Bill Text: WV SCR47 | 2019 | Regular Session | Introduced


Bill Title: John Lewis Lafferty "Community Volunteer" Memorial Bridge

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-03-01 - To Transportation and Infrastructure [SCR47 Detail]

Download: West_Virginia-2019-SCR47-Introduced.html

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 47

(By Senators Cline, Lindsay, Roberts, Beach, and Plymale)

[Introduced February 28, 2019]

 

Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 55-5-1.8 (55ss099), locally known as McGraws Short Bridge, carrying County Route 5 over Milam Fork in Wyoming County, the “John Lewis Lafferty ‘Community Volunteer’ Memorial Bridge”.

Whereas, John Lewis Lafferty was born at home in Milam, West Virginia, on February 14, 1944, to Lacey and Agnes Lafferty; and

Whereas, While Mr. Lafferty ably served his country in the U. S. Navy, he was also firmly committed to his community. He believed in the importance of clean streams, and the value of places where children could safely play and where the aged could walk, be together, and stay strong; and

Whereas, Mr. Lafferty understood the importance of partnerships that united the community to help itself and prosper. Many said it was just a dream, that drug abuse was too prevalent – anything built would be quickly destroyed. He believed differently; and

Whereas, Mr. Lafferty was responsible for the creation of the nonprofit Friends of Milam Creek (FOMC). Through his leadership, volunteers started work in 2008, and FOMC received its nonprofit 501(c)(3) status in October 2010. Mr. Lafferty worked with the Wyoming County Commission to build a park at McGraws. Cleanup of the site resulted in truckloads of trash and debris removal.  A grant paid for the pavilion, erected by volunteers; and

Whereas, The exercise green was the perfect site for a fenced-in playground, with playground equipment donated by the Wyoming County Board of Education. A bridge was repaired crossing Milam Creek and an archery area constructed across the old Ritter rail track.  That abandoned track area was cleared and is the start of what will eventually become the Ritter Rail Trail in Wyoming County; and

Whereas, Mr. Lafferty convinced the Wyoming County Board of Education to donate the property on the opposite and adjacent side of County Route 5 to FOMC. At that site, volunteers built a corner performance stage, farmers market shelter, and a fenced-in community garden.  Not long after — with the help of numerous funding partners — he led the building of a raised boardwalk around the park. Environmental education kiosks were erected to educate the community on the importance of clean water, and a vernal pond was placed to encourage wetland conservation; and

Whereas, Next on Mr. Lafferty’s agenda was to find a place where FOMC could have an office and conference space.  After a house was donated, he and volunteers immediately began restoration. This too required numerous funding partners. The old firehall at Ravencliff was donated to FOMC, and restoration there continues; and

Whereas, Mr. Lafferty’s last project, before his passing on January 24, 2016, was to remember the 160 miners who, from 1921 to 1959, died in the Glen Rogers mine. His leadership resulted in the Glen Rogers Memorial Park which is dedicated to those miners; and

Whereas, The work of FOMC is a model for other communities, and the Saulsville, Milam Creek, McGraws, Ravencliff, and Glen Rogers communities have been strengthened through Mr. Lafferty’s efforts. His vision, which continues today, was to foster a safe and healthy space where families could live, learn, and grow; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate John Lewis Lafferty and his contributions to his community and state; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 55-5-1.8 (55ss099), locally known as McGraws Short Bridge, carrying County Route 5 over Milam Fork in Wyoming County, the “John Lewis Lafferty ‘Community Volunteer’ Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of the Division of Highways is hereby requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the bridge the “John Lewis Lafferty ‘Community Volunteer’ Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.

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