The Calhoun County Commission gave special recognition to Becky Keener, Calhoun County resident, for what is considered a life saving effort in finding missing resident David Deiter, who was reported missing on September 28th. Through Mrs. Keeners efforts Mr. Deiter was found and rescued a few days later a distance from his home at the edge of a field.
Under Resignations and Appointments to Boards and Authorities, the Commission announced the receipt of letter of resignation from Commissioner Jacob McCumbers . The Resignation was voted on and approved.
In one swift action Commissioner Eric Lupardus made a motion for the Appointment of Calhoun Resident, Clarence Lee Rush to the vacant seat of Mr. McCumbers and to all boards of authority for which Mr. McCumbers had been appointed as a Commissioner. The motion was seconded by Commission President Arthur and passed unanimously.
This action was taken within the bounds of the WV State Code 3-10-7 and §3-10-8 which states that the County Commission fills a vacancy in the office of county commissioner by appointing a replacement within 30 days. The appointee must be from the same political party as the former commissioner, have been a member of that party for at least one year prior to the vacancy, and reside in a magisterial district where no other county commissioner resides. All of which is true regarding Clarence Lee Rush.
Updates from the Commission:
Commissioner Eric Lupardus encouraged citizens to attend the weekend Appalachian 304 revival at the Calhoun County Park and the current Walker Creek farms revival on the West Fork.
Also under updates, Commissioner Lupardus stated that following several citizen complaints on the matters of conduct of the Calhoun County Board of Education members and the Calhoun County Magistrates, the Commission as began looking into severe allegations and will consider action on WV Code 6-6-7 should evidence of wrongdoing or negligence prove to have occurred.
The County continues to work on the County wide mapping program that will possibly be copied across the state.
Sheriff Graham Knight reported that they are averaging 10 arrests each month having 122 calls in September, as well as other civil and tax duties. Commissioner Lupardus commended him and his officers on their actions to clean up the streets of Calhoun.
Kelli Barr of the Calhoun 911 requested to attend a Morgantown Conference on Crisis prevention teams, and that she had hired a new dispatcher.
Andy Hartleben, Project Coordinator for Mid Ohio Valley Regional Council reported that the Town of Grantsville has a water and sewer project in the design phase of the project totaling over $8 million dollars. Pleasant Hill PSD continues to attempt get their project extension completed which has been an unsuccessful project for over ten years. The project still lacks four easement of the 58 needed. The project cannot be bid until that is complete. Mt. Zion PSD had a huge win when a 2.6 Million dollar ARC application was approved. The Water improvement project should go to bid in June of 2026. The Sewer project for Mt. Zion is still being designed and the Upper West Fork extension to Clay County is not fully funded, but Clay county is working toward their side of the extension. A preliminary engineering report is probably necessary which the Calhoun County Commission is considering to offer assistance after further discussions and future agenda placement.
The live stock claim filed by Mr. Jarvis was approved for payment by the Commission for the current market value of the livestock killed which was $2483.78, and veterinarian bills of $397.50 for a total of $2881.28.
With the hiring of a new County Litter Control/Custodian the Commission passed a motion for the purchase of a vehicle for their use in Litter Control travel. The amount of up to $15,000 was approved by the Commission.
Under new business, Calhoun 911 Director Kelli Barr was directed to look into the current County Floodplain ordinance.
A motion was made and passed for County Administrator Jennifer Randolph to be give access to WVCoRP (Insurance Risk Pool) Online Portal.
The Commission passed a motion for the purpose of having the County Administrator place an advertisement for Bidding Out Plumbing Upgrades for Courthouse.
Quotes were open for the purchase of a 63” Offset Mower – County Park with the acceptance of the lowest bid of $5,100.00.
Sheriff Graham Knight requested a software upgrade for his office in the amount of $16796.00 to transition the Sheriff’s Department’s software. The Commission passed the motion unanimously.
Commissioner Lupardus thanked Calhoun County Clerk Jean Simers for her efforts in raising awareness in the County of Breast Cancer by decorating the courthouse in pink and encouraging the community to remember those in the battle of breast cancer, those who have won, and the heroes who have passed. The Commission passed a proclamation declaring the month of October Breast Cancer Awareness month.
Ridgeview News left the meeting early to cover the Calhoun Board of Education meeting in Arnoldsburg, WV. Story to follow.
