PROPOSED $250,000 STATE POLICE BARRACKS MIGHT NOT BE BUILT

(01/12/2006)
A new $250,000 state police barracks proposed to be built at the entrance to Calhoun Middle-High School may not be constructed, since the funds have been directed toward projects in Ripley and Martinsburg.

Lt. Col. Steve Tucker said the needs were more critical in other parts of the state.

"We'll take a second look at the Calhoun project this spring," said Tucker, indicating some of the money might be left from the priority projects.

"We know the Calhoun barracks project was moved forward by Del. Bill Stemple," saying he pushed the bill for the funding during last year's legislative session.

Gov. Joe Manchin vetoed the spending bill which funded the barracks, but legislative leaders came back and over-rode his decision.

Manchin contended a new barracks was not needed in Calhoun, along with other items in the spending bill.

Tucker said the wording in the Calhoun barracks bill was such that it allowed the State Police to use the funds on other projects.

The Calhoun school system has offered to donate the land for the barracks, essentially because its location would provide security for the complex.

A study done about two years ago called for the closure of several barracks, many in rural areas where there is little activity.