A memorial service, park fees, a new neighborhood and more were discussed by the Lewisburg City Council during its Tuesday, Sept. 21, meeting.
During her announcements, Lewisburg Mayor Beverly White announced a memorial service for the former First Lady of Lewisburg has been set.
“On Saturday at 11 a.m. at Carnegie Hall, there will be a memorial service for former First Lady Connie Manchester. Please keep [former Lewisburg Mayor of 15 years] John [Manchester] and his family in your thoughts and prayers.”
On social media, Manchester thanked the public for the support he’s received in the past few weeks.
“We will hope for good weather for the outdoor service on the ivy terrace and lawn of Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg,” wrote Manchester. “We will have seating on the lawn in two spots, each in front of the terrace where speakers and musicians will set up. The first is directly in front of the terrace, and the second will be more limited seating under the tent where attendees can catch a bite to eat and drink after the service. Under the tent will be better for anyone with mobility issues or wanting to get out of the sun. … Last evening several friends and I hung a photo exhibit of some of Connie’s favorite photographs. They are on display in the Carnegie Hall board room just off the main auditorium … after the service attendees can also go into the main auditorium and watch a slideshow about Connie that includes a sapling of her photographs from her travels near and far. I want to thank Jon Averill for his help on putting that together. … It’s been a hard few months since Connie passed away. I want to thank the numerous folks who have reached out to me to lend support and check in on me. I look forward to a nice service for Connie on the 25, one that celebrates the wonderful person she was and life she lived.”
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Ordinance 295 was passed on second reading and public hearing, with no hear call speakers. The updated code sets new pricing for use of the Lewisburg parks.
The final fee schedule is set for:
– Lewisburg Parks Shelter Reservations — $50 per day.
– Lewisburg Parks Concession stand use — $100 per schedule League Season
– Dorie Miller Ballfield Reservation — $100 per scheduled League season
– Hollowell Ballfield Reservation — $100 per scheduled League season
In August, Councilmember Sarah Elkins wished to tell the public the fees are “only to cover the costs of cleaning the park.”
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DNA Holdings LLC is a real estate company bringing more homes to Lewisburg. Council previously approved a preliminary plat for the new project just north of I-64, close to Northridge Drive, after passing an ordinance to change the zoning of the area. The planned neighborhood was expected to bring 16 townhouses, 19 single-family dwellings, and a number of garden and patio homes to the city, but a revision has now changed the plans.
Planning and Zoning Officer Martha Cunningham explained “wIth the economy and COVID and everything, … It wasn’t feasible. … What they are asking for is approval of these [new] plats – this will have 10 units with four units in each. … The Planning Commission did [request approval] for the preliminary [plat] from the 26 family homes to the 40 [units].”
Councilmember John Little of the Planning Commission noted “if this had been new construction, we probably would’ve asked for a change but … there is construction that’s already previously been approved. I am unaware of any known issues.”
The revised project also includes a cost reduction for the project. Council approved the revisions.
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White declared “September 18, 2021 as Greenbrier Valley Shrine Day 2021 in the City of Lewisburg, and [called] upon all citizens to honor and acknowledge the contributions of the Greenbrier Valley Shrine in Lewisburg, West Virginia.”
The proclamation notes that the “Shriners Hospitals for Children … currently operates 19 orthopedic hospitals and three burn institutes throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico” and “any disabled or burned child, from infancy to 18 years of age, is eligible for treatment regardless of race, creed or color” and “there is never a charge to the patient, parent, or guardian for any medical treatment received.”
The 21 children’s Shrine hospitals are supported by Shrine clubs across the country each year. This includes the local Greenbrier Valley Shrine Club.
In other business:
– The Lewisburg Fire Department responded to 104 emergency calls in August, including 59 calls inside the city limits (57%) and 37 calls were in first due area outside the city limits (35%). The types of calls included one Structure Fire, one Cooking Fire in Residence, one Vehicle Fire, one Off Road Vehicle Fire, two Brush/Grass Fires, 14 Motor Vehicle Accidents, 53 Medical Calls, 14 Automatic Fire Alarms, one Carbon Monoxide Alarm with no CO Present, five Public Service Calls, one Assist Law Enforcement, two Dispatched and Cancelled Enroute, three No Incident Found on Arrival of Dispatched Location, one Power Line Down, one Natural Gas Leak, one Arcing or Shorted Electrical Equipment, one Animal Rescue, and one Elevator Rescue.
– The fire report also notes that on Aug. 7 and Aug. 8, the Lewisburg Fire Department “hosted a 20-hour Rope rescue Awareness and Operations course taught by West Virginia Public Service Training personnel. This course gives members skills to rescue victims from both low and high angle situations. We had 20 members in attendance for the class.” In addition, the department “has taken delivery of a fire safety trailer which was donated to our department by Pinch Fire Department. This trailer will be used during fire prevention and fire safety demonstrations and will help educate children on the importance of fire safety.”
– Work with CARES Act funding has begun, with the city announcing on Facebook that “Great things are happening at Hollowell Park. The new ADA restroom/announcers booth and dugouts for softball is almost complete and demolition for the new pickle ball courts started on Friday!”
– An electric and power upgrade for Stratton Alley has begun. City Manager Misty Hill noted that the work began before council met on Tuesday because the project had previously been approved by council years before. As of Tuesday, the upgrade included the installation of pylons underground.
– “Unfortunately the city’s building inspector is out on medical leave and we are in dire need of Bobby [Ford] to fill that role,” said Hill. “It requires extra certification, we can’t just get an employee.” The contract was approved by City Council and includes a $20 per hour fee but would not include Ford as an employee of the city.
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