the book, in the pictures, and, uh, you'll get a kick out of this one. I was trying to find the Vinson manor. Could not find it anywhere, because in the book, it does not say that it was raised. It does not say it was tore down. Every other building that they refer to, if it had been torn down, they say tore down on this date, uh, that one did not. So I was convinced that I was crazy, losing my mind and just wandering places all over Westmoreland. I'm like, it's got to be here. It's got to be here. And then I'm like, okay, I'm asking somebody. So got a hold of a long term friend a long time friend of mine that was a friend of Paul, uh, and fulks. And, uh, he's now passed away, but, um. Not Paul and fulkes. He may have, but not the person that I reach out to, um, reach out to him. Also named Paul. And I was like, paul, I can't find this Vinson Manor. Where is it? Where? And he's like, well, it's not there anymore, Vanessa. And I'm like, what? And I literally spent a whole weekend driving around looking for this place. And it's where the old high school. Well, where the high school is now. Yeah, now it's middle school.

>> Jason Arthur: Right?

>> Vanessa: Yeah. But I thought that was really cool that, uh, the book referenced so much, but love having my hands on that. And I always use it as a reference point. I think Westmoreland has some of the most deep seated history that you wouldn't even think about. Like you said, people often think about Huntington when they think about the history of the area. But Westmoreland was, uh. It was pretty up and coming. It was the place to be. It was where the wealthy people were living, right?

>> Jason Arthur: Absolutely. Yeah. I mean, you know, you think about the Vincent family and all those. We all know those histories back. But you know what interested me the most about this book was the other families. Some of those families are still there, the Wiles family, things like that. They have such a huge staple down in Westmoreland. Um, the other great thing is with talking about Vincent is that school was known for championships.

>> Vanessa: Absolutely.

>> Jason Arthur: And this remarkable football and basketball, baseball championships, all out of that little community. But the other great thing was how they would go about all the thriving stores and storefronts and manufacturers. They even had their own golf courses, country clubs and all that stuff. Now, you drive in Westmoreland, it's a lot of just residential.

>> Vanessa: Mhm.

>> Jason Arthur: As we know, we've had a grocery store that clothes and some of these other things, which is still a big bother to all of us.

>> Vanessa: Mhm.

>> Jason Arthur: These things.

>> Vanessa: Absolutely.

>> Jason Arthur: We should not have to go to other towns and cities or even states to go to grocery stores. But I mean, Westmoreland really had it going on. I mean, they had everything from dairies to farms to anything you can think of. Just phenomenal school systems and everything.

>> Vanessa: Yes. Which we still do, in my opinion.

>> Jason Arthur: Absolutely.

>> Vanessa: In my opinion. Um, you talked about the golf course. That's one of my funnest little stories. Because we joke and call our house the Westmoreland country Club. Um, because it was where Camden park is today that, um, burnt down two times, I think before it was all said and done. But that is now what is known as the guy in country club. And then shortly after, we got the spring Valley golf course. Uh, which is no more. Which is unfortunate as well. Um, crazy that it was a golf pro that started all of those here in Westmoreland. Again, this stuff that Huntington is known for. We had it first.

>> Jason Arthur: We did it.

Westmoreland is in two counties; majority of our land is in Wayne

>> Vanessa: Absolutely super cool.

>> Jason Arthur: Yeah.

>> Vanessa: And then, uh, another one of my favorite stories is how magazine Avenue got its name. Did you read about that?

>> Jason Arthur: It did, yeah. Magazine.

>> Vanessa: Um, avenue had the ammunition manufacturing plant. And, uh, all the wealthy people down here after, I think it caught fire, had an explosion and everybody lost all their windows. And I think that happened twice before they decided, okay, we don't want this here. We're moving it across the river. We're giving it to South Point.

>> Jason Arthur: Yeah. Enough of that stuff. Yeah. No, it's a very interesting book. Anybody that can find it, I definitely would encourage that in any shape, way or form that you can. I know it is a very hard book to get. Um. And I think by doing things like this. We'll be able to kind of open eyes to what really Westmoreland is about. Um, one of the things that I've really going and talking with everybody, um, during this whole city council run is, you know, we're a very hard working people. We are considered district one.

>> Vanessa: Yes.

