Pine Hill to consider VA home
By Arthur McLean Editor

The Pine Hill City Council took under advisement a plan pitched by Gayle and Charles Marshall Monday night.

The Marshalls operate a tutoring service in Chance currently.

Gayle Marshall said she and her husband were interested in purchasing the old Pine Forest Motor Lodge property in Pine Hill and converting it into a VA rehabilitation center for injured veterans.

The idea is to turn the vacant motel into a place where injured veterans get rehabilitation services, job training and other help to assist their transition back to productive civilian life.

The Marshalls plan to pursue a federal grant for the purchase of the property and hope to employ up to 10 or 15 people.

Marshall said the veterans would go through an 18-month program before their stay would have to end.

The veterans would come from other parts of the state.

"I have a great deal of empathy for our injured veterans, but I don't see many around here, would you have to import them," asked Mayor Harry Mason.

Marshall said she would.

Roberta Jordan said she would certainly like to see the old motel property put to use.

Public works superintendent warned Marshall that rehabilitation of the building and some air conditioning systems would need to be figured into the costs of opening the center.

Virginia Abrams and Donnie Calhoun indicated that they were interested in the idea.

Marshall was requesting a letter of support from the council that is necessary to pursue the grant from the VA.

Mason asked if he council could take the matter under advisement and to reconsider it at its next meeting in January. Marshall agreed that it would be fine.

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