Calhoun County Commission met for a regular meeting on April 19, 2022 at 9 a.m. in the Little Courtroom of the Calhoun County Courthouse.
Crystal Mersh, representing American Medicines Company, was first to speak before the commission. She presented the Calhoun County Commission with an RFI (Request for Information) from American Medicines afor profit company formed to supply high quality pharmaceuticals. Their mission is to return the manufacturing of critical generic oral solid dosage medicines (prescription tablets and capsules) back to the United States. AMC utilizes innovative manufacturing and pharmacy distribution concepts to provide the American public with affordable high quality pharmaceuticals.
They are Americans manufacturing quality medicines within the United States for the American people. All but Less 2% or high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes medicines comes from off shore pharmacies like those in India and China. A severe threat to Americans. It’s a health and security risk for our nation.
With the help of Senators Manchin and Capito, and a great reception from the Department of Defense, Crystal’s company has been able to move forward with the presentation of this opportunity to West Virginia because of the high level of cooperation from State officials.
Crystal presented the Calhoun County Commission with the site specifications and the request for information that would provide potential sites of interest offered to the American Medicines Company for the placement of their company and the opportunity to bring 500-600 jobs to Calhoun County.
Those attending the Commission meeting were quick to ask questions and excited to hear the potential of this business coming to our area. Shelia Burch of the Little Kanawha Area Development Corporation told the Commissioners that several of her constituents from other counties have welcome Crystal into their counties and expressed an interest in offering American Medicine a place to locate with 50 of the 55 counties are interested. It is a highly sought after business.
Matthew Walker said that he had already begun looking for 30 acres that would accommodate Crystal’s company and has spent hours speaking with landowners.
An audience member asked the Commissioners why they had not been camping on Crystal’s doorstep knowing what she was offering. Commissioner Helmick’s response was ”Shelia Burch works for the county to do that, and it was her job.” Commissioner Hicks basically stated the same thing saying “Shelia Burch represents our community.”
An audience member asked ”What about the training of the workforce to work in the Pharmaceutical industry?” A question Crystal said she loved because that’s her day job, connecting agencies to help through her partnerships.
Robin Mersh addressed the Commission telling them to “not underestimate what it will take to bring the company into Calhoun County. If it wasn’t for Crystal being from Calhoun County, the other counties would be way in the lead. When Crystal presented to Roane County their response was much, much bolder, you all (the commissioners) need to wake up.”
Dennis Spaur reminded the commissioners that before we can get businesses to come to Calhoun County we need something for the families. If there’s nothing here for children, people are going to pass up the jobs. Why do we not want better for Calhoun County?
An audience member referenced what the Commissioners said about Shelia Burch, stating that the Commissioners shouldn’t put the work off on someone else they should do it themselves. “We should fight for these jobs,” they said.
Robin Mersh spoke again about the passion his wife has for building jobs in Calhoun County. She has traveled all over the world but Calhoun is where she wants to be, but, he further stated that she needs help to make it happen.
Kevin Helmick stated to Crystal, that as he read her RFI, he seen that she was looking for tax credits in West Virginia. He said that he met with Trans Canada who wanted the same thing which had not been passed through the legislation. “What exactly do you want,” he asked?
Crystal responded that she wasn’t up to date on what was available but she was willing to talk to people. If this business doesn’t happen in Calhoun she’s still committed to bringing in other opportunities.
Mayor Robert Petrovsky spoke to the needs of his town, the city of Grantsville, saying that it was on the verge of bankruptcy a year ago, businesses have left and we’re now losing the Dollar General. The mayor retired from the federal prison in Glenville and said he realized there was a lot of angst back in the day over the prison but look how Gilmer County has reaped the rewards from it. People make money and people move into town. We’re not trying to make Calhoun a DC. But we have to do something. we have more empty homes than full. The Mayor said if he had a building he would give it to Crystal, but he didn’t.
The Commission moved on to reports with the first provided by 911 Director, Julie Sears.
Judy Powell spoke on the Wood Festival and how Crystal’s business would certainly benefit it, but she wanted to know if the Commissioners were all on the same page of wanting business in Calhoun County. She said that she believed their attitude toward Crystal had not shown an interest in her business.
Commissioner Helmick said that they would return the RFI within the 10 days given. He then turned to Judy Powell and said ”As a member of the Town Council what have you done so far? the business could locate in Grantsville.”
