By: Mat Cloak
The Parsons Advocate
The City Council meeting on Tuesday, November 14 began with the Council honoring Commission President Lowell Moore and Donna Stiles.
Commissioner Moore was recognized for his work regarding the Pulp Mill Bottom Diversion Wall project. Delays prolonged the arduous project for 23 months. “It has been a long drawn out job. I spent a lot of time at it, and it needed to be done,” Moore said.
Stiles, an AmeriCorps volunteer, was commended for her work organizing the Halloween candy walk. Over 300 children came out to the event. “We ran out of candy, so I think it was a success,” Stiles said. The Council considered ways to alleviate parking issues that came about because of the large number of attendees.
The Council paid two invoices totaling $71,478.40. The Revenue Control Report was released. The revised general fund budget was $741,890. The total amount received for the general fund was $298,556.63. The uncollected balance for the general fund is $443,333.37. The uncollected balance for the Coal Severance Fund is $3,303.14. A budget revision was approved to increase the City of Parsons budget by $12,386.
Council member Timothy Auvil presented information from the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. There are 278 active members at the Wellness 24 Center. The Council approved a $699 payment to Ashley Ware for the Ace Personal Certificate with a two-year commitment to work at Wellness 24. Tim Turner and Kennetha Greenlief were reappointed to the Parks Board.
Rodger Ware was appointed to the Parsons Economic Development Authority.
The Police Department monthly statistics were provided. There was one felony case, 33 calls answered, 128 patrol hours, and 30.5 investigation hours in October.
The City of Charles Town, West Virginia asked Parsons to join their initiative, Golden Rule City. As a way of inspiring and recognizing acts of kindness, the City’s schools encourage students to join the “Golden Rule Club” by committing one act of kindness. When the child has five kind acts on their record, they are recognized at City Hall. The Parsons City Council elected to join this initiative.
The Christmas parade will be held on Saturday, December 9. The next City Council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, December 5.
