Once again it was standing room only for the Calhoun County Commission meeting as the voters of Calhoun appeared to demand a response from their elected officials as to what they, (the Commission) deemed acceptable behavior. Their demand fell on deaf ears.
Following their standard procedures for opening the meeting, delegations were permitted to addres the Comission. Crystal Mersh, President of the 1982 Foundation was first to address the Commissioners regarding a recent slanderous social media post by Commissioner Kevin Helmick. A large graphic was displayed in the courtroom showing the post for all who may not have had the opportunity to view it. Mrs. Mersh asked each Commissioners if this was acceptable behavior for an elected official. Both Matt Walker and Michael Hicks said it was not acceptable behavior.
Helmick’s response was to say “I put it up and took it down quickly after I thought it wasn’t a good idea. I don’t see any difference than anyone else doing it, it’s not a government page.” Several in the audience protested his statements but were not acknowledged.
Crystal Mersh requested the number of recent meeting absences of Commissioner Helmick from County Clerk Jean Simers. A look back on meeting minutes showed Helmick missing in July and October’s meetings, the September 22 meeting he appeared by phone. In her statement Mrs. Mersh requested, on behalf of herself and newly elected Commissioner Craig Arthur the resignation of Kevin Helmick for his behavior. No response from the Commission.
Second to speak during delegation request was Deidre Purdy saying to Crystal Mersh “You started in on Helmick when you wanted the Wayne Underwood field, but Commissioner Helmick could not give the 82 Foundation the field , I happened to be on the board (Board of Education) when the transfer from school to county occurred. What he did was work according to the deed. The foundation received the field. Helmick since that has been mocked since then . On facebook and social media. Charity is a wonderful things, charity does not entitle you to running this county, nor does being born in this county. I was born in DC that doesn’t make me president. The democracy elected Helmick.” Addressing Helmick’s absences she further said “Helmick is ill, he’s getting better. I urge commissioner Helmick a duly elected to serve his two remaining years. I’m proud to say I voted for him and I urge the commission to support the commissioner.”
Helmick defended his absences by stating that his first 14 years in office he’d “probably missed 2-3 meeting total.”
Correction: Crystal Mersh informed Commissioner Helmick that “the pictures she posted on her Facebook page are public domain. My picture was taken without permission without release.” It was previously stated in this article that Helmick had made his comment which was not the case.
Retired Judge Larry Whited addressed the Commission by saying “I personally find it unconscionable and inappropriate. Elected officials are held to a higher standard than citizens. I don’t believe that this conduct is condoned by anyone. Along that line Simers (Jean) said she did not, Hicks did not and Walker. Mr. Helmick you need to make an apology. You posted it and it was a serious mistake. If an apology is not forth coming it’s time to submit your resignation.”
An outburst by Bill Bailey, reporter for the Calhoun Chronicle, said “If any one needs to apologize it’s trump, I can’t get that piece of crap out of my head.”
The final result of the conversations was a quick change of topic and no response to the publics requests.
WV Caring a Community based Hospice Association appeared before the Commission in recognition of November being National Hospice Month. Their representative (name not given) stated that during this month they like to recognize those that do the work. WV Caring goes into the homes and takes care of patience with advanced illness and terminal diagnosis, “Meeting you where you are” is their company motto. Calhoun was invited to join in that celebration by declare the recognition of November National Hospice Month. All commissioners voted to approve the declaration.
Anita West, member of the board of the West Fork park, told the Commission that they had recently applied for a grant to build a flood wall on the park property. The request was in, and the Little Kanawha Conservation District has put in a quote for $115,000 to build the wall. The park continues reaching out to different agencies to assist in the building of the wall, and Ms. West stated that she has a letter prepared to be sent to the WV State Senators to encourage their help with the matter as well as Speaker Roger Hanshaw. Commissioner Matt Walker noted that he had ask Anita to attend the meeting and had also been in contact with Hanshaw’s office without response. He asked West if the $115,000 was only for the cost of the wall, to which she responded “the wall, engineers and the removal of a dam in the stream was included in that amount.” Their plan is to conduct a further study before moving forward.
Crystal Mersh asked the Commissioners if there were any actions regarding flood plane management being worked on by the County Commission. Commissioner Walker stated, “I’m not working on anything. Flooding is going to be an issue always.” No response from Commissioners Hicks or Helmick. Crystal asked if there was fill dirt being added to the area,” and was responded to by Julie Sears, OES director stating “Not to her knowledge. When Crystal mentioned that the WV Department of Highways was said to be dumping fill dirt in the area, Sears said that they are not required to let her know.
Shelia Burch of the Little Kanawha Area Development Corporation (LKADC) said that they’re in the middle of a 5 year hazard litigation and we need to make sure that (flood plane) plan is addressed.
