By Stephen Smoot
“We just thank you and praise you Lord,” prayed Roger Dahmer, Pendleton County commissioner, during the traditional invocation. He added a request to “be present with us and guide us.”
Karen Pitsenbarger, Pendleton County Administrator, opened the Pendleton County Commission meeting with a quote for services given for replacing the staircase at the back of the Pendleton County Health Department. She shared that the total cost, including labor and materials, would come to just shy of $930.
Next, officials discussed the progress of the new Pendleton County General Services Building at the former Franklin Elementary School. Other counties, such as Harrison, have created such facilities as the roles of those governments have expanded and changed over time. Pendleton’s will house emergency management and related offices, the West Virginia University Extension Service, and other county offices currently using the community building, recently deemed too vulnerable to flooding.
Pitsenbarger stated that bids would open later that day for contractors who wished to take part in certain jobs at the building. Gillespie informed the commissioners that an outbuilding should soon be removed or demolished so that the power company can obtain “better access.” He said, “I think we’re about to where we have to do it.” The estimated cost of removal would come to approximately $11,000.
Gillespie then gave some updates on work done so far, indicating that heating and air conditioning installation was “moving right along.” Currently, the county uses the old oil fueled boiler to keep temperatures on cold nights between 45 and 55 degrees. That maintains a climate best for preserving work and protecting water pipes. He stated that “other than guzzling fuel . . we’re all right.”
He noted the presence of “southern engineering,” a colloquial term for innovative and creative installation and maintenance work that may not be always recommended as solutions, saying “we’re trying to figure it out.”
Office of Emergency Management plans to move in January to its new home.
After discussion of the general services building, Pitsenbarger turned commissioners attention to progress on the Pendleton County Courthouse Annex. “Everything is going well,” she noted, but stated that cold temperatures had put bricklaying on hold. They hope to get back to work later in the week with temperatures rising into the 40s and 50s. She said that work would even take place on Saturday to ensure completion before the return of seasonal temperatures.
Other work during the meeting included appointments to various advisory boards for Pendleton County and the region.
Kevin Raymond was appointed to a three-year term with the 911 Advisory Board.
Gary Swecker was appointed to the Farmland Protection Board for a four-year term
Janice Lantz was appointed to a five-year term with the county board of health. Carmen Rexrode was appointed to a one-year term with the same organization.
The Pendleton County Economic Development Authority (still in operation, but under the umbrella of Seneca Rocks Regional Development Authority) received three-year term appointments of Joan Ashley, Jeremy Harper, Dayne Davis and Kyle Apple.
For the new planning commission approved by the Pendleton County Commission as part of a Mon Forest Towns and West Virginia University initiative, Luci Raines, Sam Yokum, Adam Hott, Kelly Marsh, Mike Weaver, and Dave Seymour each received two-year appointments.
Dahmer received appointment to the Workforce Development Board for one year.
Mike Alt, training officer for Pendleton County Emergency Rescue, shared third quarter receipts for EMS supplements and stipends. These came to just under $40,000. In 2024, the State of West Virginia funded these, but the funds were not allocated in 2025. The Pendleton County Commission undertook to pay for the program in 2025. Alt expressed appreciation for the Commission’s support of EMS.
Annie Humes, Pendleton County Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director, shared that the America 250 mural project deadline was extended to May 1 and thanked commissioners for establishing the planning commission.
