| Newly elected County Commissioner Rick Sampson took his seat last night
for the first meeting of his six year term, a lengthy meeting covering many
items. Commissioners McCallister and Sampson selected Bob Weaver as
President of the Commission for the year.
Commission members (L to R) Bob Weaver, Larry McCallister and Rick Sampson
The Commission acknowledged the regional jail bill is still "paid off," a
considerable task since it has frequently reached over $100,000 in recent
years.
Commissioner Weaver suggested asking for $100,000 for the new
Emergency Services Center from the Budget Digest, forwarding the request
to Del. Bill Stemple.
Other items on the Budget Digest request list, $40,000 for mandated
computer services, $5,000 for furnace replacement in the old jail building,
$15,000 for bleachers at Wayne Underwood Field and $5,000 for developing
camping sites at Calhoun County Park.
Budget Digest funding could be in trouble this year because of financial
problems with the state. During recent years, Delegate Stemple and other
legislators have managed to obtain about $225,000 for projects in the
county.
At the request of Congresswoman Shelly Moore Capito, the Commission
presented a list of items for which assistance is needed, including the
funding of a new fire truck for the Grantsville Volunteer Fire Department,
help with the Emergency Services Center and several other projects.
There was discussion regarding a new application for water development
for the county through the Appalachian Regional Commission.
The Back Fork-Yellow Creek water extension has been slowed down
because two more customers are needed for the project, but Fred Rader of
the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council said the project is still a go.
During a public hearing regarding a Natural Hazard Mitigation project,
Rader presented a draft of an assessment, one of the first phases before it
can be implemented in the county.
The mitigation project would allow the county to qualify for FEMA or other
government money in the event of natural disasters, including buyouts of
flooded property, elevating structures or raising frequently flood roadways.
Other natural disasters would also qualify. The local LEPC board will serve
as the mitigation committee.
The governments effort to begin smallpox vaccinations was discussed by
Larry Lee and James Rose of the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department. Lee
said vaccinations are expected to start with hospital and EMS workers
within the next two months. "It is now on a voluntary basis," he said.
Rose said 50 tons of medication could be brought in quickly for use if
biological weapons were used. The MOVHD covers 130,000 people in a six
county area.
Mass inoculation would not happen until an emergency occurs, since there
are some risks with the vaccine.
It was acknowledged the monument to Wayne Underwood at the old
football field will be moved to the Mt. Zion campus.
Rick Sampson was appointed to the 911 Board, the Extension Service
Board, Lights On! and the CRI Board.
The Commission appointed two more members to the Wayne Underwood
Recreational Facility Board, Rex Yoak and Henry Cooper, making a total
membership of eight. A bid for $1200 annually was accepted from Dick
Morris to use the old bus garage for storage, with the Commission using the
money to help defray operation of the field.
The Commission asked E-911 Director Barry Pitts to seek help from 911 in
Charleston to complete local mapping and addressing. The 911 system has
been at a standstill since McKenzie Engineering declared bankruptcy. Pitts
said most of the system is done, but the completion of addressing, which is
a computer generated task.
Dates were set for five special meetings of the Board of Equalization and
Review: February 3rd at 4 pm; February 6th at 5 pm; February 10 (oil and
gas) at 5 pm; February 13th at 5 pm and February 18th at 5 pm.
Three additional members were appointed to the LEPC Board, Marvin
Stemple and Nina Smith, with Larry McCallister replacing David Barr.
The Commission also processed bonds, bills, wills and settlements, in
addition to reviewing the Budget Control Report.
See additional story regarding Emergency Services Center.
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