We’re pulling for Timberline to get open this season, but the news (and rumors) surrounding the resort certainly make it questionable as to whether that will happen.
We’ve attempted to reach out to Timberline’s management and owners to no avail thus far. Several fans of the resort have taken to social media to share their opinions and several readers and people “close to the resort” have emailed us with their insight. Unfortunately, we can’t really share those because we don’t know what is fact, fiction or somewhere nin between.
A few of our readers have taken to pointing a negative finger at SkiSoutheast for not sharing what we could, related to this story…and it IS a story. We’re just not certain WHAT the story is.
This story reminds me so much of the turmoil that took place between the local, Seven Devils, NC town and government and Hawksnest Ski area several years back and we all know how that turned out.
One reader wrote, “Regarding all of the rumors around Timberline, guys, I know you have some information that you’re not sharing and I think you owe it to your readers to do so.” – Barbara Ellington
Well – Barbara, the truth is, we don’t know anything more than what we’ve read. We do have some insiders, close to the area…however, they’ve all been pretty respectful of the owners and they themselves are not all that certain what is rumor and what is fact. However, there IS a lot of finger pointing and negative accusations floating around.
To that end, we will share a report from Davis, WV area’s The Parsons Advocate. Read on.
https://www.parsonsadvocate.com/investigations-begin-bwn-continues-at-timberline/
Some telling excerpts:
In addition to the Public Service Commission of West Virginia’s general investigation of Timberline Four Season Utilities, a West Virginia State Police and Tucker County Sheriff’s investigation are also underway.
Citing legal responses to defamation or false accusations, Fred said, “It’s impossible to avoid the chilling effect that this is having. And I do believe it is coordinated. I think there are multiple interests involved, and I don’t know who they are.”
After a number of formal complaints were submitted to the Public Service Commission of West Virginia throughout the year, the commission has ordered a general investigation of Timberline Four Seasons Utilities.
The investigation concerns customers being required to boil water before using it, not having a licensed operator working for the utility, inconsistent billing of customers, the utility’s phone being disconnected, payroll checks to staff being declined for insufficient funds, failure to collect the ordered repayment for improper affiliate transfers of cash, failure to satisfy multiple years of federal and state tax liabilities and the utility not paying its bills, including to Canaan Valley Public Service District (CVPSD) for sewage treatment.
A statement from the Public Service Commission of West Virginia reads, “The situation at the Timberline Four Seasons Utilities, Inc. (TFSU) is increasingly untenable. In addition to a significant debt to its sewer treatment provider, TFSU has also lost its certified water operator. Commission Staff has filed allegations regarding serious financial and managerial irregularities. Additionally, it is possible that aspects of the alleged mismanagement may create civil or criminal liability for the owners and managers of TFSU.”
The Chief Administrative Law Judge of the Public Service Commission scheduled a hearing for December 13, 2108, in Davis, West Virginia in order to make a determination as to whether to move forward with receivership. The hearing will take place at 9:30 a.m. in the Pine Room of the Canaan Valley State Park lodge.
The receivership decision will be made after a review of Timberline’s finances and management, including funding, utility operations, management of ratepayer revenues. The determination will also be made regarding, “Whether there is any evidence that TFSU funds have been wrongfully diverted to personal uses of the owners or affiliated companies without proper authority; The sources and uses of funds; The status and condition of the physical plant and operations of TFSU; and The training and technical abilities of the TFSU operational personnel.”
In 2016, Fred and Tracy permanently moved to the area in order to assume management roles for the four affiliated companies, which includes Timberline Four Seasons Utilities, Timberline Four Seasons Realty, Herz Herz and Reichle, and Timberline Four Seasons Resort Management.
Timberline plans to open for the ski season on November 30. “We are getting our snow guns put up on the mountain as we speak,” Fred said.
Both Fred and Tracy stated they have no intention to sell any of the four affiliated companies.