Historic Harpers Ferry Takes on Shut Down!

October 2013
Volume 10 Issue 10
Historic Harpers Ferry Takes on Shut Down!
Locals Take Control: Fill in Gaps Left by Feds So Historic Town Remains Open
On October 3, following the government shut-down, the Harpers
Ferry Merchant Association, merchants and other locals came
together to make sure visitors would have the memorable experience
they expect and deserve.
According to Gary DuBrueler, President of the Merchant
Association, merchants and other locals stepped in to provide the
information ordinarily handed out by the Park employees. Visitors
came in droves with the weather perfect for strolling from their cars
parked along the streets the entire length of Harpers Ferry (below).
The ATC visitors center (left) did a booming business handing out
maps and advice on the many hiking trails.
Portable toilets were made
available to visitors thanks to a
collaborative effort on the part of
the Town of Harpers Ferry, the
Harpers Ferry Merchants
Association, and the Harpers
Ferry Historical Town
Foundation.
Inside this issue:
Calendar
Annual Flea Market
2
Senator Unger
Library Book Sale
Thanksgiving Food Drive
3
Council Meeting Report
Contact Info
Volunteers Needed
Foundation Update
4
Blast from the Past
Amtrak Bike Service
Tree Plan Approved
Helping Hands
6
Some mer chants offer ed discounts and special deals on pr oducts,
food and activities, many with local or historic themes. Cindi Dunn,
proprietress of the Vintage Lady boutique, featuring local, handcrafted
items, is one of those merchants. According to Dunn: “We are working
together, unlike the government! When visitors come, they’ll experience
America as they want it to be.”
5
7
Senator Unger Commends Town
During his opening statements at a special town meeting, West Virginia
Senator Unger commended the Corporation of Harpers Ferry, along
with other towns and Mayors for being the glue that keep things
together during the Federal government shut down.
The Town’s official website has useful information including important notices, ordinances, meeting
minutes, official applications, and events calendar. Visit us at www.harpersferrywv.us.
Town Calendar
2
All meetings at Town Hall, unless noted otherwise.
Oct 19-20
Oct 21
Oct 21
Oct 21
Woman’s Club Flea Market, (see box below)
Police Committee meeting (Bolivar Town Hall), 8:30 - 9:30am
Trail & Town Alliance meeting, 7 - 9pm
Joint Town Council/Planning Committee meeting, training session on proposed
zoning ordnance changes, 7-9pm
Oct 22
Canal Town Partnership/Bike America meeting, 10am - 12pm
Oct 23
Harpers Ferry Foundation Board meeting, 5:30 - 7:30pm
Oct 24
Water Commission, 6-7pm
Oct 24
Tree Committee meeting, 7 - 9pm
Oct 25
Lyn Widmyer, Humorous Adventures in Farming, Library, 6pm
Oct 28
Historic Landmarks Commission meeting, 7 - 8:30pm
Oct 31
Halloween - Harpers Ferry & Bolivar - Trick or Treat, 6-8pm
Nov 2
Tree planting , 11am (See page 3)
Nov 5
Potomac Street Project Steering Committee meeting, 1 - 3pm
Nov 5
Planning Commission meeting, 7 - 8:30pm
Waiting for Trick-or-Treat
Nov 6
Municipal Court, 7 - 9pm
to save him?
Nov 8
Deadline for submission to the newsletter
Nov 11
Veterans Day - Town Hall Office Closed
Nov 11
Town Council meeting, 7 - 9pm
Nov 13
Parks & Recreation Commission meeting, 6 - 7pm
Nov 18
Police Committee meeting, 8:30 - 9:30am (Bolivar Town Hall)
Nov 18
Trail & Town Alliance meeting, 5 - 7pm
Nov 21
Water Commission meeting, 7 - 9pm
Nov 25
Historic Landmarks Commission meeting, 7 - 8:30pm
Nov 27
Harpers Ferry Foundation meeting, 5:30 - 7:30pm
Nov 28-29 Thanksgiving Holiday - Town Hall Office Closed
Dec 5
Tree Committee, 7-9pm
Woman’s Club Annual Flea
Market
The Woman’s Club holds its Annual Flea
Market in Harpers Ferry this weekend (October
19 & 20), at it’s historic clubhouse at 856
Washington Street. The sales opens at 9am.
