The Mountain Eagle
WHITESBURG WEATHER

City leases Salyer building



The City of Whitesburg will take charge of the old Salyer Radio building with a 20-year lease.

The building which was almost falling down, has been remodeled into a stunning outdoor gathering place by the Letcher County Tourism Commission.

At the June meeting of the Whitesburg City Council, which was held on Zoom, Mayor James Wiley Craft announced that the owner of the property, Mary Bolling, had offered it to the city for in a 30- year lease for $1.00 a year. Mrs. Bolling, wife of former Letcher County Attorney Harold Bolling, purchased the property from the city several years ago. The Tourism Commission dedicated the building to Harold Bolling.

Although the traditional July 4 festival in Whitesburg is still on hold because of COVID-19, Mayor James Wiley Craft announced that the city will sponsor an Independence Day fireworks show.

Craft, who spoke to the council from Lexington, said that although the COVID-19 quarantine had impacted everyone, the city had made tremendous progress in the last year. He said the $6.2 million budget for Fiscal Year 2021 – 2022 will provide more than adequate funds for them to continue to make progress and he expects the city to have $1 million left over at the end of the year.

Craft said that with two important issues resolved, the city can now take advantage of several grants to fund infrastructure, He pointed to the new roof on City Hal l which is guaranteed for 20 years and a new fence around the walking track as completed projects, and said the city’s progress is a testament to the council and the hard work of the city’s staff.

Councilman Mi ke Jackson told Craft he’s been hearing a lot of compliments on the flowers the city is displaying across the town, and Craft said the budget contains line items to continue the practice.

Craft also said the city has applied for a grant to fund a new shed for the Farmers Market. The council approved the $6.2 million budget which was presented in the packet, and Craft said the budget will be read and voted on at the next council meeting, which will be a special meeting held before the end of June.

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