City discusses plans for free summer festival and concert

BY BUGS DIXON
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — There was no vacant seat at Inez City Commission table during Thursday’s meeting as the city appointed its second new commissioner in two months.

Mayor Ed Daniels started the meeting with a motion to appoint Inez resident Nita Collier, the current chair of the Martin County Tourism Board. The commission voted in favor of the appointment and Daniels swore Collier in.

Collier replaces former Commissioner Terry Fraley, who resigned in April.

The commission approved the budget and bills, taking a moment for former Circuit Clerk and recently appointed City Commissioner Carolynn Horn to become familiar with invoices and financial obligations, serving as a primer for Collier as well. Horn questioned the cost of insurance, noting it seemed “high,” and asked how the city designates coal severance and other funds. Similarly, Collier asked the other commissioners to identify some of the invoices.

Mayor Daniels, prompted by a recent educational visit from the National Guard, updated the commission on current emergency preparedness protocol.

Commissioner Roy Penix reported that summer maintenance and renovations were underway around town, including repairs to the playground and park.

City Clerk Lisa Mollett announced the city did not receive grant funding for bench additions to the city.

The commission approved adding Park Place to the city road plan. It is adjacent to Boardwalk, which the city added in October.

Commissioner Jennifer Wells presented the Appalachian Artist Festival project, a free festival and concert set to take place downtown Aug. 4. The commission and mayor were eager to support Wells’ vision of bringing in a multitude of local musicians, artists and vendors for the one-day celebration of the region’s arts and culture. (See the related story in this edition of the Citizen.)