>> Jason Arthur: But we don't feel like we're number one in anything.

>> Vanessa: I agree.

>> Jason Arthur: Wayne county, um, it's such a weird variation. We are in Huntington city Council, but we're in two counties. The majority of ours is in Wayne county. The taxes and the fees that we go through is just unbelievable.

>> Vanessa: It really is. That's something that I tell people all the time. Um, when they ask me how I like living in Westmoreland. I'm like, I love it. Love it until it comes to the taxes. And a lot of people in Huntington don't realize that we paid double on a lot of things. They have no clue.

>> Jason Arthur: Yeah. And it almost feels like a punishment. And my question is why? And, you know, I've even gone now to you look at some of the situations with these levees. You have a levy in Wayne county that doesn't even affect us. We have to vote one way or the other, taxed and feed on things. But we're trying to deal with the city of Huntington.

>> Vanessa: Right.

>> Jason Arthur: So it's really just a strange kind of event when it comes to that. But, you know, the main thing is we just want to matter. We just want to feel like, okay, if we're part of Huntington, make us part of Huntington. Help us.

>> Vanessa: Right?

>> Jason Arthur: You know, if we're doing all these taxes and fees and we're working hard, and it is a very working class, complete neighborhood down there. Um, you know, again, we have no grocery store. Now, I know there's some things coming in, but it's not the same as a.

>> Vanessa: Not the same, right.

>> Jason Arthur: Camden Corner does a phenomenal job. I always talk about them.

>> Vanessa: Yes.

>> Jason Arthur: Everybody in the entire tri state, not even just our little one, is about Camden Corner.

>> Vanessa: Oh, yeah, you're getting the donuts for sure. And the chicken.

>> Jason Arthur: You know, everything from our roadways, our sidewalks, our lights, you know, those are very simplistic things, you know? And now, something you and I talked about. The state has a huge roadway that goes right through our neighborhoods.

>> Vanessa: Right through it.

>> Jason Arthur: And we can't even get our lawns and things mowed from the grass. And, you know, it's like, why are we going through all this?

>> Vanessa: Right? Right.

>> Jason Arthur: We need to get to where the state and the city can work together.

>> Vanessa: Amen.

>> Jason Arthur: Um, and I'll tell you another thing, is the counties, you know, I talk to county commissioners all the time, and they're saying we never get to work with the city. We're right across the street from each other, even down here in downtown Huntington, and it's like we don't even exist. None of us are working together. So I think that needs to.

>> Vanessa: Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.

>> Jason Arthur: Why are we not communicative?

>> Vanessa: Well, and I think the more people that get out in our community and learn not only our history, but see where our future is going, I think when they get more active, then those things will happen. Um, we don't have enough people standing up and speaking up. Um, but I think once we do, I think it'll make a big difference, um, because I know that I have loved raising my children in westmoreland. Uh, we are Westmoreland. Peoples are in through. You can't say west end to us without us being offended. We are not the west end. We are Westmoreland. We, um, are very, very proud to have Camden park. Uh, we love that. We love Camden corner. We love Sue's junk shop. I mean, that has been a really nice asset, even though we lost our grocery store. Glad, uh, something's in there. Uh, that set, uh, vacant for quite some time before she came in there. So, uh, we are making some changes. Good things are happening. Um, and I hope, uh, you can't control what your children do, but I hope that my children choose to raise their children here as well. So I'm very hopeful for the future of Westmoreland.

You know, Huntington has some amazing first responders. And I think we're going to see more

>> Jason Arthur: I agree. Yeah. And I think we're going to see that more and more. As long as there's opportunity, our kids will stay if there's opportunity. And if we continue to keep our area clean and we have, you know, stronger police force to make sure that that happens, because we cannot be everywhere at once to make sure our firefighters are taken care of. You know, Westmoreland, our fire department, our station there. Wow. It's the.

>> Vanessa: We call them our heroes, our Huntington heroes. Yeah, they are.

>> Jason Arthur: And I, you know, I go down to Central City to that fire station, and it's night and day.

>> Vanessa: Beautiful. Yeah.

