April 2014 Volume 11 Issue 4
The Town’s official website has useful information including important notic-
es, ordinances, meeting minutes, official applications, and events calendar.
Visit us at www.harpersferrywv.us
Inside this issue:
Calendar & Events 2
More events
Foundation update
Memorial update
3
Water Works update
Wayne’s nephew 4
Council report
Minutes request 5
Planning Com update
Contact info
Blast from the past
Holocaust
6
Harpers Ferry Dogs
Welcome the Spring! Take time to smell the flowers!
Clockwise from top right:
Frodo, Hugo, Anise, Sylvie,
Zephee, Tino, Minnie,
Tucker, Bella & Gretchen,
Freya, Bones
(Village Shop dog)
2
Town Calendar All meetings at Town Hall, unless noted otherwise.
Apr 26 & 27 Art Walk , see below
Apr 26 Arbor Day in Harpers Ferry
Apr 28 Historic Landmarks Commission meeting, 7-8:30pm
May 6 Planning Commission, 7-8:30pm
May 10 Spring Clean! Town Hall, 9 am, see below.
May 12 Town Council, 7-9pm
May 14 Parks & Rec Commission meeting, 6-7pm
May 16 Water Commission meeting, 7-9pm
May 19 Police Committee meeting, 8-9:30am
May 19 Trail and Town Alliance meeting, 5-7pm
May 22 Tree Committee meeting, 7-9pm
May 26 Memorial Day, Town Hall Closed
May 26 Historic Landmarks Commission meeting, 7-8:30pm
May 28 Foundation Board meeting, 5:30-7:30pm
June 3 Planning Commission meeting, 7-8:30pm
June 7
Spring Clean! May 10! Join Us!!
The Parks and Rec Commission is holding a Trails and Green Way Clean-up on May 10. Local Boy Scouts
Troop 86 will be joining other volunteers to help clean up designated areas in town. Wear work clothes and
gloves. Meet at the Town Hall at 9 am. Hope to see you there!
3rd Annual Bolivar-Harpers Ferry Art Walk
On April 26 & 27, from 10 am to 6 pm, more than 20 businesses and artists will be displaying art work
along a route from Bolivar to the Lower Town in Harper’s Ferry. Walk along the tree-lined streets, take in
historic views, check out the art and enjoy everything the two towns have to offer. This self-guided event
will have something for everyone. For more information, see us on Facebook:
facebook.com/bolivarharpersferrycommunityartwalk. Or call 304-885-0094.
You are invited to display your artwork at the Bolivar Harpers Ferry Public Library on Saturday, April 26.
Drop off your pieces on Friday, April 25. If you have any questions please call the library - 304-535-
2301. The library will display artwork on Saturday Only from 10am to 5:30pm.
Old Fellows Fundraiser Event
On Saturday, May 3, from 8 am to noon, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Virginia Lodge #1 of
Harpers Ferry will be having a fundraiser breakfast (pancakes, eggs, sausage, gravy) at the Bolivar
Community Center. There will also be a silent auction, yard sale, and bake sale.
3
Foundation Update
The Foundation has been busy preparing for the busy tourist season ahead. We recently welcomed two new
familiar faces to the board: Debbie McGee and Hardy Johnson. Our projects currently underway include:
1. Developing a Black Heritage print tour guide
2. Developing a Historic Sites print tour guide
3. Designing a two-page spread for the 2014 Trail Book promoting local businesses and attractions
4. Preparing a 2014 calendar of events
5. Developing a conventional web browser version of the Visit Harpers Ferry-Bolivar smart phone app.
The Foundation is subsidizing Harpers Ferry and Bolivar merchants who participate in the Journey Through
Hallowed Ground workshop to be held on April 29. This workshop provides specialized training to enhance
the experience of our visitors.
Military Service Memorial To Be Renovated
The Harpers Ferry/Bolivar District Veterans Association will be renovating
the military service memorial at the entrance to Harpers Ferry Middle
School. Included in the renovation project are a new wayside exhibit, new
flag pole, repainting of the individual military service memorial stones, and
perimeter landscaping.
David Guiney, with Interpretive Direction LLC is assisting in the design of
the wayside exhibit. He created the wayside exhibit for Odd Fellows lodge
on Fillmore Street in Harpers Ferry.
The Veterans Association is asking for assistance in covering the costs of this renovation and creating a lasting
memorial to all of the military service veterans in our area. Donations are tax deductible should be sent to
Harpers Ferry/Bolivar District Veterans Association, PO Box 1365, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425.
