By Stephen Smoot
Last week, the Harrison County Commission held their regular proceedings. Commissioner Patsy Trecost opened with the invocation, playing that with “Your tenderness, You give us the strength to move forward” and that the faithful are “looking forward to everlasting life with You.”
Shortly after the opening of the meeting, Commissioners heard from three different Harrison County organizations requesting support for their events over the next three months.
The Town of Nutter Fort Council Member Charlene Louk appeared before the Commission to make their request. She explained that “The Town of Nutter Fort is having an event this Saturday,” a Community Hallowe’en/Fall Festival. Louk shared that the event will feature live music, food, “a parade for the kids,” crafts, and much more.
They requested and received $1,500 to help to defer costs on items such as tent rentals, port-a-potties, advertising, and more.
Next, Jim Talerico from VFW Post 573 spoke. “We put on the Veterans’ Day Program every year. We start it with the program at Jackson Square, then after that we do the parade,” Talerico told Commissioners. He then added that the organization handed out pins afterward and that “this year our pin will commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.”
Also after the parade, the Post will host the annual soup beans and cornbread dinner. Anyone who wishes to join may do so at no charge. He also said that “anyone who would like to join the parade can call our office . . . please come out and support all veterans.”
The Post requested and received $2,500, half of the expected cost of the event.
The final funding request came from the Fort New Salem Foundation, seeking support to defer most of the cost of running two shuttle busses during the four days of their Spirit of Christmas event. Larry Ryan from the Board of Directors made the request. He explained that the $5,000 would go toward the $5,600 cost of running the busses during the event and also back and forth from their home garage.
Over the past year, Fort New Salem celebrated its 50th anniversary and will extend that celebration through their Spirit of Christmas event. Ryan said that in 2023 the Christmas celebration alone attracted 1,999 and that in seven 2024 events so far that 2,604 had enjoyed the historical site. Also, the fort benefited from 4,500 volunteer hours in 2023, having no paid staff.
The event will take place on November 30 and December 1, 7, and 8 from noon to 6 PM each day. Ryan said “The Fort thanks you very, very much.”
Also toward the opening of the meeting and during the public comment section, Rhett Dusenbury, the representative of Congressman Alex Mooney, briefly spoke to Commissioners. He said “the Congressman is still ready to help in any way possible. He added that the Congressman would like to “extend the sentiment to go out and vote if you are eligible and able.”
Commissioners also received the results of the bidding to pave the County Commission parking lot. Thrasher recommended, and the Commission agreed, to take the low bid of $59,719.50 from Anderson Excavating LLC. The highest bid came in at just under $100,000.
Two executive sessions took place in the middle of the meeting. The second resulted in a Trecost motion, approved unanimously, to pursue purchase of a property on US Route 19 and empower Laura Pysz-Laulis, Harrison County Administrator, to negotiate on the Commission’s behalf.
The Commission meeting took place on the first day of early voting. John Spires, Harrison County Clerk, reported that “we already have 422 votes today.” He also shared that early voting can be performed at the General Services building in Clarksburg or the Meadowbrook Mall, Both locations will allow voting between Monday and Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM and on Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM. Spires said of the expected voting numbers “there will be a lot.”
With most municipalities in Harrison County scheduling Trick or Treat on the same days and times, Commissioners passed a recommendation to hold it countywide on Oct 31 between 6 and 7:30 PM.
Also, the County received news of a grant extension in the amount of $100,000 for help with replacing the courthouse elevators, long an article of concern.
Finally, in the Commissioners’ comment period, Susan Thomas, Harrison County Commission President, gave “kudos to the CEOS group of Harrison County.” She explained that CEOS topped the state in volunteer hours, creating a $1.9 million economic impact through helping in hospitals, with veteran outreach, ushering at Robinson Grand Theater shows and more.