By Dennis Brown

Vanceburg City Council last week approved giving the Carter House building to a non-profit group based in Portsmouth, Ohio.

The group plans to utilize the building as a bed-and-breakfast facility, community/conference center, training space, a marketplace for locally made goods and products, and to house a local office for the group.

The Carter House building is located at the corner of Second and Main Streets in Vanceburg and most recently housed the law practice for Stanley and Bertram and the Department of Social Services.

The property was acquired by the city with plans to restore the building.

A letter from Mandilyn Hart, Executive Director of The Center for Appalachian Philanthropy (AppaPhil), outlined plans for the building in a letter to Mayor Angie Patton and council members dated December 6. The plans weren’t made public prior to last week’s regular meeting of city council.

Hart requested the property be “transferred without compensation” to the Center for Appalachian Philanthropy under a state law allowing the city to transfer the property without compensation for economic development purposes.

The letter also notes that if the property would no longer be used for the approved purposes, the property would revert back to the city or, with the approval of the city, “be transferred to another similar nonprofit with substantially the same or similar purpose for economic development.”

State law also requires the city to make a written determination describing the property, its intended use at the time of acquisition, the reasons why it is in the public interest to dispose of it and the method of disposition.

That determination, which is being published this week, notes the property was purchased with Community Development Funds. At the time the property was acquired by the city, the intentions were to renovate the building to its original state as a hotel and to add convention rooms.

“The City of Vanceburg has been unsuccessful in receiving funds to continue to the Second Phase of the renovation project. This property continues to be a liability to the City of Vanceburg,” according to the determination.

Hart said she had met with Patton and Council Member Joni Pugh to discuss the plans for the building.

“It’s going to take a little time, a lot of work, a lot of money,” Hart told council members. “It’s going to take us time to attract that money,” she added.

“I can’t tell you where the money is going to come from until we actually fully develop a plan,” she said.

She said attempts would be made to secure governmental as well as private funding for the proposed project.

Hart said they would look at all funding opportunities for the project including Community Development Block Grants (CDBG).

Council Member Denver Moore stated two major projects are currently in line for funding by CDBGs including the mandated sewer upgrade and new fire department/community center. “It’s going to be a long time before those funds would be available for this,” he said.

Hart said they would try to attract federal funding but would not interfere with funding for other projects in the city. Funding from other sources would also be sought, she added.

“I feel it’s a win-win situation for the community,” said Council Member Joni Pugh. “We’re not really risking anything. There’s a contingency if it doesn’t happen but if it does happen we’re going to have a hotel, we’re going to have a gift center, an educational facility, so I’m very much for it,” she said.

Dennis Brown/Lewis County Herald

Mandilyn Hart addressed Vanceburg City Council last week to request the donation of the Carter House building to AppaPhil.

“We also would like to consider what other properties are vacant here in the community as well,” Hart said. “Maybe help you design, as part of our development process.”

Hart also requested the city continue to pay liability insurance premiums until suitable coverage could be found, but no longer than June 30, 2011, and to continue to pay utilities for up to 90 days after the gift, allowing AppaPhil time to gain the financial support to assume full responsibility of the facility.

Patton said the cost of providing liability insurance is about $289.00 for a year and is paid through June 2011. She said the cost of providing utilities to the building is the minimum amount per month, about $24.00.

Hart also noted local jobs could be created through the project.

Council Member Matt Jarrells asked about the time period for getting the project going and completed. Hart responded the project would be done in phases, the first being planning and engineering studies. She said that process would take five to six months.

The following phases would include a training center on the first floor to be the first part of the project to get underway, she said, followed by conference area, also on the first floor. The second floor would be developed in time, she added.

Patton said immediate work is needed on the roof because of leaks. “I feel it’s just a liability for the city,” she said.

A motion was made by Pugh and seconded by Council Member Ed Taylor for “the donation of the Carter House building to the Center for Appalachian Philanthropy.” All members voted in favor of the motion with the exception of Denver Moore who said he “would like a little more time to look at it.”

Patton said the city would begin work on getting a contract put together for the transaction.

The letter to Patton and council explains that “AppaPhil is a nonprofit, exempt from taxation under Internal Revenue Service Code 501 (c)(3). It exists for the purpose of connecting people’s time, talent, and treasure for the good of Appalachian communities.

“AppaPhil’s primary goal is to attract philanthropic investment in Appalachia by offering networking platforms and educational support services to nonprofits and by providing and attracting resources that help organizations fulfill their missions.”  

Three members of Vanceburg City Council and Mayor Angie Patton attended the final regular meeting of the year for the last time in their official capacities.