Judy stated that Grantsville did not have the room for Crystal’s business, but they were willing to work with Crystal.
When an audience member stated that Commissioner Helmick shouldn’t speak to Judy in that manner. He responded that ”She was a member of the government as well and if she can ask him questions, he should have the right to ask her.”
Judy reminded him that the Mayor had already answered that question.
Robin Mersh spoke once again about the Commissioners attitude to quickly move on to other topics (like reports) and why didn’t they just say ”They’re committed to bringing businesses to Calhoun.”
Commissioner Hicks, in a loud defensive tone once again yelled back to him ”We are committed to bringing business back to Calhoun!”
Kyerstan Perkins said that the community needs to be on the same page with a desire to turn things around but there’s always animosities within the commission. ”Are you being a true voice.”
Commissioner Hicks’ response was once again to change the subject to the reports on the Calhoun County Park.
Jackie Boatright asked the commission again, why won’t you answer the questions?
Mr. Helmick responded that they had always allowed questions but they didn’t have to. If the president of the commission wanted to deny someone the right to speak he could.
Commissioner Hicks then moved on to another report, ignoring the question.
Sheriff Warren Basnett requested a new vehicle again.Since January they’ve spent over $2700 on car repairs. He reiterated that they need a truck that would allow more ground clearance and the price of trucks wasn’t going to get any less.
Shelia Burch requested to speak to the commission during executive session.
Luke Peters of the MOVRC reported on a County Park Project and a grant they applied for. Thrasher Engineering came up with a building plan for bath houses, but it unfortunately cost over $500,000 that was far above what the money allowed. Donnie Pitts and Luke had spoken and were working to redesign the building to a smaller one that could still provide what was needed for the park and camp grounds. The original budget was $150,000 but Luke requested $250,000 to build the structure. The County Commission voted to amend the budget.
Commissioner Hicks made a motion to ”lay the Levy.” The Motion passed.
Next on the agenda was the property transfer of the Wayne Underwood Field to the Calhoun County Board of Education. Crystal Mersh asked if the Prosecuting Attorney had said how long it would take to get the deed written. Mr. Hick said ”He had not, but the sooner the better.”
The Commissioners then addressed the appointment fill open positions on the Planning Commission. There is a possibility of three seats open and they’ve received four letters of interest for those positions. Mr. Hicks said that because there seemed to be interest in that position they allow people to apply and set a date for people to turn in resumes and letters of interest. Commissioner Helmick made a motion to run an add which was seconded by Commissioner Walker.
Shelia Burch requested that they act on this decision today because the Planning Commission is a crucial entity in projects that she currently has going and she needs to be apart of that planning commission to further the opportunities she’s working on. The planning commission will be meeting May 3rd, and they’re currently having issues with having a quorum to vote. Commissioner Hicks asked if there was a motion, but Commissioner Helmick said ”We better wait.” Commissioner Walker then made a motion to have Shelia Burch appointed and Commissioner Hicks seconded it. Commissioner Helmick said he didn’t know if that’s going to help because the quorum still wouldn’t be there. He also stated that one of the Planning Commission members needed to be the Mayor and they needed to appoint him. Shelia Burch spoke out saying that the Mayor had not given them a letter requesting appointment, therefore he could not be appointed.
Commissioner Hicks made a motion for the next Commission meeting to be on May 16 because that coincides with the date to canvas the election, the motion carried.
Crystal Mersh asked when the next planning meeting was to which Commissioner Hicks stated that it would be on May 12. She then asked if the County Audit had been completed to which County Clerk Jean Simers responded informing her that it was done and should be available by Friday following the approval of the State Auditors office.
Jean Simers further stated that the firm the County hired was extremely pleased with the County’s cooperation and quick response to providing necessary audit materials. Commissioner Helmick mentioned that the counties delay of being behind on the Audit was typical, using the ”two year rule” and the issue with covid.
The Commissioners then went into executive session.
Publishers Note:
I was unable to attend this meeting because I was covering Circuit Court case upstairs. Whitney Butler was videographer and photographer in my stead and I painfully watched the meeting late last night. Unless you view the video or attend a County Commission Meeting you cannot feel the animosity Commissioner Hicks and Helmick show the pubic as they grimace, shuffle papers and ignore public response and get angry when they are questioned. I encourage you to never take my word or the word of anyone else on personal opinion of whats happening with our local government. Attend these meeting yourself or watch on line as we make it available for the community to witness it for themselves.