>> Jason Arthur: That one in Westmoreland is the oldest. I think it was right at the turn of the century when that one was built. Um, you know, there's been some talk of trying to put a. A Vincent kind of memorial museum type situation, but these guys need a place to go first. We have the land, and we've been told for years and years it's going to get done. Um, and they deserve that. Our firefighters work very hard. They're all outstanding people, and a lot of them live in our community, so they want this.

>> Vanessa: A lot of them do live in our community. And you know what I love, um, being at safety town. We have the fire department comes every single day and meets all the kids that are in the classroom for the day. And the amount of children's whose face light up when their dad gets out of that fire truck, you know, I mean, it's a beautiful thing. And I had no idea how many first responders that we had that lived in our community until taking that job. But we have several ems, we have tons of firefighters, and we have tons of police officers that all live in our district. So, uh, I think that's pretty awesome. I think we're really lucky that, like you said, we're one of the last few neighborhoods that, um, it's not renter ran over. Um, these are owner occupied homes, and we're very, very lucky to have that. Um, thanks for being on the show today. This has been a great time. M anything you want to talk about before we take off?

>> Jason Arthur: No, I think that's it. I'm pretty well an open book. I'm very transparent. Uh, I work hard. I coach, uh, at Spring Valley.

>> Vanessa: Um, I'm glad you're bringing that up. I did want to touch on that before we go. What all do you coach? Is it just track?

>> Jason Arthur: I started with football and track, both. Um, my son. I've gone through the school system there. My daughter starts next year.

>> Vanessa: Okay.

>> Jason Arthur: Uh, it's exciting times. I now coach track with mark hall.

>> Vanessa: Okay.

>> Jason Arthur: Uh, we've built. In my opinion, we've built just almost a dynasty there. We're always in the running every year for championships from good old Wayne county.

>> Vanessa: Good old Wayne county.

Jason Arthur is running for Westmoreland mayor

>> Jason Arthur: We love every bit of stuff. So, um, other than that, you know, I just. I get to coach everybody from Westmoreland's kids.

>> Vanessa: Right?

>> Jason Arthur: Get to be a part of it. A lot of tie ins, and so many of them are a part of our firefighters and our police force. And I always shout out those guys, and they always appreciate that very much.

>> Vanessa: Yeah, absolutely. Um, if anyone wants to get ahold of you, what's the best way?

>> Jason Arthur: Yeah. So I've got Facebook, uh, votejasonarthur.com, comma, Instagram, Twitter. My phone.

>> Vanessa: You're on all the things.

>> Jason Arthur: I am on all the things. And one thing, again, I talk about my transparency. My phone number that is on any of my information is my actual phone number.

>> Vanessa: Okay?

>> Jason Arthur: I'm not sending you to city hall. I think that's one thing that Westmoreland wants.

>> Vanessa: Smart.

>> Jason Arthur: They want to talk to you.

>> Vanessa: Yes. They want to talk to you.

>> Jason Arthur: They want to feel like they have representation.

>> Vanessa: Yes. I'm 100% in, and I can vouch for that. Yesterday, Jason, uh, we had some people around the pool, and they found out that I knew him. And I'm like, hey, there's some people that want to talk to you. Do you have time?

>> Jason Arthur: And we did.

>> Vanessa: And he did. He came down with his daughter, his campaign manager.

>> Jason Arthur: That's right. My campaign manager. She does a phenomenal job, but it.

>> Vanessa: Was a great time, and, uh, I think everybody felt very satisfied after meeting Jason. Um, it was a good day. All right, Jason, well, I appreciate having you.

>> Jason Arthur: Appreciate you very much.

>> Vanessa: You might have to do a round two of this, because I think there's more that we can talk about in Westmoreland.

>> Jason Arthur: I look forward to it. Thank you.

This podcast includes content from the tri state time machine

>> Vanessa: All right, we are out of here.

>> Brett Johnson: Thanks for listening to the tri state time machine, brought to you by alexrwhite p ll c@suedistracteddriver.com dot if you have a memory you want Vanessa to talk more about, just send her an email at TSD M or post a comment on the tri state time machine Facebook page. Did you like the episode? Be sure to share it with friends and family. It's the only way we can continue this fun work that we do. You can find a link in the show notes that you can use to share it, and be sure to let our sponsors know you like the podcast as well. Their contact information can be found in this episode's show notes.