The Calhoun County Commission met for the regularly scheduled meeting on February 12th, 2024 at 9 a.m. with Commissioners Craig Arthur and Roger Propst in person and Kevin Helmick by phone.
Commissioner Craig Arthur opened the meeting with a request to all citizens that we look to the Bible for ways to handle disagreement between residents.
Under Delegations, Businessman and Republican Candidate for Commissioner thanked the Commission for making the list of properties owned by the County available (see image at bottom), and requested that it be put on the agenda for the commission to hold two monthly meetings, an evening and and the regular morning meeting to allow more citizens to attend.
Alice Holmes, also a Republican candidate for County Commission informed the Commission that the $2,000 given to her previously by the Calhoun County Commission for Roof Repairs on her building that houses a 501c3 organization would now be used for programs for the Grantsville Conservatory of Music. *Mrs. Holmes questioned the transparency of the current County Commission regarding the sound system that was not operational when the meeting began, suggesting that Ari White, (who installed it) and another Republican Candidate for Calhoun County Commission was not suitable to install the system and that no bidding was announced for the system installation, and also that it was decided outside the meeting without ever being on an agenda. She questioned the county commission their transparency and was upset that the money was not local because Mr. White sourced the equipment from online, and out of the country vendors. But Mr. White is a local citizen. She too brought up scripture referencing Luke 19:17 “And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.”
*Later in the meeting it was discovered that someone had inadvertently stepped on a cord removing it from the system. Once replaced it worked fine.
Alice Holmes additionally brought up the Lamppost project, that is actually an issue for the city, but because it was on the agenda for placement on Courthouse project she wanted it noted that she believed the project would be a burden to the 500 town residents. **
Commissioner Roger Propst addressed Alice Holmes complaints and raised further issues to her regarding the funds granted to the conservatory as to the fact that the funding was given for the roof, and she had just announced that it was no longer being used for that purpose.
Mrs. Holmes responded that she was awarded the money before the County Legal Counsel had advised that no money could be awarded to a for profit business, and not other contribution would be considered. She did not feel it was the Commission’s business in her changing where the funding would be spent.
Commissioner Prost then said that “The money was given out to repair your roof and the commission gave the money in their ignorance. The prosecutor declared it improper, but it was always illegal.” Asking her “Did you come back to the commission to change the spending?” To which she responded no. Propst said, “I’m only bringing up the fact that you declared the money for the roof. That doesn’t equate that you’re spending money on something else.”
Mrs. Holmes replied that it was given without restrictions. She then went back to the referencing the sound system stating that it was installed to improve the media coverage. This was untrue, it was installed because residents cannot hear the soft spoken commissioners.
County Clerk Jean Simers noted that she did indeed ask Commissioner Propst if the sound system needed to be bid out, to which he responded, no, because it was under $500. ($445 was the cost).
Ari White, taking offense to Mrs. Holmes allegations, said that at the end of a meeting he and Roger did discuss the need for a sound system, at which time Mr. Propst reached out to others who could install such devices and got no response other than that of Ari White. It was then put on the agenda, voted on and installed.
Commissioner Kevin Helmick spoke saying “I voted to approve Ari for the job, I do remember Alice saying she was interested but she didn’t show up to the next meeting.” A fact that Mrs. Holmes agreed to because she had a doctor’s appointment. She was evidently absent when the matter was voted on.
Next to speak under delegations was Crystal Mersh, 1982 Foundation President. She bore the good news that the Governor of West Virginia, Jim Justice, is coming on Saturday to visit the County for the first time ever. It is planned for him to visit Avalon, the 1982 Foundation Campus that houses the Community Center and multiple other business ventures.
The 1982 Foundation is planning a “Neighbor meeting” on May 9th with multiple visiting counties. They’ve had a lot of requests from other towns and commissions who want to tour the community center and to understand the tax credits.
The annual Spring Fling is on April 20th, and the pool will open Memorial weekend with the rest of the community center in early 2025.
Mrs. Mersh thanked the commission for the progress they have made. Craig took the policy “bull by the horns.” **She said she had not planned to address the Town’s lamppost project but felt it necessary since Mrs. Holmes had brought the matter up. The reason the foundation did not originally pay for all of the lamppost was because they wanted the city to have skin in the game. The city has been actively involved in the lamp post discussion since 2021. She suggested that all parties not make assumptions and carry bad information to the public. The Foundation has now agreed to cover the cost of installation and maintenance on the lamppost for 15 years. Lampposts that would not have been a burden to the Town if properly addressed by the City Government.
Madison Harris of MOVRC introduced herself to the Commission as the representative for the Mid Ohio Valley Regional Council’s handling of the water issues with PSD’s across Calhoun. She had reached out to the Pleasant Hill PSD who said that the Norman Ridge project has funding in place, as well as the Mt. Zion PSD water project which has a grant to assist their upcoming project. Tammy Yoak, Pleasant Hill PSD Board President spoke up saying that the Norman ridge project could possibly start as early as this summer.
Kelli Barr, OES/911 Director and reported the number of calls by all emergency service organizations that call into Calhoun Countrol. She also reported Calhoun Control had switched over to p25, digital broadcast with few issues.
Tauheedah Mateen of the Small Business Administration informed the Commission that she is a point of contact for FEMA and is working on getting a mobile unit in Calhoun to further assist flooding victims of August 2023. Residents can call 1-800-621-3362 for further information and also download a mobile app for the phones for assistance and weather information.
Ms. Farnham said that even though it has been a while since the flood disaster, money can be reimbursed for repairs with April 1st as the final date to apply.
Jason Wilson Director of Minnie Hamilton EMS reported:
- ALS transports -16
- BLS transports – 22
- Runs Canceled Enroute – 6
- DOA – 0
- Refusals – 11
- Treated and Transferred to Aeromedical – 0
- Treated and Refused – 2
- Standby – 1
A total activity of 58 calls for the month of January.
Minnie Hamilton Health System will be sponsoring a hunter education course in Arnoldsburg on March 8th which as of Monday had only two openings left. Wilson stated that they will do another class in early fall before bow season.
Donnie Pitts provided a Financial report for Calhoun County Park to the Commission and updated the Commissioners on the current park projects.
- Completed the bunk house inside, which was used for the first time last week. They are currently charging $10 per night for the bunk house per person.
- Finished dry wall in the bath house
- Bathhouse Fixtures will be added soon. Once the bathhouse is completed the Star Gazers who visit the park will be mostly contained in the eastern field.
- Spring kite festival – May 11th
- Nancy Gaul, of the USDA came from Elkins, to visit the park. Sent two possible sources for support and financial income.
- The Park Board is Working on Disc Goff. Trooper Moore has helped out, and it is hoped that the course will be in place sometime this spring. Used to be called frisbee golf. Free of charge. It’s become a specialized sport.
- Calhoun Gilmer Career Center is currently building new grills to replace the aging units.
Tina Persinger, Director of the Calhoun FRN reported to the Calhoun County Commission
(separate story to follow)
Sheriff Graham Knight reported that there are 10 inmates on home confinement, 1 completed his time, another was sent back to jail and one other was in rehab. He expects that more will be placed on home confinement following this week’s term of Circuit Court.
Sheriff Knight reported that his office had addressed 83 calls in the month of January.
Sheriff Knight has received good reports on Deputy Hannah Stephens who is currently in the academy for formal training.
Under new business the following were approved:
- Request of $500.00 for the MOVRC Foster Grandparent Program
- Placement of Streetlamps by Commission (pending City approval)
- Disposal of Millstone property through an auction without a minimum bid.
