By Stephen Smoot
He had already checked off 21 counties visited on his statewide tour. Last Tuesday afternoon, Michael Benson, the 27th president of West Virginia University, came to Franklin while visiting county number 22. His purpose lay in seeing some of the county’s iconic sights and also meet and hold conversations with county and town officials.
After coming through the area of Spruce Knob and Seneca Rocks to take in the beauty of one of the Eastern United States’ most celebrated natural monuments, Benson and his staff motored across North Mountain to meet with local authorities at the Pendleton County Courthouse.
He strode into the Pendleton County Commission office. There he was greeted by Roger Dahmer, Pendleton County commissioner, Karen Pitsenbarger, Pendleton County administrator, Rick Gillespie, Pendleton County Emergency Services coordinator, Annie Humes, Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director, Brooke Alt and Jessica Hoover, WVU Extension agents, and others.
Dahmer and Humes answered questions about agriculture and tourism, explaining how each served as a pillar of the county’s economy. Next, Alt fielded queries about the health and promise of the 4-H clubs in the area and heard about summer camps and coordination with Grant County.
Alt and Humes gave a tag team style rendition of notable Pendleton County history and facts. Humes pointed out that Spruce Knob is “dead center for some of the best dark skies viewing” and noted how groups occasionally took advantage.
After pleasantries, Benson discussed different ways in which the resources of West Virginia University could be brought to help Pendleton County. Gillespie informed the president that they soon expected to move the WVU Extension offices from the community building to the newly purchased former Franklin Elementary School and they agreed to start staff discussions on that.
The short walking tour took the dignitaries next to Franklin town hall. Benson greeted Bob Horan, Franklin mayor, and Frank Wehrle and Elizabeth Scott, administrative staff.
“We were impressed by how beautiful the houses were when we came into Franklin,” noted the visiting college president to the mayor. He asked the mayor about issues faced by the town. Horan responded that the Town was being indirectly “hounded by the Chesapeake Bay System” because they “want us to upgrade to a full-blown sewer system.” Wehrle explained that pressure comes from the federal side down through the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection.
He informed Benson that the town has plans, but still seeks funding. Wehrle has been working on identifying and applying for potential funding for the project.
Benson then asked one of his staff, former Senator Joe Manchin aide Travis Mollohan, to discuss grant assistance through a joint endeavor of West Virginia University, Marshall University, and the Appalachian Regional Commission. He said, “It will help you all start the conversation.”
Wehrle then described a project through the Town of Franklin Parks and Recreation to start an internship program for students from West Virginia University and other colleges. College students could learn the basics of recreation administration while filling in needed jobs, such as with the town swimming pool and park.
After concluding with the town, the president and the group walked the short route to the central office of Pendleton County Schools. There, Benson discussed local education issues with Nicole Hevener, superintendent of schools. Hevener brought up a program supported by the Benedum Foundation that helped to attract and train new teachers.
“Our number one problem is that we don’t have enough certified teachers,” shared Hevener. She praised the hard work and skills of teachers who stepped in to fill those gaps, but underscored the need for qualified and certified teachers in every classroom. They then took photographs beneath the newly delivered and legally mandated signs featuring the national motto “In God We Trust.”
Benson’s final stop immersed him in the history of old Franklin. He strode to the Historic McCoy House to be greeted by the proprietors Jared and Katie VanMeter. They took him through the recently restored antebellum marvel.
As the day grew late, Benson and his team got in their vehicles and took US Route 220 north to a building dedication at WVU Medicine’s Grant Memorial Hospital in Petersburg.
Twenty-three and counting.
Cutline (use judgment on how many photos to use):
Incoming West Virginia University President, Michael Benson, greeted local officials as part of his effort to engage all 55 counties and help with solutions.
Benson met with Nicole Hevener, superintendent of schools, and Kristy Tritapoe, assistant superintendent.
Bob Horan, Franklin mayor, welcomes Benson to town hall.