For more information, call 304-728-0469, or email me. Thank you for your support, Doug Craze, Commander
African American History Hike Saturday, June 7
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy will host its annual African American History Hike Saturday, June 7,
beginning at 10 a.m. Celebrate National Trail Day by going on a free, guided hike to learn more about the
rich African American history of Harpers Ferry! Stops on the hike
include Curtis Freewill Baptist Church, Camp Hill, the Lockwood
House, Harper Cemetery, Jefferson Rock, the Harper House and
John Brown’s Fort. Lunch will be provided following the hike.
Space is limited for the event, so register now by visiting
www.appalachiantrail.org/events. For more information, email
Anne Baker or call 304.535.2200. This event is hosted in partnership with the Harpers Ferry National
Historical Park.
4
.The Town Council adopted a proposed water rate increase last month to cover the increased water service
operational costs. The new rate is scheduled to go into effect later this Spring. The new rates will also reduce
the number of tiers from 5 to 3.
Those customers who use up to 2,000 gallons will pay $24.80/month, up $3.11 from the current $21.69.
Those customers in the second tier, who use up to 30,000 gallons, will pay $12.40/1,000 gallons. Those who
use over 30,000 gallons, will pay $12.40/1,000 gallons for the first 30,000 gallons and over that $8.95/1,000
gallons.
The Water Works staff has worked diligently over the past two years to control expenses, but the cost of
maintaining our aging water mains and ensuring quality water has exceeded budgetary expectations. In
addition, the severe winter weather created even more breaks than usual.
The new rates are expected to generate approximately $75,000 additional revenue for the year.
Water Works Brandon Chauvalas Receives
Class II License
We are pleased to announce that Brandon Chauvalas, Water Works staff,
recently received his Class II operators license. The certification was issued
by the WV Department of Health and Human Resources (WV DHHR). His
achievement came after a week of intense classwork and testing. He has
been a member of the Harpers Ferry Water Works for several years and is
highly experienced. Because of his extensive knowledge and real-life
experience, Brandon was given the responsibility of teaching the class for 2
days when the regular instructor became ill. Way to go, Brandon. We
congratulate you on your achievement.
Bringing Home the Olympic Medals
Parks and Recreation Chairman Wayne Bishop’s nephew Wade Bishop
recently returned from The Winter Olympics in Sochi. Wade is a former
member of the US Olympic Team and is now the US Women’s Alpine
Speed Coach. Wade is shown here with Julia Mancuso who won a medal
in the women’s alpine combined event. Wade also coaches Lindsey
Vaughn, and has met and played golf with Tiger Woods. He lives in
Park City, Utah, and has visited Harpers Ferry many times. Wayne
Bishop says he wants Wade’s job!
Harpers Ferry Sets New Water Rate
5 Council Meeting Report
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.
At its Monday, April 14 meeting, the Town Council:
1. Received a presentation from the Historic Landmarks Commission on options for complying with WV
Code for regulating a historic district.
2. Heard from the Police Department about computer upgrades required to run a new
CAD system.
3. Approved the 2014 Arbor Day proclamation.
4. Received a presentation from the Parks and Recreation Commission on Greenway
Initiatives.
5. Approved four funding requests totaling $400 from the Harpers Ferry Foundation.
6. Discussed a plan for review of streets in need of repair.
7. Approved purchase of a dog waste station.
8. Discussed a course of action on Zoning Ordinance Section 1306.
Tenfold Fair Trade Collection Joins the Fair Trade Federation
Tenfold Fair Trade Collection is now part of a network of over 250 fair trade businesses after
joining the Fair Trade Federation, a trade association that strengthens and promotes North
American organizations fully committed to fair trade. Tenfold Fair Trade Collection is the very
first member from the state of West Virginia.
To become a member, applicants must submit thorough documentation describing the organization’s
relationship with producer partners and efforts to provide good work conditions, fair wages, safety,
environmental sensitivity, financial transparency and more. Tenfold makes every effort to use recycled or
sustainable materials, from consignment finds for its displays, to the handmade cabinetry, crafted of local
pine. All packaging and wrapping consist of reused or 100% post consumer waste.
Not exactly sure what fair trade means? The main goal is to give craftspeople and farmers who are living in
areas of extreme poverty the opportunity to earn a living by selling their products in North America. These
relationships are formed honoring the 9 Fair Trade Federation principles which focus on fair wages, worker
safety, transparency, and more. Read all 9 principles at Fairtradefederation.org/principles.
Moldy Minutes Missing!! Please help Dan Riss, Archiviste-manque
We have minutes of Town Council meetings from 1891 through 1978. We cannot find minutes for 1978 or
1979. We are also missing Dec 1983, and the three and a half years from May 1984 through December
1987. Please rummage through those moldy files in the attic or garage or basement and send us copies of
our missing minutes.
