Mayor Neil Blankenship said new committee is a very positive step
Council members deliberate over future of town hall
By Bob Weaver
Grantsville's town council voted unanimously last night to create an "exploratory
committee" to seek funds to build or remodel the crumbling municipal building.
Attorney Frank Venezia, who represents the Morris family business interests, said
"The worst thing that can happen is that we can't find enough money...then the
council will have to come up with something else." He said it is a matter of
"Restoring civic pride."
Grantsville resident Nancy Bremar said "This is one of the biggest opportunities
Grantsville has ever had laid upon their laps...by highly educated and skilled
people."
"We are in a positive mode and many people want to help," commented Mayor
Blankenship, who said everyone he has talked to is in favor of the exploratory
committee.
"The old building must be replaced," he said.
Rev. Margaret Schmitz said "I believe this is a serious and honest effort (to help the
town) ... an excellent opportunity."
The mayor said Delegate Bill Stemple, an employee of the Morris family, has said
he will make every effort to obtain funds for a municipal building, and the
committee will look at every grant option, including the Mollohan Foundation.
The new committee will include Jim Morris, Lynn Gilbert (his wife), Venezia and his
office staff, Mayor Neil Blankenship, councilman Mike Wilson, Grantsville resident
Nancy Bremar and possibly others.
Venezia indicated the committee should be able to do its work within six months to
a year.
Venezia said the exploratory committee would offer free research, free review of
funding sources, free grant writing, free clerical staff, free quarters for the town
government and free demolition by Jim Morris, if a new town hall is constructed.
Businessman Morris had earlier proposed to trade two houses he owns on the flood
plain for the town property, after which he said he would build a professional office
complex on the municipal lot.
He is now offering free housing for the town government up to two years, in
addition to free excavation and filling of town property, on which a new facility
could be built.
Morris was responsible for obtaining an injunction which stopped a proposal by
businessman Steve Satterfield.
Judge David Nibert ruled that Grantsville's council acted in haste when they
approved the trade of town property to Satterfield. Nibert said the action was
illegal, and suggested the property could be auctioned.
The option to auction is no longer on the table.
Satterfield wanted the town property on which to build a $750,000 convenience
store, proposing to construct a new municipal building in exchange.
Venezia called the Satterfield proposal "A pig in a poke."
Satterfield has withdrawn his proposal, after what he says has been an eight year
effort.
The Morris' have yet to go public regarding their plans to build their own
convenience store on property they own across the street from town hall.
Venezia said "We're not asking for any authority to do anything," saying the
decisions will be made by the council.
Council member Bonnie Brown announced her resignination last night, stating she is moving from the community.
Recorder Jane Wease said she liked the idea of an exploratory committee.
Mayor Blankenship expressed appreciation to those who helped with the recent
flood. He said he had received $700 from local merchants and individuals to have a
Christmas celebration for town employees, and said the annual Christmas parade
will be this Friday at 6 p.m.
The mayor said this Saturday morning is the monthly clean-up day for the town. "We are looking for folks who could come out and help," he said.
Other issues discussed, dog problems and the lack of information regarding the
level of the river during flood conditions. | 
