The Calhoun County Commission Meeting, originally set for August 14th, 2023 was rescheduled without notice to any media outlets for 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 9th. Shortly after the opening of the meeting, the Commissioners went into executive session for the purposing of interviewing Prosecuting Attorney Candidates to fill the unexpired term being vacated by Republican Prosecuting Attorney, Nigel Jeffries.
When the meeting reconvened at 10:04 a.m. no mention was made of the interviews.
Crystal Mersh, President of the 1982 Foundation asked the Commission why no notice was given of the meeting to the public. According to Clerk Jean Simers, there was no time, and they had done all that was required which was to post it on the bulletin board of the courthouse porch three days prior to the meeting. Mrs. Mersh made the recommendation that the County Government try and do better for the sake of the Community. Ridgeview News Publisher Shari Johnson stated that while she appreciated them notifying the Chronicle of meeting dates, it would be good if they also notified the Ridgeview News, who is currently receiving no notifications from the Clerk’s office of public meeting dates. Commission President Matt Walker stated that they would try to do better.
Mrs. Mersh also asked the Commission for a copy of the correspondence between Clerk Jean Simers and the Governor’s office regarding the detailed listing of how ARPA funds were used. Simers stated that she did not remember such a letter being issued, but would look into it.
Next to speak as a delegation was Roger Propst, chairman of the Republican Executive Committee. He noted that he too was not pleased with the failure to notify anyone regarding today’s meeting, and that he thought professional courtesy should have been considered. He then asked how many candidates were interviewed. “Two” was the response from Commissioner Walker. “Any Republicans?” Propst asked. To which Walker responded, “Both.” Propst followed his response by asking “How long have they been republicans?” Referring then to the newly minted Republican attorney, Michael Hicks. Propst noted that Hicks was indeed a life long Democrat, even serving as the Chairman of the Democratic Committee for a time and that he (Representing the Republican Executive Committee) did not think it was acceptable to appoint him as a replacement for Republican Nigel Jeffries, knowing that he would soon after his appointment, register once again as a Democrat. “Every effort should have been made to appoint a “real” republican,” Propst said. “It’s the lowest form of politics,” he continued, also informing the Commissioners that his intent is to contact the Secretary of State regarding their decision.
Commissioner Kevin Helmick replied in return that he knew of multiple candidates who had used the Democrat party in the same manner, and it was legal.
No reports were provided during the Commission Meeting from E911, Minnie Hamilton, The Wood Festival Committee, CRI, Calhoun County Park, FRN, Sheriffs Office and the Little Kanawha Area Development Corporation, possibly because they too were not notified of the meeting.
Under New Business a request was made by CRI for $5,000 in assistance for food and hygiene products to be given to the community. While Commissioner Helmick said that the CRI was a worthy cause, the County should not indulge in providing assistance due to the property recently purchased for the Animal Shelter tying up much of their funding. A request was also tabled for the Grantsville Conservatory of Music who requested $50,000 to aid in building renovations.
The Little Kanawha Transit Authority audit for 2022 was accepted and passed by the Commission.
Mickey Moore of Chloe, WV provided the Commission with 117 signatures from the West Fork area of Calhoun County requesting an expansion of the water to the Clay County Line.
The recent acquisition of office space for both Public Service Districts became a matter of conversation when Commissioner Matt Walker attempted to brush passed the subject, only to have it brought back into discussion when Crystal Mersh ask why the PSD’s needed an office space when both currently were in buildings with no rental costs. She also questioned if the PSD’s had not asked for financial assistance from the Calhoun Commission a fews months prior. Walker explained that they had received assistance, but it was because they needed a central location for accepting bills. That central location is the City Building which comes with a price tag of $650.00 monthly rental according to Mayor Robert Petrovsky in Monday’s council meeting. Mrs. Mersh said “Perhaps the Commission should reconsider offering help next time the PSDs requested money.”
A motion to provide $9788.00 of assistance to the Solid Waste Authority was passed and a motion to provide financial assistance to suicide prevention was tabled until the September 2023 meeting.
In the matters of Personnel the Commission accepted the resignation of Angela Bailey from E911.
By a two to one vote, Helmick and Walker voted to appoint attorney Michael Hicks Prosecuting Attorney effective August 19th, 2023. This was the matter of contention between the Commissioners and Roger Propst, Chairman of the Republican Executive Committee who believed the Commission should have allowed more time by appointing an interim Prosecutor for 30 days rather than filling the remaining term so quickly. But they chose rather to appoint an attorney who has only been an attorney since 2020 and has mostly served as a guardian ad litem in juvenile cases for the past couple years, with no adult criminal experience. He now is tasked with filling the shoes of Republican Nigel Jeffries who did an outstanding job protecting Calhoun County.
At the close of the meeting, as the Commissioner rubber stamped their signatures on multiple documents within minutes, Judge Larry Whited asked if they even knew what they were signing. No answer came. When the Judge remarked about there being no answer, Commissioner Walker said “I didn’t think I needed to give one.”
While Calhoun’s Citizens continue to battle for respect, they receive attitudes of contempt for community concerns and no serious consideration in decision making.
