Wade Cavanaugh requested a last-minute agenda item last week to consider a letter of support for his $25,000 Betterment Fund grant application, but the Bethel Council denied it. Cavanaugh is trying to buy the Bethel Inn Convention Center, and he plans to use the grant to explore collaborative options for public areas there.
Since his original June proposal, Cavanaugh has wanted to turn the convention center into a youth community center. He also sees the possibility of the area supporting neighboring establishments like the public library and the city administration. At a recent board meeting, Cavanaugh, who owns the Gem Theater with his wife Beth Weisberger, asked city manager Sharon Jackson for approval to write a letter of support for his grant application.
The board members received copies of the letter, but Cavanaugh’s request wasn’t initially on the agenda. Cavanaugh urged the board to add it to the agenda as the board won’t reconvene before November 15 grant deadline.
However, Chairwoman Michelle Cole raised concerns about the short notice, suggesting that a formal decision might require a town meeting. While the letter avoided mentioning the specific grant amount, it described a plan to commission an architect for a cohesive design that will unite the convention center, library, and city offices.
Cavanaugh explained that his team would need to raise an additional $25,000 if the grant were awarded, with no more financial obligations from the city. During the meeting, MPs Sarah Southam and Meryl Kelly expressed openness to discussing the proposal. Kelly suggested adding the item to the agenda, but Del Duca opposed it preventing unanimously approval.
Disappointed, Cavanaugh said the board talked about Bethel airport but did not give him time to talk about the needs of the local youngsters. He was resolute and promised to go alone if he had to go to the Bethel Inn Convention Center, stating, “We don’t know until we have the opportunity. I’m trying to make this possible,”
