WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS W.Va. (WVDN) – The White Sulphur Springs Council met on Monday, Feb. 12 to discuss city finances and infrastructure projects, a trash rate increase and household waste management (suggesting a fee of $5 per large appliance, furniture, etc., to offset the cost of the dump fee increase), and grant funding for abandoned properties in the city. A water line break on Jan. 16, was swiftly handled by city employees, despite shortages in help. The city is awaiting funding approval for a $1.6 million stormwater project, hoping to complete it in late Spring or early Summer. The city will also receive $234,000 in grant funding to clean up abandoned properties, many left dilapidated from the catastrophic flood in 2016.
In other news, a new international grocery store is opening on Main Street, next to the antique shop. Director of Freedom Deed Ministries, Susan Lyons, requested permission to erect a blessing box at Tuckahoe Park. Two other blessing boxes were recently constructed and donated to the city by Robert and Sandy Peters. One is at First Baptist Church on Church Street, and the other is at the corners of Hannah Lane and Dry Creek Road. That makes a total of four boxes, with the other two at Hart’s Run Exxon and on Main Street in front of Grace Baptist Church. It is asked that the community pitch in to keep them well-stocked, clean and well-maintained. If approved, there will be five in all.
The Council approved ARPA funding for website training for $2,500 which will allow them to properly navigate helping its citizens have easy access to city services online. The White Sulphur Springs Library directors proposed a fundraiser for new and much-needed carpeting, partnering with local businesses to promote the event and raise money for it. If you’d like to help or have questions on how to get involved, call the library at 304-536-1171 or email Joanne Hartzell at spacitylibrary@yahoo.com. The library also hopes to stay open later for hospitality workers and people who cannot access the library during normal business hours.
Mac McIntyre, a relations director for the Paralyzed Veterans Association of West Virginia, emphasized the importance of accessibility in public spaces in Greenbrier County. McIntyre asked for follow-up regarding the accessibility issues and provided insight into the potential for Greenbrier County to become the most accessible county in West Virginia. With the fully accessible Schoolhouse Hotel, purportedly the world’s only “fully accessible hotel”, this seems not only feasible but necessary. McIntyre also spoke of wanting to have wheelchair-accessible equipment at local parks and reports that he has acquired $2,000 to help fund the project, needing input on where these could be built.
A city-wide cleanup sponsored by the Greenbrier County Health Department is planned for March 13, (time TBA). Volunteers are needed. Spearheading locally is Ahisha Marshall and the contact for questions and sign-up can be directed to Jo Chestnut at the Health Dept. (304-645-1787). The two will organize the cleanup for all. This cleanup will benefit Hope Village Park, Gunnoe, and Rotary Park, as well as sidewalks, green spaces, etc. Hypodermic needles, trash, beer bottles, feces, plastics, and more refuse are a blot on the town and definite health hazards to humans, pets and the community’s precious waterways. An appreciation luncheon will be held for volunteers after the clean-up at Brad Paisley Park, with food donations from area restaurants.
The White Sulphur Springs Fire Department reported 25 calls for January.
City Hall will be closed on President’s Day, Monday, Feb. 19. Additionally, there will be no trash pickup on Monday, Feb. 19. Trash pickup will resume on Tuesday, Feb. 20.
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