Mayor unveils major riverfront project

With the exception of Harris Riverfront Park, Huntington stops at the floodwall, but Huntington Mayor Steve Williams wants to change that with the development of the riverside of floodwall.

The mayor unveiled his plan during his State of the City address Feb. 17.  A partnership with the city and the owners of Superior Marine would bring commerce to the riverside by developing a 260-slip marina, dry dock facilities to house 260 boats, a boat repair shot and retail facility, a boardwalk with retail and restaurants, potential condominium development, a spray and splash park, the completion of the skate park and RV camping.

The mayor said the project would be completed in three phases over six to 10 years. The public-private partnership will utilize a combination of private capital with public and private grant sources.

The plan embraces the long-term redevelopment plan created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers a few years ago, Williams said.

Superior Marine is the same people of Huntington Marine, which was engaged in a lawsuit with the city for 20 years regarding the construction of a barge-mooring facility adjacent to the Westmoreland neighborhood. The lawsuit was settled last year.

Williams said this demonstrates the city can create partnerships with former foes.

“Ambitious projects such as these require a culture of advancement and expectation of enormous accomplishments,” Williams said in his address. “Clearly, we must have all hands on deck to compete nationally and internationally.”

Huntington is the largest inland port in the United States. The mayor said more details about the partnership would be announced in the coming weeks.

Mayor to give State of the City address

The state of the city is strong, but the budget Huntington Mayor Steve Williams will unveil Tuesday to City Council is smaller than last year.
The mayor said loss of revenues from large projects like the construction on Marshall University's campus is to blame for the smaller budget.
Williams assured the smaller budget would not raise fees for the public and there will be no layoffs at City Hall.
"This is not an indication of slowing down," Williams said. "We are living within our means."
Williams said the city was forced to reduce the budget in July, which he called a stress test, which the city passed.
He said the budget will be structured like the last two years.
The mayor is also predicted to talk about three large projects for the city, including the redevelopment of the city's West End, Hal Greer Boulevard and Fairfield West neighborhood. The mayor also wants to redevelop the ACF property, a 70 acre lot not being utilized in the middle of the city.
The final project will be high-speed broadband for the city. Williams said this will ensure Huntington will be able to compete with the rest of the cities on the river.
"Go big or go home," Williams said.
Williams said the broadband will tie the projects together like a virtual ribbon.
Williams will also talk about the drug problems facing Huntington. In January alone, there were 10 overdose deaths in the city.
"We need to rally together and say we aren't taking this anymore," Williams said.
The State of the City address will be given at 3 p.m. Tuesday in the City Council Chambers at City Hall.

Huntington sewer improvements one step closer

Huntington is a step closer to an improved sewer system after city council Monday passed two ordinances allowing the mayor to proceed with improvements at the treatment plant. The council also heard the second of three readings of an ordnance to approve the purchase of $6.5 million in bonds for improvements of the sewer of the city.

The council unanimously approved two ordinances allowing Huntington Mayor Steve Williams to enter into contracts in behalf of the Huntington Sanitary Board to replace the effluent line and diffuser, and the replacement of the force main and septage receiving station at the Wastewater Treatment Plant in Westmoreland.

The projects will cost over $1 million a piece, said Williams, and completed by Pipes Plus out of Nitro.  After the issuing of bonds, the projects will take 270 days to complete. The mayor said the bonds are hoped to be issued by April.

Before the projects can proceed, the council will need to approve the city to issue $6.5 million in sewer revenue bonds. The council heard the second of three readings and will vote at the next meeting.

Williams said the problems are in extreme disrepair. The projects are not expected to raise prices for the community.

For other business, Huntington Police Chief Joe Ciccarelli announced the Police Officer of the Year for 2014, John Williams.

"Huntington took me in with open arms," Willaims said. "This is an honor but it pales in comparison to working with the fine men and women of the Huntington Police Department, the best department in the whole state."

Council approved one other ordinance and three resolutions during the meeting. The ordinance allows the city to change the city's third party administrator for its self-insured worker's compensation  program. The change will save the city $3,600.

The resolutions authorized the commitment of Fiscal Year 2014 project funds for the Cabell-Huntington-Wayne Home Investment Trust, giving money to the Huntington WV Area Habitat for Humanity and the home buyer program, the approval for HPD to purchase a new utility vehicle, which will be reimbursed by the state, and a revision of the general fund budget.

The council also honored the YMCA's Kids in Motion program, which was started in Huntington in 2012. The program uses technology to make exercising more fun for children.

Williams will deliver his State of the City address to the council at 3 p.m. Feb. 17 in the council chambers. The next regular meeting of city council is scheduled for Feb. 23.

Freedom of Information

The West Virginia Freedom of Information law, chapter 29 B of the state code, gives all citizens, not just journalists, the explicit rights to full information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those who represent the public as officials or employees. 

Specifically for journalists, Freedom of Information is a guarantee to specific information. This is important, particularly with government bodies, for journalists to perform their role as watchdogs. In a perfect world, journalists and the public they serve would not have to worry about the right to information. Everyone could be taken at their word and information would flow freely without legislation. However, even without trying, things can get covered up, lost in translation and people can be deceitful.

The Freedom of Information law in West Virginia shows support for journalists by recognizing the importance of the need for free flowing information. The law specifies who is a public official, what records fall under this law and the appropriate measures that need to be taken to give information. 

The specificity of this law makes it all the more effective. The general public, reporters included, may request records by paper or electronic mail. Custodians, or public officials, have five days to respond, detailing when and how the person can look at the documents requested. If they deny access, they must fall under one of 19 exemptions.

Many of the exemptions fall under personal or national security. Personal information or anything that could be used against a person or office is exempt. Juvenile records are exempt. These are reasonable and fair, but problems arise when custodians claim exemptions merely to stall time. Knowing the details of the law allows a journalist to confidently press on.

Freedom of Information has not directly affected me, but indirectly it has. More information is readily available to me because the law exists. On a daily basis I check the Western Regional Jail website to check the status of felons in the state. This information is provided to me with easy access because I have an explicit right to it. On a daily basis I check the local police reports. This information is provided to me because I have an explicit right to it. My job is made easier because of this law, and the public is more informed.