Commissioners approve emergency declaration for brick removal
WAYNESBURG — Greene County commissioners on April 20 approved an emergency declaration pertaining to the removal of bricks on exterior walls of the Fort Jackson Hotel office building.
In early March, after county maintenance workers noticed “some bowing” in a rear exterior wall of the building that faces Cherry Alley, the commissioners hired Jesse L. Fiske Sr. LLC. to investigate the issues at Fort Jackson at a cost of $9,900.
During Fiske’s assessment, the cost increased to over $10,000, which would have required the county to seek additional proposals to remedy the problem.
By declaring an emergency situation, the county was able to forgo the bidding requirement and let Fiske proceed.
Chief Clerk Jeff Marshall said loose brick has been removed from areas of the building’s walls and plywood has been installed temporarily.
The commissioners also proclaimed April 28 Paint the Town Purple Day and also proclaimed April Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
The Paint the Town Purple Day proclamation supports the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Greene County, which will be held May 6 at the Waynesburg Central High School Raider Field of Pride. Purple is the official color of Relay For Life. Steve Gillis, American Cancer Society Relay For Life senior community manager, thanked the commissioners for their continued support.
The Sexual Assault Awareness Month proclamation acknowledges the fact that sexual violence is widespread and impacts every community member of Greene County, and that it is time to believe survivors, start conserations, take appropriate action and change the culture to create a safer environment for all.
“We need to have open converstations about sexual violence,” said Joanna Dragan, SPHS CARE Center supervisor for the Sexual Trauma and Treatment and Recovery Services (STTARS) program.
Also in attendance for the proclamation were Kristen Hohing, SPHS CARE Center staff; Anne Rice, SPHS CARE Center staff; and Ashley Beck, SPHS CARE Center intern.
Following the commissioners’ meeting, the Greene County Board of Elections met and heard a report from Tina Kiger, director, after the board reorganized.
Commissioners Blair Zimmerman was elected chairman; Dave Coder, vice chairman and Archie Trader, secretary.
Kiger, meanwhile, reported that the polling place in Greensboro has been changed from the Log Cabin to the Greensboro Borough/Monongahela Township Volunteer Fire Department.
She also said poll workers are needed in the following precincts: Center, majority and minority inspectors; Cumberland No. 4, judge of election, minority inspector and two clerks; Jefferson Borough, minority inspector; Springhill Township, judge of election and clerk; Wayne-East, judge of election; and Whiteley Township, judge of election.
Kiger told the board that the last day to apply for an absentee ballot for the May 16 primary is May 9 and the last day to return a voted absentee ballot is May 12.
The county salary board, which also met at the conclusion of the commissioners’ meeting, approved a temporary pay increase for Marcy Maletta from $65,835 to $75,240 until the Children and Youth Services fiscal officer returns from a leave.
The board also hired Stephanie Brockman and Jennifer Trader as full-time CYS caseworkers at $18.80 an hour, ostensibly to replace Jessica Barath and Theresa Parry, whose resignations were accepted.
In matters pertaining to the court, Sarah Smith was hired as a full-time court reporter at $14.55 an hour and the resignation of John Michael Dulaney as a tip staff was accepted.