Vice mayor sells Clarksburg flags to raise funds after history museum loses AmeriCorps post

Vice Mayor Riffle told the council on May 1 that the Clarks Fork History Museum has lost AmeriCorps funding that supported a staff member, and he plans to sell Clarksburg city flags and donate the proceeds to the museum.

Riffle said raising money through flag sales will help the museum stay open and keep the flag visible across the city; he said he expects to charge about $40 to $50 per flag based on a prior purchase. He characterized the effort as a temporary fundraiser that may help the museum through the current year while the council and community consider longer-term options.

Why it matters: Council members later praised Riffle's initiative during closing remarks, noting the museum's role in preserving local history and expressing concern about the loss of the AmeriCorps-funded position. Riffle and other council members said the museum's staff loss has immediate operational consequences and that small local fundraisers could help in the short term.

Details and follow-up: Riffle said a previous order of 23 flags cost about $430 two years ago and that he would take preorders once new flags arrive. Multiple council members thanked Riffle and said they planned to buy flags. Council discussion did not create a direct city appropriation; no formal council action on museum funding was recorded during the meeting.

Next steps: Riffle said he planned to place a new flag order and use proceeds for the museum. Council members and staff discussed the need to explore longer-term funding to support the museum beyond individual fundraising.