Pictured Shannon Giambroni and Bev Enochs, members of the Newell Community Improvement Coalition, in the middle of the scenic park.
The Newell Community Improvement Coalition has worked to make their unincorporated community a better place for 24 years and the results have been substantial. With a population of around 1,200, the community did not have the benefit of an incorporated city such as New Cumberland, Chester and Weirton whose government allowed them to impose taxes and provide services. The County Commissioners are instead responsible for Newell, New Manchester and all unincorporated areas.
Bev Enochs was one of the founding members of the Coalition and currently serves as its President. Other officers are Lisa Cox, vice president; Amy Richmond, secretary; and Matt Wicks, treasurer.
Bev remembers how it all started. She recall asking to then County Commissioner John Sorrenti about why Newell never received anything. At the time, Hancock County received 2% of the Racetrack Video Lottery Revenue and was able to fund projects throughout the County.
Sorrenti replied, “You have to ask.”
That started the wheels turning and a group of 24 people came together to form the Newell Community Improvement Coalition, a 501-C3 corporation. Their first request was sidewalks for the community. Their efforts. combined with the support of the Commissioners at the time, Sorrenti, Dan Greathouse and George Kource, made the sidewalk project a reality.
“We were looking for ways to use video lottery money in unique ways in the County when we saw a group like the Newell group that was trying to make things better in the community. It was a natural to assist them in putting in new sidewalks,” said Sorrenti.
Throughout the years the participation would sometimes wane, dropping to 15 members, but enthusiasm and projects are growing and the group currently numbers 24.
The crown jewel for the coalition, however, is Laurel Hollow Park ,
“It’s our green spot in town,” says Bev. Built , by the then Homer Laughlin China, who currently leases the property to the Commission. The Park was once the social center of the community and extended to the River before the road was constructed. The Parks offerings included a zoo which even boated a bear cage and a monkey cage and boating and picnic tables made for a great outing. An outdoor amphitheater was even featured.
But. As society and the economy changed the zoo no longer existed and the Park fell into disarray.
The coalition along with the County Government took on the responsibility of restoration of Laurel Hollow Park Concerts events with the support of the Top of WV CVB also are scheduled during summer months..
Other projects include beatification projects such as keeping the planters filled with seasonal and doing regular cleanup and maintaining the food closet for neighbors in need.
Clark Field playground, operated by the Parks and Recreation Board, is another plus for youngsters in Newell. According to Bev, four days a week you can find anywhere from 8 to 25 kids in attendance. with a special activity planned by playground coordinator April Corbin. Hancock County School’s Storybook Café visited this summer while the Family Resource Network also provided activities. Miss Connie, from the Lynn Murray Memorial Library, visits for Story Hour on a regular basis and Hancock County Savings Bank provides programs in addition to being a major supporter of the program. A group from East Liverpool provides a free lunch for those youngsters in attendance. Bev says the support from businesses in the area has been great.
Together with the Newell Volunteer Fire Department, the Coalition sponsored its second annual Fun Day this year with games and activities culminated by a Parade. The parade is unlike any local residents have experienced. Called a “ Water Parade, participants are armed with squirt guns and they spray water on the onlookers who, armed with a variety of squirt guns, fire back. The result? Everyone is drenched and most describe the experience as the best time ever.
What’s ahead for the Coalition and Newell? The recent change in the Racetrack Video Lottery legislation reduced the 2% revenue which previously went to the Commission to 1%. The remaining 1% was distributed between the two municipalities wholly contained in Hancock County: Chester and New Cumberland. Since 1995, the Commissioners have depended on that revenue for projects like keeping the grass cut at Laurel Park, a cost the coalition now shares with the Commission. To balance this year’s budget, the Commission has dipped into their Rainy Day Fund. Beyond that, Commissioner Jeff Davis said they are hoping for improving economic growth to bridge the gap.
“We were very fortunate we had the County Commissioner’s support (for their projects) throughout the years,” said Bev who noted the Coalition has had a good working relationship with all of the County Commissioners, legislators and public officials.
It’s apparent that the group is energized and enthusiastic about the difference they have made in their hometown of Newell and is committed to keep working
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