October 19, 2017
Fort Gay Mayor Joetta Hatfield, along with the ‘A New Day in Fort Gay’ committee including ‘Coalfield Development’ played an important role in the vote held on October 16, 2017, at Independence Hall in Wheeling, W.Va. to have the Old Fort Gay High School nominated on the state level and declared an official Historical Site.
Letters of support for the mayor and the nomination for the school to be declared and added to the historical site registry was written by Delegate Robert Thompson and Congressman Evan Jenkins.
Five groups make up the ‘New Day in Fort Gay’ committee including Town of Fort Gay, Coalfield Development, Wayne Co Housing Authority, Neighborhood Association, and Wayne Co Community Service Org. Hatfield and a representative of Coalfield Development were present when the vote took place in Wheeling, and the results were all ‘Yes’ – none opposed.
In the statement from the Mayor she said;
“What a great day in Wheeling, W.va. FGHS received the nomination from the WV Archives and History Commission to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. This being on the state level for the nomination and next will be on the federal level. The vote on the federal level will be soon. These things take time but I’m committed to my town.”
Story and Pictures by
Tammy S. Napier
