After enjoying their annual Christmas Dinner, the Parsons Mayor and council members held their final regularly scheduled meeting of 2013.
Janet Preston, representing the Friends of the Cheat (Cheat River Water Trail) was in attendance to request the city’s partnership in applying for a grant from the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy supports the conservation, preservation and use of waterways.
The $4,000 grant, if approved, would allow the group to make improvements to the canoe/kayak river access area located on Poplar Street in the area known as the Pulp Mill Bottom. Preston stated, “We want to stabilize the road where it softens as it slopes down to the river and possibly mark a parking area for three to five vehicles.” Preston added that there is also a one time $1,000 grant available that would go towards maintaining the area for a ten year period.
Council unanimously agreed to partner or sponsor the grant application for the Cheat River Water Trail project.
Also attending the meeting was Rodger Ware representing the Corricks Ford Battlefield.
Ware presented council with a preliminary event outline for a re-enactment of the pursuit of Garnett to be presented by Mess No. 1, out of Ohio. This group has been involved with authentic living history events for the past 10 years and hosted their first event at Rich Mountain in 2006. The group would like to return to West Virginia to finish the story that began on Rich Mountain and have chosen to portray a portion of the pursuit of General Robert Garnett’s retreat.
The event would take place from Friday, July 10, 2015 through Sunday, July 12, 2015 with the majority of the event taking place out of the public view. The pursuit would begin on Saturday morning along a 10 – 12 mile route with both columns camping on Saturday night. On Sunday morning the chase would continue and culminate with the battle around noon. The public will be invited to watch the battle as General Garnett’s troops are routed and he is tragically killed.
Council members and the mayor are enthusiastic about this possible event and look forward to receiving more details.
In other business, council voted to designate a section of the east side of Central Avenue from Shirley Street to Quality Street as a “NO PARKING ZONE”. Additionally, council agreed to establish a Building Rehabilitation Fund to address any hazardous properties within the city limits.
Council agreed to accept, with regret, the resignation of Daniel I. Williams as Water/Waste Water Technician effective December 27, 2013.
The next meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m., Tuesday, January 7, 2014 in the Council Chambers of the Charles W. “Bill” Rosenau Municipal Building. If you would like an item on the agenda, please contact the business office at (304) 478-2311.