By Stephen Smoot
Last week, the Harrison County Commission met for their regular meeting at 11 AM. Patsy Trecost III opened the proceedings with an invocation, praying for the well-being of all in attendance and finishing with “we ask all of these things in Your name.”
Susan Thomas, Harrison County Commission President, started the meeting on a fun note, saying “we have a birthday boy in the room!” She then identified Commissioner Trecost as said birthday boy.
Commissioners’ work centered on three major items. First, they heard from the county attorney. He informed commissioners that the letter of intent for mobile infrastructure at the new parking lot in Clarksburg was squared away. Once approved by the commission, construction on the lot could commence.
Next came a special funding request from the Marion County Beekeepers’ Association. They came to request $500 toward a $13,000 project to hold a state convention in Marion County in late March 2025.
Deonna Crowe, vice president of the Harrison County Beekeepers’ Association, explained the importance of supporting bee populations through the work of the different associations. She added that there would be a Harrison County based event in October for beekeepers, saying they would start small, but “we’re going to do it annually.”
Other representatives said that the statewide convention, not to be confused with the October event, would take place on March 28 and 29 of next year and should attract between 2 and 300 attendees, many from out of state.
After hearing a brief description of the expected economic impact, Thomas said that the Harrison County Commission favors the idea of mutual aid for beneficial projects across county lines.
“We’re all in this together,” she noted.
Next, the commission heard from Cheri Gonzalez on behalf of the Friends of Bridgeport Recreation Incorporated. Gonzelez came to request support from the commission for an ongoing effort to raise money for an “inclusive playground” in Bridgeport.
Gonzalez and the group accompanying her described the need for inclusive playgrounds for the developmentally disabled. In the past, when thought of at all, playgrounds with special equipment for the disabled stood alone or as a small add on to what the disabled refer to as facilities for “typicals.”
The proposed $1.3 million inclusive playground will be in the Bridgeport complex. It will seamlessly offer equipment designed for the developmentally disabled alongside and intermingled with traditional playground items.
Advocates for the park also discussed how the rarity of such facilities could make the inclusive playground a destination for many whose hometowns lack such amenities. They also described how Bridgeport mayor Andy Lang and his wife Lisa have spearheaded ongoing efforts to raise $1.3 million for the facility on which ground has already been broken.
Gonzeled requested and received $5,000 to go toward a $25,000 donation that would put her son Ivan’s name on a plaque or a piece of playground equipment in memorium of him. Ivan Gonzalez, who played in the Bridgeport challenger league, passed away at the age of seven last July.
