More than 60 people attended a meeting Tuesday evening at the Vienna Community Building in Jackson Park to discuss the proposed home which would be operated by Oxford House, a group that runs sober living facilities. Residents had concerns about the home that would be located in Greenmont Circle. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

VIENNA — Residents came out to ask questions and give comments about a sober living home in Vienna.

Over 60 people attended a meeting Tuesday evening at the Vienna Community Building in Jackson Park to discuss the proposed home which would be operated by Oxford House, a group that runs such facilities. Vienna City Council members and state officials were present to listen to concerns and answer any questions they were able to.

“We have groups of citizens that are very concerned because Oxford House has purchased a house, through another company, at 1103 Greenmont Circle,” City Attorney Russ Skogstad said.

He described the home as a transitional house moving people from recovery programs to the rest of their lives.

“Some folks are fine with these facilities being operated in their neighborhoods and other folks are not fine with those facilities being operated in their neighborhood,” Skogstad said. “The city was listening to people with concerns, whether they support the facility or not.”

Delegate Bob Fehrenbacher, R-Wood, from left, Vienna City Councilman Harry Deitzler and Vienna Mayor Chad Emrick listened to concerns from residents Tuesday evening at a community meeting to discuss a sober living home in the community. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

“…an Oxford House is a shared residence where people in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction can live together and support each other in a drug- and alcohol-free environment,” the company’s website said. “There is no house manager or outside authority. Oxford House members share the house responsibilities.

“An Oxford House member can stay as long as they like, provided they stay drug and alcohol free, are not disruptive, and pay their share of house expenses.”

No one appeared Tuesday from Oxford House, although Vienna Mayor Chad Emrick said they had discussions with representatives from the organization and offered a formal invitation to attend the meeting.

Emrick said the city had no prior knowledge about who was purchasing the home and what their plans were.

Vienna resident Barbara Joyce, who is the mother of Parkersburg Mayor Tom Joyce, said she believed she was one of the first property owners approached in Vienna by a recovery group. She described allowing her house to be shown for training purposes for a local realtor and within a couple of weeks, she was told there was someone wanting to make an offer on her house and how persistent they were to want to buy her home that she had lived in for 47 years.

Vienna resident Tuan Nguyen spoke Tuesday night at a community meeting to discuss a sober living facility proposed going into Vienna. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

When she was told it was for a recovery group, she put a stop to it.

“I will not do that to my family and friends,” she said of her neighbors and others around her.

Some residents talked about what was involved in these homes, if there was a way to do background checks on those who will be living there and whether people would know if they were convicted felons or not. Others talked about the deed work they had to do when they bought their own homes and requirements that it would be a family dwelling. People were concerned how a facility like this fit the definition of a “family home.”

Delegate Bob Fehrenbacher, R-Wood, said state law requires all recovery facilities to register with the state and offers voluntary certification. If they choose not to, they can’t get referrals from a state agency such as the Department of Corrections or get any state money.

“Oxford House has chosen not to be certified,” Fehrenbacher said. “That is their choice.”

Vienna resident Barbara Joyce, who is the mother of Parkersburg Mayor Tom Joyce, spoke Tuesday evening at a community meeting attended by over 60 people who had concerns about a sober living home coming to Vienna. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

Emrick said the company has a vetting process but they have not shared it with the city.

Vienna resident Tuan Nguyen said he has lived in Vienna for over 10 years.

“I think it is a point of fairness,” he said. “Vienna has a great school system and is great for families and that is what it is meant to be for.

“I have great concerns about companies coming in and bidding over asking price to buy homes for people who may not be here long-term.”

He talked about the struggle families have in affording a house and he had concerns about companies coming in and bidding out local families who want to be in a good school system and a safe area.

“I want to build a community and a city where we make good neighbors and are here long term,” Nguyen said of residents who have jobs and contribute to taxes.

“That is what the city is meant for,” he said.