Town Hall discussion held at Senior Center
The Steve Satterfield trade for town property was a topic at yesterday evening's Town Hall meeting at the Senior Center.
Grantsville Mayor Gary Knight said because the trade is in litigation, he would have to carefully discuss the issue. A 30-day
injunction was issued yesterday, halting the project.
The injunction states Knight, the council and Satterfield did not follow proper procedure with the trade.
About thirty-five people attended the meeting which lasted about two hours. The discussion covered issues from high water
bills and lack of money to pave streets to parking meters and the town not having pride. Only one or two members of the
council attended.
 Knight said he attended the injunction hearing in Spencer, stating "I
have answered the charges. I believe the charges are groundless."
Grantsville resident Peggy Schmitz said she was astonished something so serious was done when only three council members
were present. Knight said, while it is hearsay, "Two of the council members are not coming back."
Knight said he reminded council members about the serious nature of their vote last Monday.
Schmitz asked Knight if an EPA study was done on the site Satterfield proposes to build a new town hall. The site was
formerly used by a gasoline station for many years. Knight said he had an affidavit which says the tanks were purged, cleaned
and filled with sand, meeting the requirements.
Knight said "Do not rely on the press" for your information - that minutes of the meetings are readily available. Helen Morris,
publisher of the Calhoun Chronicle, asked how long it was before the minutes were available. Knight and Town Recorder
Jane Wease indicated they legally must be available before the following meeting, but indicated they would try and make
them available in a more timely matter.
Ambros Collins, a former council member, said his problem over the Satterfield deal was with two members present, even
though it was legal. "It should have been postponed, if this was so important," he said.
Knight said Satterfield needed some answers, after waiting seven years. He said his personal opinion, not voting on the issue
himself, that it is a good thing for the town." The town council opposed the Satterfield deal when it came up about three years
ago.
Questions regarding getting grants for a new town hall came up. Officials said it is highly unlikely such grants are available for
"bricks and mortar" projects.
Councilwoman JoAnn Shock asked why the council did not follow the advice given by attorney Loren Howley from three
years ago. Howley gave an outline on how to process the disposal of the town property, including making sure the deals
were of "equal value."
Knight said the court will now determine the procedures to be followed.
He went on to say the town building is a liability, a safety hazard. "It will have to be demolished," since the town would not be
able to come up with thousands of dollars to correct the problems.
"I work there and don't know some days about coming out of there alive," said Pam Davis, a town employee. "The walls are
coming apart," she said, and sometimes it is difficult to get the door open to leave in the evening. "This town is going to go
dead," she concluded.
 Tia Satterfield, daughter of businessman Steve Satterfield, said the
deal seems to have put her dad and family in "a cutthroat position." She said it had been awkward and difficult for her family
dealing with this for seven years. She asked "Do we want change?"
Mayor Knight said a survey he did indicated most of the citizens of Grantsville favored the Satterfield deal.
Knight said the town has made "extraordinary strides," including his administration putting the town in the black. He handed
out a flyer listing nineteen accomplishments as the mayor. He said four audits are available regarding town finances.
Helen Morris, representing the Calhoun Historical Society, told the group that an eyesore in the town would soon be
remedied. The old Stump Hotel will receive a new facade with a contract being let in about one week. Morris, whose son
has offered an alternate proposal for the town property, said she was a "cock-eyed optimist" and believes in looking at the
positive. She asked questions regarding how votes are counted in the town election.
Group participates in discussion of several issues
There was the routine discussion about the effects of parking meters. Knight said it has always been a "thorn in my side,"
saying it is "only a nickel." Meters are a way of controlling parking, otherwise it would be a "free-for-all" and there would be
few spaces available for people wanting to do business.
Several other issues were discussed during the community meeting, which most people felt was a positive move.
The town election is scheduled for June 3rd.
See earlier stories regarding the town property issue.
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