By Stephen Smoot
Last week, the Harrison County Commission’s regular meeting focused largely on discussions and issues surrounding the Charles Pointe Tax Increment Financing District.
They also, however, heard requests for funding to support upcoming events.
First rose Richard Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of the North Central West Virginia YMCA. He started by saying “thank you for having us.”
He requested $1,500 toward the total $3,000 cost of organizing the Richard Iaquinta five kilometer run and walk. On May 17 at 8:30 AM, the event will commence on the VA Trail.
“The event is more than a race,” he shared, going on to say that “it’s a county event promoting health, wellness, and inclusivity for residents of all ages and abilities” and that it serves as “an impactful, accessible event for our county.”
Commissioners approved the request.
A subsequent funding request was brought forward by Timothy Curry, grant manager for the Hotsinpiller Foundation. He requested $5,000 toward the total $24,000 cost of the Fallen Stars Memorial five kilometer race on June 7.
The race honors James and Derek Hotsinpiller, who served in the Bridgeport Police Department and United States Marshals Service respectively. The race raises money for a variety of law enforcement related projects from “helping officers in need who are wounded” to donations of K-9 training kits to departments across the Mountain State.
It also sponsors the “Paint the Town Blue” law enforcement outreach event “to celebrate the heroes who protect us daily.”
Commissioners originally moved to grant $3,000, but Hinkle pointed out that the organization requested $5,000. Commissioner Patsy Trecost revised up the motion and the Commission granted the amount requested.
The third and final funding request came from the Shinnston-based organization Together With Veterans, represented last Wednesday by Tom Willis. Willis explained that Together With Veterans four times per year organizes resource events.
Community service groups and other vendors who focus on veteran needs are invited to the event. Wilis stated that those in attendance “can go table to table to get information” they need.
Willis also noted the attendance of Harrison County Commission President Susan Thomas at the previous event, saying “Thank you Susan, for coming.”
The event focuses on veteran suicide prevention, but also includes an information session for veterans seeking to file disability claims. Other opportunities include music lessons, education opportunities, legal aid services, veterans’ agriculture programs, free monthly haircuts for those who served and more.
At the close of the meeting, Hinkle offered praise and appreciation for elected officials and their staffs, saying “I want to thank everyone who worked on the budget . . . the staff did a great job.”
“I know it’s been hectic to get all this done,” he said. Hinke also thanked fellow Commissioner Thomas, who responded that she concurred, but then chuckled and said “I don’t mean to thank myself,” then thanked Hinkle for his effort as well.
