By Stephen Smoot
“Open up our minds, our bodies, our souls to let you in,” prayed Commissioner Patsy Trecost to commence last week’s Harrison County Commission meeting. Although two of the most important discussions centered around the development at Charles Pointe, Commissioners covered a number of other topics in the lengthy proceedings.
Apart from those talks, one of the first subjects approached by Commissioners involved support for HOPE Inc. Joseph Spadafore represented that organization in its attempt to secure $2,000 in funding assistance from the Harrison County Commission. Spadafore explained that he was requesting funds to cover “general operating expenses.” He later stated that “we do utilize hotel rooms from time to time” when resources are more limited.
The request for funding includes many expenses not covered by other grants.
HOPE Inc operates shelters and other services for the homeless. Susan Thomas, Harrison County Commission President, asked “just how many are from Harrison County?” She referred to homeless individuals seeking help from the Marion County based shelter facility. HOPE Inc also has a Clarksburg office in the Board of Education building.
Spadafore reported that “over 50 percent are from Harrison County.” Commissioners approved the request.
Another support request came from the Italian Heritage Festival. Bill Boyles was to represent the Festival, but could not attend. Commissioners approved $3,000 because, as Harrison County administrator Laura Lysz-Laulis explained “it’s a contribution we give every year.”
Next, Commissioners approved support of $1,500 for any county law enforcement entity that will hold a National Night Out party on August 6. Police departments across the nation hold festival-type events aimed at children and families as part of outreach designed to build public support and rapport. At the time of the meeting, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department and the city departments of Clarksburg and Bridgeport had plans to hold events.
City of Shinnston Police will participate in the Bridgeport event.
Commissioner David Hinkle asked if the county would set a deadline on requests for support. Pysz-Laulis responded that each has until August 6 to do so if they plan to hold an event.
Although the agenda included an item concerning McKinley’s contract for a new animal control facility, Pysz-Laulis explained that the topic was not ready for discussion. Hinkle noted that he had received “a rough drawing” that lacked detail. Thomas replied to Hinkle that Pysz-Laulis will “meet with them tomorrow (last Thursday)” and then report to the Commission what McKinley shared. Trecost urged Pysz-Laulis to include discussion of possible support from two grants for the project.
Commissioners then agreed to table the agenda items related to the proposed new animal control facility.
After concluding discussion on animal control, Commissioners turned next to hear an update from Harrison County Parks and Recreation. Their representative reported that the organization was “looking at a survey on what people want” in their public recreation facilities. He then provided a detailed update on upgrades and future plans.
“I want to thank you,” said Thomas, who added that “you took the bull by the horns . . . kudos to everybody.” Hinkle concurred with Thomas and offered praise of his own for their efforts.
Sheena Hunt, executive director of Region 6 Economic Planning and Development, then came to speak on behalf of her organization. Region 6 is one of nine entities across the state that helps to coordinate economic development strategies among multiple county and municipal governments, as well as provide assistance to communities seeking grant support for a variety of projects.
Hunt opened with “thank you for allowing me to present information,” then expressed that she had worked with the organization for nearly two decades and “the last eight years as executive director.”
She stated that “we got a call from someone representing the Harrison County Commission.” That call, which turned out to be from Hinkle, requested financial statements and minutes from Region 6 meetings. Hunt shared that she found it “rather odd” since she had just attended a Commission meeting on June 5 and expressed that she thought it was a “gotcha” attempt to “impugn Region 6’s integrity.”
Hunt also stated that “we have done extremely well” on audits of Region 6 and that public service districts and local governments with fewer resources rely heavily on help from them. She invited commissioners to attend their next meeting on the third Wednesday in September.
Thomas said “thank you for everything you do,” to which Hunt responded that their office remains “very busy” but that she is “happy to help.”
Thomas broke with Commissioners Hinkle and Trecost on a request from county administration to issue per diem to traveling county employees up front. Currently, employees request their per diem after the travel, but some may have limited funds available to do so. She said “I have concerns” that some may waste the money and said she desires “ an ironclad policy.”
During the period set aside for discussions of county budget revisions at the start of the fiscal year, Trecost noted that the County Commission enjoyed costly security coverage that may not be necessary. Thomas asked about the potential saving of eliminating dedicated Commission security that existed “for no reason whatsoever.”
Pysz-Laulis noted that she had asked security to remove an unruly attendee recently, but Thomas responded that sheriff’s deputies could serve the same purpose. Both Trecost and Thomas stated that other offices in the area lacked such protection and that no other County Commission in the state had its own dedicated security.
Finally, Greater Harrison Public Service District will hold a public meeting on July 15 at 6 PM to discuss a waterworks system improvement project and also the possibility of rises in rates.
Hinkle said that the Commission should examine financial information “to see how bad they really need this” and suggested a work session to discuss.