By Beth Christian Broschart
The Parsons Advocate
PARSONS – A representative from the Tucker County Chamber of Commerce shared some encouraging news with Tucker County Commissioners Wednesday. Andy Snyder spoke with Commissioners about an estimated economic impact expanded alcohol serving times could generate for Tucker County if passed during Tuesday’s election.
Snyder said the study found if the Sunday Brunch Bill passes in Tucker County it could generate an addition $725,000 in new food and alcohol sales from county visitors, plus an additional $197,000 in other economic activity. That would generate an estimated $257,000 in new earnings for local employees and business proprietors including $217,000 in new earnings for restaurant employees.
He said the study estimates the tax impacts for all levels of government would be approximately $72,000 and the new local tax revenue from wine and liquor would be approximately $3,400.
“All we are asking as the Chamber of Commerce is to please support this because it means jobs, it means additional revenue and it gives the guests visiting Tucker County something they typically back in their home market – Sunday brunch,” Snyder said. “Many people take advantage of that. We feel the work we have completed will generate additional revenue for the county.”
In other business, David Lambert asked Commissioners for a donation to redo the Tucker County Youth Basketball floor. He said the estimates to rehab the annex floor would be $38,000.
“Over the past five or six years, we have raised $25,000 of our own money we are putting toward the project,” Lambert said. “These funds came from concession sales and gate fees from the games. Anything you would be willing to donate to the project would be great.”
Lambert said the flooring selected would not be wood, but a vinyl laminate that would stand up to basketball and other projects. He said the group is preparing letters to send to local businesses asking for funds.
Commissioners voted to table the request until their next meeting. Tucker County Youth Basketball serves approximately 180 children per season.
Matthew Baker, Blackwater Falls State Park Supervisor, requested Commissioners write a letter of support stating the ‘property is zoned for a business so they can request an ABC License for the gift shop to sell alcoholic gift items to carry out. Commissioners approved sending the letter stating the property is zoned for business.
A letter from Ron Hollis at the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge asked Tucker County Commissioners to submit a letter of support for a grant for a Federal Lands Access Grant for Camp Road 70 in Davis.
“In efforts to ease the economic burden by the West Virginia Department of Highways to maintain the road, I have decided to apply for the Eastern Federal Lands Access Program Grant for 2017. My goal is to apply for approximately $1.5 million available for West Virginia. Highlights of the program include providing safe and adequate access to and from the federal lands for visitors. It supplements state and local resources for public roads with a high use for recreation. Work is being conducted with the West Virginia Department of Highways. There is a 20 percent share for the project total and West Virginia Department of Highways is aware of this and willing to do the match,” the letter from Hollis stated.
Davis Mayor Joe Drenning said he received information about the grant and worked his way from Thomas to Charleston.
“The State knows nothing of this,” Drenning said. “Paul Maddox knows nothing of it and neither does Jamie Rossi in Elkins. Nobody knows anything. I knew nothing of this. I don’t understand. He said he could not reach me. I am not hard to find.”
“Why he bypassed the town of Davis and came to you guys is beyond me and I am not happy with it,” Drenning said. “I have worked with Ronnie before but when he gets an order to do what he is supposed to do, he is going to do it. I need to talk with him and he needs to talk with me. We have a council meeting tonight but I just found out about this yesterday.”
Drenning said the deadline on the grant is Oct. 16 and today is Oct 26.
“This looks like a good project but I have nothing on it at all,” Drenning said. “We will not support it until we sit down and do a great deal of talking.”
Commissioner Diane Hinkle said she thought no action should be taken by the Commission pending approval of the town of Davis and the West Virginia Department of Highways. Commissioners tabled approval until the November meeting. Commission President Lowell Moore said they could schedule another meeting if needed before the next Commission meeting.
The next Tucker County Commission meeting is slated for 9 a.m. Nov. 16. in the Tucker County Commission Courthouse.
