The White Sulphur Springs City Council held their regular monthly meeting last Tuesday at City Hall.
The council heard updates about an access road for the new WV Great Barrel Company, held the first reading of an ordinance potentially banning livestock from city limits, and, most notably, the council witnessed the presentation of several awards to WSS Patrolman Nathan Patton and Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Deputy Zachary Hudnall. Special awards were also presented to Gavin Craft, 10, including a Medal of Bravery.
The awards, presented by White Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jake Dowdy, were for “going above and beyond the call of duty” after a tragic drowning accident that occurred on May 19, where Liam Craft, 6, lost his life.
Gavin Craft jumped into Howard’s Creek in a brave attempt to rescue his younger brother before officers arrived on the scene. Upon arrival, Hudnall was able to pull Liam from the creek, where Patton joined him in performing CPR until emergency services arrived. Both brothers were transported to Charleston Medical Center, where Liam later died. Dowdy said during the presentation, “They did what they were trained to do, they saved a life, no matter if it would have cost them their own lives. They could not have done anything different for another outcome on that day. No chief could be prouder than I am of these two guys.”
Hudnall and Patton were presented with the Medal of Valor and meritorious conduct awards.
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In other news, the council heard an update regarding road construction to the soon-to-be-built WV Great Barrel Company in Harts Run. The access road will not be paid for by the city, but mostly by the company itself. However, the road will be a city road upon its completion.
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An ordinance proposing a blanket ban on livestock within White Sulphur Springs city limits was tabled after citizen pushback and discussion. The proposal would not allow for any livestock including horses, mules, cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, geese, ducks, turkeys, chickens, or fowl to reside within the city. Mayor Bruce Bowling said the ordinance came up due to complains about livestock. Dan Knuckles, a WSS resident, said that he owns two chickens, and questioned the blanket ban. Overall, the ordinance was tabled until further discussions could be had with zoning experts regarding livestock distribution in city limits.
