By: Mat Cloak
The Parsons Advocate
Thomas Mayor Matt Quattro presented an update on the Thomas Community Center roof at the County Commission meeting. A windstorm in early spring blew about 25 percent of the shingles off. The insurance company awarded the city $9,000 to repair damage.
“There’s no sense in even wasting $9,000 trying to patch a bunch of old shingles, because the roof is over 30 years old,” Quattro said. The city decided to move forward in replacing the roof. The Thomas Parks and Recreation Commission raised $10,000, and the City of Thomas is able to use about $12,000 from their budget for the new roof.
To complete the project, about $20,000 more was needed. The Community Center operates as a county shelter as well, which was why Quattro solicited financial help from the Commission. The Commission approved the financing.
Quattro struggled to find a contractor to bid on the project, but found one willing to complete the job for $39,000. The work on the roof began over the weekend.
FFA facilitator Paul Pennington and a group of students presented their recent accomplishments and sought financial help from the Commission. “We are in a little bit of a financial crunch,” Pennington said. FFA plans to spend $12,000 next year for regional competitions and trips, and the costs associated with those trips. The Commission approved to give $1,500 to FFA.
The FFA students spoke of their recent trip to the national competition. A number of the students from Tucker County placed highly in their specific categories. “I want to congratulate you for what you have already accomplished, and this is a great honor for students of Tucker County to have,” Commission President Lowell Moore said.
Genesis Youth Crisis Center CEO Matt Rudder was present during the meeting to answer any questions the Commission might have about the new center in Parsons opening in January. The Commission asked Rudder general questions about the facility. The facility is classified by the state as an emergency shelter that will house approximately 15 co-ed children ranging from 10 to 17 years old. Rudder plans to hire 20 to 25 staff. “Even though we come from Clarksburg, our intent is not to bring a bunch of Clarksburg people and run a facility in Parsons,” Rudder said.
County Clerk Sherry Simmons read a letter from a citizen that recently received help from the County Clerk’s Office for genealogy research. This spurred her to express gratitude to all those that serve the city, county, and country.
Prosecuting Attorney Ray LaMore reported on a string of serious crimes including a sexual assault. The Circuit Court was in session last Friday, and about 20 hearings were heard.