Lyn Widmyer's
Humorous Adventures in Farming
On October 25 at 6 pm, Bolivar-Harpers Ferry Public
Library, Lyn Widmyer will give a presentation on the
changing role of farm women over the past 50 years.
Lyn's humorous adventures as a third generation farm
wife form the backdrop for her presentation.
Sandwiches will be provided so please register for this
program by calling Bolivar-Harpers Ferry Public Library
at 304-535-2301.
Rain or shine, inside and out, we will have
items for sale, including collectibles, framed
art, wearables, toys, books, glassware, home
goods, whimsy, holiday items and always a
surprise or two to make you say “I’ve just got
to have it!”
We appreciate your charitable shopping that
helps us deliver needed projects benefiting our
entire community. Thank you in advance and
see you there!
3
Year-Round Library
Book Sale
WV Senator Unger presents State Community
Participation Grant to Mayor Greg Vaughn.
The $20,000 grant will help fund the storm
water management facility beneath Potomac
Street. Photo by Kathryn Payne.
Lower Town merchants Gary
DuBrueler and Cindi Dunn
stop working briefly on the
new pavilion for a photo op.
Tree Planting Event
Come to the corner of Fillmore and Gilmore
Streets on Saturday, November 2 at 11am for the
Tree Committee’s fall planting of two new street
trees. (Rain date is November 9.)
Bolivar-Harpers Ferry Public Library
invites you to browse through our
year-round book sale. There is
something for everyone: children’s
and young adult
books, fiction, nonfiction, science
fiction, and mysteries
as well as a nice
selection of
inspirational, arts and
crafts and cookbooks.
Suggested donations are a dollar and
under. For more information, call
304-535-2301. We also accept
donations. For any ghouls and
goblins out there, we will be giving
out candy on Halloween until 8pm.
Hearts for the Hungry Thanksgiving Food Drive
Last year the caring people of Harpers Ferry and Bolivar joined together and brought about a near miracle—
more than 3,500 pounds of food and more that $2,200 to feed the hungry of Jefferson County. This year Mayors
Greg Vaughn of Harpers Ferry and Bob Hardy of Bolivar, along with pastors John Unger and Luther Osment,
are leading the way in saying “Let’s do it again!”
Jefferson County Community Ministries, the recipients of the in-gathering, fed over 3,000 families last year and
the needs are even greater this year. With our struggling economy, more and more families are falling into the
ranks of the unemployed, the “working poor” and the homeless.
Our 2013 “Hearts for the Hungry Thanksgiving Food Drive” will follow two basic approaches. Track #1
involves Family Boxes in which gener ous donor s fill a small “Family Box” with your Thanksgiving
Dinner favorites (but not the turkey!). These free boxes are now available at Jason’s Antiques, 1307 W.
Washington Street, and they are to be returned to Jason’s. We would be glad to make available a supply of
boxes to churches and organizations.
Track #2 involves collection boxes at locations acr oss our communities to r eceive canned goods and
packaged foods. Collection boxes are now in place at Friendship Fire House, Harpers Ferry Middle School,
Bolivar Community Center, Bolivar-Harpers Ferry Library, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, St. John’s
Episcopal Church and The Country Café. The final delivery will be made to Jefferson County Community
Ministries no later than Monday, November 19.
Council Meeting Report
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4
At its October meeting, the Town Council:
Heard a presentation by Champe Burnley of the Virginia Bicycling Federation on the planned US Bike Route 11,
which will extend from Harpers Ferry to North Carolina.
