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Port Authority

Dear Editor,

Dear Commissioners Coffland, Favede and Probst:

On behalf of the business community that the St. Clairsville Area Chamber of Commerce represents, we are writing both to recognize the challenges you face with regard to funding for the Belmont County Port Authority and the Community Improvement Corporation’s Department of Development and to urge you to consider not only the impact of these decisions, but also the implications of your decision-making process.

We understand that any decisions regarding the county’s finances are not made lightly.

We also believe that both the Port Authority and the Department of Development each bring unique, needed support to current and future businesses and the business atmosphere within our county. Reconciliation of these two factors is a serious issue for the future economic stability and growth of Belmont County.

Currently, what is being seen and focused on by the press is the negative aspect of your funding decisions. This ongoing negative attention can’t help but have a negative impact on how our communities and our county are perceived by the business community.

If we want Belmont County and our communities to be considered a good place for business, we cannot afford to be seen as not supporting business development or the groups dedicated to promoting this development.

Therefore, we urge you to investigate the history and the law regarding these two organizations and how they work with county government, and to weigh the successes each has had and the progress they each continue to make on a regular basis. We also urge you to make your decision as soon as reasonably possible, while being as open and transparent to your constituents as you can be during the process.

Finally, we also urge the other chambers of commerce in the county, our members, and other members of the business community to make their opinions known to you and to ask for your help to make Belmont County a positive place for business.

Sincerely,

St. Clairsville Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Board

Jennifer Woollard, President,

Dean Holtsclaw, Past President,

Wendy Thompson, Vice President,

Charlene Moffo, Treasurer

Port Authority

Dear Editor:

For the second time in two weeks, it is with great disappointment and frustration that I have to continually read about the discontent and differences of opinion in the commissioners’ meeting.

As a former county commissioner and one of three who created the Belmont County Port Authority in 2006, I am very passionate about the future retention and growth of employment opportunities in the county. We created the Port Authority because we felt we would use all Ohio law avenues to help foster growth while focusing heavily on job retention of our current employers. In the last month or so, I have heard a lot of comment and questions of people as to why we have two economic development agencies in the county and my shortest answer is that the law provides for both of them to exist, to do some of the same things yet ultimately being two, separate and distinct agencies in Ohio’s counties. Most medium to larger counties have both a CIC and a Port Authority with a lot of them working in conjunction with each other for the benefit of their constituents. As of today, both entities are working very well together recognizing each entity’s place in the county’s development picture.

It has become very clear that Commissioners Coffland and Favede have no intention of continuing funding the CIC and Port Authority as they have shown no support of either entity, continually whittled away each’s funding and have spoken against both in public meetings. My frustration is that the two agencies are the two primary economic development agencies created under Ohio law. If you have neither of them then you in essence have nobody working daily on economic development in Belmont County. While there is no real criticism of the county creating a Planning Commission, it, in no way, can replace the work of the Port Authority and CIC. Each agency has specific duties and powers under the law and already contract with the county to host such things like the county’s Revolving Loan Fund. I do note that the CIC will continue to exist as the commission has no legal power to dissolve the same. The CIC board is committed to continuing its purpose of helping and supporting existing businesses here and fostering new growth. As for the Port Authority, I am pleased to see that its board too is committed to remain a viable entity in the county with the potential help and cooperation of the Villages of Barnesville and Bellaire. The Port Authority’s success is not to be discounted and I am appalled that the board would not fund it to whatever amount the board requested in its budget. If the commissioners are worried about the county’s declining tax base, then they need to budget as much money as they can to both the CIC and Port Authority. Commissioner Coffland, if your comments about the budget are true and that all county departments are being cut, as you said in a meeting three weeks ago, I challenge you to sit down with me and I will show you at least 6 to 8 departments that could absorb cuts to help fund two offices that work daily to increase our tax base. In my opinion, Commissioner Coffland and Favede’s decisions are not being made under the guise of budget constraints; they are purely political decisions where they can erase any history or positive things the prior board of commissioners did while in office and to where they can take credit for any positive economic development. There is simply no other rational thought about their actions and this needs to stop now. Commissioners Coffland and Favede, please note two things about your position which I learned very quickly after being elected: 1. The position you hold is the peoples’ seat not yours and every decision made should be after lots of open, honest dialogue and what is in the best interest of the county and not your political careers. 2. Your term of office is a 4 year marathon not an 18 month sprint so slow down and educate yourselves and listen to people before you make decisions. Look at the Ohio Revised Code and focus on your statutory duties as county commissioner and quit trying to micro-manage departments not even under your control.

Finally, all county residents need to understand that this continued source of discontent and the public spectacle that results from it is counterproductive to the county’s perception and image amongst prospective developers who are looking to locate in eastern Ohio. Belmont County has a great business tax base, from small to large, and it is important that all county leaders and their appointees work together in a mutually amicable manner and focus solely on promoting a positive, progressive image in the county. I personally have two businesses that rely heavily upon the leadership and work of the commissioners and I am terribly disappointed in the actions of two of three of the current board. I commend Commissioner Probst for his actions and support of the Port Authority as he truly understands its function and purpose while appreciating all of the success it has had these past four years. It is time to set aside politics, personal images and gain and work collectively for the present and future growth of Belmont County.

Mark?Thomas

St.?Clairsville

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