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By Bob Weaver
"There is no future for this project, now," said Grantsville businessman Steve
Satterfield, regarding his long-time proposal to build a $750,000 convenience store
on town hall property.
He indicated he was backing out.
Judge David Nibert has ruled that town hall property must be sold at auction.
Satterfield said his proposed $750,000 convenience store would have also housed
a Subway, in addition to other services. He said it would have brought business
traffic back to the town, provided jobs for six to seven people and increased the
tax base.
Nibert's decision followed a restraining order obtained by the Morris family
interests, blocking Satterfield's deal.
"The town's property must be sold for fair and adequate consideration at public
auction," said Nibert, quoting the West Virginia Code.
The injunction was brought by Calhoun Chronicle reporter Lisa Minney and Donald
Harris, a former employee of the Morris family.
The Grantsville town council voted to move ahead with the Satterfield deal, with
two votes for and one vote abstaining.
Satterfield wanted to build a new town hall on Main Street in exchange for the old
town hall property, and Morris offered to trade two houses on Mill Street. The Morris
properties are on the flood plain.
An appraiser, reportedly hired by Morris, said the town property was worth between
$160,000 and $180,000.
Both Satterfield and Morris offered trade deals to the council, but Nibert indicated
trades could only be made if the property being traded was of equal value.
Morris claimed his buildings were of greater value.
Morris said he wanted to give the town more options.
Nibert said the "value of the Satterfield property is vague, ill-defined and
speculative." The court document did not discuss the merits of Jim Morris'
property trade, although he said he might place an office building on the town
property to attract professional people.
Former Mayor Gary Knight said the town building is in disrepair with walls cracking,
even dangerous. Knight supported the Satterfield project, saying it was good for
the town.
"We've been trying to do this deal different ways for seven or eight years," said
Satterfield. "I really believe the best option would have been for the town to have
accepted my proposal."
"I think it would have helped the community. As a businessman, I was willing to put
my money in this venture," he said. "I knew what kind of deal I had to make."
Nibert said the Town of Grantsville "failed to provide any advance notice" or
agenda of council meetings, other than posting a basic agenda on the town hall
door. He said "All future town council meetings must comply with all the
requirements of .... the "Sunshine Law."
Nibert also said that the town property was of greater value than Satterfield's
property, upon which he wanted to build a new town hall.
Attorney Frank Venenzia, who represented the Morris interests, told Judge Nibert
the issue would not have come this far if current Mayor Neil Blankenship had been
in office.
Current Mayor Neil Blankenship has indicated he tends to favor erecting a new
town hall, or possibly upgrading the current building. He said Del. Bill Stemple has
agreed to help the town obtain funds for such projects.
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