Approved the “Proclamation for Red Ribbon Week” in Harpers Ferry from October 23-31. The National Red
Ribbon campaign was established by Congress in 1988 to encourage drug prevention and reduction efforts.
Discussed the application from Taylor Bishop to build a rear deck at 991
Town Website Click here
Putnam Street. Miss Bishop filed an addendum to her original permit. Council
voted to reconsider the amended application next month after it has had time to
review this new information.
Approved a sign for Waffle Buzz, 180 High Street.
Approved $7,800 to upgrade the Police Department’s CAD system, a communication system used for driver’s
license checks, running arrest records, etc., as part of a county-wide upgrade. Cost is based on population served.
Discussed possible modifications to the parking policy and the feasibility of installing parking meters in the
Lower Town area.
Discussed moving the guardrail at Shenandoah Street and US340.
Discussed installing 15 mph signs on High Street.
Scheduled a Council training session to be conducted by the Planning Commission on the proposed zoning
ordinance modifications and related amendments, for Monday, 21 October at 7pm.
Approved the Harpers Ferry Tree Plan and Standards document.
Approved a request from the Water Department for new truck tires.
Approved $45,000 for purchase of a dump truck, trailer and skid steer loader for the Water Department.
Approved a job description for a part-time or contracted Ordinance Compliance Officer.
Approved the first reading of Ordinance 2013-11 Municipal Court, which codifies a $50.00 court cost in addition
to other fines levied for any infraction or conviction.
Heard from the new Grants and special Projects Committee on the status of street signage replacement and of a
Federal land Access Program (FLAP) grant.
Discussed a “Letter of Requirements” received from the Board of Zoning Appeals and approved a line item of
$500 for BZA expenses.
The Mayor introduce a proposed Vacant and Uninhabitable Vacant Structures
ordinance, which was referred to the Ordinance Review Committee.
Communicating with the Mayor or Council
Mayor
Greg Vaughn
[email protected]
Recorder Kevin Carden
[email protected]
Council
Betsy Bainbridge
[email protected]
Members Jerry Hutton
[email protected]
Dan Riss
[email protected]
Charlotte Thompson [email protected]
Helen “Hap” Becker [email protected]
Town Hall Phone: 304-535-2206
Sylvie and Maya
enjoying the view
Anyone wishing to review any of the documents or information considered by the Council (the Council “packet”)
for past (or pending) meetings can find them on the town website (www.harpersferrywv.us) under “Council Docs.”
The documents are posted to the website the Friday before regular Council meetings. A paper copy is also
available in a public meeting notebook available at Town Hall.
5
Volunteers Needed
The Mayor is seeking anyone interested in serving on the "Grants and Special Projects Committee." The
committee, chaired by council member Charlotte Thompson, is responsible for researching, developing,
submitting, and following up on all grants that may benefit Harpers Ferry. In addition, the Committee also assists
the Mayor with developing and completing special projects and assignments. If interested in serving with
Charlotte and assisting the Town, please email a letter of interest to the Town Hall.
Harpers Ferry is seeking a resident to serve as an Alternate Member on the Board of Zoning Appeals. The
Board is charged with deciding appeals and reviews orders from other board decisions on land and premises
use. Board members serve without compensation for a term of three years. You must be a resident for three
years and cannot hold any other elective or appointed office in Harpers Ferry. If you are interested please
forward a resume and letter of interest to the Mayor by November 4, 2013.
A hunter participating in the town deer control harvest this season found
this rubber cylinder on a doe. The cylinder was cutting into the skin.
Historic view of the Gap
Foundation Update
Newsletter
Information:
The Harpers Ferry Historic Foundation board has developed a draft
revised Mission Statement, Vision Statement, and a list of Core
Values. These will be discussed with our consultant McCollum
Development Strategies and finalized in the next month or so.
