KINGWOOD – Mayor Jean Guillot apologized Tuesday to Royce Larew for asking to have Larew removed from the Board of Zoning Appeals because of a note left at city hall.
Larew told council he did not know he was a member of the board. “I was never contacted that I was on the board,” he told council. “I believe I should have been notified.” Larew knew that he was under consideration for a spot on the board.
“I apologize. That was our mistake,” Guillot said.
At council’s last meeting, Guillot asked to have Larew removed, saying Larew did not respect city ordinances.
As previously reported, a door hanger, dated 11:02 a.m. May 7, was hung on the door of a Main Street home. By “concerns” was written, “Grass need cleaned off sidewalk. Thank you. City Supervisor.”
On May 9, the door hanger was found in the drop off box at city hall. On the back was written, “I cleaned up the sidewalk at … Main Street. Next time you have a problem, don’t trespass on private property call me at my office 789-2611 Thanks Royce Larew.”
Larew told council Tuesday he did not appreciate finding the notice on the door. “I am tired of being singled out,” he said. “I was going to sweep the grass off the sidewalk. I mowed the grass the night before and was going to sweep it away the next morning.”
He told The Dominion Post that, if council did not want him on the board, then so be it. Council voted unanimously Tuesday to remove Larew from the Zoning Board of Appeals.
In other discussions, council talked about ways to help residents with sidewalk repair. Councilman Michael Lipscomb said if a sidewalk needs to be replaced the city could break it up and cart away the concrete. “People have a hard time getting rid of concrete,” he said.
Guillot agreed. “It would be a big plus if we could meet the people halfway,” he said.
Lipscomb said some sidewalks that need repair have fire hydrants located on them. “We don’t want people jack hammering around them,” he said. “That could cause problems.”
Recorder Bill Robertson said he searched online for an ordinance that would address the situation but has not found one. Lipscomb said he would review the current ordinance and see if it can be amended.
Council also discussed contacting the W.H. Drane Company about codifying city ordinances. The company, located in Beachwood, Ohio, provides ordinance codification and related publishing services to municipalities in Ohio and West Virginia. Lipscomb said he would contact the company and get prices and more information about its services.
Lauren Larew told council her neighbors on Seemont Drive have two ducks. She asked council “to look into it.”
Council discussed changing the ordinance governing signs and banners. “When the ordinance was done, we didn’t have all the technology we have today,” Guillot said, referring to lighted and movable signs that can distract drivers.
“We need to make sure banners and signs don’t obstruct drivers’ vision when they are pulling out,” Robertson added.
Questions about grass thrown on tombstones during mowing at the city owned Maplewood Cemetery were discussed.
Councilman Dick Shaffer said families should be cleaning them.
“I don’t believe we should keep burying them,” Guillot said. “We should take some responsibility. It looks bad when you go to the cemetery and see dead, yellow grass all over the tombstones.”
Robertson said workers could remove some of the grass with a leaf blower. No other action was taken.
Council’s next meeting will be June 4 due to the election.
