Observer Hot Takes is a discussion of Political issues and current events featuring Gary Keith, and Shannon Welsh. They will explore both local issues around WV and national issues.
Observer Hot Takes: Clarksburg Water Board Issues (ep. 2)
Observer Live wanted the Clarksburg Water Board’s General Manager, Jason Meyers, for a real sit down interview about lead line replacement, project updates, and rising rates. Two days before the show, he backed out.So we did what we always do. We stayed transparent with you, read his email on air, and talked through what the public can actually find on the Water Board website, including the November 24 project updates and the “CWB Tariff” document that has people confused and frustrated.We break down why a “virtual town hall” is not the same as being questioned in real time, why the word “tariff” feels misleading, and why lead exposure is not a joke, especially for babies and pregnant women. We also talk about the bigger trust problem, how public agencies communicate, and why the community deserves clear answers.This episode is part comedy, part civic reality check, and 100% about getting closer to the truth.Like, subscribe, and drop your questions in the comments. If you have a specific concern about your neighborhood or your bill, tell us what you are seeing and we will dig into it on a future show.Linkshttps://welshforhouse.comhttps://www.clarksburgwaterproject.com
15 Dec 2025
Observer Hot Takes: Clarksburg Accountability and Transparency After a Fire (ep. 3)
A Clarksburg, WV family says months of ignored complaints about a vacant house ended in disaster when a fire spread and burned their longtime home. In this episode of Observer Live, Gary Keith and Shannon Welsh sit down with guest Camden Cutlip, whose parents lived on North 24th Street, to talk about what happened before and after the fire.Camden walks through the timeline of calls and emails to Clarksburg Code Enforcement, what his family discovered through FOIA records, and why they believe the city failed to act on a known problem property. We talk about the night of the fire, the impact on his parents, and what needs to change so other Clarksburg residents living next to vacant homes are not put at the same risk.If you live in Clarksburg or anywhere in West Virginia and are dealing with a dangerous vacant property, this conversation about code enforcement, city accountability, and public safety is for you.
23 Nov 2025
Observer Hot Takes: The I79 Roadwork 19 Million!
GK and Shannon tackle the nineteen million dollar I79 roadwork project and why it has become such a nightmare for drivers. A quick breakdown, one topic, straight talk. If you drive this stretch every day, you will feel this one.
23 Nov 2025
Observer Live: Episode 2 Vice Mayor Jerry Riffle
In this episode of Observer Live, host Gary Keith and guest cohost Shannon Welsh sit down with Clarksburg Vice Mayor Jerry Riffle to talk about where the city stands and where it’s headed. From torn-up roads and the massive water-sewer-gas project to downtown redevelopment, housing, and the future of the Waldo and Goff buildings — nothing is off the table. We also cover city leadership, the ethics drama, and how Clarksburg can move forward together.🎙️ Observer Live is a local talk show focused on politics, progress, and the people shaping North Central West Virginia.#ClarksburgWV #ObserverLive #JerryRiffle #WestVirginiaPolitics #CityCouncil #WaldoHotel #GoffBuilding #ClarksburgNews #LocalGovernment #GaryKeith #ShannonWelsh
23 Nov 2025
Observer Live: Intro Episode #1
Observer Live: Episode 1 “Meet the Hosts”Welcome to the pilot episode of The Clarksburg Observer, a new talk show focused on truth, accountability, and open conversation about life and leadership in North Central, West Virginia.In this first episode, host Gary Keith and guest host Shannon Welsh sit down to introduce themselves, share the story behind the show, and explain what inspired them to turn years of off-air conversations into a public platform. They discuss the lack of transparency in small-town politics, why local voices deserve to be heard, and what they hope to change by getting people on the record.Expect straight talk, humor, and local insight — no spin, no national politics, just honest discussion about the community we all live in.📍 Topics covered in this episode:Who Gary and Shannon are, and how the show came togetherWhy small-town residents deserve more information and accessThe purpose and future of The Clarksburg ObserverA preview of the types of guests and conversations to come🎙️ About the Show:The Clarksburg Observer is a long-form local talk program dedicated to real conversations about city, county, and state issues — without the noise of national politics.Follow us on Facebook and YouTube for upcoming episodes featuring local officials, community leaders, and residents who care about the future of our region.
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