Council, commissioner volley over cannon
By JODY MURPHYPARKERSBURG - City council and a Wood County commissioner exchanged some friendly fire over a cannon Tuesday night.
Wood County Commissioner Blair Couch addressed council offering to lease the county's portion of Bicentennial Park to the city. Couch said the lease agreement would give one entity control of the area, making it easier to run events like the Downtown Farmers' Market.
"It makes more sense for the city to control the market. It is under the Downtown Taskforce," Couch said. "The property should be under control of the city."
In exchange, Couch requested the city move the "Long Tom" cannon at City Park to Fort Boreman Park.
"What is a Fort Boreman without a cannon?" Couch asked. "The county would be interested in a lease agreement with the city for Bicentennial Park in exchange for Long Tom."
Couch's offering set off a short volley of friendly fire between him and city council member Sharyn Tallman.
"This seems like horse trading to me," Tallman said -a wry smile flashing across her face.
"Whenever I say this, it always brings a grin to someone's face," Couch said.
"We don't want any money in a shape or form," he added.
"You just want the cannon," Tallman replied.
Tallman and Couch then engaged in a friendly give-and-take regarding other cannons in the county's possession, past issues between the city and the county over the cannon as well as "Long Tom's" history at City Park.
Couch spoke during the public forum section of the meeting so council took no action on the matter.
Following Couch, Parkersburg resident Karen Ashbury addressed council, asking it not to move the cannon. Ashbury cited the cannon's long history at City Park.
"I take pride in that cannon being there," she said.
When council got down to business, it approved all the resolutions on its agenda, including a lease agreement with the humane society for a floodwall building on 29th Street. Council also voted to remove an ordinance providing for an election to consider city charter amendments.
Councilman Dorsey Cheuvront, citing council rules and regulations, said an illegal committee was appointed. Cheuvront noted the rules state all standing and special committees shall consist of five committee members, including the chairman. Cheuvront noted the special committee appointed by Council President Mike Reynolds consisted of only three members. Cheuvront motioned to have the item removed from the agenda.
City Attorney Joe Santer agreed with Cheuvront. Though moments later Santer was on the verge of reversing himself, stating if there were three sponsors for the ordinance it would be OK. However, since the committee approved the ordinance by a 2-1 vote, it was null. Council voted unanimously, 8-0, to remove the item.
Councilman Don Godfrey was absent. Mayor Bob Newell also was not present. He is on vacation. Santer is serving as acting mayor.
Council also passed two resolutions authorizing the mayor to enter in contracts with the Division of Criminal Justice Services to receive $84,000 and $56,000 for the Multi-Jurisdictional Taskforce. The city has a $51,749 match associated with the contracts. Parkersburg police Chief Gerald Board said there is matching money that will come from the city, county and Vienna police departments.
Council approved a $50,000 contract for a Phase II environmental site assessment at the central garage on Camden Avenue.
Council received communications for Newell re-appointing Jim Ritchea, Fred Albright Jr. and Cliff Casteel to the Parkersburg Housing Authority to a term through April 24, 2013.
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WVCommissioner
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07-23-08 1:41 PM
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Long Tom was obtained by the G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic, a fraternal organization composed of veterans of the Union Army who served in the Civil War) Post 15 in 1898 and placed upon Fort Boreman. It was used to signal many events and dedications, it was moved to the city park in 1931 by the Kiwanis Club.
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brenda26101
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07-23-08 8:44 AM
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I know nothiing of the history of this cannon. Is there nay significance to Fort Boreman? If not the cannon should stay right where it has been. Why take away from one park to build up another?
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tubaman
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07-23-08 7:49 AM
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Oh, throw the*****thing in the river for all I care. Is the most newsworthy item that came out of this meeting?
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