Published: June 14, 2008 11:26 pm         

Piedmont needs volunteers to extend pool hours

Only three people staffing facility, forcing it to close on Thursdays

The three people who volunteer their time to keep the Piedmont pool open are doing a great job, but town officials would like to be able to find some additional volunteers who could help keep the facility open longer hours.

Councilman Brian Redman told Mayor Ebbie Gilmore, back for his first meeting after an extended illness, and his fellow council members Wednesday that he had received some complaints about the pool closing at 6 p.m. each day and not being open at all on Thursday.

“It’s hard to tell people the pool is closing when it’s still hot outside,” he said, referring to the recent heat wave.

Redman noted that the family who operates the pool can only do so much, and he didn’t blame them for wanting Thursday off.

“They are doing an exceptional job,” he said, noting that this year they were able to hire eight lifeguards.

“Lifeguards aren’t the problem,” he said. “We just don’t have the help we need.”

Previous attempts to get people to volunteer to help at the pool have been unproductive.

“Every year we put an ad in the paper for volunteers at the pool,” he said. “This past year, one person showed up.

“If people want the pool open on Thursdays, we need to find someone who’s willing to say they’ll be there every Thursday and we’ll keep it open,” he said.

“Right now, we’ve got three people working day in and day out to keep the pool open.”

Councilman Pat Amoroso said he had been told by “some people who were willing to volunteer” that they had showed up at the pool “and felt they weren’t welcome.”

Redman emphasized that if willing volunteers would come forward, they could work together to keep the pool in operation.

“I’d just like to make sure it’s successful for the kids,” Amoroso agreed.

Anyone wishing to volunteer at the pool is should contact Redman or call the town building at (304) 355-2621.

In other business that came before the council Wednesday:

• East Hampshire Street resident Kathy Keyes asked the officials to repair curbing in front of her house that she said was destroyed during the water system upgrade a few years ago. Town foreman John Shingler told her the area in which she is parking is West Virginia Division of Highways property and she would have to contact that agency.

Amoroso told her the construction company that installed the new water lines should be responsible for any repair work.

Town officials said they would come out and look at the situation, however.

• Erin Street resident David Coleman presented a framed copy of a picture of the two train stations formerly located in Piedmont. The photo was blown up from a postcard and will eventually be placed on display in the memorabilia room located above the Piedmont Library.

• Coleman discussed plans to place a historical marker at the entrance to the town in recognition of Piedmont native Don Redman, who distinguished himself in the world of jazz.

• Amoroso issued a plea for town residents to clean up their grass clippings and yard waste and not push them out into the streets. The waste is clogging up the town’s storm sewers.

Contact Liz Beavers at lizbeavers@yahoo.com.