Improving access

Groups creating a smoother walk to voting at the Carnes Center

ST. CLAIRSVILLE -- A small paved lot will replace a portion of the gravel parking area at the side entrance of the Carnes Center at the Belmont County Fairgrounds just in time for Election Day on Nov. 7.

The paved parking lot is expected to be ready next week, thanks to the generosity of several area entities.

Richland Township Trustee Rick Ferrell said the walk will be 20 feet wide and 45 feet long. Work should begin Oct. 10 and be completed Oct. 11.

"It'll provide four parking spaces. One is for van-accessible wheelchair access. There'll be three other parking spots for anyone that has any handicapped disabilities to get into and out of the Carnes Center for any of their events, including our elections that we have twice a year in November and May," he said.

"It's something that's vitally important for the safety of people getting in and out of the center. They do have handicap access in the front, but the need has been for the side because the entrance for the elections is on the west end of the center," Ferrell said. "I've worked the last several elections, and I see the need."

Ferrell said he and others came up with this project shortly after the August special election. He said the gravel parking lot can be an obstacle for some elderly or injured people or people with disabilities who want to cast their vote in person.

"If people are taking the time to come out and exercise their right to vote, it's important that we give them good, safe access," Ferrell said. "We want to prevent any situation in which there could be a fall."

Ferrell added that the Belmont County Board of Elections has many different voting locations, but the Carnes Center serves one of the largest areas in the county.

"There's hundreds -- if not thousands -- that come in here to vote," he said.

He added that the township is donating the equipment and labor to install the pad. The remaining cost of curbs, material and signage comes to about $4,500, with all but $900 raised so far.

He thanked the St. Clairsville American Legion, the St. Clairsville VFW and the Belmont County Board of Developmental Disabilities for donating.

"The generous donations we've received so far from these three entities have gotten us where we're very close to reaching our goal. We're still a little bit short. If anyone would like to donate to this project, we would be glad to receive some donations," he said.

Rick Johnson, adjutant of the St. Clairsville American Legion, said the group is dedicated to helping the community.

"It was just a matter of being able to support the handicapped and those voting," Johnson said. "We don't know how many didn't return because they had difficulty getting access."

VFW Commander Joe Petro agreed.

"We donate to all organizations, but this is a big thing," he said.

VFW Vice Commander Rod Hildreth added that moving a wheelchair through the current parking lot is very difficult.

Groups and individuals also make use of the Carnes Center for various events.

Ferrell added that the veterans' organizations frequently assist veterans with disabilities.

Amanda Tharp, director of community support for the Belmont County Board of Developmental Disabilities, said the addition will be a welcome one.

"We were just happy to help with the accessibility of the Carnes Center. We recognize the importance of the Election Day and other events that take place, so just helping with the folks in the community," she said. "We were talking about the importance of independence and folks being able to access the building."

For more information or to donate, call Ferrell at 740-312-5895.