Theater Group Pitches Project
By Diane Reynolds, Barnesville Area News Company
More than two dozen members of the Barnesville State Theater Company organization attended December 16th’s Barnesville council meeting, including officers and member and group attorney, Aaron Bruggeman of Bricker Graydon’s Barnesville office. The group has raised more than $355,000 since August, 2022, 85% from private citizens. The company asked the council to consider their request for a loan, which would be used for a stage, tiered, seating, HVAC, and electric work.
Committee member Rose Grear touted the economic benefits of the theater to the local business community, noting that typically attendees at a theater event will spend $35 person outside of the event. The renovated theater, she said, will bring people into the local community and give residents a reason to stay and spend their money in the local community.
Work on the theater will be done by local labor, providing job, while the theater will provide “good, wholesome family entertainment” to the village, Grear said, including classic films, live music, youth and adult drama and music programs, and more.
Councilmember Steve Hill expressed appreciation for the proposed theater and said this project would bring in others.
In a third reading of Ordinance #3998, Amending the Annual Appropriations for 2025, members voted 6-0 on a motion by Council President Tony Johnson and seconded by Robyn Misner to change the building permit fee charged by the village. The ordinance sets a flat $25 fee moving forward for all building permits.
Village Administrator Roger Deal opened two bids submitted for the 10.3716 acre former “Claugus property” now owned by the village adjacent to the wastewater treatment plant.
Grenadier Energy Partners submitted a bid of $6,750 per acre bonus payment and 20 percent royalty and Gulfport Energy, the second bidder, offered $5,000 per acre bonus and a 20 percent royalty.
Tyson Parker, representative of Grenadier, attended the meeting and told council members that his firm’s was the same as the village properties the firm secured in early bidding rounds.
Council voted to instruct Village Solicitor Richard Myser review the submission and return to the next meeting with an ordinance to approve the bid by Grenadier. This motion was made by Steven Hill and seconded by Tony Johnson.
Barnesville Police Chief Rocky Sirianni reported that the local Pancakes with Grinch event held on December 7th was a success and that all the kids were able to eat for free thank to generous donations from Jason Fisher of Combined Property Management and Joel Braido of Braido Memorials. In addition, Denny Phillips and Lakeland Foods donated drinks and sausages.
During the meeting, following a question by Steven Hill, Village Administrator Roger Deal noted workmen were out on East Main Street at Morgantown Avenue trying to locate gas service lines at that location in order to plug a gas leak.
Mayor Jake Hershberger ended the meeting by praised all involved in the many Barnesville Christimas activities, likening the town to “a Hallmark card.”
Village Council will meet the final time in 2024 on Monday, December 30 at 7:00 in council chambers at the municipal building.
Police and Reports for November
Police Report. Barnesville Police Chief Rocky Sirianni shared the following November department activities with the village council Monday night:
- Calls for Service – 237 (Barnesville Dispatch, 203; Central Dispatch, 34)
- Barnesville Dispatch Log Entries – 358
- Western Division Offenses, 5: Felony (1); Domestic Violence. Assault (2); Drug Possession (1); OVI (1)
- Juvenile Offenses – 1
- Mayor’s Court Offenses – 21
- Traffic Stops – 70
- Call Records – 23
- Total Crash Reports Completed – 11
Fire/EMS Report: Chief Tim Hall reported Fire and EMS stats for November. The department responded to 871 EMS calls, 17 fire calls and transported 7 patients from WVU Medicine/Barnesville Hospital to other medical facilities.
Hall also shared the news the department met with the Interim CEO of the hospital about service and was encouraged noting “a lot of exciting things are coming out of the hospital” with additional services planned locally that will reduce the number of out transports needed.
Hall also received approval to remove Andrew Gazdik and Breanna Flood from the fire department rolls.
