By: Lydia Crawley
The Parsons Advocate
The Tucker County Commission approved a total of $7,750 in funding requests from two organizations at the May 27th meeting in Parsons. The Historic Landmark Commission was approved $7,000 towards improvements to the Historic Railroad Depot in Parsons and the Tucker County Little League Traveling Team were granted $750 towards new uniforms by the Commissioners.
The Historic Landmark Commission submitted a formal request to the Commission for repairs to the Historic Railroad Depot in Parsons. While the organization had already had plans to repaint the roof with sealant, they also requested funding for underpinning of the building. The request for the underpinning came as a result of animals and people infiltrating their way under the building. The request also stated that there are fears of people flicking lit cigarettes against cross ties, causing a fire at the structure.
“It is currently underpinned with railroad ties. There are some missing, as well,” Tucker County Commission President Mike Rosenau read from the request.
The organization plans to place metal around the base of the building to protect the wooden underpinning and to keep people and animals out of underneath the structure. The total cost of the metal underpinning was estimated at $7,000.
“I went over and looked at it and there are areas where people can crawl under it,” Rosenau said. “There’s been animals and people under there. There’s McDonald’s wrappers clear up under the building and cigarette butts everywhere.”
The County has a line item in the Hotel-Motel Tax for Historic Preservation of Buildings, according to Rosenau. The $7,000 request was approved by the Commission with a motion by Rosenau and voted on by Commissioner Knotts. Commissioner Davis was absent.
A request was made on behalf of the Tucker County Little League Traveling Team for uniforms. The League had raised all funding, with the exception of $750, according to Rosenau.
“This is youth throughout the County, participates in this,” Rosenau said. “They are requesting $750, the total cost is $3,500.”
The $750 request was approved in a motion made by Rosenau and voted on by Commissioner Knotts. Commissioner Davis was absent.
