At a special meeting of the Pine Grove Town Council held Monday night, several members of the community were present in earnest to hear of the council’s plans for a Park Committee. Councilman Dave Williams and Recorder Kim Bates, council representatives for the Park Committee, shared their initial ideas for improving the park which included replacing the tennis courts with playground and fitness equipment, and laying a walking track around the perimeter.

However, their ideas were met with mixed results from the gallery. Dorothy Springer noted she felt the walking path was not necessary. “Since this park was built I never lacked for any place to walk,” she said.

In general those present were open to discussing the proposed ideas. Weldon Williams addressed the council, stating Kristi Earley had surveyed the students at Valley High School to find the students wished to see backboards, and a place for racquetball and handball. Earley added the youth wanted some activity offered at the park during the winter months, such as a portable ice skating rink.

In discussing the funding needed to make park improvements, Springer shared many of the fund raising projects performed when the park was first built, including weekly Bingo, food sales, Christmas bazaars, auctions, etc. Mayor Dave Barr noted that a group within Dominion Transmission, Inc., is planned to donate $2,500 toward park renovations, in addition to man power. However, the Park Committee must have a clear plan set within a couple of months in order to utilize Dominion’s assistance.

Those present agreed a survey needed to be conducted to be sure the improvements are made with the citizens’ interests at the forefront. With only two months to develop a plan, a Park Committee meeting has been set for July 25 at 7 p.m. at the Byrd Center to create a survey which will then be sent to homes and businesses in town. Anyone interested in being a part of the committee is urged to attend.

In another matter, the council discussed purchasing uniforms for town employees. Council members thought having a uniform would be professional and convenient to the employees, as the uniforms would be cleaned weekly for them. As an added precaution, the uniforms proposed would include florescent markings to help keep employees safe while working in the nighttime hours. Councilman Brian Price took quotes from several companies on the matter and the council approved Price to handle the purchasing of uniforms through Cintas at the low cost of roughly $48 per week. This cost includes the purchase, cleaning, and maintenance of around 11 personalized uniforms for each town employee.

During the special meeting the council also reviewed bid proposals regarding the upgrades to the doors and windows of the upstairs level of the Byrd Center and awarded the project to Billy Pryor General Contracting of Weirton, W.Va., for the amount of $30,400.

Under other approvals, the council approved the mayor’s request to purchase gravel to help strain the water that flows from Simpson Hill. They also agreed to purchase decals for the town trucks and to purchase a six-burner stove to replace one no longer in working order at the Byrd Center.

Lastly, the council approved the use of the Byrd Center free of charge to the American Red Cross for the purposes of holding a day-long blood drive on July 22.

The drive is being held in honor of Marilyn Daugherty of Reader. In 1996, Daugherty was diagnosed with an immune condition, one that she may have had all her life. Prior to her diagnosis, she had health problems since she was very young. She now gets monthly infusions of a specialized blood product which strengthens her immune system by ensuring she has normal levels of antibodies in her blood. The specialized product Daugherty requires is derived from the donations of whole blood.

She and her family encourage individuals to donate blood to help the many types of patients who rely on transfusions of blood and blood products.

Most healthy individuals who are at least 17 years of age (16 with signed parental consent) and weigh a minimum of 110 pounds are eligible to donate blood. Individuals 18 years of age or younger must also meet specific height and weight requirements.