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Bluefieldnews.net
July 22, 2002
by Art Harvath
If the gambling question is put before Cabell County voters in the November
elections the citizens can expect a heated battle on both sides of the
issue. Council voted 6-3-2 to send the issue to the Cabell County Commission
for consideration.
Councilmen Larry Patterson, B.W. Ellis and John Daniels voted against
the resolution of council supporting a referendum on the November ballot
concerning casino gambling. Council members Mary Neely and Dick Thompson
were absent.
Councilman Jim Insco told council that though it was the unanimous decision
of the revenue committee to bring the question to council, it was no way
an endorsement of gambling.
“It is no way, no shape or form tonight a support of gambling, of
casinos or anything of the such,” said Insco. “It is simply
a vote to let the people decide, and that’s what we’re elected
to do,” he said.
Councilman Tom McCallister agreed. “The best judge would be the
citizens of the city,” said McCallister, who has been pushing the
idea for some time. “I have great faith in the citizens of Huntington,”
he said.
Not all council members spoke in favor of the resolution.
“As long as I’m on this council I will vote ‘no’
whenever anything is involved in tearing up families,” said councilman
B.W. Ellis.
Councilman John Daniels also spoke against the resolution.
“We’re going to have to have the police officers to work the
crime that’s going to happen. If you think that crime won’t
happen, you need to take another look,” said Daniels.
Citizens were given the opportunity to speak their minds. Of the 11 citizens
who spoke on the issue before council, four were against it.
“You’re selling out the people of Huntington and Huntington,
West Virginia,” said Terrell Bradley. Bradley is the pastor of Highlawn
Baptist Church in Huntington. “As far as the opportunity that the
voters should have the vote on this, well that kind of makes you derelict
in your duties. Because when your constituents voted you into office they
voted you in to be people of integrity, of ethics, of morals, of truth,”
said Bradley.
Huntington resident John Vance voiced his support for the resolution.
“Give me and the people a chance to speak our minds. Don’t
honor yourself by being smarter than the public,” said Vance.
If the Cabell County Commission votes to put the issue before the people,
the November general election may see a record number of voters turning
out.
A resolution of council authorizing the mayor to breach the collective
bargaining agreements with the city employees’ unions was tabled
Monday night.
Councilman Tom McCallister sponsored the resolution and said that if the
city switched to state’s PEIA insurance the city could save $3 million
a year.
McCallister then proposed to table the resolution to give Mayor David
Felinton time to meet with the unions to discuss the issue of changing
insurance carriers.
The move to table passed 6-3-2. Councilmen Larry Patterson, Jim Insco
and Cal Kent voted against the motion to table. Council members Mary Neely
and Dick Thompson were absent.
In other action council:
*Appointed Mary Dolen as assistant city clerk for the city of Huntington.
The order originally appointed Connie Shephard to the position, but was
amended to appoint Dolen. Dolen is already a part time employee of the
city. Shephard is presently working in the city clerk’s office as
an assistant. It was unclear whether Shephard was to continue in her position
in the City Clerk’s office.
*authorized the mayor to contract with KAR Construction of Lesage, and
Scarberry and Sons of Huntington for demolition services in the city limits.
KAR’s contract is for $10,974 and Scarberry and Sons is for $6,875.
The money is to come from a Community Development Block Grant.
*read the 1st reading of an ordinance revising how the municipal service
fee will be calculated. The city will use Cabell County’s listing
of the square footage of buildings.
*1st reading of an ordinance that would require muzzles on pit bulls,
wolf hybrids and other dangerous dogs while the owner is walking them
or has them in public. The ordinance would also require the dogs to be
properly secured in the pet owner’s home. This would mean that a
window or door with just a screen would not be legal in securing the animal.
The windows and doors would have to be closed.
