The Mayor’s activity for September began with the Labor Day holiday, which is just another way to say goodbye to summer. But that’s okay. September is my favorite month of the year. On a personal level, I like winter, too, but the next four to five months will make it hard for our men to take care of water and sewer issues. That is what makes springtime so special. Aren’t you glad we live where we can appreciate four-seasons?
The RoadKill Cook-off and Autumn Harvest Festival went well, the Farmers Market has wound down in Marlinton, and the Discovery Junction restroom will be winterized at the end of October and closed for the season. The splash pad has already been closed and winterized. Speaking of which, the cities of Clay and Richwood have both sought information concerning our splash pad. They are both wanting to do something similar in their towns.
Regarding the Marlinton Trailhead Project and other outdoor recreational projects, I want to thank CVB Director Chelsea Faulknier and Charles Evans, with SHARC, for serving on the Engineering select-committee for the planned projects. We received proposals from eight engineering firms. The pre-selection process narrowed the field to three firms. It was a very difficult decision, as all three firms were very professional and each was qualified, providing outstanding proposals for services.
The selection came down to the word coordination, and The Thrasher Group was selected.
E.L. Robinson and Destination by Design tied for second place. With Thrasher as the engineering firm on the water/ sewer/storm-water project, it will take significant coordination while phases of each project begin to overlap with Trailhead, Streetscape and sidewalk construction. Also, each recreational project will be dependent on substantial grant funding.
Also, The Thrasher Group received 45% of all Direct Congressional Spending (earmarks) during this last cycle.
More to come next week. Until then…