Your towns: Marmet PD moving, Chesapeake resignations, $100K settlement in Dunbar

Here’s a roundup of what happened in January — plus a little of what’s to come in February — in municipal government in Kanawha County’s outlying towns and cities.

Belle

Despite repeated attempts, Mayor Dave Fletcher could not be reached for comment.

Cedar Grove

Despite repeated attempts, Mayor Melissa Young could not be reached for comment.

Chesapeake

• Police Chief James Quesenberry and Lt. Roger Queen resigned from their posts effective Jan. 5. In his resignation letter, Queen said he’s focusing on his current role with the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office. Quesenberry did not give a reason for his resignation. In a separate statement, Mayor Melissa Hill said at the time: “Chief Quesenberry and I have had numerous conversations in the past week regarding Police Department needs and priorities for the Town of Chesapeake. Unfortunately, we could not reconcile some positions.â€� According to Hill, there were seven police chiefs in the last administration, while she has seen the resignations of two police chiefs and one part-time officer since being elected in June 2023.
• The town also is paying for two more recruits to attend the West Virginia State Police Academy.
• The town of Chesapeake will launch a $260,000 voluntary demolition project funded by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s Rehabilitation Environmental Action Plan grants. The town will demolish downtrodden residential properties. So far, seven people have applied. Hill estimates that the town might need $1 million for the demolition of 60 dilapidated properties that need to be torn down, but she said this smaller project would show a “proof of performanceâ€� to help the town receive more grant funding for other projects.
• Hill also said the sewer rehabilitation project is proceeding, with engineering firm Burgess and Niple involved. It is not clear if this will be an improvement project or a total replacement project for the sewer system, which Hill said has not been updated since it was built in 1964.
• The stormwater rehabilitation project, which will repair flood damage to the system, will run parallel with the sewer project. The Regional Intergovernmental Council is helping facilitate these projects. “The stormwater system is about as old as our sewer system,â€� Hill said. “We’ve been band-aiding since then, no upgrades at all.â€�

Clendenin

• The filing period for Clendenin’s June 10 election ended Saturday. On the ballot will be candidates for mayor, recorder and five council positions. Five people are running for the council: Scott Bird, Dave Knight, David Canterbury, Scott Deusenberry and newcomer Tim Allen. Recorder Erica Kearns and Mayor Kay Summers are running unopposed. 2025 will be Summers’ sixth year as mayor.
• According to Fire Chief Kevin Clendenin, the 30-person Clendenin Volunteer Fire Department wants to add a ladder truck to its fleet. Clendenin said the new ladder truck, built by Pierce Manufacturing, has been specially equipped to provide aerial support for fire suppression, rescue operations and access to high-rise buildings. The $2 million truck was purchased, in part, with a $1 million grant from the Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program. The fire department will have to raise the other $1 million through private donations and fundraising, along with any city or state funding they can receive. “Since the [2016] flood, everything is starting to be built up instead of out,â€� Clendenin said. “We now have three-story structures, built to be higher above the ground, so it’s a great asset to be able to get up to that height.â€� The new truck might not make it to the firehouse until fall 2028.
• Summers said the town will continue its monthly free movie night at the Clendenin Community Center, 4 First St. She invited everyone to come out for free refreshments and entertainment on Feb. 22, though she is still unsure what movie will be playing.

Dunbar

• According to Mayor Scott Elliott, preparation for Dunbar’s annual Critter Dinner is underway. When it began 40 or 50 years ago under former Mayor Frank Leone, residents would bring the hunting season’s bounty to town, cook and share it. While the original critter dinner featured only local fare like squirrel, deer, groundhog and bear, this year’s dinner will feature shark, alligator and bison. The event is scheduled to begin at noon on March 28 at the Dunbar Recreation Center, 2601 Fairlawn Ave.
• At its Jan. 21 meeting, Dunbar City Council unanimously voted for a $100,000 settlement for an excessive force case brought against St. Albans Police officers Zachary Winters and Adam Mason as well as the city for Rickey Baire’s 2022 arrest. This item was not originally on the agenda; councilperson Sierra Sovine moved for it to be added as an emergency item following an hour-long executive session.

Marmet

• Mayor David Fontalbert reported that the police department has nearly completed its move to the former Marmet Elementary School, located at 408 94th St. They will likely begin operations by March 31. The building has been renamed the Marmet Municipal Annex.
• Bill Wells Park renovations are underway. According to the mayor, the shade structures are in place, but kitchenettes are on the way. The spaces can be rented by calling the Marmet town hall at 304-949-2241.
• An agreement between the city and a private entity, the Crider Family Trust, will see the ownership of land located at the intersection of W.Va. 61 and W.Va. 94 shift to the town of Marmet by the end of 2025. The town’s goal is to establish a visitor’s center that would display artifacts and history about the town. A fishing pier and dock in the Kanawha River would be built there, as well.

Nitro

• There are 15 deteriorated structures in the city set for demolition. “We have made a considerable amount of progress with cleaning up the dilapidated structures and we are confident that the momentum will continue in 2025,â€� Mayor Dave Casebolt said. “For us to attract new construction, it is important for the city to provide opportunities for growth.â€�
• The city also hopes to open its newly enclosed pickleball courts at the Nitro Athletic Complex, 1651 Park Ave., in April.

South ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä

• Mayor Frank Mullens said “well over 1,000â€� vehicles drove through Little Creek Park for the city’s first holiday light show. According to Mullens, the city was inspired by the success and purchased more lights for a “bigger, betterâ€� show next year.
• The city has finalized talks with the Little General convenience store chain about opening a location in the Spring Hill neighborhood of South ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä. The location will include a Dunkin’ Donuts and a drive-through Buffalo Wild Wings.
• Mullens also said Andrew’s Boots and Workwear, whose flagship location is based at 2505 MacCorkle Ave. in St. Albans, is adding a second location to South ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä near the Mound that will open this fall. “It’s a long-standing, family-owned business. I think they’ll be a great addition to our downtown,â€� he said.
• Mission BBQ is also coming to Park Place and will be located near the Chick-fil-A along MacCorkle Avenue. Multiple attempts to confirm the location with Mission BBQ went unanswered.

St. Albans

• Mayor Scott James reported final numbers for the 36th 2024 Festival of Lights, which was open from Nov. 29 to Dec. 26. He reported:

l 537 people participated in the first night walk through the park.

l 767 visitors took hayrides.

l 10,487 vehicles drove through the light display.

l Santa House at Roadside Park had 4,117 visitors.

l The city received $36,297 in donations from the 2024 Festival of Lights that will help pay for next year’s holiday festivities.

l Fun fact: City employees make many of the Festival of Lights decorations.

• The city presented two residents, Jason Davis, 28, and Peyton Carter, 14, with certificates of appreciation at the Jan. 21 city council meeting. They were recognized for clearing snow recently from in front of the home of a disabled veteran on Custer Street.