Patton and council members Shannon Gilbert, Dorcas Gilbert and Ed Taylor lost their bids for re-election last month.

Dorcas Gilbert, however, will still be making trips to the city’s Municipal Building as a member of the city’s Planning and Zoning Board.

Patton said the city had received a letter of resignation from Zoning Board Member Duncan Aker who is relocating. She recommended Dorcas Gilbert to replace Aker beginning the January 1, 2011.

Patton said Gilbert has already completed required training for the appointed position. A motion was made by Council Member Joni Pugh and seconded by Council Member Denver Moore. The motion was approved by council.

Gilbert’s daughter, Patty Kennard, serves as the head of the city’s planning and zoning.

Patton also made a recommendation to replace a member of the Electric Plant Board of the City of Vanceburg.

Patton said Plant Board Member Jack Prater’s appointment was scheduled to be renewed on July 1, 2010. She said Prater told her at that time he wasn’t sure he wanted to continue as a member and a few months ago told her that he had “some things going on” and the matter wasn’t followed up.

“I called him today (December 6) but he was out of town,” she said. “I would like to recommend that his appointment end December 30, 2010, and make a recommendation to appoint Leigh Taylor to the Electric Plant Board as of January 2011.”

The appointment was approved by council.

On Friday, December 10, Patton said the move to appoint Leigh Taylor to the Plant Board was invalid.

 Patton said Kentucky Revised Statutes state that a relative of the mayor or governing body must wait one year after the relative is no longer on the governing body before becoming eligible to serve. Council Member Ed Taylor is Leigh Taylor’s father.

She said Prater agreed to stay on the board and added council was in agreement on the matter.

In other business last week Bill Teegarden, Director of Adult Education with Maysville Community and Technical College, addressed council and asked for funds to pay for10 Vanceburg residents to take GED tests.

Teegarden said the state wouldn’t allow the college to pay for GED testing and that he worked to raise the funds to pay for the testing since many of those taking the tests are low-income and have to take off work two days to travel and take the tests.

Council approved allocating $550.00 to the program to pay for GED testing for Vanceburg residents.

“We have a good program developed here in Lewis County,” Teegarden said. “About 85 to 90 percent of graduates go on for an associate’s degree or technical training,” he added. “It’s an investment.”

Teegarden said GED classes are offered at the Esham Building in Vanceburg as well as locations at Quincy, Tollesboro and Camp Dix.

Patton announced the city’s annual Christmas Breakfast for employees and officials would be held December 22 and invited everyone to a groundbreaking for the city’s firehouse/community center to be held on December 10.

Dennis Brown/Lewis County Herald

Bill Teegarden asked council for funding to pay for GED testing for Vanceburg Residents.

Council went into closed session for the purpose of discussing the possible sale and disbursement of surplus properties and possible litigation.

Patton said upon returning to open session that council took no action concerning the possible litigation but did take action concerning the disposal of some property.

Council approved the sale of property on Town Branch to People’s Self-Help Housing for $1,200. Patton said the property, about one-half acre was advertised and offered at auction but no bids were place on the property at that time.

Council approved a request from Harvey Denham to place a monument at Veterans Memorial Park in honor of Pvt. Edward Chatman. Denham said he would take care of any costs associated with the monument and locating it in the park.

Denham said Chatman was awarded the distinguished Service Cross for risking his life for his fellow men.

In paperwork submitted to council by Denham, it stated: “Pvt. Edward Chatman, Infantry, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action of 3 February 1945, near Loi-Kany, Burma. During the attack on a strongly entrenched and determined enemy, Pvt. Chatman’s platoon was pinned down by intense machine gun and sniper fire.

“Pvt. Chatman and another soldier, of their own volition, crawled from the comparative safety of a shellcrater, through withering crossfire which tore their clothing and equipment to shreds, thirty yards from their position to the emplacement and succeeded in knocking out the machine gun with hand grenade.

“Unable to kill the occupants of the machine gun bunker due to its form, Pvt. Chatman crawled to the rear of the position, drawing heavy rifle fire from other Japanese Pillboxes nearby.

“He did not withdraw to cover and safety until he had killed the five Japanese soldiers who had manned the machine gun.

“As a result of his action, his platoon was able to advance and accomplish its mission. The heroism displayed by Pvt. Chatman reflects great credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States.”

Chatman went into service when he was 20 years of age and had been overseas for two years and seven months.

Patty Kennard addressed council stating she is honored to have worked with the mayor and council. “I feel the last four years have been very progressive for the city,” she said.

Patton agreed with Kennard’s remarks and told council members she had enjoyed working with them as well as the employees of the city.

“I am very honored to have had the opportunity to serve as Mayor of Vanceburg,” she said.