Elizabeth Lancaster attended Tuesday’s meeting of the Parsons City Council to give an update on the “Our House” Youth Center. This center is located in the back of the old Swartz Building on First Street in Parsons and has been in the works for the past three years. The center will provide a safe place for our children to go for tutoring, to play games, and to just hang out with friends. The Center submitted an application and was chosen as one of the top two hundred projects in the United States to compete for a $25,000 grant from State Farm Neighborhood Assist by using Facebook to vote. The top 40 in votes will receive the grant. Council is urging the community to vote.
Pam Ruediger spoke about Art Spring and the Americorp workers efforts to get more activities in Parsons. She wanted council to know that there will be a quilt show in the old train depot building on May 18. The quilts displayed will reflect the life of the crafters grandmother, who resided in Parsons. Ruediger also spoke about the concert series to be held on Friday nights at the stage in Mill Race Park. They are looking for local talent to participate.
Chief Rowe presented an update on the business and residential properties that have been given notices for clean-up or demolishing of buildings. Rowe said that most have already begun to address the issues presented to them.
Jason Myers, City Administrator presented council will a business growth report by county that was presented by the West Virginia Secretary of State. The report shows Tucker County in the top ten statewide for new business growth this year.
Council also reported that a new piece of playground equipment is being placed in Mill Race Park. A new ship will be available for the children to climb on and play in.
In other business, council voted to appoint poll workers for the 2014 Municipal election. The council tabled making changes to the Building and Construction Ordinance, and voted to pay all city expenditures as presented.
The next regular meeting of the city council will be on Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at 6 p.m. in the council chambers of the Charles W. “Bill” Rosenau Municipal building.