Council's Big Three

City council members at Monday's meeting-photo Chris Roberts

COUNCIL AND CITIZENS HIT TOPICS FROM TEENAGE TOBACCO ABUSE TO URBAN RENEWAL PROPOSITIONS ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE 6TH STREET PARKING LOT

The City Council meeting got off to its usual start last night until the first Ordinance that was read sparked quite a response from citizens and Council. The Ordinance, which reads: Second Reading of an Ordinance re: AN ORDINANCE OF COUNCIL AMENDING, MODIFYING AND RE-ENACTING ARTICLE 525 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF HUNTINGTON, AS REVISED, CONCERNING MINORS.

The Ordinance was basically about kids who smoke in schools and what the kids who don't smoke have to smell. Councilman Ellis said that he'd received numerous complaints from parents of Huntington High students who refused to use the bathrooms because the smoke was too thick. Citizens Stan Mills and Amanda Tuna fully concurred with Ellis' opinion.

Mayor Felinton spoke and stated, "If the evidence was there that the Ordinance kept one or two people from smoking then it would be a very positive thing."

Councilmen McCallister, Charlie Thompson and Jimbo Insco disagreed with the ordinance, noting that the state already has tobacco laws in place and that the ordinance lacked enforceability. Councilman Thompson compared it to the skateboard law passed last year, saying kids know its not enforced.

Council then voted the Ordinance on where it was passed five to three, with Councilman Polan abstaining.

On to the Minton Street, "Rehabilitation Resolution."

This Resolution carried much more weight than the Ordinance as witnessed by the range of emotion from Council and all present Citizens. The Resolution, which reads: A RESOLUTION OF COUNCIL DESIGNATING THE MINTON STREET/NORTHCOTT COURT AREA AS A BLIGHTED AREA IN NEED OF REHABILITATION.

Councilman McCallister set off talks on the matter by bringing up a meeting where the citizens of the area voicing their displeasure with the proposed “Urban Renewal Plan” played audiotapes. McCallister also stated that he was displeased with the fact that numerous families are going to be near randomly dispersed across the city of Huntington. Citizen Hazel Parker who asked for either a veto or a postponement of the Resolution joined McCallister in his opinion. Mr. Bill Dotson, who is the Director of the Huntington Housing Authority, came to the podium to defend the proposed Resolution and the good it could bring.

He also stated, in what could fairly be called a bold objection that the Housing Authority owned Northcott Court {a major relocation/betterment section of the said Resolution} and Council couldn't do anything about that. McCallister then asked him who appoints the Housing Authorities Board of Director's to which Dotson, a Citizen of Barboursville, answered,” You do." McCallister then told Mr. Dotson to "Keep that in mind."

Mr. Dotson then seemed agreeable. Councilman Polan then spoke. Curious as to what sort community opportunity could be gained from the proposed resolution, Polan asked of job possibilities that would be made available. Dotson didn't have the stats but his assistant did. "Twelve to twenty four in the biggest and twelve to eighteen in the smallest," she replied. Mr. Dotson then said that he wished to apply for the Hope 6 Fund, which would supply 18.6 million dollars. The Council was then informed that he had to have a decision from Council by June 22 with the final decision of Housing and Urban Development at the end of December.

Councilman Hanshaw then spoke of his own problem with the Resolution, which apparently affected his own neighborhood.
Citizen Rayben Crisel then spoke of his poor childhood spent in Housing Developments and the constant moving. Mr. Crisel also stated that Mr. Dotson didn’t care what happened to the people displaced by the housing rehabilitation.

Mr. Dotson then returned to the mike and defended himself and voiced his sympathy for people of meager means. Dotson then became enraged when McCallister began to interrupt him. He screamed at the Councilman to, "Shut the f...!!!" Unable to finish his expletive explosion Dotson stood shaken in the silent room. Mayor Felinton then began to speak to which McCallister replied, "You shut up!"
Mr. Dotson then quickly exited the room in a quick and angry huff. Council chair Neely then called the meeting to order. The meeting then came to order and the Resolution came to be voted on. It was voted down by a margin of five to four.

Good and Welfare was next. The hot topic was the 6th Avenue parking lot debacle.

The issue which came up near immediately was began when McCallister suggested to Mayor Felinton that he bring immediate fines or even a dismissal of position to Public Works Director George McClelland as soon as possible. (See related story on home page. I must also digress and make a retraction from the previous story. I had written McClelland, works for the Park Board. I apologize. Thanks to Sandra and Don.}

Felinton then stated that he would take the appropriate actions if need be to remedy the problem.

Carl Elders, a Citizen of neighboring Chesapeake, then spoke to Council and audience. Mr. Elders came carrying with him a video of said lot and the damage incurred and other problem areas on the lot. Mr. Elders then stated, "I'm gonna put this tape on Public Access so the people can see it for themselves!" Mr. Elders then went on to state that he has offered to fix the lot for free but the Mayor will not accept his help. Mayor Felinton then reaffirmed his previous statement that he would take the appropriate action. The meeting was then adjourned.

Word of note: Councilman McCallister also brought mention of a public Town Hall meeting that would take place in Council chambers Saturday, June 23 at 2:00 P.M. I'll see you there or here for more Council news soon.