By Cathy Bonner
The Parsons Advocate
At the recent regular meeting of the Parsons City Council, Jason Myers, City Administrator, announced that a surveillance camera system has been installed at the splash park and it paid for itself on the first night. This new technology has motion sensors and audio features that immediately send a notice to city officials through their cell phone when it detects motion. This camera installation was necessary due to recent vandalism at the splash park.
At a public meeting held just prior to the regular council meeting, Jim Marshall, representative from Region VII Planning and Development Council, met with council members to go over preliminaries to applying for a Small Cities Block Grant. This estimated $600,000 project would help Parsons and Hamrick PSD with a secondary source of water supply during emergency situations.
Kevin White spoke to the council on behalf of the Tucker County OEM regarding the Human Resources Development Foundation, which was formed due to recent flooding events.
“The project’s purpose is solely stream clean-up. The clean-up crew has been working on Wamsley Run that comes down out of Smokey Hollow. They will be removing downed timber, trash, and anything else that is not considered a part of the natural habitat,” said White. He also stated, “We hope to have this program extended to a full year and a crew of ten local people working in other areas of the county to include Mill Race Slough (Parsons), Leadmine, Thomas, Davis, and the Red Creek area.”
White then changed hats to his Parsons Volunteer Fire Department helmet and spoke to the council on the proposed change of their Annual Homecoming Fair to Memorial Day Weekend next year. This has become necessary because Gambill Amusements have requested this change. This was the only time they could fit Parsons into their calendar. White said that he had contacted other entities that may have an interest in the date change. Councilman David Greenlief expressed his concern that it would be jamming too much into one of the busiest times of the year.
White told the council, “The Homecoming Fair is the fire department’s largest fundraiser. Proceeds from the fair provide vital funding to the department. This funding has also helped the community’s ISO rating and in return has lowered resident’s fire insurance rates.” He also indicated that the date change would be a permanent change, barring any future unforeseen problems. “With change comes uncertainty; however, this change is necessary to maintain future events.”
Requesting the use of the downtown city streets for the 2019 Annual PVFD’s Homecoming Fair was brought up for vote. Two members of council abstained because of their membership on the fire department and one voted in opposition. The motion passed in favor of the change; thus allowing the fire department to proceed with their contract with Gambill Amusements, which must be signed a year in advance. Bruce Kolsun stated, “He appreciated the leg-work done by White and all the information he brought to the city council.” He agreed with White that any problems that might arise can be worked out.
Other business discussed included:
The Pulp Mill Bottom Elevation Project has completed construction on the two houses on Davis Street. The third house on Kohler Street will be finished within the next few weeks.
Due to pending encroachment issues along Railroad Alley, it was decided to table Jerry Hardy, Sr.’s request for abandonment of a section of alley adjacent to his lot until these issues could be resolved.
Another encroachment issue was discovered during a recent survey. The City was planning to install a storm drainage system for the new Parsons Shop ‘N Save building on Mohn Street, but has been halted due to major encroachments. This matter was turned over to City Attorney Pat Nichols to resolve.
It was voted on to allow staff to attend the Municipal and Associations Seminar in Charleston on July 17-18.
City Administrator Jason Myers noted that a change had been made to allow commissioners and poll workers equal pay in working the upcoming election.
Water line replacements for River Street and Hillcrest Drive are proceeding accordingly for this summer.
The problems with the garbage truck has been found to be electrical and it’s back in operation.
Both water tank inspections and cleanings went well.
Myers reported that the contractor had broken ground on the building at the cemetery and it was now under construction.
Myers also announced the ice rink had been ordered and will be here in September.
Police Chief Bill Rowe requested council to re-post the position for the part-time patrolman and to also open it up to out-of-county applicants. He reported the new weapons that were previously ordered have arrived and they are now waiting on the ammo. Chief Rowe presented his monthly police statistics, listing one citation, one misdemeanor case, 42 answered calls, 102 patrol hours, 40.50 office hours, 32 investigation hours and 102 hours for other/special event hours.
The Big Mountain Run Bike Rally through Parsons will be Saturday, June 9.
According to Tammy Michael, Events Coordinator, “We are very excited about our upcoming summer events. Our first event is on Friday, June 15, with SPECIAL THINGS FOR SPECIAL PEOPLE. This event gives children and adults with special needs the opportunity to come and participate in different fun-filled events along with music, cake walks, cartoon characters, and even a dunking booth to dunk Jason and others.” Donations by several churches and others have helped make this event possible.
The Parsons and Recreation Commission will hold their annual gospel sing on Friday, June 22. Entertaining on stage that day will be the Sonbeams, Alison DeLeurere, Ellen and Ronnie Shaffer, Meg and Jim Buddingh, The Goldenairs, Mike Helmick, Holly Ash, and many more. Michael expressed that “all our events are to bring families together to have fun. Our motto is all about FAMILY, FOOD and FUN!!!”
The next meeting of the Parsons City Council will be held on Tuesday, June 19 at 6 p.m. in the Charles W. “Bill” Rosenau Municipal Building.