County Commission meeting Addresses Calhoun EMS, Sheriff Vehicles, Honesty & Transparency

The Calhoun County Commission held their regular monthly meeting in the Little Courtroom of the Calhoun County Courthouse. Another packed meeting by the community, with two of the three Commissioners present. Michael Hicks and Matt Walker was there as well as County Clerk, Jean Simers.

The Commission opened with delegations being allowed to speak, at which time Crystal Mersh of the 1982 Foundation requested a copy of the financial reports once again to be made available to those attending the meeting, and for matters that were previously discussed to have some type of follow up by the Commission. She had brought 4 points to the attention of the Commission at a prior meeting that has yet to be addressed by the Commission as a whole. Matt Walker did address some of Crystal’s suggestions by email, but Kevin Helmick requested a vote on addressing the matter at all, and Michael Hicks did not respond.

Julie Sears, OES/911 Director reported the number of calls that had been dispatched by 911.

Jason Wilson, who is currently over seeing both the Minnie Hamilton Ambulance Service and the reorganization of Calhoun EMS gave a highly detailed report regarding the current status of EMS.

Minnie Hamilton had a total of 77 ambulance runs. Of those 77,

• 19 were transports from the hospital
• 41 were 911 calls for patients 
• 9 refusals
• 1 ALS assist to Gilmer County Ambulance
• 4 calls were canceled
• 3 were (DOA) dead on arrival

From the time that the tones were dropped from 911, the average amount of time to get the Ambulance in route from Minnie Hamilton was 1.03 minutes. There were only two events where the ambulance was not available upon being requested. Once was when they were tied up on a DOA and the second was when three 911 calls came in within 3 minutes.

The average response time for an ambulance to get on scene was 19.81 minutes. It should be taken into consideration that the time includes transports and other long distance travels that creates a longer average.

Their monthly reporting shows a response time for each individual call.

Bruce Fitzwater, Treasurer of Calhoun EMS, spoke regarding Calhoun EMS’ current condition. He stated that they’re continuing to move forward with the help of Minnie Hamilton Health System. He expressed the board’s gratitude for all that Minnie Hamilton had done. Currently Calhoun EMS is leasing an ambulance to Minnie Hamilton as a back up in case they have one go down. They have hired Jason Wilson as Interim Director, but will continue to advertise for someone to fill the position. Mr. Fitzwater did speak to the fact that filling the vacancy of EMS Director is contingent on the passing of the levy. He adamantly stressed that without the levy there would be no need, for there would be no money.

Mr. Fitzwater stated that Calhoun EMS has been in contact with the Charleston West Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services who has worked very well to help with all matters concerning the EMS. He advised that Calhoun EMS is financially in a good spot. They recently paid off a loan at Calhoun Banks helping with their month expenditures.

Crystal Mersh asked if there was a need for any investment to bring the ambulance service back up to par. Mr. Wilson answered that the equipment on the Calhoun EMS truck, such as the heart monitors, are antiquated They recently sent it be inspected and it failed the inspection. There are currently no new parts being made to repair them. It was however repaired because the part were on the shelf. But when the parts are gone the monitors are gone and the cost of replacement will be $36,000. The cots that are in the trucks are 12-13 years old, beyond what the FDA recommends and can’t be repaired. They have enough “stuff” to operate but it needs replaced. He noted that EMS has been very transparent about the operation of EMS. They’ve spent a lot of money on maintenance. The question, he said, is ”if we are going to spend money on maintenance or a new trucks, there not much difference.” He continued by saying that there are grants available that he’s looking into, he knows the money is there he just doesn’t know how to get it. He’s 10 days into his Calhoun position and has been “peeling back the layers of the onion,” he said. The State continues their investigation and have yet to give their final report. Mr. Wilson promised the community that he will provide 100% transparency. 

Brandi Lupadus, told Mr. Wilson that it has been rumored that the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is involved in the investigation and she questioned if it were true. He quickly responded that they were involved, but he does not know exactly what they are looking into.  He did say that they had found zero issues with drug replacements, which occur when drugs are used on the truck and then replaced by the pharmacy.

Another audience member asked if all the narcotics come from Minnie Hamilton Health system for replacement or were there others involved? He answered by saying that when Calhoun EMS started in 2008, the initial inventory came over from another agency and there is no record of those medications. As far as they know there was no discrepancies of the drugs, but it was reported that there was possibly two drug boxes, and one is missing.

WV EMS has extended the suspension until November 14 for Calhoun EMS, but Mr. Wilson would not say that he could get the ambulance back up and running that soon. Minnie Hamilton Health System will continue to operate Calhoun EMS until as late as January 1, but that date is not in stone. Afterwards it will transition back to Calhoun EMS. Very adamantly he said again that if the levy doesn’t pass, there is no money for anyone to run EMS. The EMS board will have to determine their direction should the levy fail. He hopes to have an idea about a date of transfer back to the EMS by November 14th, saying ”The county deserves that.”

