Cooperative Living January 2015 - 19

tion to continuing the town's charter, but he
does not think that giving up the town's
incorporated status is a good idea.
" I like the idea of having an incorporated
town, Kilgallen says, adding that there is a
value to having town services such as trash
pickup, water and sewer.
" Having a town government helps us
maintain the infrastructure and allows us
control over those repairs we feel appropriate, "
he says.
Sheriff's Deputy Ronald Wimer, 48, is a
lifelong Highland resident and the town
council's longest-serving member. Since first
being elected in 2002, Wimer has seen how
much longer economic woes have taken to
affect Highland, and how much longer the
county and town have taken to approach
recovery.
" Several businesses have closed up, and
several homes have been foreclosed on, "
Wimer says. He echoed Mayor Holman's optimism
about news of some storefronts reopening.
Other local enhancements have included
a multi-million-dollar renovation and doubling
the size of Highland Medical Center.
Then there's development of a town park
across the road. And there has been completion
of a mile-long walking and biking trail
and a public swimming pool, he points out.
In his role as deputy, Wimer has noticed
that economic hardship corresponds to the
incidence of domestic violence calls. " It was
more of a spiral upward when the economy
was crashing, " he says. " Now it has stabilized
and the demand for services is not as high. "
One of the things town council can do to
help spur the recovery is to invite community
participation, Wimer says. He notes that
attendance at town council meetings
increased over the summer and fall of 2014.
Another is to encourage tourism.
" Monterey is well known all around the
state, " Wimer says. " We're well known for
mountains and beautiful vistas. The biggest
draw is tourism. We take it for granted, but
outsiders love it, " he says. He should know.
He worked part-time at the Highland Inn
several years before beginning as deputy more
than two decades ago.
Monterey Town Council's youngest member,
Cody Cohen grew up in a Highland
County hollow about a mile from the closest
neighbor. The 1998 Highland High graduate
worked during her high school years in
Monterey at Highs Restaurant as a server and
across Main Street at the Highland Inn as a
housekeeper, waitress and babysitter for the
owners. After graduating, she attended
Fairmont State and West Virginia University
to study art history. The family moved about
January 2015/www.co-opliving.com
the same time from the farm in the
hollow to Monterey.
Cohen returned to Highland and
worked as a substitute teacher for the
school system and as assistant to the
county reassessor, followed by a year
in which she gained more knowledge
about local government by floating
through the courthouse offices of the
treasurer, registrar and circuit court
clerk, working as assistant.
About eight years ago,
Cohen was hired as
administrative assistant by
First and Citizens Bank.
Despite the gradual downturn
in the county's population,
the bank has been
growing steadily because,
as Cohen says, " it's a
hometown bank. The
customers know us, and
we know them.
" Living in town, you
become aware of the
issues, " Cohen says. Empty
store-fronts and lack of
Top: A blaze of autumn glory
surrounds Monterey landmarks.
Left: " The businesses in town are
community participation
are on the list of issues facing
this rural hamlet. With
a population of about 140,
Monterey has huge potential
to become a town that
attracts more businesses,
Cohen says.
" We have so much to offer here, " Cohen
says. She likens the potential to West Virginia
neighboring towns that have capitalized on
their rural identities to attract tourism. She
points to Thomas, W. Va., which has been in
the process of revitalization. Monterey has
the wherewithal to open up to the same
opportunity.
Every Friday afternoon during the summer
and part of the fall, the bustling Highland
Farmers Market on Spruce Street attracts a
growing following that is firmly entrenched
in the local-foods movement with locally
grown meats and produce. And Neil's Small
Engine Repair sells its own farm-raised eggs
during the summer to customers, even if they
don't have their lawn mowers or chainsaws
serviced or replaced. One of the newest businesses
on Monterey's Main Street is Dancon, a
combination of retail electronics store, toy
store and local art and gift store.
" The businesses in town are to be commended
because they're trying, " Cohen says.
" They're not closing their doors after a slow
season. It's really good for them to keep their
doors open. "
to be commended because they're
trying, " Councilwoman Cody
Cohen says. Right: " I like the idea
of having an incorporated town, "
councilman Jack Kilgallen says.
Bottom: " I'm really proud to say
we are secure, " Mayor Rich
Holman says of Monterey.
Cohen says she would like to see more
Monterey businesses stay open past 5 p.m.
" For many, the stores are closed when we get
off work, " she says.
There are two arterial highways that intersect
at Monterey, U.S. 250 and U.S. 220.
Traffic is nonstop in the winter with people
on their way to the ski resorts at The Omni
Homestead in Hot Springs and to Snowshoe,
W. Va. " We need to lure them to shop and eat
here, not just gas up. There's a lot to see here.
" We need job opportunities, " she says of
the mounting number of people who moved
away and want to return to Monterey. She has
heard an idea for a call center that would
bring jobs. " Think about the job opportunities
that would generate, " she says.
Cohen knows there are naysayers. " It
upsets me when people say it's a dying county, "
she says. " Do you just let it die? "
Monterey has many attributes that are
attractive to anyone. " It's beautiful, it's unique
and it's safe. You're not going to find a lot of
other places like this. "
John Bruce is community news editor for The
Recorder newspaper. He lives in Monterey.
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JOHN BRUCE PHOTOS
Cooperative Living January 2015

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