"I intend to take an aggressive approach to helping the Town of Grantsville, " says new mayor Wilbert Kirby. "Our county seat belongs to all the people of the county, and I intend to try and help it in any way I can."
Kerby, after being elected to council this year, was appointed mayor this week by the council, replacing Neil Blankenship, who has resigned because of health reasons. Blankenship and his wife are moving out of the municipality.
Not unlike dozens of WV towns in rural counties, Grantsville's population has dwindled to a shade of its former existence, from about 1,200 citizens to 550.
"It's a real challenge to take care of some really pressing problems, with such a small tax base," Kerby said. "We're going to ask for help anywhere we can."
He cited health and safety issues being a major concern, including improvements with the town's sanitation system and trying to tackle the run-down Rainbow Hotel problem.
He said there are a number of avenues in process regarding how to have the old hotel removed.
Citizens have been complaining about debris blowing out of the windows of the old landmark, the presence of rats, parts of the structure reportedly collapsing, in addition to describing it as a firetrap, placing adjacent properties at risk.
The structure is owned by the Masiarczyk family, but federal tax liens have been placed against it and other Masiarczyk holdings, totaling in excess of $600,000.
"Neil (Blankenship) did a lot of work to help the town," Kerby said, including obtaining another $5,000 from the governor's office this past week for street paving.
The town is embarking on about $20,000 worth of much-needed paving, he said.
Kerby, the son of Wilbert and Lovie Starcher Kerby, grew up on Lemuel's Run, where his grandfather R. E. Kerby once operated a country store.
After graduating from Calhoun High School in 1964, he enlisted in the US Air Force, then went to work for Bridgestone-Firestone in Nashville.
He retired after 31 years, returning to Grantsville, he is married the former Dorothy Burrows.
"I still keep busy working, part-time as a school custodian and helping the Pleasant Hill PSD with problems," he said.
Kerby said he hopes to give something back to the community of his origin.
He will assume the mayor's job on September 29th.
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