By Stephen Smoot
Last week’s meeting of the Harrison County Commission opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation from Commissioner Patsy Trecost. In it, he prayed “Lord, we ask for Your presence in this room today.”
Those who did have a presence in the room witnessed strong debate over fundamental questions relating to county economic development.
Before the storms of debate descended, Commissioners voted to support the 12 U Riverjaxx baseball squad and its efforts to maintain they field they use in Lost Creek. They requested $3,000 to “purchase and deliver 20 tons of field dirt to field two at Lost Creek City Park.”
A rumble of thunder sounded as Commissioners prepared to approve the request. Commissioner David Hinkle inquired if the City of Lost Creek provided assistance (it had not), then asked how the county is involved.
Susan Thomas, Harrison County Commission president, responded “Isn’t Lost Creek in Harrison County? There’s your answer.”
Support for the team won approval two to one with Hinkle dissenting.
In the public comment period, Brandie Gardner, representing the Salem City Council, spoke on behalf of Salem EMS, which recently shut its doors. The Councilwoman asked if the city had reached out to the county for help, then suggested levy funds or opioid fund money as a possible source to help restore service.
“We’d like to seek help from any source that we possibly can,” she stated.
Gardner explained that the EMS closure fault lay in the hands of the former city manager, accusing the official of spreading misinformation. She also said that the official “did not explore further options to fund and save the EMS” and that there were “things not disclosed to the City Council.” In the fallout, the city manager resigned.
She said it would take “a couple hundred thousand” to “get EMS running the way it should be.”
Next several community members, including economic development experts, rose to passionately defend the Harrison County Economic Development Corporation and its work. The agenda for the commission last week included an item to “Consider resignation and Formal withdrawal” of the county from what has been the lead economic development institution for Harrison County.
Amy Haberbosch-Wilson defended the work of the organization, for which she serves as executive director. She stated that “I have at least one member of the Commission on my board,” which is Commissioner Hinkle.
She then addressed the main concerns of the Commission, which were related to issues of communication. Haberbosch-Wilson stated that the corporation would welcome Commissioners with questions or issues to “come to meetings, email us, share concerns.”
Then she invited Commissioners to help her to identify and address any issues between the two bodies.
Next, Haberbosch-Wilson asked rhetorically “what happens next” if the Commission took away its designation as the lead economic development organization for the county. She described how the institution is part and parcel of various agreements, communicates regularly with Congressional offices, and works closely with state economic development officials.
Rodney Strait, Mayor of Shinnston, added his insight, saying that “I’d like to support the Corporation. They’ve done a lot for the city.” He added that “there’s been a lot of progress . . . in jobs for all of the cities, not just Bridgeport and Clarksburg.”
Later in the meeting, when Commissioners reached the agenda item that sparked the public comments, Thomas said “I want you all to know how I feel” about the Development Corporation issue. She said “I have asked for information and never got what I asked for,” adding that what she did receive “was not the proper documentation.”
Also a factor is the economic development authority that Trecost said “does have powers that the EDC does not.” Thomas said “there’s got to be a way that the two entities can work together” and added that she had learned much about the EDC’s work recently.
Hinkle defended the efforts of the EDC, saying “we’ve helped Marion County; we’ve helped Lewis County,” and added that state officials trust and work with Haberbosch-Wilson.
The Commission agreed to not withdraw from the Corporation, allowing it to continue its work as before.
Commissioners debated the possibility of extending the Charles Pointe tax increment financing district for 15 years, sparking a sharp discussion. It was pointed out that approving the extension would provide better conditions for the restructuring of the bond agreement.
Hinkle questioned the timing of considering the extension approval, saying “we’re putting the cart before the horse.” He later said that if the bondholders have a request, they should bring it to the Commission in person. Hinkle then challenged Trecost’s ability to vote on the matter, suggesting that it was a conflict of interest due to campaign support received in the recent election by Trecost. Finally, he asked “what’s the hurry?”
The Commission voted to set a public meeting for July 17 for further discussion.
Debate spilled over into discussion of approving the “administrative contract for EDA Grant with Region VI.” Hinkle requested to know how the item got on the agenda, a question followed by lengthy debate and a decision to take no action.
Commissioners also discussed the auction and sale of eight county properties. Hinkle asked if anyone had appraised the value of the properties, leading to more back and forth among them. Some had been appraised, but long ago.
The meeting extended for nearly two hours.