By Stephen Smoot
In the second half of the regular meeting of the Harrison County Commission last week, Harrison County Commission President Susan Thomas expressed frustrations over how Commissioner David Hinkle and other officials had conducted County business
Commissioners had revisited the major issue from the previous meeting, the status of Summit Park and the West Virginia Softball League’s use of it. Commissioner Hinkle raised concerns about the stewardship of Summit Park under the direction of the West Virginia Girls’ Softball League
Trey Simmerman, Harrison County Counsel provided a review of the current status, saying first the Commission can lease the land to a non profit entity. He also stated that the League remained in non compliance with the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office registration requirements. Commissioner Hinkle had raised concerns about that in a previous meeting.
A number of officials, including Parks and Recreation Director Kim Malejko, Commissioner Hinkle, Simmerman, and County Administrator Laura Pysz-Laulis reviewed and amended the agreement so “it’s what the county wants it to be,” as Simerman said.
He also noted another concern from Commissioner Hinkle related to public access, saying “there are material covenants and limitations. So there is an open access portion of this because the deed into the county has an open access requirement for the park.”
Commissioner Hinkle inquired about a clause that would require the League to be “responsible for all grass cutting except the field that is multi use.”
Commission President Thomas asked “so you’re taking that field away?” They then discussed whether or not the field was multi-use or softball. That led to Commission President Thomas shutting down discussion and explaining her frustrations.
“I’m going to say something right now.” she commenced. “I didn’t know how to handle this, but I’m going to handle it right now. It’s been a thorn in my side for quite some time.”
Commissioner Hinkle replied “Am I?”
Without naming her target, at least at first, Commission President Thomas explained “we speak to one commissioner, and we rack up fees. Now I hear that one commissioner was involved in this lease and . . . one commissioner goes to supervisors or goes to various employees to get things done. Something has got to be done about this.”
Furthermore, she added I don’t know what can be done unless everything needs to come up here and we vote on it before you move forward on anything. But that’s my two cents.” She paused, then went on “So I’m tired of being left out of things, and I’m not crying like a baby. But, David, how many times?”
He said “say it. Go ahead.”
She fired back that issues need to be discussed among commissioners, to which Commissioner Hinkle said “With who? You guys are never here,” then said “have either one of you two read this?” referring to the lease.
“Yes I have!” Commission President Thomas thundered back, going on to relate “and I got this new one about an hour before the meeting!”
Commissioner Hinkle said that the lease’s main change had been that Simmerman cut down League responsibility for the entirety of park maintenance down to two fields.
Discussion turned to work performed by the League that Commissioner Hinkle asserted was not allowed under the agreement. “Who gave him permission to work on the bottom field and tear stuff down,” he asked.
It was then Commissioner Hinkle raising his voice, stating “I wanna make a notice to it for the newspaper. You cannot, if we say you can use one of our facilities, install something because you feel like it. That is not a blessing because we say you could use it. So if you’re down at Ellis (Sunset Ellis flea market held on land owned by the County Commission), you can’t go ahead and build yourself a stand for your to sell your stuff just because you want one. Because I’m finding out today that if we tell you you could use something, can do whatever you want.”
“And while we’re commenting, what’s your relationship between you and Susan,” Commissioner Hinkle asked, directing comments toward the League spokespeople present. “Because whenever you have a complaint, this is who you go to, Susan. Why are you in charge?
She fired in response “I’m not in charge!”
Commissioner Patsy Trecost interjected “you work for the County, Sir!” In response, Commissioner Hinkle said “No! I work for the people in the county.”
Commission President Thomas noted that she was pleased to see the park in use with “children playing” and said “the community is thankful to have this.” Commissioner Hinkle said he agreed and shared that he had often advocated to spend money on improvements and upgrades. He said “Nobody else fought for it. H***, our Parks and Rec didn’t do squat over there.”
Simmerman then reentered the conversation to note the different changes made and why, including the requirement for continued public access to the facility.
It was decided to provide the West Virginia Girls’ Softball League with the draft lease and put the item on the agenda for the next meeting in June.
