 By Alvin Engelke
alvinengelke@hotmail.com
166 riders braved the predicted rain (it happened) to go on the Creston ATV poker run. While some had chattering teeth as they were soaked they generally said they had fun. One fellow said the water in his waterproof boots "helped keep his feet warm". The community would like to thank all those who came and rode those who donated items, worked to set up the route, worked the kitchen, mailed out the cards, sold shirts, signed up riders, etc. Travis Burdette came down from Ohio & Ted Grim came from Erie Pennsylvania to help with the event. Those who made the ride got to see deer, wild turkey and bushytails galore as well as minnows, tadpoles, all sorts of wildflowers and redbud and dogwood at the peak. Charlie Heater won the 50/50, Virgil Roberts won first followed by David Herrington & Kathryn Runnion.
The next Creston Auction will be Friday May 8, starting at 5:30 P. M. with auctioneers Weaver & Hardway.
Preston Ball participated in the Tough Man contest. While he didn't win both he and his wife indicated that they had a fun time.
The Roane road crew patched the bad slip at the head of Tom's Run which was almost impassable.
Broadway Joe announced that he wouldn't come back and play governor again but was going to stay in the lower Potomac swamps, be the Big Eared One's errand boy and work for Hillary. When he learned that the Clintons were able to raise billions through their political connections his multimillion dollar coal fortune seemed peanuts. Hillary's approval of the sale of US uranium mines to Putin's Russia has even strenuous democrats scratching their head but the Clintons were well paid. It was reported that Farmer Walt was elated that his buddy Joe "bowed out" and now coal slickster Jim Justice says he is in the game. Lord help us all!
It is reported that the state road raises are soon to happen and one of the bigs said, "I don't want no $20/hour men going around with a $10 attitude and we expect more production". Another said "We don't need 2 cent attitude managers either". Apparently one of the new things is to cut corners wherever possible and one knows how that always works out.
Michael Smolinski of Energy Directions spoke at the spring meeting of SOOGA, the Southeast Ohio Oil & Gas Association meeting in Marietta which was attended by Winnie, Buckeye's main man at Brooksville. He indicated that oil should reach $80 by August. Presently local Pennsylvania grade crude fetches $56.15/bbl. with drip bringing $32.15, Marcellus & Utica light $50.15 and medium $56.15/bbl. Gasolene locally took at 20 to 25 cent jump one day last week.
Charlie Burd, the old Hope man who is the head honcho of IOGA brought Woody Ireland to the meeting to talk about the forced pooling/lease integration bill. Woody was introduced as "an advocate of the industry". At a prior meeting when asked why the forced pooling bill treated "non bonded operators" harshly he replied that he had no idea what the questioner was talking about. He had claimed that the lawyers for the legislature wrote the bill as he had set it out.
A certain fellow recently signed a lease for a 1/8th royalty for what is said to be a big project with a company that most feel belongs to Aubrey McClendon's American Energy group. The leaseman said that now they had all the tracts except for one where the woman, who obviously had kept up on modern leases, wanted 20% royalty. The company man said, "We will force pool her and get the royalty down where WE want it!" It had been made clear, months ago that the main reason the big out of state boys who can buy influence and whatever, want the forced pooling bill is to avoid paying big lease bonuses and royalties reflecting the actual value of the leases. As some have said, "We have the best money can buy". One fellow who serves under the golden dome used to brag about how much he made each session.
On the occasion of the neighborhood watch meeting there were three (3) state policemen in Creston.
Charleie Burd reported that under the new tank bill each tank in use will have a $40 annual fee to Earl Ray & Copmpany and tanke in use but not listed with DEP will be subject to big fines & penalties.
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Hur Herald. | 
