World Autism Day, an ordinance map, water project, Ukraine, and a Greenbrier County Commission candidate were heard by the Ronceverte City Council on Monday, April 4.
On April 2, the city of Ronceverte Facebook page highlighted the family of one councilmember.
“On World Autism Day, we wanted to highlight one of our own residents and city council members Ashley Guet,” reads the post. “Before joining the council, Ashley suggested adding nonverbal communication boards on the Ronceverte Island Park to help children like her daughter Winter communicate with their peers. The city was eager to make it happen so all children can be included in the park. You can follow along with Winter on her Facebook page: Winter’s World – Our Autism Adventure.”
The board were installed earlier this year, before Guet was nominated to take now-Recorder Leah Smith’s seat on council. Guet thanked council for the post, which quoted her explaining why these efforts are so important.
“These boards mean a lot because it gives kids like Winter a way to communicate when they’re playing with their peers, which is very important. It’s definitely an advocacy for inclusion for all,” Guet wrote. “As far as World Autism Day goes, I’m hoping it’ll bring awareness which in turn will bring acceptance for kids like her.”
Ashley, Winter, and Gregory Guet with the nonverbal communication board. |
In other business:
– Mayor Deena Pack read a resolution announcing the city’s support of Ukraine during the current Russian invasion.
– A tree is expected to be planted near the Ronceverte skate park on Friday, April 8, for Arbor Day.
– The Ronceverte Planning and Zoning Committee has made more progress on the city’s upcoming ordinance and zoning map. After working with WVU Law Center for over four years, with COVID-19 slowdowns as well, Councilmember Kathy King said the huge city code update would give “more capability” to improve downtown.
– The water project is closer to completion, E.L. Robinson engineer Bob Hazelwood stated. Both the water tank and water lines projects are over 90 percent complete. A change order was approved, eliminating repavement for a city-owned house, to account for increased cost on the project.
– Councilmember Tanya Hazelwood said that although the attendance for the Saturday, April 2, Make It Shine day was smaller than usual due to weather, downtown still received a facelift from the cleaning volunteers.
– The currently-not-in-use City Hall is expected to be inspected in the next week, giving a better idea of what it would take to get back into the building. City Administrator Pam Mentz noted the temporary City Hall now has working phone lines.
– Local softball volunteer Sarah Baker asked council permission for volunteers to clean a Ronceverte softball field, giving the 13 teams one more place to practice. Council did not vote, but expressed support for the idea, which would not cost the city any additional funds. Baker and Mentz are expected to coordinate as the field is brought up to standard.
– Greenbrier County Commission candidate DeEtta Hunter approached council to give her contact information for if she were elected to the seat, offering her assistance with whatever the town could need help with. Hunter also celebrated the nearly completely female council, mayor, recorder, and city administrator at the table, with the not-present Councilmember Scott Vogelsong being the exception.
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