The Calhoun County Commission meeting opened at 6 p.m. on Monday, December 22nd, 2025 with prayer by Commission President Craig Arthur followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioners Eric Lupardus and Lee Rush were also in attendance.
The Commission gave honor to retiring Circuit Clerk Sheila Garretson for her many years of service to the county. Mrs. Garretson was not in attendance.
Four names were submitted to the Calhoun County Commission as nominees for Citizen of the year. The Commission spoke of all the nominees and their tireless effort and dedication to serving Calhoun County. Those nominated were:
- Brenda Bush
- Larry Whited
- Crystal Mersh
- Donnie Pitts
Having the difficult task of choosing one, the Commission chose Retired Family Court Judge Larry White who volunteers consistently in the county for multiple projects and has been a voice for the community, providing wisdom to the committees, boards and other meetings he attends.
The Commission received eleven bids for the advertised UTV need by the Calhoun Sheriff’s Department to travel backroads. Some of the bids were from the same companies submitting more than one. Sheriff Graham Knight was given the bids to look over and at the end of the Commission meeting the Commission approved his selection of a Polaris ranger from Lockards UTV and the installation of communications equipment from Miller Communications. The Lockard’s bid was $32,240, and the Miller Communications bid was $5,521.
Under New business the Commission considered estimates for the county park adventure travel campground with an estimated $19,983 quote. Commissioner Lupardus worked with Donnie Pitts and Jerry Bain locating the spot at the park which is by the pond often used by the Community for photo shoots and fishing. A road, parking area and primitive camping locations will be built as well as a gate, donated by Hope Gas, which will have a access code entry for the camping area. The parking area which had not been included in the original quote brought the amount needed and approved by the Commission to $25,000.00. The adventure travelers usually come to the County a few times each year, but the Commission is believing that number will increase with this addition to the Calhoun County Park. Commissioner Lupardus said that it would also be a great help during the upcoming Appalachian Bike race.
Following a Commission vote, ADA Restrooms for the Calhoun County Wood Festival and the West Virginia Molasses Festival 2026 will be provided by the Commission. The Commission voted unanimously for the rental of Portable restrooms both regular and handicap units with handwashing stations, from Gene’s Septic for a total of $3,660.00.
Commissioner Lupardus brought to the consideration of the Commission the donation of a section of property adjacent to the Grantsville Volunteer Fire Department, currently owned by the County. The .14 acre lot is being used by the Fire Department for storage but the Commission’s attorney will now look in to whether or not the Commission’s can donate the property to the Fire Department or provide a $1.00 ninety-nine year lease for them to use it. All three Commission members voted to have the matter move forward.
The Litter Control Officer will receive $600 in the budget of the Calhoun Sheriff’s department for the purchase of a camera and recording device. While often cell phones are used for such images, a cell phone can be confiscated for evidence in a trial. Therefore the Commission voted in agreement to make this purchase as well as establish an email account and phone line for the reporting of dump sites and other litter violations.
Calhoun County Commission will be partnering with the Town of Grantsville for their snow removal on the Courthouse parking area. That area is owned by the Town of Grantsville, not the County.
The Operation and Maintenance Agreement for the Town of Grantsville and the two Public Service Districts in Calhoun as been a source of concern and contention, having seemed to have stalled out on progress. However at the last O&M meeting, the group hired Brian Arthur as the new manager for all three entities of water and sewer. The Commission were in agreement that a audit would be done on the O&M to insure all money’s spent thus far from the ARPA funds were spent as intended, giving the new manager a clean slate to begin from. Mr. Arthur will begin employment on January 2nd, 2026. He has previous worked in the water industry in service and education. County Administrator Jennifer Randolph will seek that information from the O&M Board.
According to Commissioner Lupardus, all commissioners have been very busy working toward the economic goals and would like the Commission to consider beginning a Land Development Initiative. Prior to the evening’s Commission meeting, all three Commissioners, Shelia Burch of the LKADC, County Administrator Jennifer Randolph, Tim Pingly and Jacob Keeney of First Energy, Leann Stowart, and Economic Development consultant Megan Parsons met for the first meeting To discuss current and future economic projects. Also in attendance were County Clerk, Jean Simers, Larry Whited and Ridgeview Publisher, Shari Johnson.
During that meeting Mrs. Burch suggested that all the agencies involved work together to come up with a five year plan for Economic Development which was agreed upon by all attending. The current water and infrastructure projects in the works are moving Calhoun County forward for possible site locations for data centers and other businesses but a more defined plan of available areas needs to be accomplished and will be the main focus of the Calhoun Economic Development team. Commissioner Lupardus noted that Calhoun is fortunate to have Speaker of the House Roger Hanshaw as Calhoun’s delegate with 2026 meetings of planning already underway. The group requests that County residents with property for which they would like to be considered for development to contact the Calhoun County Commission office at 304-354-0044.
Holidays approved for the County employees for the remainder of 2026 were Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, December 26 and December 31. The courthouse will be closed on those dates.
Under Commissioner updates much of the discussion continued to be around Economic Development being that Calhoun County governments priorities will be focused th ere for 2026. Commissioner Lupardus stated that many have said that Calhoun does not have the work force to fill employment positions. “That’s just not true,” he said. “Calhoun’s workforce is filled with pipe liners, construction workers and countless others who have built America.” He believes that Calhoun county will have to compete across the State but that we are prepared to provide what’s needed to make Calhoun a successful location for new business. Lupardus continued saying “We need the jobs that will make a difference in Calhoun County. We let the prison go to Gilmer that provide jobs at $67,000 a year and we won’t let that happen again. We are dedicated to improving jobs here. Norman Ridge water project is two easements away from going to bid, we now need to look at extending the Annamoriah project because more people are needing water. We’ve made progress this year and I’m sorry people get uncomfortable from the pressure we’re giving but we want these projects to move. One or two bad apples have kept these projects from going forward, and now there is a ton of people ready to make them move forward. Too many people have been sitting on their hands. We are together as a Commission using our individual strengths for progress.”
Commissioner Lupardus also said “People say we’re spending too much money as a Commission, but we are 1/4 of a million dollars under the spending of last year and we have accomplished a lot.
Commissioner Craig Arthur stated that their “investment in the local bank and thinking outside the box has helped Calhoun out, and the newly hired County Administrator has paid for her position two or three times with the grants and money she has saved the county with her ideas.
The resignation of Bruce Jones from the Pleasant Hill PSD Board was accepted and the County Commission wish the best for Bruce and his new wife. “He’s a wonderful gentleman,” the commissioners said, and “He will b e greatly missed in our County.
Board members are needed for Pleasant Hill PSD, Mt. Zion PSD and the 911 Adviosry board. Interested people should contact the Comission at 304-354-0044.
