BLUEFIELD — Following a season of record-breaking snowfall, city officials are wondering why Bluefield and all of Mercer County isn’t included in a federal disaster declaration.
President Barack Obama declared a federal disaster last week for 15 southern West Virginia counties, including McDowell and Wyoming. However, Mercer County wasn’t included in the disaster declaration.
In the city of Bluefield, many roofs were damaged as a result of the heavy snow and sleet, and numerous homes and businesses reported water leaks, among other damage, according to City Manager Andy Merriman.
“I don’t see how we can have a record one-day snowfall and a record season snowfall and somehow have avoided a disaster declaration,” Merriman said during Tuesday’s Board of Directors meeting. “I know a a lot of merchants across town and homes — mine included — have sprung a leak.”
Merriman said the city is working with the Mercer County Office of Emergency Services to see if Mercer County and the city of Bluefield in particular can be included in the federal disaster declaration. Merriman said the city also has contacted U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., to see what officials have to do to be included in the federal declaration.
“I believe given as much snow as we have had we had to have been hit as bad all of the counties around us (included in the federal disaster declaration),” Mayor Linda Whalen said.
In other action Tuesday, the board agreed to put two historic landmarks — the old Bluefield Daily Telegraph building and the former Southern Office Supply building — up for sale at a public auction. The board is seeking a fair market value for both properties.
Merriman said officials believe the city shouldn’t be the owner of both buildings.
“I think what we would recommend is to just try to get the fair market value out of the property, and then it is basically their property,” City Attorney Brian Cochran said. “Then we just let the free market decide what they do (with the buildings).”
Board member Pete Sternloff asked if there are any potential buyers of the old Daily Telegraph building. Merriman said there is interest in the old Southern Office Supply Building, and Cochran added there is also interest in the Telegraph building.
Merriman said zoning and historic district designations will restrict and control what can be done with the buildings.
“I don’t think we run the risk of anyone putting a chicken farm in either building,” Merriman said.
Board member Mike Vinciguerra moved to put both buildings up for sale at fair market value. The motion was seconded by Sternloff and passed unanimously.
The board also approved the second reading of an ordinance that would amend part II of the city’s code of ordinances dealing with the compensation of board members and meeting times. The board agreed to change the regular board meeting times from 7:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. beginning in April in hopes of attracting more public attendance. In recent years, attendance at the 7:30 p.m. meetings have been limited. The compensation change wouldn’t impact the current salaries paid to the existing board members, but would allow the existing board to change the salaries for future boards.
The board also agreed to hold a budget workshop session on Wednesday, March 17, beginning at 8 a.m. A final budget is expected to be presented to the board for approval at its March 23 meeting.
– Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com
Local News
March 10, 2010
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