Transfer sought on Converse Pk. property
By Kevin Dye
Staff Writer
West Jefferson Village Council members had many questions Monday night about a proposed resolution to transfer various property from the West Jefferson Youth Athletic Association (WJYAA) to the village.
The WJYAA proposes to transfer to the village a Daktronics electronic football scoreboard, a baseball scoreboard, concessions building, storage building, drainage tile, grass seed that has germinated into grass, several roles of electric wire used and placed, two football goal posts, football stadium lighting with electric poles, electric transformers, Stanley Electric Park baseball/softball field, two concrete sidewalks, excavating equipment all located at West Jefferson’s Converse Park and concessions stand and barn at Westwood Park.
The resolution puzzled several council members, who wanted to know why the items were being transferred and had any of the items been inspected.
“I don’t understand it,” council member Sheila Nelson said. “They are transferring drainage tile, grass seed, excavating equipment, electrical transformers, scoreboards and baseball/softball diamonds that are already on our property, so we own them already.”
“Was Paul Casa involved in this process,” council member Steven Johnston said. “I would like to have him look at everything and see if it’s up to code. I would like more specifics than various.”
Mayor Darlene Steele agreed and suggested that others needed to be involved.
“I would like Paul Casa to look over everything, because some were built before him,” Steele said. “I would like to have (law director) Ron Parsons look over everything and discuss this with our insurance agent.”
Council also questioned how much electricity the WJYAA uses for late athletic events and the safety of the community when cars are leaving Converse Park.
“People leaving Converse Park are not yielding at the stop sign,” Nelson said. “I’m just waiting for an accident to happen.”
“We can specify the hours of operation of the park in our lease agreement,” Johnston said.
Mayor Steele reminded council that she was once again organizing a community Thanksgiving event for those people who might be spending the holiday alone. The event will be held at the First Baptist Church (across from West Jefferson High School) on Saturday, Nov. 10.
“The church volunteers will cook and serve the dinner,” Steele said. “I hope we get at least 50 people to attend. They don’t have to be poor or rich, it’s for people who will be alone on Thanksgiving Day. Nov. 10 is the closest we could get to Thanksgiving Day.”
Steele said that no village funds are used for the event and she helps fund most of it herself and the traditional items will be served.
“We could use monetary donations,” Steele said. “It’s my thing and I use my own money for it. We will have turkey, dressing, green beans, potatoes and sweet potato pies. I just can’t stand to think of people being alone for the holiday.”
To attend the event people need to call the Water Department at (614) 879-8655 to register for the dinner. The cutoff date to register will be Monday, Nov. 5.
