Residents of Rainelle still have time to make the town a little brighter for Christmas and earn a little money doing something fun.
During the regular meeting of the Rainelle Town Council on Monday, Dec. 14, Councilmember John Wyatt discussed the upcoming Christmas decoration contest to increase awareness about the event.
“We did this to make our town look cheerful and bright,” Wyatt said of the contest. “It is Christmas time, and we need to get the Christmas spirit and put up some lights.”
He added that he understands how some residents have lost family and friends to COVID-19 and that many people will not get to visit with loved ones this Christmas.
“I know Christmas won’t be the same,” Wyatt said. “We don’t want to forget the true meaning of Christmas. There is no barrier between ourselves and that baby that was born in the manger. Covid doesn’t stop him from coming into our house or into our hearts. We just want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.”
So, to uplift the spirits of Rainelle residents, some residents wanted to do something special.
The prize for the first-place decoration winner is $500, Wyatt explained. The second-place winner will receive $200 and third place will receive $100. A small committee will judge the contest.
Residents have until Sunday, Dec. 20, to decorate and, hopefully, win a prize. Posters have been located around town for more information.
“Anyone is eligible to win,” Wyatt stated. Said Elazaley, owner of Alfredo’s in Rainelle, agreed to make donations for the prizes.
In other Rainelle business, councilmembers reluctantly agreed to pay a $3,900 bill to the West Virginia Department of Highways regarding a change order at the end of Second Street during the town’s sidewalk project.
According to acting Mayor Bill Bell, the change order amounted to $18,000 and the town must pay $3,900 as part of a 20 percent match.
“I didn’t agree with it,” Bell stated. “We didn’t change it, but the Department of Highways tells me that there is an amount of money left set aside for such problems, but our match is $3,900.”
“This was a total crazy mix-up,” Councilmember Danny Milam added. “You would not believe what this was about. For it to cost $18,000 is totally out of anybody’s sense of what is going on.”
“We have had a problem with one of the places where our lights are supposed to go and they act like we can take care of the problem — a problem that they caused,” Milam continued. “There is nothing we can do about it. I am not happy with it and I will never be happy with it.”
“The project is completed as far as the sidewalks go,” Bell continued. “According to the Department of Highways, we owe it.”
Bell suggested that the bill be paid, but the town needs to appoint a person who can oversee all future projects and go over blueprints.
“Those problems should have been addressed as they happened,” Bell said.
Milam added that problems should be supervised by a person who understands construction such as the placement of streetlights, ADA compliance and placement of benches.
“Things weren’t thought out,” Milam concluded.
Also, during the meeting:
Bell spoke about the recent passing of Pat Church, who had worked as a grant administrator for the town. “She was a fantastic lady. We are going to miss her greatly.”
Milam stated that he had been trying to contact the owner of the old Rich gas station to see about purchasing the site for construction of a Rainelle Visitor Center, but it does not seem as if the owners want to work with the town.
“I wish we could have got it there,” Milam said.
Bell added that he will contact those who donated money to the project to see if the town can have more time to discuss placement of the visitor center.
Milam said he has reached out to four contractors to discuss installation of light poles throughout the town. Bids still need to be made by those contractors, but the town will be responsible for payment of the installation, including both construction work and electrical work.
Milam explained that about 80 percent of the total installation bill will be for construction and that town employees and even town residents experienced in hole digging and cement work could help install the poles to alleviate costs.
“We were elected to be stewards of the town’s money and we should be responsible with it,” Bell added. “We have the equipment.”
Todd Longanacre, newly elected member to the West Virginia House of Delegates, spoke during the meeting. He stated that the town should “dream big dreams and have a vision” since he expects a lot of work to be finished in the upcoming legislative session, especially regarding broadband access, tax reform, education reform and infrastructure.
Rainelle Town Council meetings are currently being streamed through the town’s Facebook page until further notice. Residents who wish to speak about community events may still attend the meetings, but due to maximum occupancy restrictions to decrease the spread of COVID-19, attendees may need to wait outside the building until it is their turn to speak.
