| By Dianne Weaver
A third site was suggested for Calhoun's proposed Emergency Services
Center at Monday evening's Calhoun Commission meeting. After holding
public meetings and the issue being on the agenda several times last year,
recent interest continues to grow around the site selection.
The current 911/EMS building at Mt. Zion is in disrepair and cannot meet
minimal standards.
A written proposal recommending the former Army Reserve Center on Mt.
Zion Ridge was submitted by Diane Ludwig, Director of the Little Kanawha
Development Corporation, the joint Wirt-Calhoun economic development
group. Ludwig said part of her job is community development, and she had
been working on marketing the Mt. Zion building.
Bill Stemple, Office of Emergency Services (OES) Director and member of the House of Delegates, advised
the commission by letter, prior to Mondays meeting he "could not be involved in such
a transaction because it would be a conflict of interest," since he works for
Jim Morris, who owns the reserve building.
Stemple had earlier proposed the purchase of Gary Dye's Garage on Phillips
Run, which was then under contract for sale by Morris' Calhoun Realty
company.
Several members of Knott's Memorial church attended Mondays meeting, in
addition to other residents of northern Calhoun. A petition with 250 names
has been submitted to the Commission requesting the Hamilton site.
The Knott's United Methodist Church of Grantsville has offered to donate
the Hamilton property on High Street, which they purchased several years
ago for about $50,000.
Calhoun EMS Director Randy Burgess, 911 Director Barry Pitts and OES
Director Bill Stemple have gone on record to keep the facility at Mt. Zion,
using a proposed site submitted by Mark Shock, who has offered the
property for $10,000, plus a trade for the current emergency building.
They contend the current radio system will not operate from the Grantsville
site. The Calhoun Commission has decided to hire a communications
company to do an independent evaluation of the problem. Miller
Communication of Parkersburg told commissioners last year there was no
problem from the Hamilton site in Grantsville. That conclusion is in dispute
by Pitts and other emergency services personnel.
The 22-year-old reserve center proposed by Ludwig has two buildings, the
main building contains 10,000 square feet, a 2,200 square foot motor
pool with forced air heating and air conditioning. The building contains bays
and ten additional rooms. It sets on 9 acres of land. Ludwig did not disclose the asking price for the
property or the overhead and operational costs.
Ludwig's proposal, which was entered into the Commission's record, said
"The ideas contained in this proposal are based on fact, not theory." She
suggests it is near the geographic and population center of the county.
"There is no single location in the county for this combined facility that will
suit everyone. No matter what the Commission decides, some folks will be
unhappy with the decision it makes," she said.
Stemple, in his letter to the Commission, said "I contacted Mr. Morris to let
him know I could not be involved in such a transaction .... Mr. Morris told
me he had no idea where Ms. Ludwig got the idea that he was interested in
selling the building to the county...."
Stemple went on to say he thought the building is probably too big for the
project. "I could not even try to raise money for the project if I knew it was
going to be used to purchase the old Armory," he concluded.
Stemple, as OES Director, has been opposed to the Hamilton site. He said
"I have been told the church and its members are in agreement on
condemning the property, and that it would be a friendly process. Due to
the way I was raised and the convictions I have had since becoming an
adult, I could not personally take part in condemning church property of any
kind, friendly or otherwise."
Members of Knott's Memorial said it was not against church doctrine or
Christian principles to help the community.
Stemple advised the Commission "Regardless of what the outcome is, I will
continue to try and acquire funds for this building."
The Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council advised the Commission Monday
night it was highly unlikely the Appalachian Regional Commission would
accept a $250,000 grant proposal for the emergency center.
The Commission has asked Delegate Stemple to request $100,000 for the
project from the Budget Digest, adding to $70,000 he has already obtained
for the project.
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