By Richard Kerns
rkerns@newstribune.info
tribune staff writer
KEYSER — The Keyser Mayor and City Council have a full agenda for this afternoon’s meeting, including the proposed purchase of property adjacent to the city garage for construction of a new garage.
Other issues slated for the 4:30 p.m. meeting at City Hall will be a report from Keyser Librarian Connie Sutton, an update on a budget revision involving the coal severance fund, discussion of pay raises dating back to the July 1 start of the current fiscal year, city sponsorship of Friday Nite Live concerts, and a proposal to name a city park for the Keyser native who wrote “Frosty the Snowman.”
Keyser City Councilman Dave Sowers is pursuing grant funding for purchase of the property in question, which would be used as the site for a new garage to replace the existing facility on South Main Street. Sowers said the existing garage has significant roof and structural problems that could make repair almost as costly as new construction.
At the last council meeting, Sowers reported that the owner is seeking $125,000 for the property, an amount that Mayor Glen “Bunk” Shumaker had trouble digesting.
“I think that’s an awfully ridiculous price myself,” he said.
While the property purchase may feature some dissension on the council, the elected officials are expected to embrace another proposal by Sowers to name the North
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End playground for Walter E. “Jack” Rollins.
Born in Keyser in 1906, Rollins wrote “Here Comes Peter Cottontail” in 1949, following up the next year with “Frosty the Snowman.” He also penned “Smokey the Bear” for the National Forest Service mascot Smokey Bear, and wrote country songs for Hank Snow, George Jones and Eddie Arnold. Rollins died in 1973 and is buried in Keyser at Queens Point Memorial Cemetery.
Sowers said naming the park for Rollins would help bring attention to the prominent Keyser native. “I would just like to see the Parks and Rec Department recognize that gentleman,” Sowers said.
The city council will also discuss a proposal to sponsor the Friday Nite Live concerts, held downtown over three weekends in August.
During a discussion at last week’s meeting of the Recreation Board, Sowers said he would continue to organize the popular downtown concerts, but is seeking official sponsorship by the city to help relieve him of some related duties. Sowers noted that the concerts are relatively inexpensive, with area businesses helping pick up the cost of the bands, and even donating hogs for the event’s signature pork roasts.
Shumaker welcomed the proposal.
“I don’t have a problem with it,” he said at the Rec Board meeting. “I think it’s a good idea to take it on. People enjoy it.”
Sutton from the Keyser Library is expected to make a presentation on the library’s funding needs for the upcoming fiscal year.
The budget revision on the agenda is related to the recent announcement by Councilman Sonny Alt that $3,000 will be provided for the purchase of playground equipment at the North End park, and $6,000 for improvements to Little League facilities.
Also on tap, in addition to discussion about employee raises granted for the current year, is discussion of a recent development in a longstanding lawsuit against the city — Charles P. Haines v. The City of Keyser — in which the plaintiff is seeking damages for injuries suffered as the result of a police chase.
