Long-running negotiations continue to simmer after a recent public discussion between Washington County Commissioners and Skinnersville Civic Center (SCC) representative Chester McDowell.

The parties met December 2, in a civil discussion marked with underlying elements of tension and confusion. Various commissioners offered to deed small parcels of land back to SCC to enhance the Center’s goal of expansion and to better qualify for grant funding. McDowell said he could not accept without consulting with his board.

Proposed offerings described at different points by Commissioners John Spruill, Ann Keyes and Carol Phelps amount to nearly an acre of additional property to augment the .3-acre plot the Skinnersville Civic Center structure currently occupies.

All the property surrounding the SCC facility is part of 16 acres deeded to the county from SCC in 1978.

In a recent memo, County Manager Curtis told county commissioners that SCC wants an additional 2.67 acres; however, in that memo, Potter advised commissioners to retain that acreage for several reasons, including:...