What is the role of the village concerning the Groves' Bear building? That question was discussed during the Feb. 22 Bluffton council meeting. The answer, according to Steve Chamberlain, village solicitor, follows: The role of the village in this issue is safety and general zoning.

The issue was discussed as a result the heavy snow, which caused an apparent structural problem to the building last week. The building has been closed to the public since Thursday.

"We aren't in a position to do anything except for keeping people from going in and out of the building for public safety (if it is determined that safety is an issue)," he said. He added that the owners may go in and out as they wish.

Emerson Basinger, who owns the rental property on the north side of the building, attended the council meeting. He explained his situation to council this way: "My tenant was forced out until the building makes code. We don't know how long that is going to take."

He also said that there is a meeting at 4 p.m. on Tuesday (Feb. 23) when a contractor is going to look at the building to help determine what is to be done.

Rick Skilliter, police chief, told council that he was on the phone much of the day talking with persons from state agencies about building codes, adding that the village needs some help in knowing what to do because this sort of thing has never happened before. He said that nearly everyone he talked with said, "Get a structural engineer (to look at it)."

Fred Rodabaugh, mayor, said that he hopes by Wednesday or Thursday there will be more information available.