Charlie Baker talks with Tucker County Commission members about training in Lewisburg with the WVU Law Land Use Clinic.
By Beth Christian Broschart
The Parsons Advocate
PARSONS – Tucker County Commissioner Diane Hinkle invited Charlie Baker to update Commission members about a clinic they were unable to attend. Baker said the meeting was in Lewisburg with the West Virginia University Law Department about Land Use following the summer flood down South in West Virginia.
“Actually, it turned into more of a basic floodplain management course,” Baker said. “I did help teach that. It wasn’t so much about the problems. I was disappointed they didn’t address what we incurred down there.”
Baker said floodplain managers in the south were not aware of what FEMA was going to require after the disaster. “Really, floodplain managers should have their ordinances, writing comprehensive plans and hazard mitigation plans already completed,” he said. “Those should be in place before a disaster.”
Hinkle asked if the county was up-to-date on those plans and Baker said everything was up to date.
“Darla (Stemple) and I are on top of things, so Tucker County is in pretty good shape,” Baker said. “One thing I would like to see put in place when the new assessor takes place is a mapping system the state has. I would like the assessors’ office to try to update that system through the West Virginia GIS Technical Center. If we can get that on the digital system the state has, if there would ever be a disaster in Tucker County, I could bring additional floodplain managers in, they could plug that into their system and we would be ready to rock and roll. I could put people out in the field immediately.”
Cory Chase, representing the Blackwater Bicycle Association came before the Commission to ask for a letter of support to help get land just outside of Davis on Camp 70 Road.
“First Energy Company owns the property and we are looking to get stewardship of that land,” Chase said. “First Energy seems to be on board. We are hoping to upgrade the land and make it more appealing for those who use the trail so it is presentable. Right now it is just gravel.”
Chase said his group hopes to make trail maps and signs and perhaps add some trash receptacles.
Tucker County Commissioners voted unanimously to send a letter of support for the project with the Blackwater Bicycle Association for a stewardship of the land, pending approval of the town of Davis.
David Lambert. Representing the Tucker County Youth Basketball Association asked Commission to approve funding to help replace the floor in the Parsons Annex.
“Our quote came in at $39,900,” Lambert said. “We secured a donation from the Kisamore Foundation for $5,000. We have $37,000.”
Lambert said Tucker County Youth Basketball currently services 155 children, and has had as many as 180 children in the program.
“The facility is available for public use,” Lambert said. “People use the facility for birthday parties, Relay for Life, silent auctions – it is available for public use.”
Tucker County Commissioners voted to commit $1,200 for the Parsons Gymnasium Floor project and $1,200 to the Davis Thomas Elementary Middle School Gymnasium Floor project.
Commissioners asked Tucker County Clerk Sherry Simmons to research grants for possible update to the doors of the Tucker County Courthouse. Simmons said they were looking for ADA approved door openers for the Tucker County Courthouse doors coming into the Courthouse.
Commissioners voted to accept a bid from Sunrise Construction for repairs on the Pulp Mill Bottom Dike with a change order to approve an upgraded mat.
The next Tucker County Commission meeting is slated for 9 a.m. Dec. 14.