In additional levy information Mr. Wilson explained that there is misunderstanding regarding the levy creating a tax increase because the amount of money the levy generates has increased. That is due to the fact that the tax base has come up because of the compressor station which increased the amount of the levy. The community’s taxes will remain the same.

Eric Lupardus, owner of The Outdoor Store, offered his help in organizing fund raising for the amulance service to offset operation costs. Mr. Wilson said that ”It does takes a village to run a non profit and the help was appreciated. For us (Minnie Hamilton) to staff 7 paramedics is $300,000 That is the number of staff needed for one truck per year.” Grants are available but they are competitive, and no guarantee is there that the county would receive it putting more emphasis on the fact that the levy needs to pass.

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Donnie Pitts, President of the Calhoun County park board updated the Commission on Park projects reporting that they continue to work on getting the new shelter finished in hopes it will be ready by spring. One window in barn has been replaced with one to go. They’re working to get the upstairs of the barn fixed so that it will be more conducive for indoor concerts. The board hopes to be able to publish a calendar of events for the park for the upcoming year. Shelia Burch of the Little Kanawha Area Development Corporation got a grant to add a half time person to her staff which will hopefully be able to work on developing a county calendar where all community events can be listed.

Mr. Pitts announced that there will be an Informal star party on October 21 through the 29. Stargazers can come and go as they please and they will also welcome visitors. He is also meeting with Whitney Nettles for a school haunted trail event to be held at the park.

Commissioner Matt Walker reported for the Calhoun Family Resource Network that they are currently accepting applications for the Angel tree to provide Christmas gifts for local families and reported that the FRN had received a $250,000 grant. The FRN’s food pantry will offer delivery for eligible residents.

The Commission received requests from Arnoldsburg, Grantsville and the West Fork for financial assistance to help with their Halloween parties. The Commission approved $500 for each park.

Approval of 2022 fiscal statement was made.

Anita West, of the Mt. Zion PSD spoke to the Commission regarding a previous request the PSD had made for $170,000 for meter replacements saying they were still in need of that funding. Commissioner Walker said that he had spoken to Shelia Burch, another of the Mt. Zion PSD board members, and was under the impression that they were going to wait until the consolidation of both PSD’s occurred because Pleasant Hill would require a like amount. Ms. West said that the Pleasant Hill and Mt. Zion PSD’s would be combining but Grantsville Municipal Water will not be included. 

Crystal Mersh asked Commissioner Walker if he had contacted Delegate Roger Hanshaw, to which Walker responded that he typically doesn’t get a response back. Mrs. Mersh advised that there is substantial money available for water projects, but “you’ll have to reallocate ARPA money fairly quickly.” No comment was redirected.

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With regard to the purchase of vehicles for Sheriff Warren Basnett, Commissioner Walker said that Basnett had responded back that the deal Walker had garnered with Jenkins Ford was his best option. They cannot however purchase the vehicles without an actual invoice, Which Jenkins Ford cannot provide until the vehicles become available. At that time the County will purchase two Ford Interceptors from Jenkins Ford.

Commissioner Walker advised those in attendance that it had been said that there was ”No conversation” between the Commission and the Sheriff’s department regarding the vehicle matter and that it ”wasn’t true. They were in conversation multiple times over Basnett wanting an F150.”

That comment may have been directed to the Ridgeview News that reported that fact. For the record, I too, as publisher of the Ridgeview News, am committed to Truth and Transparency regarding the reporting of news in Calhoun County. With regards to the comment of a lack of communication between Commission and Sheriff. I stand by that statement. Sheriff Basnett, in multiple meetings informed the Commission that he wanted a truck, and brought a few possibilities to be considered. Which were not. When Commissioner Walker brought the Jenkins Ford purchase to the table, at a ”special meeting,” the Sheriff’s response at that meeting was not one of having known Commissioner Walker was in negotiation for the Sheriff vehicles. The fact that they’ve agreed now, does not change that conversation then. This was not the only time decisions were made on behalf of the Sheriff without his knowledge. The removal of the Sheriff’s deputy salary from the levy was not discussed prior to their ”special meeting” either. This is not said to create contention between the News and the County Commission. This is stated because in a world where the press is anything but trusted, the Ridgeview wants to stand on honesty. While I am not ever above being in error, I will not intentionally print a mistruth, which may or may not have been suggested.

In further relative news to the vehicles of the Calhoun Sheriff’s Department, the old vehicles will be auctioned.

Crystal Mersh inquired about the status of hiring a deputy to which the Commission replied that there is currently two applicants who will be taking the Civil Service Exam for that position.

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The resignation of Donnie Pitts from the Little Kanawha Area Development Corporation board as well as the Calhoun Planning Commission was approved.

The Commission approved the renewal of office space for the Little Kanawha Area Development Corporation in the annex.

The County has received a grant for concrete repair in the amount of $62,000 with a 20% match from the county for the repair of the steps on the side entrance and the handicap ramp to the basement. The county will also receive funding in the amount of $110,000 with a 54% match for new voting machines.