Attorney Frank Venezia offers to help Town of Grantsville
"Explore" has become a well-used word at Grantsville's town council meetings
lately, as that body is trying to find solutions for a decaying municipal building.
Grantsville's town hall should stay where it is, said attorney Frank Venezia, who
spoke to the town council last night before a packed room.
Venezia, who was representing the Morris family business interests, offered to form
an exploratory committee to try to raise funds for a new building or remodel the
old one.
He said the committee would not be making any decisions, just trying to see what
financial help was out there.
"We're not here to tell you what to do," said Venezia, but to offer resources that
might help.
Venezia said he, Jim Morris and Morris' wife Lynn would work for free to assist in
exploring all the funding possibilities, including free grant writing, free grant review
by Lynn Gilbert, free demolition by Morris, if such would be required, and two year
free housing for the town hall while the current property is being developed.
Venezia said he would welcome other members being placed on the exploratory
committee.
Town Council will decide on exploratory idea next month
Mayor Neal Blankenship said he would place the Morris' exploratory proposal on
next month's agenda.
Venezia said Del. Bill Stemple had advised he would try and help with funding, and
the Morris' would be willing to approach the Mollohan Foundation.
Grantsville's town council voted on a resolution last month to explore putting the
town property up for auction to raise funds for a new municipal building.
When Morris obtained an injunction to stop a convenience store deal the previous
town administration, the injunction contained an appraisal amount indicating the
town property was worth $160,000.
Businessman Steve Satterfield had proposed to build a small municipal building in
trade for the town property, whereupon he stated he would build a $750,000
convenience store. Morris proposed to trade two houses he owned on the flood
plain for the town hall property, on which he said he would build a professional office building.
The Morris family has been moving on building their own convenience store across
the street from town hall, according to records obtained under the Freedom of
Information Act. The State Highway Department advised the Morris' they would
sell part of the Route 5 right-of-way to assist with their project.
Mayor Neal Blankenship told the council and visitors he is dedicated to making the
town a better place.
A representative from the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council said financing
municipal buildings was not a high priority with grant and government agencies,
although he did indicate money obtained through the Budget Digest is generally
discretionary. Digest money is obtained through the local delegate or state senator.
Businessman Jim Morris and his mother, Helen Morris, attended the meeting, but
did not speak about the proposal.
Details of other council action will follow.
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