By Stephen Smoot
The prayer to open the Pendleton County Commission shared by Roger Dahmer, commissioner, asked the Lord to help “us as a country and as a people” overcome the rise of discord nationwide.
Emergency management work occupied the beginning and the end of the meeting. Bruce Minor came to the county commission in his capacity with the Pendleton County Office of Emergency Management and as chair of the Local Emergency Planning Committee. He stated that the LEPC needed to adjust its bylaws and that the law requires consultation with the county commission.
Minor also shared that “the new emergency operations plan adds amendments for avian flu and points of distribution.” The LEPC meets quarterly to discuss emergency management issues and to plan for potential threats.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Minor went over the bylaws and other elements of LEPC work with the three commissioners.
Karen Pitsenbarger reported on progress with courthouse annex construction, reporting that “everything’s going on smoothly.” Commissioners approved a draw of $256,546.06 to cover the recent construction costs.
Next, commissioners welcomed a large group who gathered on this day to hear the Pendleton County Commission approve the National Recovery Month proclamation. Eight came from different agencies to hear the official reading and approval of the document.
Erin Gaertner represented Jobs and Hope, a state organization linking those in recovery to training and gainful employment. “I just wanted to thank everybody,” she said, adding “you all have a great group here.”
Dahmer read off the proclamation that emphasized “the importance of recovery in the community” and recognized the many entities whose work comes together to roll back the drug crisis affecting the state. The proclamation also “applaud (s) businesses . . . that provide second chance employment.”
After the reading, Roger Dodd from Potomac Highlands Guild shared that his organization now has a mobile outreach program. It uses vans to go to remote areas and help residents access mental health care.
Next, a representative from the Pendleton County Health Department came to touch base on a discussion held months prior. The health department wished to expand the subdivision plot from two to five acres. It has noted that in too many instances, two-acre plots ended up in areas where “they may not be able to put a house or a sewer system” because of “the way the land lays.”
Commissioners had not opposed the move at the time, but the health department had to observe legal guidelines when introducing the change. After hearing their request for approval, commissioners did so.
A second request was made for a vehicle for use of the health department for field work. Currently, officials must use their personal vehicles as they travel around the county. Sometimes they have to take their vehicles into difficult to access areas and also endure regular wear and tear. It was stated that they were more than willing to accept an older vehicle that had aged out of service for another county agency if one were available.
Additionally, the official shared that the health department has two trailers that require a truck to pull. The office of emergency management has assisted with that in the past, but having their own truck would prevent the need to ask. In the past, officials have used personal vehicles to pull the trailers, but the question of legality and liability halted the practice.
Two other visitors came to inquire about county needs. Shelley Murray, executive director for the West Virginia Courthouse Facilities Authority and Jennifer Peasey, a field representative from the office of United States Senator Shelley Moore Capito, both arrived together.
Murray discussed how the county could benefit from applying for one of the annual grants from her organization, but warned that the deadline would be Friday. She said, however, that she would remain available to provide support “to help you guys meet that deadline.” Murray also confirmed that a grant could be used for renovation on the newly purchased former Franklin Elementary School building.
Later, Gillespie took Murray and Peasey to that building for a tour and to share the county’s plans for it already crafted by Thrasher.
Mike Alt and Gillespie then shared concerns about the buildup of debris in the South Branch and other area rivers, noting that the entire region faced different threats from the lack of river maintenance permitted. Annie Humes, representing the Pendleton County Convention and Visitors Bureau, shared that she had brought up the matter with the Mon Forest Towns group currently working with the United States Forest Service.
