By Stephen Smoot
The Harrison County Commission came together in collegial style to discuss and work on issues of public administration last week. Commissioner Patsy Trecost in his invocation prayed “Lord, we come to You to ask for peace and kindness in our lives . . . we pray all these things in Your name, Amen.”
The three elected Commissioners heard first from Wallace Goff, who represented a non profit outdoor experience center located along a rail trail. His story appears elsewhere in this issue.
Commissioners next heard a special funding request from the Harrison County Board of Education. Kelly Davisson, mental health coordinator for Harrison County Schools, came to describe the need.
She told the Commission that “I’m asking for $30,000 for the Game Changer program” and will answer any questions related to the program. Davisson also explained that the program started with three schools, Big Elm Elementary, Lincoln Middle, and Lincoln High School. In the second year, it expanded to all schools in the county outside of Bridgeport area schools and South Harrison.
The elementary school part of the Game Changer program focuses on educating students to the danger of substance abuse. In middle school and high school, the program uses “coaches” to identify class leaders who help to mentor and advise other students to steer clear of dangerous intoxicating substances. Davisson told the Commission that the funds requested would establish the program in the final schools not thus far participating.
Game Changer has been supported by Governor Jim Justice and heavily promoted by former West Virginia University star basketball player Meg Bulger.
Commissioners expressed confusion because they had previously allocated financial assistance to the same organization and inquired about how that money got spent. Davisson said that the previous allocation had gone to the state organization. Susan Thomas, Harrison County Commission President, wondered “does that trickle down to us?”
Davisson stated that she had no access to financial information and Commissioner David Hinkle added that Dora Stutler, Harrison County Schools Superintendent and Game Changer “rep for this area,” may be a better resource to ask that question. Thomas stated that “I’d rather that money go locally . . . that’s who we represent.” Hinkle said thatt it’s a joint venture between the schools and the state.
A more thorough explanation of how the program worked came from Davisson next, including its partnership with the Hazelton Betty Ford Foundation. Part of their program uses data analysis to see what students do and do not know about drugs – especially misconceptions. They then use that to inform the educational component.
Thomas replied “I think it’s a good program” and Hinkle added that Harrison County was one of the first to host Game Changer. He said “if you want to discuss it again next week, I’m fine with that.” Thomas said next “I want to support it, locally.”
Commissioners determined that they wanted to know if the previously allocated $30,000 had gone to the state, then supported local programming in Harrison County. They placed the item on this week’s agenda for discussion and determination with the encouragement to the county school system to send an official who has specific financial information.
The Commission next entered executive session to discuss a property transfer. Laura Pysz-Laulis, Harrison County Administrator, stated that the agenda contained multiple items related to purchases and sales of County property.
Upon return from executive session, Trecost made a series of motions related to property matters. The first motion would allow some current bids made on County property to expire. The motion allowed that the County could auction and/or find a real estate agent to sell all County property on West Virginia Route 279 “as a whole.” Commissioners unanimously approved the motion.
Trecost and Hinkle then worked together to craft a motion to allow the County Administrator to open negotiations to purchase a property on US 19 “known as the Ellis Drive In.” Commissioners also approved this unanimously. This follows the tragic fire that damaged the Sunset Ellis Restaurant and other parts of the facility beyond repair.
The owners of the business that operated there recently declared that they could no longer continue running a business on site.
A third Trecost motion was offered to empower Pysz-Laulis to purchase a General Electric property known as the PK property for $500,000 with a six month window to allow the County to further negotiate. This also passed unanimously.
The agenda then moved on to another motion promoted by Trecost, to “make all County owned property tobacco-free” by forbidding use of it and related products. He wished to adopt WVU Medicine’s campus policy.
Pysz-Laulis clarified the motion by bringing up both the revised and current County policies. She shared that the new County policy changed to cover vaping and Trecost amended his motion accordingly.
Thomas responded “I’m concerned about how you’re going to police it.” She added that smoking employees should stay away from the doors, and “I don’t think we have a real issue with people who visit the building.” Trecost responded by framing the issue as one of “healthy living.”
Pysz-Laulis noted that the policy includes banning use of such products in County vehicles while Hinkle inquired as to whether a ban would also include public recreational areas. When he next asked about the discipline meted out, Pysz-Laulis explained that for employees it starts as a verbal warning with increasingly stiff sanctions for further non-compliance.
For those not employed by the County, such as those using the parks or rail trail for recreation, violators must pay a $10 fine. Hinkle suggested a dual policy, one for County employees and one for the general public. An important distinction not noted at the time was between on and off-duty County employees violating the regulation in public recreational spaces.
Pysz-Laulis raised concerns about the effect of the policy on County employees, in particular those who work at the 911 facility who cannot travel too far from their posts while on call. Hinkle agreed and said “we have a hard enough time keeping 911 employees.”
With the discussion bringing up vital points and questions, Thomas and Hinkle voted against it and it died.
After approving the signage of a letter of support for a CityNet broadband expansion project, Commissioners found themselves faced with a tough choice regarding Federal Emergency Management Administration financial support for repairs to the rail trail, which was damaged by flooding in August 2023.
Commissioners conversed online with FEMA’s State Public Assistance Director, Jason Means. He gave the Commission two choices on receiving funds from FEMA. The program from which the Commission wished to request funds is one of the most abused by applicants in the entire federal government. Therefore, Means explained, it brings with it even more arcane and Byzantine regulations than are normal even for a normal federal grant.
The County faced what at first looked like a Monty Hall-esque proposition. FEMA offered the Commission $22,500 to pay for $30,000 worth of work – which equals a 75 percent match. Behind the door, so to speak, Harrison County could receive much more assistance to cover most of the total cost of repairs.
The catch comes in the fact that Harrison County will have to satisfy the myriad information and other requirements of FEMA and – at the end of the process – the slight possibility exists that the County may get nothing for their efforts. Means also explained that the deadline for application to enter that process took place the Friday after the meeting, but that a waiver for time could be easily obtained. “As long as it is reasonable,” Means explained, “FEMA will consider it.”
“This is a complex and convoluted program,” Means added.
Trecost had made a motion to accept the funds offered prior to Means’ explanation. The Commission voted it down, then voted unanimously to go down the more complicated route that would likely provide more help.
Finally, Commissioners discussed Department of Homeland Security grants to get funds to shore up 911 tower site climate control, aerial and radio equipment, and a special $45,000 all terrain vehicle for law enforcement and rescue.
Hinkle suggested that if the County has a current need, while waiting for the DHS funding for the vehicle, that they ought to purchase a commercial ATV for what he said would be approximately $8,000 and start using them now. Thomas voiced her support for that.
He added that if an officer in mufti operated a commercial ATV without law enforcement markings, similar to an unmarked police vehicle, the County could catch more perpetrators.
“I agree with you both 100 percent,” Trecost stated. He added that the Commission could start working on the issue in the next meeting to start patrols as soon as possible. Hinkle added that the County may even succeed in getting sponsorships to help to defer the cost.
The more expensive ATVs envisioned by the DHS would come with search and rescue, climate control, and other equipment often vital to operations in the more remote and mountainous areas of the state.
