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Commission addresses parking problem

By Staff | Apr 2, 2014

Roger Garrett, owner of the Dollar General Store in Middlebourne, appeared before the Tyler County Commission on March 25 to seek answers to a parking problem at the store parking lot.

He said he had brought the problem to the commission’s attention about a year ago and was told they were looking into a joint venture with the County Board of Education to create a parking lot near the old Tyler County High School.

Garrett wanted to know if anything had been done to follow through with the project. He said he is still experiencing problems with people doing business at the courthouse using the lot on a daily basis. He feels it is hurting his business.

Commission President John Stender said the commission has met with the Board of Education and they have agreed to put in the parking lot. Commissioner Charles “Pork” Smith said, “As soon as the weather breaks we will be working on the lot.” He noted the weather has been a factor in getting to the work.

Garrett said his business is down by 37 percent since last year and he attributes much of that to people driving by when they see the lot is full and can’t see a place to park.

He was assured by the commission the work would start as soon as possible.

Prosecutor Luke Furbee made a request to the commission to hire a new employee for his office and to re-employ another. The commission unanimously approved the hiring of Jennifer Wetzel and to re-employ Toni VanCamp.

Jack Hayes again approached the commission with a request to change the name of County Rd 56/3 from McKimmey Road to Gattrell Lane. Hayes said after further discussions it was referred back to the county commission for approval.

The change was approved on a unanimous vote of the commission.

Conversely, Sheriff Bob Kendle appeared before the commission, asking the commission to put a minimum one-year freeze on road name changes in order for Frontier to do the 911 mapping.

The commission approved a moratorium of at least one year on road name changes within the county.

Stender reported the power company should have the new transformer installed at the 4-H camp by the end of that week. He also said the heating and air conditioning project for the magistrates’ office needs to be advertised for bid.

County Clerk Teresa Hamilton said they needed to get the specifications prior to advertising. It was decided to get the information and advertise until April 21 and open the bids at the meeting on April 22.

The restoration work on the courthouse was then brought up. The commission has received an estimate from Koon Restoration on the gutter work, the stone restoration, and the roof work, along with the equipment involved. The commission approved getting the specifications for the project and then advertising the work for bid.

Commissioner Smith presented a resolution to recognize the Tyler County Development Authority as a legal organization. The resolution was approved unanimously.

Commissioner Vincent reported on attending the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council (MOVRC) meeting in Parkersburg on March 19. He stated they seem to be well maintained and up and running. The MOVRC is looking at funding sources to give back to the communities and businesses.

Tom Cooper, director of the Office of Emergency Management, presented the commission with the paperwork to sign for the Emergency Management grant reimbursement from Homeland Security in the amount of $39,920.

The commission approved the following: authorizing the placement of bicentennial signs to be placed at the entrances to Tyler County, the election officials for the primary election May 13, and the budget revisions and the 2014-2015 budget. Assessor Jack Hayes’ exoneration report and the clerk’s fiduciary report were also approved. Payment of bills was approved and the meeting was adjourned.

The next meeting will be April 8, 9 a.m.