by Ron Gregory
ronjgregory@gmail.com
HURRICANE — A Putnam County online newspaper has reported that Delegate Michel Moffatt has become upset because a county commission candidate publicized plans to make the use of beer and alcohol at a Putnam County park legal.
PutnamLIVE reported in its latest edition that Moffatt, a Republican who represents District 22 (parts of Lincoln, Logan, Boone and Putnam counties) became upset when County Commission candidate Ronald Reagan Foster published 11 pages of beer sales recommendations on Facebook. Moffatt, a member of the Putnam Parks and Recreation Commission, apparently felt that subcommittee discussions that centered on beer usage should be considered “work product” and not made public.
Foster said he published the information so the public could be informed what the Parks board was planning. PutnamLIVE reported that beer and alcohol usage has routinely gone on in Valley Park despite regulations against it. Apparently, the Parks board is attempting to codify such usage.
The paper said there is community opposition to both the usage and potential sale of alcohol in the park. Foster, who told the paper “the public has a right to know about these things” told PutnamLIVE he plans to move toward making all county records public, if elected in November.
Teays Valley Church of God Youth Pastor Jonathan Secrest told the paper that at the latest commission meeting prior to June 2, all members of the audience stood up in opposition to beer sales or usage. He went on to ask how the commission could then consider new rules they say will be applied on a “case-by-case” basis.
The Parks Commission was scheduled to meet this evening to consider the proposals. Moffatt was thought to be at the statehouse voting on the state budget.
The delegate/commissioner was critical of release of the documents. For further details or to see the proposed regulations, go to putnamLIVE.com.