The North Union Softball For Girls (NUSG) organization came to village council’s Monday night meeting asking to sign a contract to use the village’s softball diamonds.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, no games were played, so the last signed contract was in 2019. Wendy Veach, the softball vice president, approached council regarding the contract because there has been limited contact with the group’s president, John Queen.
Queen is also involved with the middle school club ball organization. It was agreed on by both parties that the middle school club ball could play three games on the softball diamond during the season, so Queen set a schedule up for the softball coaches, including the three games. Every team knew when they had the diamonds for practice and the game schedules.
Veach stated that six games were put on the schedule for the middle school club ball group, which then took over scheduled team practices or games. The three agreed upon games were no problem, but now coaches and parents are upset about the cancelled practices and games and they have paid for their daughters to play.
Angela Crumb also approached council stating that communication with the club ball group has been poor, almost non-existent. It is hard for the board and the coaches to know if the schedule is correct or not. A tournament is scheduled in two weeks and some teams have not even been able to hold a practice on the diamonds. They have had to take the team to Byhalia to practice, which is inconvenient for most players/coaches.
Mayor Scott Jerew said that he also had spoken with Queen about the schedule and has heard two sides of the predicament. He stated that village council has no say or control over the schedule, just that the village owns the baseball and softball diamonds and provides them for summer entertainment and has for many years. He also stated that better communication is needed and he will see that a contract for 2021 is drawn up and be available for signatures soon.
Gail DeGood Guy mentioned to council that United Way is promoting “Neighbor To Neighbor” this year in place of the annual Community Care Day, due to the restrictions imposed by COVID-19. The event will be held on Saturday, May 15 at noon. The event will include working on the Veteran’s Memorial, clipping grass, planting flowers and installing flags ahead of Memorial Day, May 31. Several volunteers will be on site to help with the beautification project.
DeGood Guy also announced that the Richwood Memorial Day ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m. at Claibourne Cemetery. There will not be services scheduled at York or Price Mather cemeteries this year. VFW scholarship winner Laney Converse will read her winning essay at the cemetery. There will be no band playing or special speaker. A simple, social distance ceremony will take place to remember those who have passed during war and peace time.
Police Chief Monte Asher announced that South Franklin Street is closed for construction. Motorists traveling to Richwood don’t seem to understand that “road closed means the road is closed.” Several motorists have tried to travel around construction workers to get through the street. Safety of the road workers is high priority.
Only those residents who live between Tawa Road and Herbert Street will be allowed to get through to their homes.
Asher also said that those who are driving around by way of Pearl Street, should remember that the speed limit is 25 mph. He said Pearl Street is not a race track. Police officers have been busy writing citations for speeding. One officer was seen with three stopped vehicles at one time. Residents have been contacting the police about the pr oblem due to many children playing in their yards.
Councilman Reddy Brown asked permission from council to allow fourth grade students from North Union Elementary to help plant trees at Richwood Park for Arbor Day. Council unanimously accepted the offer.
Asher announced that the salt boxes have been removed from village trucks in preparation for the chipping season. Crews will travel village streets on Mondays to chip any branches left curbside, stacked neatly for workers to handle. There is not to be any trash or other foreign objects in the piles and any contracted tree trimming is responsible to dispose of the brush created.
In other business, council:
•Heard that shelter houses at Richwood Park are available for rent at $35 a day. To reserve, those interested may call 740-943-3315.
•Was informed that a property on North Franklin Street in the downtown area has an overhang that is a danger to the public. Council has tried for over a year to get the property owner to have the obstruction removed. The Health Department and the Northern Union County Fire and EMS Chief have deemed it a danger. The zoning inspector says that there are two violations against the owner and something must be done immediately before someone is harmed.
•Has heard that many more inquiries have been received regarding buying bulk water from the village. The village has received quotes for the touchless machine and is waiting to hear from the card company. Once everything is in, it will take a month to get put together. Pickens Co. will bore the line under North Franklin Street to hook up to a fire hydrant line.
The next council meeting will be held April 26 at 7 p.m.