Councilwoman Tuck holds town hall for District 4
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From staff reports
PARKERSBURG -- Twenty-two people attended a District 4 town hall meeting Monday evening organized by Parkersburg City Councilwoman Wendy Tuck and Linda Crocker, parish activities coordinator for the Memorial Church of the Good Shepherd.
According to a release from Tuck, the goal of the meeting was to discuss progress being made in the neighborhood and share ideas for ways to move forward. The gathering was held at the Good Shepherd church on Charles Street, with COVID-19 precautions, including masks and social distancing.
"This neighborhood has always had people who pull together, and we're ready to do that again," Tuck said.
Common themes such as homelessness, drug use and crime came up, but Tuck said there were more positive notes than negative ones.
"There was no griping," said Joe Smith, a retired Jefferson Elementary Center teacher and member of Good Shepherd. "People know what the problems are. They were just talking about ideas."
Lynn Reins, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Parkersburg, said there are tennis and basketball courts and baseball fields behind the facility that could be fixed up and used by people in the district.
Jefferson Elementary Center Assistant Principal Jeni Hopkins said some of their students have a greenhouse and are experimenting with hydroponics. Other attendees discussed healthy food initiatives, such as forming garden co-ops at empty lots in the district.
Crocker mentioned that Good Shepherd, affectionately called the Pink Church, has held a number of clean-up activities in the neighborhood, which led to a discussion of minor repairs needed by people who may not qualify for existing programs.
"This was exactly what I hoped for," Tuck said. "People were very enthusiastic about making connections. Those concerned about crime and theft had a chance to meet with Cindy Ware, president of Neighborhood Watch."
The next informal town hall for District 4 is planned for 7 p.m. April 19 at the church. It is open to anyone who lives, works, goes to school or has an interest in the neighborhood.
A "Clean-Up/Spruce-Up" Day will be held starting at 9 a.m. April 17 at Good Shepherd's parking lot, 903 Charles St. People who would like to help clean up or those who are disabled, older or ill and need an extra hand in making their yards safer and cleaner are invited to contact Tuck at district4@parkersburgwv.gov or 304-482-4330.