Flood control dams, such as those on Salem Fork, prevent losses in lives and property during major storm events.
By Stephen Smoot
As springlike breezes blew warmer temperatures into the region last week, the Harrison County Commission breezed through a light agenda for the second regular meeting of February. Commissioner David Hinkle was unable to join Commission President Susan Thomas and Commissioner Patsy Trecost.
Trecost delivered his customary invocation, which plead “help us to care for one another as You care for us.”
During public comment, an area resident appeared for the second time before the commission this year to plead for the use of opioid funds for uber vouchers that recovering addicts could use to travel to employment. Thomas explained that the Commission distributes funding to agencies to operate programs and asked “can they not ride public transit?” The citizen responded that it was not always convenient and that drugs present at bus stops often caused “relapses” in recovering addicts.
Patty Saunders, representing Harrison County Child Advocacy Center, expressed appreciation for support granted to them by the Commission. “Thank you guys . . . for caring about the children and community of Harrison County.”
“Thank you for what you do,” Thomas expressed in return.
A special funding request came in from the West Fork Conservation District. They request $8,000 annually for operation and maintenance of Salem Fork Flood Control dams. Throughout West Virginia, 170 dams on small watersheds help to hold back excess stormwater during major weather events. Most came into operation in the 1950s and 60s and require increasing amounts of maintenance as they age.
Harrison County Administrator Laura Pysz-Laulis explained that the Commission supports the request annually so it does not have to go into the County budget. Commissioners approved the request.
After back and forth discussions over multiple meetings, Commissioners voted to approve restoring the task of courthouse security to the Harrison County Sheriff. Commissioner Trecost stated that “it is the wish of the three judges across the street that he (the Sheriff) and his staff be in charge of the courthouse and all security. Commissioners subsequently approved a job description for the Sheriff’s Department to use in hiring.
Commissioners also approved the parking lot plan submitted by Harrison County Human Resources Manager J. D. Duvall. It called for two lots for employees and one for public with employees paying $15 to park in the County lots. Commissioner Trecost stated that in the past two years “we still haven’t made a penny and it is a thorn in my side.” He and Duvall agreed that in vision, they “are on the same page.”