For longer than a good number of Pendleton County residents have even lived on this earth, the county has labored to plan and construct an annex to the courthouse.
The West Virginia State Supreme Court of Appeals urged that a ribbon cutting event be held to commemorate the completion. More than 60 people representing local, state, federal, and municipal government, local business and family of those who worked for the day came forth for a presentation followed by a reception in the county commission chambers.
In a manner of speaking, the day also evolved into recognition of Karen Pitsenbarger, county administrator. She held the reins of the project into completion, coordinating with a number of different offices and businesses to complete the project while also following the precise regulations concerning West Virginia courthouse construction and recognized historical structures.
The sun shone brilliantly on a warmer-than-expected morning as all gathered at 11 o’clock to start. Roger Dahmer, commissioner, offered the invocation and then Carl Hevener, commission president, led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.
“This has been a long time coming,” stated Hevener, who added, “A lot of commissioners, not just me, Roger, and Jimmy (Bennett)” played a role in bringing the project to fruition. Gene McConnell, former Pendleton County Commission president, was on hand, along with the families of others who had served in the office over time. They were specifically invited to take part. Hevener thanked Pitsenbarger and Scott McConnell, as well.
He shared his appreciation for the help of former United States Senator Joe Manchin, whose support “got the project rolling” or “I wouldn’t be standing here today.”
Jay Rogers then came forward, representing Omni, the architectural firm. “It’s nice to be here. I’m excited to see people at the project,” he noted. He added that the firm takes pride in participating in “projects that enrich the lives of people who use this building and work here every day.”
Steve Collins from the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development office shared his observations on the beauty of the region, then Neil Hazlett from Pendleton Community Bank spoke. He stated, “I only replaced Bill Loving as CEO a few months ago. Bill was a long time supporter and advocate of this project.”
Chris Weaver from Lantz Construction touched on the unusual complexity of the project, referring to the various agencies and government jurisdictions that converged on it. “There’s a lot of different layers of folks involved,” he added.
Keith Hoover, administrative director of the West Virginia State Supreme Court of Appeals, rose next. His role lies in assisting the judges of the court in operating the state court system in West Virginia.
“This project was very well run,” he explained, going on to state that both Pitsenbarger and the county commission earned praise for their diligence and work. “It’s impressive to me,” Hoover said, “how old and new blended together.” He then shared that the courthouse completed a century ago cost the taxpayers $70,000. On a more philosophical note, he said, “It’s not just a building. It’s a place where justice happens” and “the building is nothing without the people who work here.”
Jeff Bowers, chairman of the Pendleton County Building Commission, shared an anecdote on the origin of the effort, a circuit judge threatening to jail a 1990s-era Pendleton County Commission unless it started the process to construct the annex.
He said the community should “thank and thank and thank the supreme court” for its part in the project, as well.
“It’s been a very long process,” he finished.
After the ribbon cutting came group photographs of the county workers, then a reception in the commission chambers.
