Gossip spreads like wildfire. Each person who repeats it and adds a few words of their own, soon turn it into a raging inferno, totally out of control. What a sad turn of events, when people unwittingly or purposely damage somebody’s reputation with vicious gossip.
For those of you who do not know Archie Hubbard, he has served Boone County for over 27 years as a dedicated Racine Volunteer Firefighter, and 16 of those years as an employee in the field of emergency services…with one goal- “helping others”. As Archie’s mother, the hardest thing for me to understand is: How could someone who cares so much and has helped so many, be treated so badly by some in Boone Co.?
I wonder how Commissioner Atholl Halstead looks at himself in the mirror or sleeps at night. He has made unfounded statements about Archie, at meetings and out in public. For example, while attending a wake at Armstrong Funeral Home in Whitesville, he talked about Archie in a very negative manner. Not only was this an inappropriate time, but, probably, unethical for him to be discussing 'personnel matters' with those who were attending the bereavement ceremony.
He has admitted that he was ‘out to get’ Archie but the reason is unknown to any of us. Was it the work that Archie and others were doing on the radio & cell tower? Was it the grant money that Archie applied for (the grant application was approved) to help finance the tower for Boone County? Was it because Mr. Halstead thought he was not going to get credit for the tower? Could he not see beyond his own ego to realize everyone wanted the same thing— a good radio system and the possibility of cell service on Big Coal River?
In the long run, most would have forgotten how hard these guys worked on the tower and would probably only remember the picture of Comm. Halstead taken at the grand opening. But, now it remains to be seen if there will even be a tower. (Archie said that even though he was no longer a part of it, he hopes the tower gets finished for Boone Co.)
Mr. Halstead has used whatever he could to discredit Archie in his job. He stated that the ambulance service needed fixed, but was unable to explain what he meant by this.
When Archie took over, almost 10 years ago as executive director, the BCAA (Boone Co. Ambulance Authority) was nearly bankrupt. Through the good insight of the board of directors at that time, he was given the authority to lead. By doing so, he, along with his staff, turned it around and it is now one of the top ambulance services in the state. There is money in the bank and a remarkable record for paying the bills on time. They keep up-to-date equipment & supplies to serve the citizens with the best they can offer.
Archie’s honesty and integrity has never been questioned before. The ambulance service books and audits are impeccable. What more could you want? How can you fix something that is not broken? (Archie was terminated on Feb. 22. with a motion made by George Parsons, stating they (the few remaining boardmembers and the county commission) wanted to take the BCAA in a different direction. Where in the world could this direction be headed? It appears some are determined to break the BCAA for their own selfish reasons.
How can anyone justify the damage they have done to Archie’s reputation, his livelihood and the well-being of him and his family?
Sincerely,
Kit Shaffer
Elkview, WV
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