Editor: Christy Huddle
Layout: Leslie Stout
We have developed a preliminary new website and will be working
with both a website graphic design company and a website database/
content management company to produce a new website in the next
few months.
We will shortly also be releasing a version of the Visit Harpers Ferry
and Bolivar smartphone app as a mobile website.
Email for submittal
rules and deadline or to
be added to the
notification list.
Deadline is 5pm on
the second Friday of
the month
6
Blast from the Past: Notes from 122 years of Town Council Minutes
Curated by Dan Riss (with original spellings)
6 Sep 1895 “Moved...that the Mayor have 2 signs painted and placed at One at The
Jonadab Hall & one at Edward Higgins’ Corner to read as follows
“Walk your Horse up and downhill or pay a fine of one to five Dollars”
27 june 1913 “it is moved...that the Stor er Collage is gr anted per mission to lay a pipe for
Conveying water from the Collage to the Morell & other houses on the South Side of Fillmore Street.”
1 mar 1917 “Be it her eby or dained that Har per s Fer r y Electr ic Light and Power Co has full
authority to trim all trees interfering with electric Light wires within the jurisdiction of Harper’s Ferry
corporation. Provided that the said company trim the trees uniformly and with the full approval of the
property Holders.”
Amtrak Tests Roll-on Bike Service
On October 15, Amtrak tested roll-on
bike service on the Capitol Limited
route. At the train station in Harpers
Ferry, three cyclists boarded with
their bikes on the morning train
headed for Union Station. If
approved, this could be a popular
connection for cyclists using the
C&O canal path as well as US Bike
Route 11.
Tree Plan and
Standards
Approved
The Town Council
approved the Tree Plan
and Standards, developed
by the Tree committee
over two years. The Plan
is available online.
7
Finding Services for the Aging, Disabled and Ill
On September 26 an information session was held at Camp Hill-Wesleyan United Methodist Church to learn what
services for the aging, disabled and ill are available to Bolivar and Harpers Ferry residents. Four organizations
described their services and answered questions.
Jefferson County Office on Aging, (304) 725-4044, 103 West 5th Avenue, Ranson
Hospice of the Panhandle, (304) 264-0406, 122 Waverly Court, Martinsburg
Shepherdstown Area Independent Living (SAIL), (304) 870-7245, 210 W. German Street, Shepherdstown
Good Shepherd Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers, (304) 725-2262, 221 E. Washington Street, Charles Town
WV Aging and Disability Resource Center, (304) 263-3943, 115 Aikens Center, Suite 18A, Martinsburg
SAIL is unique among these providers in that it is a membership organization whose mission is to enable members
from the Shepherdstown area to remain active, connected, independent and in their homes and the community for as
long as possible. This “village” concept was of great interest to those gathered at the information session. Thus the
next session, Monday, November 4, 7pm, at the Woman’s Club, will consider the possibility of forming such an
organization in our area in addition to other topics sparking interest that night, including senior legal services.
If you were unable to attend the Sept. 26 session and wish to be on the email or phone list for any future sessions
regarding these topics in general, please contact Betsy Bainbridge by email or call (304) 885-4577.
Services
Transportation to medical appts
Events and outings for seniors
Council
on
Aging
Hospice
SAIL
Good
Shepherd
x
x
x
x
x
x
Other transportation
Senior day care
x
x
Help navigating longterm care possibilities
x
x
Speakers bureau
x
x
Information such as nutritional sites, free meds
x
Medicare counseling
x
x
x
x
Lists of vetted or recommended service providers
x
x
Home repairs
x
Grocery shopping
x
x
x
Reassurance calls
x
x
x
Loans or donations of medical equipment
x
Grief counseling
Meals on Wheels or similar meal delivery
x
x
x
Chaplain services
x
In-home care
x
Senior center
x
In-home hospice services
Respite care
Aging &
Disability
Ctr
x
x
x
x
Palliative care
x
Grief counseling
x