| Politics are heating up in Grantsville with two candidates for mayor and nine residents seeking five council positions.
The mayor's job is being sought by incumbent Gary Knight, who is being opposed by newcomer Neil Blankenship, a
longtime resident of the town.
At this month's Council meeting, Knight angrily questioned the motives of some candidates who have filed for the May
election, indicating some of the individuals running against him or for the Council were doing it for the wrong reasons.
Knight made a complaint about Council member Peggy Cain, according to Lisa Minney, the reporter for the Calhoun
Chronicle.
"This Council member has been trying to have a vehicle banned from parking on Liberty Street, so she can have free access
to her residence," Knight said, according to the minutes.
"The mayor also stated this Council member has been at his wife's employment (Dr. Ellias Khoury) and asked her what he
was going to do about the situation. The mayor stated she did not have the right to approach his wife anywhere, especially at
her employment, to discuss council or town business."
"He stated the Council member was rude in her manner, and she had to be escorted out of the office by the employer's wife,"
according to the minutes. There was a discussion about the Mayor bringing ethics charges against the Councilwoman.
Cain said Knight's statement was "Absolutely not correct. I was not escorted out of Dr. Khoury's office by anyone."
Calhoun Chronicle reporter Lisa Minney quoted Knight as saying "This person (Cain) has been a detriment to this Council
since she took office."
In what was reported to be an angry outburst, Knight said "I think this behavior is despicable and inexcusable...If I had the
power, I would remove her from Council. Ninety-percent of her actions on council have been for personal gain and for
personal issues," Knight was quoted as saying.
Cain, who was not present to hear the Mayor's comments, said the Council's audio recording made at the meeting could not
be obtained to validate what Knight said.
Knight said there was one application for a vacant Council seat left by Gaylen Duskey. Neil Blankenship, Knight's opponent
in the mayoral race, had applied for the Council opening.
Duskey had suggested Blankenship be placed in the slot.
Council then voted to appoint Cheryl Davis to the empty Council seat.
Following the last election two years ago, Knight abruptly resigned his term when he was defeated by Don Harris 86-45. He
was then appointed Mayor when Don Harris resigned the position after a conflict with the Council.
THE UPCOMING ELECTION
Candidates for Mayor, Gary Knight and Neil Blankenship
Phelma Jane Wease is unopposed for Town Recorder
Nine candidates are seeking the five council positions:
Peggy Cain
Charlie Whipkey
Bonnie Brown
George Eugene Shaffer
Bryan Toney
Keith Smith
Loretta Stevens
Clarice Whytsell
Mike Wilson
SUMMARY OF MARCH COUNCIL MINUTES
- A special levy election will be held Monday, March 31 in the town.
- Town budget was approved on March 17th.
- The town pool expenditures were lowered by $7,000 and will be divided between four other departments.
- Considered a proposal by Steve Satterfield to deal for the current town hall and property, set for April 7.
- Knight said the burned-out Shaffer house may be gone by April.
- Advertising for a pool manager.
- Discussion about raising swimming pool rates.
- Mayor Knight was checking on replacing a flood water marker.
- Mayor Knight presented the "Abandoned Household Trash or Garbage" ordinance for a second reading.
- Council adopted a resolution relating to the flood plain.
- Mayor Knight said he had sent a Budget Digest request to Del. Stemple for $10,000-$12,000 for the town pool.
- A project to increase the water storage capacity for the water system.
- Resolution to keep Glenville State College open.
- Michelle Smith raising money for the Christmas light fund.
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