6
Town Website Click here
Newsletter Information:
Editor: Christy Huddle
Layout: Leslie Stout
Next deadline:
May 9, 2014
Email for submittal rules and
deadline or to be added to the
notification list.
Planning Commission Update
In January, the Town Council asked the Planning Commission to take a second look at three of the proposed
zoning ordinance amendments after receiving additional public comment. The Commission carefully
reviewed all written public comments as well as input from the fourth public workshop held November 18.
Over a two month period, the Commission held four work sessions, a special Commission meeting and two
regular Commission meetings.
Most revisions clarify the original intent or make adjustments in accord with public inputs.
The Commission is continuing its work on short-term rentals of residential dwellings and has indefinitely
deferred consideration of Sec. 1313.04 Adaptive Reuse of Existing Historic Resources.
The Commission has submitted the revisions to the Town Council and has posted them on the Planning page
of the Town website. The submission includes a cover memo providing rationale for several of the significant
revisions. The Commission reiterated its support for a 160 room upper limit for a hotel project, based on its
original analysis. The Board of Zoning Appeals would be responsible for further limiting the number of rooms
based on testimony received by the applicant and others. The Commission also recommends a public
workshop to have an open dialog on these new processes under WV law and to answer any questions on the
revised proposal.
The Commission finds that the number of rooms, while critical to a business model, is a poor proxy for size or
many other issues that the community may be concerned about, such as height, bulk, footprint, parking, and
traffic. The Commission's recommended amendment sets maximum limits on these key features, but leaves it
to the Board of Zoning Appeals to further reduce these limits based on testimony received at their public
hearing. The Commission sees the goal for the town as encouraging a financially viable signature hotel that
captures the historic character of the East Ridge promontory for many future generations.
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 [email protected]
Dru and Chris, Water Works
staff, working hard - on a sunny
warm day for a change!
Ants moving - a definite sign of
Spring!
7
“Unto Every Person There Is a Name” The Holocaust is a term used to refer to the period from 1933 to 1945, before and during WWII, when
Adolf Hitler and the Nazis systematically persecuted and murdered nearly six million Jews. The genocide,
or what the Nazis dubbed “The Final Solution,” occurred mainly at six death camps.
In 1933, when Adolf Hitler rose to power, he began implementing simple discrimination laws against Jews
and others who were “less than” in order to create his Master Race and restore the Germans to power.
Once WWII began, the Nazis ordered all Jews to wear a yellow Star of David on their clothing so they
could be easily targeted. Jews were forced to live in specific areas of the city called ghettos after the
beginning of WWII. In the larger ghettos, up to 1,000 people a day were picked up and brought by train to
concentration camps or death camps. In prison camps, prisoners were forced to do hard physical labor.
Torture and death within concentration camps were common and frequent.
The Holocaust lasted for 12 years, until 1945. Starting as early as 1944, the Allies were advancing on the
Germans and they began taking over their camps. In July 1944, Maidanek, a camp in Poland, was liberated
by the Soviets. This was followed by many more liberations and takeovers as the Americans and other
Allies slowly removed Hitler from power. In January 1945, Auschwitz was liberated. This was the biggest
camp in the Nazi territory and it was also the one where the most deaths occurred.
When the Allied forces finally invaded Germany in 1945, Adolf Hitler knew he had been defeated.
Whether out of cowardice and fear of punishment, or based on Nazi ideals of death before dishonor, Adolf
Hitler committed suicide in April of 1945 before the Allies had a chance to capture him.
In 1951, the Israeli Knesset declared that the 27th day of Nissan is to be Yom HaShoah, or Holocaust
Remembrance Day, a day of commemoration for the Jews who perished and for those who showed
resistance and heroism during the Holocaust.
www.factmonster.com , www.dosomething.org, www.howdidtheholocaustend.
Blast from the Past
123 years of Harpers Ferry Council Minutes
Curated by Dan Riss
7 may 1901 " It is moved…that The Town phone be placed in the Mayors residence on Camp Hill."
5 july 1905 donate $25 to Citizens Brass Band for uniforms.
7 july 1921 "It was moved & carried that Thayer Bros. be granted permission to bury a new gasoline tank
in Washington St. in front of their garage on Camp Hill in such a manner as not to interfere in any way
with traffic or result in injury to the public."
31 jan 1929 "be it hereby resolved the Mayor and Council Harpers Ferry hereby notify [Harpers Ferry
Electric Light & Power co] to make every effort to correct evils now existing with their line to stop
interference with the Radio. Mayor & Council of Harpers Ferry are receiving numerous complaints from
Radio owners and prospective owners. Realizing the Radio [is] a public Service Same as electricity and
also realize one public Service must not be permitted to interfer with the other."