DISCUSSION — Jefferson County Commissioner Tony Morelli discusses the situation Friendship Park board’s decision on the Freebird Raceway lease. -- Linda Harris

STEUBENVILLE — Freebird Raceway at Friendship Park is just weeks away from ceasing operations permanently.

The all-volunteer Friendship Park board voted earlier this week not to renew the drag strip’s lease, despite an outpouring of support from the racing community and local business owners, and at Thursday’s meeting, the Jefferson County commissioners told the raceway’s supporters they couldn’t overrule the park board even if they wanted to.

Commissioner Eric Timmons said the Friendship Park District was created in 1973 in accordance with state statute, and when they did the the county commissioners essentially ceded decision-m

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