The Calhoun County Commission met this afternoon for the sole purpose of accepting the resignation of Warren Basnett, effective Sunday, April 30th, 2023. Also in attendance was Prosecuting Attorney Nigel Jeffries who apparently attended to offer legal advice if necessary regarding the matter.
Delegations were allowed to address the Commission with Crystal Mersh, President of the 1982 Foundation requesting that the Sheriff’s Budget be added to the next Monthly Calhoun Commission Meeting which will be held May 8th, at 9 a.m.
Graham Knight spoke second, requesting to know if the Commission had received his letter requesting consideration for the Sheriff’s position. They acknowledge it had been received.
Third to speak was Roger Propst, Chairman of the Republican Executive Committee who spoke regarding the views of the Executive Committee regarding the filling of the Sheriff’s vacancy. He first read the code regarding the filling of a vacant office for clarification. Saying further that there was nothing nebulous (vague) about the code in reference to it needing to be a candidate of the same party being replaced, which is Republican and that the Republican parties recommendations should carry “great weight.” He told the Commission that this was not the time for “under the table deals,” and that rumors had been circulating of who would be appointed, who would be chief deputy and career plans of those being appointed. He had also heard of Democrats being advised to switch parties by April 30th to be considered. He implored the Commission to honor the intent and the letter of the law when filling the position.
Propst reminded the commission that they were to obligated to follow all requirements of the West Virginia Open Meetings Act which states “When a quorum of a governing body discusses matters that would require official action by the governing body, then this is a meeting. If this discussion takes place outside the confines of a public meeting—whether in person, by telephone, email or other telecommunication means — it is an illegal meeting.”
Mr. Propst asked each Commissioner individually if they had spoken to anyone interested in the Sheriff Vacancy, if so had they spoken about that conversation with any other commissioner either by email, phone or in person in reference to those candidates. All three Commissioners said that they had received calls, but all denied speaking about the candidates with another Commissioner. Helmick did say that he had offered Craig Arthur advice regarding the fact that he may need the Prosecutor’s advice concerning one candidate in particular but that they had not discussed the candidate.
Propst acknowledged that the Commission no doubt knew the rules of procedure regarding the matter at hand, but he noted that not everyone in the County knew those rules and he wanted them aware that people are watching their behavior. Especially in regards to their possible consideration of a former Sheriff candidate who had been defeated as an incumbent Democrat, but had now changed parties, and was possibly wanting considered now as a Republican. He advised the Commission that such a candidate should not be considered. It was the view of the Republican Executive Committee that if that person wanted to file as Sheriff, he should do so in the 2024 election, not during this appointment. To appoint a candidate that the County had rejected in the last general election would be a betrayal and disrespect of the citizens of Calhoun County. His continued advice is that the Republican majority of the Calhoun County Commission should vote in tandem to ensure the candidate endorsed by the Republican Executive Committee is appointed to fill this position. Prospts’ final request was to be permitted to set in on the Commission’s discussions and decisions which is pursuant to an open meeting law. Prosecuting Attorney Nigel Jeffries advised that with the exception of an executive session that would be an acceptable measure and he too would be present to ensure all legalities were covered.
Prosecuting Attorney Nigel Jeffries stated that he had spoken to the WV State Auditors Office and there must be an interim appointed for the continuity of business in the County Tax Office, which could not stay open with out it. The interim cannot serve any longer than 30 days and they do not have to be of the same political party.
A meeting was schedule shortly after this meeting adjourned to announce the interim Sheriff. The open meeting will be Thursday, at 3:45 p.m. in the Little Courtroom of the Calhoun County Courthouse.
