Commissioners Craig Arthur and Eric Lupardus met for their second monthly meeting on Monday, September 22nd, 2025 at 6 p.m. in the Little Courtroom of the Courthouse. Both WSAZ and WCHS State news teams were in attendance having covered an earlier story about Commissioner Arthur (see story to follow)
Crystal Mersh was first to speak under delegations, telling the Commission that she was “Sickened by the events of the Jacob McCumbers arrest that that she was seeking liberty and justice for all;” asking the Commission, Prosecuting Attorney, and community to remove both Jacob McCumbers and Rick Postalwait from office. “The community has stepped up.” Mersh said “But those seeking the removal are wanting 1,000 signatures, sign both, one or none, but he (McCumbers) should not be earning a nickel of this County’s money and I’ll continue to make this plea.
Chris Davis spoke second to the Commission requesting that they write a letter in support of Local Oil and Gas Companies to help in the void of service created by Hope pulling out and requiring customers to use Propane for heating. “The effect is going to be a large increase,” Davis said and requested they consider to standing behind local oil and gas companies. She also stated that WV PSC deadline has passed but they accepted a Doddridge letter of consideration after the deadline.
Under Legal issues the Commission considered the verification of Plaintiff’s Objection and responses to Express Script’s first set of interrogatories to the plaintiffs on the Opioid Settlement. Motion carried.
A request for funding for Mt. Zion PSD was tabled. The PSD isstill looking into funding from another source and then they’ll notify the Calhoun County Commission to move forward.
Commissioners Arthur and Lupardus requested that County Administrator Jennifer Randall look into counseling services to assist the county in the McCumbers incident.
The Commission went into executive session to discuss the status of OES/911 Director Kelli Barr, but after exiting the executive session those in attendance were told that no decision was made and the matter was tabled.
Resident Vern Walker addressed the Commission regarding Commissioner Jacob McCumbers saying that he was ashamed for having voted for McCumbers and his accused abuse of children. He stated that he knew he was “Kicking a dead horse, but we have to keep kicking it until he’s gone.” He requested the removal of both Jacob McCumbers and Richard Postalwait from their perspective offices.
Both Commissioners stated that they have advised the Prosecuting Attorney and their own Attorney to seek the removal of both McCumbers and Postalwait.
Commissioner Lupardus reported that the “Tread lightly day” for highway and community clean up that was held Saturday, September 20th was well participated in by local residents and that Calhoun has become well known for their clean-up efforts in their community.
County Administrator Jennifer Randall has written a $100,000 grant to assist in the installation of a much needed elevator in the courthouse but even that has met with political contention. Both Commissioners, Sheriff Graham Knight, Deputy H.M. Stephens and Jennifer Randolph have signed in support of the grant but no other officials have signed. Assessor Jason Nettles did not sign because he is on the board of grant decision makers for this project and did not feel that it was appropriate to sign in support of the grant application.
Financial invoices and budget revisions were made and approved. The meeting was adjourned with the next meeting scheduled for October 14th, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
The courthouse will be closed for Columbus Day on Monday, October 13th, 2025.
