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Robin Howell: Invisible floodwall would protect city and view of river

July 02, 2008 @ 09:20 PM

In The Herald-Dispatch dated Wednesday, June 25, Diane W. Mufson wrote an article over concern for the floodwall in Huntington and the discussion that has been on the increase in recent months to remove it, her argument being that the wall is there to protect the community from flooding and shouldn't be removed, no matter how ugly it is.

I doubt that anyone in our community would like the floodwall removed and leave us vulnerable to occasional flooding of our downtown area. However, I believe that the discussion that has been circulating is about the feasibility of removing the present wall and installing what is called the invisible wall, which I brought to the attention of Mayor David Felinton last fall. He had never heard of it. The suggestion I offered was at a meeting of volunteers for short- and long-term improvements at Harris Riverfront Park with a follow-up e-mail and information sent to Brandi Jacobs-Jones and Bill Toney earlier this year.

The invisible wall has already been installed in approximately 45 locations throughout the country to protect cities and other areas from flooding. It allows citizens to enjoy the view of the riverfront and cities to take full advantage of the positive economic impact that riverfront property has to offer and at the same time protect them from flooding. The invisible wall nearest to Huntington is located in Louisville, Ky.

For more information on the invisible wall, go to www.floodcontrolam.com or Google "flood control" on your computer.

Robin Howell is a Huntington resident. She is an independent candidate for mayor.

Letters
Reader looks for memories of school

December 01, 2008 @ 08:20 PM

I can still see it as I climb the ridge at the south end of Johnstown Road. And those who turn onto West Virginia 527 from Miller Road and Pleasant Valley Drive can see it, too. That is, if they attended the little red brick school that made its home in the valley where Interstate 64 now runs east and west. It sat in the middle of a vast green meadow. Johnstown Road ran past it, almost at its door, and there was a lazy little creek on the north side of the dirt playground where we spent many a recess. We played marbles in the dust. We played ball and jacks and all the things that can be done in 15 minutes worth of free time. We developed lifelong relationships there, and our teachers taught us so many things. What a wonderful place Pleasant Valley Elementary School was. The interstate took it years ago, but my mind's eye still sees it from the hill.
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Blogs
Tri-State Theater

On Stage in December

December 1, 2008 @ 11:26pm

Who says there's not much to see in December? (Well, I did, but I was way off base.) Here are the shows you should be watching for in the month ahead: - The 1940s Radio Hour - (ARTS) at the Renaissance Center in Huntington on Dec. 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. - Mary - (CYAC) at the WVSU Capitol...

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