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Five named to newly established authority
WAYNESBURG - The five members of the newly re-established redevelopment authority are supposed to represent each of the five school districts and lend their expertise in tackling housing issues.
Commissioners appointed the members at their meeting Thursday. All were members of the housing task force, which was created about eight months ago. Commissioners reactivated the redevelopment authority to obtain more grants for housing through the federal economic stimulus package.
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The new authority members are Barry Nelson of Waynesburg, a teacher of mine safety; Ralph Burchianti of Greensboro, who works at Community Bank; Thelma Szarell of Nineveh, superintendent of West Greene School District; John Dorean of Jefferson, who is involved with Habitat for Humanity; and Marcia Sonneborn of Wind Ridge, who works as a housing specialist in Cumberland Township.
The group will meet publicly within a month to discuss its mission, organization and first orders of business. Chris Hardie of the economic development department will act as administrator.
Greene County Redevelopment Authority was created in the 1960s, but it hasn't been activated since 1994. At that time, the authority attempted to keep the Shannopin Mine open in Bobtown and worked on other projects.
Addressing housing needs will be the new authority's primary focus. A consultant is studying housing issues in the county, and the report should be finished this summer.
In another matter, commissioners signed numerous proclamations declaring May as Older Americans Month, Community Action Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, Protect our Children from Tobacco Smoke Pollution Month and Foster Parent Month and next week as Emergency Medical Services Week.
"May is a busy month," said Commissioner Pam Snyder.
Commissioners awarded a contract for carpet installation at the Fairgrounds Arena Barn to Humble Carpet of Waynesburg for $16,415. Humble did not submit the lowest bid, but it was the only proposal that had both a bid bond and the installation costs included.
The carpet will be portable, and it will be used during the annual Black Diamond Cluster Dog Show and other events. The carpet will be removed during the fair and other events featuring livestock.
