Commissioners establish town hall meeting schedule

ST. CLAIRSVILLE Belmont County Commissioners last week held the first of a full slate of town hall meetings scheduled to take place in communities throughout the county this year.

The first meeting, held at the Fireman's Fish Fry Building in Holloway, was deemed a successful session, as the board of commissioners look forward to taking to the road in 2010 and meeting with people throughout the community.

Tuesday evening January 19th in Holloway.

Commission Ginny Favede, who this year was appointed to serve as president of the board, explained that the town hall meetings are being scheduled in various communities in the county. A number of meetings that have been scheduled take place in conjunction with village of city council meetings, which the local officials are already gathered together.

"Our goal is to get out to every municipality within the county this year," said Favede.

In the past, the town halls were by request of officials from the local communities. This year, however, Favede has taken the initiative to schedule a town hall meeting in each village or city.

"We will be crisscrossing back and forth and covering the entire county," she said. "We want to get out and talk to the people of the county face-to-face and spend some time sharing what's going on in the county and listening to their concerns."

The commissioners started in the far northwestern corner of the county - in Holloway - and are now going to the other end of the county next month, as the town hall meeting for February will be in Powhatan Point. Then the board will bring the road show back to Barnesville. All of the town hall meetings are scheduled in conjunction with the village or city council meetings and are being scheduled during the last meeting of each month.

"We are scheduling the town halls either before or after the council meetings so that the council members and mayors are available to participate," said Favede. "The commissioners feel that a strong working relationship with the municipalities is important and are taking the time to strengthen those ties."

"We're making visits to every city and village a priority in 2010," said Commissioner Matt Coffland.

Town Hall meetings are an informal public meeting. Everybody in a community is invited to attend, voice their opinions, and hear the responses from the commissioners.

"It is important to communicate with the residents of our county and to give them a chance to feel that their voices are being heard." said Favede.

"Although the commissioners weekly meetings allow for open public forum, it is often said many residents just feel more comfortable in their own town discussing their concerns," said Commissioner Chuck Probst.

Locations of the town hall meetings for the year have been set. Many dates have already been scheduled, with meetings taking place at least once every month. Times and specific dates for future meetings will be announced as they are scheduled.

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rearden
01-24-10 10:59 PM »Report Abuse	To*****with strip clubs their should be brothels like in Vegas. All the girls around here are popping out welfare babies ,collecting welfare and foodstamps. With brothels they will actually be paying taxes and earning a living instead of sucking the system dry. Marijuana should also be legalized.I know for a fact all the losers around here on SSI or disability sell their meds for $$$$ OXycodone ,VIkes,XANAX, scamming the system and dealing drugs with the state as their supplier. If the dollar was backed and not fiat money none of this b.s. would be possible. John Maynard Keynes was the devil himself.
Fizdogg
01-24-10 1:50 PM »Report Abuse	If you think about it, I bet 40 people a night leave Belmont County for the strip clubs in West Virginia, each person speding on average $100.00 ($4000.00 a night), that is alot of money leaving the county. We need to eliminate old world thinking and embrace the california attitude. Even bring in a fish market near the mall area. Wheeling steals our ideas, why not do the same.
Reactionary
01-24-10 1:13 PM »Report Abuse	'dogg, as I am an old person--(somewhat)-- and maybe don't exactly care for your personal changes in the county, at least you came up with SOMETHING! ---(the strip club was a nice touch)....lol THAT'S A START! And maybe , just Maybe, this 'town hall' stuff is what the Commissioners SHOULD have been doing all along!
Fizdogg
01-24-10 7:57 AM »Report Abuse	On top all this, I would have people donate land to create what could compete with the appalachian trail. A trail that would zigzag through Belmont county and neighboring counties and even through eastern Ohio.
Fizdogg
01-24-10 7:45 AM »Report Abuse	Zone Belmont County is a start to reorganization. then create a recreational park that has ski ramps and other fun activities. Then lower taxes on industries that relocate. I know I could 360 Belmont County if I was commissioner instead of talking about it. They actually have to get advise from a bunch of old people...WTF. Not me, this county would have a strip clubs, head shops and more, but that is what I would do.

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