16-05-2025
Clarksburg City Council approves grant to help Clarksburg History Museum
CLARKSBURG, (WBOY) — The Clarksburg History Museum was a central focus during Thursday evening's Clarksburg City Council meeting.
Council members approved a one-time emergency grant of $10,000 to support the Clarksburg History Museum, which could face a potential closure due to significant funding cuts from the Department of Government Efficiency. During the meeting, museum representatives shared that, thanks to generous community donations, they have raised approximately $3,000 since the beginning of the month.
'The AmeriCorps, with the cut that the administration made, they lost that money. So, we are helping to keep them afloat. And you know, if anybody would like to make donations, they would greatly appreciate them and accept them,' Clarksburg Mayor Jim Malfregeot said.
Another item discussed and approved by the council was a resolution to allocate opioid settlement funds to hire a social worker or a comparable position. The total cost of the hiring is not to exceed $53,652.86. Mayor Malfregeot noted that the individual selected for the role will work in direct collaboration with Police Chief Mark Kiddy.
'If an officer picks up an individual, probably bring them back here and then she or he will be called to come help assist the individual. Yeah, it's huge, because we are trying to clean up the streets of Clarksburg,' Malfregeot said. 'One person at a time, you know, it's not easy. Some of these people want help and some of them don't want help. We are going to go after the ones that want help.'
West Virginia Strawberry Festival continues into this weekend
In other business, the council unanimously approved a resolution to officially name an unnamed alleyway within the city in honor of a respected community figure and former long-serving municipal employee, the late John Cooper. In his honor, the alley located between North Florence Street and Pinnickinnick Street will now be known as 'Cooper Way.'
'We were lifelong friends, neighborhood friends. I call him family more than friend. I have known him since I was like four years old. So, we go back a long ways,' the Vice President of the Clarksburg Parks and Recreation Board, Kelley Davisson, said. 'Being here tonight and listening to the council members speak so highly working with John, even if there were some disagreements or whatever, John was just that kind of guy that made you smile. And to have this small token for the family is a big undertaking and very much appreciated.'
Cooper devoted more than 40 years to public service as Superintendent of Clarksburg City Parks, leaving a lasting legacy through his dedication to maintaining and enhancing the city's green spaces.
'I've mentioned it a couple times and I am going to keep bringing it up, I think we should name the amphitheater after John because what he did with the amphitheater, the splash zone, we have probably the best park system in the state of West Virginia because of him,' Malfregeot added.
Council members described the naming as a meaningful recognition of his lifelong contributions to the park system.
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