June 30, 2015
STATE REPRESENATIVE JILL YORK WORKING TO FIND IMMEDIATE FIX FOR BLAINE PARK
BLAINE — While recent theft and flood damage have left Blaine Park in horrible shape, an effort is being made to help find funding for repairs, however at this time of the year options are limited, according to State Representative Jill York.
As previously reported, the park was recently a victim of theft as the one and only slide was stolen from the structure that housed the slide. The harsh winter and flooding also left the landscape cloth and timbers broken, ripped up and damaged. Conversations with Lawrence County Judge Executive John Osborne revealed that the county currently has no funding available for replacement items although he was confident the county had the supplies to replace the mulch with gravel and possibly new landscape timbers.
According to York, the window of opportunity for any type of grant funding for these types of projects is currently closed, however she is working diligently with the Department of Local Government as well as FIVCO to search for any available funds. Meaning, coal severance monies allocated to the area that have not already been earmarked for specific uses. However, she says nothing is definite.
“I’ve been talking with agencies that are willing to try to find things for the people in Blaine,” said York. “We are currently looking for an immediate fix for what was taken.”
“I know the community deserves more and would love to see something more substantial for the area in the future,” said York.
Grant options and funding will become available again at the first of the year which could lead to larger money for a potential school playground style set of equipment for the area, according to York.
York agreed that the current goal is to get the slide replaced and make the area a safe environment for children to be able to play on this year.
Board members for FIVCO are scheduled to meet mid-July and at that time should be able to determine if any funding is available for the park.
