By Stephen Smoot
A century ago Clarksburg native, Ambassador John W. Davis, was nominated by the Democratic Party to take on President Calvin Coolidge in the 1924 general election. Though Coolidge won handily and became one of the favorite presidents of conservative Republicans ever since, Davis’s impact on history and representation of the Mountain State in his career deserves celebration.
And the Harrison County Commission agreed.
Their meeting last week started with an invocation by County Commissioner Patsy Trecost. His prayer shared appreciation for the fact that “when we speak to you Lord . . . You will listen,” and also implored that all in attendance “have peace and kindness in their hearts.” Then all joined in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Susan Thomas, Harrison County Commission president, then led the meeting, going through the consent agenda and payroll changes. When she got to the agenda item marked “requisitions – purchase orders – invoices,” Thomas questioned an invoice related to a request from County Commissioner David Hinkle to the County Clerk.
She asked after Hinkle made the motion to pay the bills as listed.
The request asked the County Clerk’s office to provide a printout and thumb drive containing precinct by precinct results from the past election. The printout ran to 715 pages, according to Thomas, and cost $35.
Thomas asked “why is the county paying this receipt?” Hinkle stated that he left the items requested with the office of the county administrator, but Laura Pysz-Laulis (who holds that position) could not remember off hand where the items were. Thomas stated “I’d like to know where it is.”
A sharp exchange followed in which Thomas stated that the county should not pay for Hinkle’s request. He shot back “you do what you want. You will anyway.”
Trecost then made a motion to pay all requisitions except for Hinkle’s, which Thomas seconded.
Commissioners then considered funding requests from community organizations. The first came from Stars and Strides. The Meadowbrook based non profit says on its website that “we are dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities through the transformative power of horseback riding and equine-assisted therapy.
Stars and Strides requested $4,000 to help to defer costs of the program and allow children from “families in need” to participate without payment. Each lesson costs $50 and an entire session requires $400. The $4,000 approved by the County Commission would defer the cost of 10 full sessions.
Next came a representative from the Clarksburg History Museum to discuss the event celebrating the life and candidacy of John W. Davis. He described how KDKA radio from Pittsburgh covered the inauguration announcement live, the first broadcast of such an event. He also stated that Cyrus Vance Jr. would serve as the guest of honor. A Model T Ford parade will accompany other festivities.
Davis drew a crowd of 80,000 to Goff Plaza, still the largest spectator event in state history.
Vance, son of West Virginia native and Carter Administration Secretary of State Cyrus Vance Sr., served as New York City District Attorney until 2021. The funding request was made, in part, to help to pay for VIP treatment for Vance. Commissioners could only approve $1,500 since it was for a single day event.
“Cyrus Vance Jr. was ecstatic to come,” explained the representative, who added that Vance has “been away since he was 10 years old.” He also said they were “trying to roll out the red carpet for Mr. Vance.” Also, the Harrison County Historical Society has partnered with the museum for the special event.
“We thank you for all of the help you have given the Clarksburg History Museum in the past,” the representative concluded.
In other action, the Commission agreed to allow the Harrison County Economic Development Corporation to be the name of the recipient of a United States Economic Development Authority grant. The Harrison County Commission had been the named recipient, a status that also includes responsibilities to administer the $2.6 million grant to construct a shell building at North Central West Virginia Airport.
The HCEDC will assume full responsibility for the grant.
The bulk of the Commission meeting covered discussion of issues related to the Charles Pointe TIF, covered in another article.