CommunityConcerns: GCPR Tractor - USE or Mis-USE
Background
The Gilmer County Commission applied for a grant for a tractor to be used at the Gilmer County Recreation Center in Glenville.
The grant was awarded on June 30, 2009.
Now the Gilmer County Commission has decided to use the grant to purchase the tractor.
Mr. Larry Chapman, the President of the Gilmer County Commission, wants to use the Tractor at the Glenville Golf Club as well. This action by Mr. Chapman is not setting well with the citizens and there are Community Concerns about his decision.
Facts
——This is a copy of the award letter:
WEST VIRGINIA DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East, Charleston, WV 25305-0311
(304) 558-2234 • (800) 982-3386
www .wvopenforbussiness.com
June 30, 2009
File: PNRS-GCC
SAI-WV9 0629-066
The Honorable Larry E. Chapman
President
Gilmer County Commission
10 Howard Street
Glenville, West Virginia 26351
Dear Commissioner Chapman:
RE: CFDA # 10.766 Community Facilities Loans and Grants
The State Clearinghouse has reviewed the Gilmer County Commission request to the U. S. Department of Agriculture/Rural Development (USDA/RD) for financial assistance in the amount of $27,000. The funding would come from the USDA Community Facilities Loan and Grant program and would be used to purchase a tractor/lift/backhoe for the Gilmer County Parks and Recreation Board. The project will serve the citizens in Gilmer County.
This will certify that the requirements of the State’s Intergovernmental Review Process have been met, and the State Process is in concurrence with the project. Clearinghouse approval does not constitute approval of the application by the funding agency.
Sincerely yours,
Bobby Lewis
Director Community Development Division
BL:ts
cc: USE –VRD
Region VH
Click H E R E to see the actual Printable Award Letter.
——This is a copy of the RFP put out by Gilmer County Commission:
The Gilmer County Commission will be accepting sealed bids through 2 PM on March 15, 2010 for a 4WD LCG DIESEL TRACTOR to be used at the Gilmer County Recreation Center and County Golf Course located at the Sycamore Road, Glenville, West Virginia. The bids will be opened at 3 PM that day March 15, 2010 in the Commission Room of the Gilmer County Courthouse located at 10 Howard Street, Glenville, West Virginia.
1. The Tractor must have at least a minimum of 40 PTO HP.
2. Roof Over Required
3. Roll Bar
4. Industrial Tires
Accessories to include:
a) Front End Loader
b) 72 Inch three point hitch finish mower – rear mounted
c) Backhoe attachment with 12 inch bucket
d) 5 foot brush hog three point hitch – rear mounted
This purchase is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Any questions should be directed to the Office of the Gilmer County Clerk. Phone: 304-462-7641 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. All bids should be mailed to the Gilmer County commission, 10 Howard Street, Glenville, W.V. 26351
——Several years ago the Gilmer County Commissioners told the WV Alcohol Commission that the Glenville Golf Club was not part of the Gilmer County Recreation Center and as the result the Glenville Golf Club was allowed to apply and received a State of WV license to sell Alcoholic Beverages. Had Glenville Golf Club been part of the Gilmer County Recreation Center it could not get the license.
Community Concerns - As Received
• Why does Glenville Golf Club get to use the Tractor? They don’t publicly report to the Commission or the public about their activities.
• Why do Commissioners make such decisions again without discussing it first with the public?
• Glenville Golf Club is no longer under the umbrella of the Gilmer County Commission. They separated a while back when they wanted to get a license to serve alcoholic beverages.
• Why is the Glenville Golf Club still claiming to be part of Gilmer County Commission and claim tax exempt status and does not pay sales tax?
• Shouldn’t the tractor first be used for other county function before the Golf Club?
• If Golf Club gets to use it, shouldn’t the Citizens of Gilmer County?
• Is the use of the Tractor for a Non-Government entity OK with the grant? Why didn’t Mr. Chapman apply for the grant for Golf Course use if it were OK?
Contacts
Gilmer Free Press contacted Mr. Chapman about his decision, but as of this time (03.10.10 - 03.02 AM) there has been no response.
The Gilmer County Commission, the applicant, requested USDA funds last year for a tractor to be used for public benefit at the Gilmer County Recreation Center. The terms of the grant provide for the applicant to fund 25% of the cost of equipment. Of the projected $36,000.00 new tractor cost, the commissions share will be $9,000.00. The grant was approved, advertised for bids and bids will be opened the afternoon of March 15. The tractor will be housed in the Agriculture Barn when not being used. When not being utilized by the Rec Center, tractor will also be made available to the Golf Course. Both park director Darrell Ramsey and golf course director Lance Woodford have wholeheartedly supported this concept called sharing. They currently share another tractor in addition to offering assistance with other small power equipment. The Gilmer County Commission acknowledges that both organizations provide recreational opportunities to our citizens and applauds their efforts of working together.
Both the Recreation Center and Golf Course are non-profit organizations. They both rely on fees to exist. Both organizations should be tax exempt from sales tax. The Gilmer County Commission appoints the board members of the Recreation Center whereas the Golf Course directors are appointed by its members. The Recreation Center is funded in part by the Gilmer County Commission while the Golf Course is self-supported. Both organizations meetings are open to the public.
Mr. Chapman is just explaining what he wishes it to be. His answer is a typical politician response. He is not answering how he does his business to get around the issues. Again, he is larry chapman doing what larry chapman is good at: crooked politics at taxpayers’ expense to satisfy only a few. The way I see it, it is not that we don’t like Golf Course; it is how the citizens are used to get what few want and how larry chapman repeatedly finagle his way through things.
Folks I am lost here. Is Golf Club part of County Commission or not? If it is like Mr. Chapman says it is, then they lied to WV alcohol commission.
This is the fact: Mr. Chapman just sent a letter to the Rec. Center board telling them how it was and they had to share the tractor. He didn’t discuss it.
I am sorry; I don’t believe Larry Chapman and Gilmer County Commission. They have a very bad track record of doing bad business on behalf of Gilmer County.
Gilmer County Commission and Chapman have huge accountability issues.
Mr. Chapman, you state the Golf Club is self-supported. Then why don’t they buy their own tractor? Why are they using the county commission’s funds? Please explain.