Luke Peters of the Mid Ohio Valley Regional Council (MOVRC) spoke to the matter saying that they’ve hired an agency to do it (flood plane addressing) for 8 counties and that FEMA is in the process of buying out interested parties in the West Fork area. He also spoke regarding the current Norman Ridge Water Project of the Pleasant Hill PSD. The area has issues with low pressure causing them to be on boiled water advisories and will be fully replaced. The short term solution is to get through until next summer and put in an end line pump. He requested funding assistance in the amount of $1,200 for the individual home pumps and $1,800 for additional material to stabilize the system until spring.
Commissioner Walker asked when the Norman Ridge project was going to start to which Peters informed him possibly in February. The Commission approved $3,000 to assist in the project.
OES Director Julie Sears gave a listing of how many calls each emergency department had.
Jason Wilson, Interim Director of Calhoun EMS gave a detailed report on the October activity for the Ambulance Service.
- Transported ALS -23
- Transported BLS – 31
- Canceled Enroute – 1
- DOA – 1
- Refusal – 11
- Treated and Transferred to Aeromedical – 1
- Standby – 2
- Total 911 Activity – 72
- Average Enroute Time – 1.22 Minutes
- Average Response Time – 20.58 Minutes
- Average Total Time Call – 113.29
- Total mileage for October for 3 trucks 8,352.
Wilson also informed the commission that staffing is increasing and looking better, and then he left the meeting to go work as staff on the ambulance as well.
Donald Pitts, President of the Calhoun County Park Board reported to the Commission that they continue to work on projects at the park including all shelters now having concrete floors and are waiting on roofing. Over the weekend the park hosted an informal star party with 10-15 stargazers. Cabin Rental numbers improve, averaging 10 rental days per month. More Star gazers are coming in Wednesday to set up next to the cabin and have a warm place to be.
Mr. Pitts reported that the current play structures are getting old and they now have a plan for new playground structures. Toddler through teenagers, comprehensive structures at a cost of $200,000 to $225,000 dollars for the project. The owner of the old Sandfork school has donated all the play structures from their, which combined will replace one area and give a modern structure for kids to play on.
The Christmas Light display will be two weekends in December at the park with several new participants this year and the school will continue to do their displays, Christmas in the village will be happing the Saturday after Thanksgiving with tree lighting and displays. An annual calendar of Park Events will be coming soon
FRN report from Commissioner Walker reported that the FRN is accepting donations for Christmas gifts and wrapping needs.
Shelia Burch, Director of the LKADC reported that the Development Corporation has assisted in 1 million dollars in loan funds having been made to assist Wirt and Calhoun Businesses. A small business enhancement program will soon be at the 82 Foundation location. Two small business summits are being held this week in Wirt on December 7 and in Calhoun the following week in collaboration with Glenville State University and WVU Law. Pioneer community network got funded through the USDA to help counties work through funding sources to prioritize funding for 8 counties. Each county has been task with putting together a priority list of things that will benefit their communities. LKADC needs project recommendations that can be made to Shelia Burch. There were only 3 programs funded in the entire nation and Calhoun is privileged to be a part of it.
Shelia Burch also reported for Mt. Zion Public Service District that Jim Kelsh, their attorney has put together a list of things that need to be done regarding the continued consolidation plants. Both Mt. Zion and Pleasant Hill psd’s are on board for consolidation, according to Mrs. Burch.
Luke Peters of the MOVRC said that the USDA was concerned about current project and how consolidation would effect them. The USDA has a final say in the consolidation which currently is having an issue creating a new legal entity. Mt. Zion has a water/sewer project under design, Pleasant Hill has the Norman ridge project and the desire is there to join. Each entity is catching up on audit with Mt. Zion ahead on that aspect. Mr. Peters said that the Grantsville Town Council does not see the positives of consolidating with the two PSDs. He further stated that the DEP has begrudgingly moved ahead with Grantsville’s sewer projects but continues to have good will toward Mt. Zion and Pleasant Hill. He encouraged the commission that they have oversight over the PSDs and their consolidation needs county commission approval.
Commissioner Hicks informed Peters that the Commission will need to know by the December meeting if Grantsville is on board or not.
Eric Lupardus informed the Commission that during a recent meeting with Roger Hanshaw in Charleston, newly elected Commissioner Craig Arthur was informed that there is money available for the Water and Sewer projects but Hanshaw had never heard from the current commission.
Commissioner Hicks informed Mr. Peters to give the Commission possible dates to meet regarding the matter with the PSD’s.
The Commission approved $500 financial assistance for the town of Grantsville’s Christmas parade Committee.
Commissioner Hicks reported that the State Election Commission approved the application for 54% of the cost to be paid on new voting equipment. The County had put aside $200,000 in the budget to cover the entire amount in case this funding did not come through. The Commission accepted the grant. No report of how or where the money would be reallocated that was not going to be used.
Court house facilities grant in the amount of $49,600 for step and sidewalk repair was accepted by the Commission.
Erroneous tax assessments approved by county commission
