LISTEN: What’s happening with the Westinghouse properties? Remembering Little Bit O’Soul

 

Mansfield City Council may vote Tuesday on cleanup of former Westinghouse properties:
https://www.richlandsource.com/news/mansfield-city-council-may-vote-tuesday-on-cleanup-of-former-westinghouse-properties/article_99f842b4-7608-11ec-aefa-33595e3d5bb4.html

Column: Local reporter tempts fate, now has dues to pay:
https://www.knoxpages.com/opinion/column-local-reporter-tempts-fate-now-has-dues-to-pay/article_aa5fd896-77a8-11ec-8784-63b9c39a54f7.html

James “Jim” Vincent Gentile:
https://www.knoxpages.com/obituaries/james-jim-vincent-gentile/article_1dc8a762-6cd8-11ec-a440-07956c6c3413.html

 

The next step in the demolition and remediation of two former Westinghouse properties on the city’s east side might be taken tonight by Mansfield City Council Local lawmakers will likely be joined at tonight’s Richland County commissioners meeting by Tony Vero and Cliff Mears. They’ll help explain the need for the city’s commitment to a Land Bank project that would remove a decaying six-story eyesore and the adjoining 13-acre “concrete jungle.”

 

https://www.richlandsource.com/news/westinghouse/former-westinghouse-site-i-think-its-time-we-start-doing-some-things/article_c9c093d4-f912-11eb-bf90-2fee619a4fa7.html

Vero, who helped spearhead the reclamation drive that began last summer, and Mears, a former long-time member of City Council, are both Land Bank board members. Land Bank is a group that’s applied for $5 million in state funds to help pay for the work. On Jan. 4, council considered legislation that could require the city to commit as much as $1 million toward the project.

But at the time several council members expressed concerns that the legislation included no specific dollar amounts. The next day, Vero said that it was intentional to give local lawmakers the ability to decide how to pay for the commitment. He explained that it was left blank to make it clear the money can come from many different sources. It now appears the legislation could be amended and voted on today, rather than during the Feb. 1 meeting.

 

The long-anticipated cleanup and potential redevelopment of the former Westinghouse site is part of $7.7 million in projects for which the Land Bank has applied in the first round of funding, efforts that include the planned demolition of the former Ocie Hill Neighborhood Center.

 

Mansfield Finance Director Linn Steward said the city had $1.2 million in its PRIDE income tax fund demolition account at the end of 2021. The city collects more than $800,000 in demolition-designated money each year. It’s also possible the city could use some of its remaining ARPA revenue-replacement funds it set aside last year. The city set aside about $5 million and will have about $4.1 million remaining in that revenue replacement allowable under ARPA rules.

 

Little Bit O’Soul has Mansfield roots

Next, some local history. Did you know that “The Music Explosion” was an American garage rock band from Mansfield? They were discovered and signed by record producers Jerry Kasenetz and Jeffry Katz and the quintet is best known for their number two hit, “Little Bit O’ Soul,” that went on to receive a gold record.

 

The song was the band’s only top 40 hit. This single paved the way for tours with contemporaries like The Left Banke and The Easybeats.

 

“Little Bit O’ Soul” has been subsequently covered by several bands including The Ramones; Dodging Susan; and 2 Live Crew, who sampled the melody.

 

Next, from Knox Pages – Owing to a friendly bet Knox Pages reporter, Grant Pepper, made to his colleagues at Richland Source and Ashland Source, he will now have to make good on his wager. Since Knox County beat Richland County by adding 60 new members, compared to Richland’s 56 and Ashland’s 25, Grant’s competitive nature will now result in him consuming raccoon live on-camera at the 79th annual Danville Raccoon Dinner.

 

Fellow Knox Pages reporter Emma Davis has agreed to do the filming. The 2022 Danville Lions Club Raccoon Dinner will be held Monday, February 7th at St. Luke’s Community Center and will be served from 4:30 until 7 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. We encourage you to buy a ticket and watch Grant taste victory in person. Net proceeds will be donated for the benefit of the Dalton Sheldon Fund.

James “Jim” Gentile

 

Finally, we’d like to take a moment to remember James “Jim” Gentile, of Perrysville. Jim was born in Mansfield and proudly served in the United States Navy during the Korean War on the USS Waller-DE 466. Jim retired after 25 years of dedicated service from the United Telephone Company as head of printing. Jim’s farm was his life; he spent much time working on his property, clearing the land and mowing. He enjoyed many special memories with his family and his grandchildren on the farm.

 

In his spare time, he enjoyed woodworking, gardening, darts and cards. Jim is survived by his wife, Nancy, who he married in 1960; his children, his grandchildren, his nephews, and many dear neighbors and friends. Thank you for taking a moment with us to remember and celebrate Jim’s life.