By Stephen Smoot
The September 11 regular meeting of the Harrison County Commission started with a call for remembrance, but devolved into an atmosphere described by Harrison County Commission President Susan Thomas as “a circus.”
Patsy Trecost, Harrison County Commissioner, opened the meeting by sharing that “23 years ago . . . we remember that the country was attacked viciously” then called for “a moment of silence for those who lost their lives 23 years ago.”
Then he delivered the invocation, praying “Heavenly Father, we open our hearts to You.” Trecost added about the 2001 attack “the circumstances were pure evil, but You are the light that overcomes the darkness.”
The Commission then entered its agenda.
Trecost battled with David Hinkle, his fellow Harrison County Commissioner, over multiple items. The first came over a “Review – Discuss – Consider” item. Trecost asked the Commission to grant an approval to a potential annexation of Retino Farm by the City of Bridgeport. Trecost related that a council member for the city had asked him to bring the matter before the Commission.
Trecost’s motion would have given the Commission’s blessing on the City of Bridgeport investigating the prospect, including getting water and sewer service. Hinkle said “I’d love to know why we’re doing it.” He later asked “are we saying we want to step up and be financially involved?” and can “any council member just pop up and make this request?”
Hinkle then asked if the City made a formal request of the Commission. Thomas sided with Hinkle on the issue, saying “I agree with David. I think the City needs to make a formal request.”
Another came over another similarly categorized item about a proposal to restore county jail service on a limited basis by renovating the courthouse annex. Trecost presented the motion to approve of extensive renovations and the construction of two elevators to the courthouse annex building. He made the case that re-establishing the jail to hold prisoners overnight for cases the next day would save on transportation costs to the Regional Jail in Doddridge County.
Funding for the project would come through borrowing from OPEB, the county’s backup fund for retirement payments. Hinkle asked Trecost if he had a financial plan to ensure repayment.
After some back and forth between Trecost and Hinkle, the latter Commissioner asked if the funds could come from somewhere besides OPEB. Laura Pysz-Laulis, Harrison County Administrator, stated that they could come from a Financial Stabilization Fund. That holds just over $4 million while OPEB has approximately $1 million more than that.
Trecost pointed out that cost overruns from construction of the General Services Building came from OPEB. Hinkle fired back, saying “Whenever you want to talk about why that building went over budget, I’m ready.”
Debate erupted again over discussion on the construction of a new Mon General facility in Harrison County.
Additionally, when the agenda item appeared for the Commissioners to approve the appointment of Mike Queen to the vacancy on the Harrison County Economic Development Corporation Board, Hinkle made the motion to appoint Trecost instead.
In this and other meetings, the difference in substance often came from a difference in approach. Trecost often favors getting a project started, then figuring out the details as the plan progresses while Hinkle seems to generally prefer to have all information, planning, and organization in place before moving forward.
Both approaches have merit depending on the circumstances, but the differences have often degenerated into personal attacks and accusations between the two elected officials. This meeting’s disagreements came after many weeks of clashes and led Thomas to declare that “this is a circus . . . and I’m stuck in the middle.”
Both Commissioners seem to have the best of intentions to work for the County and its taxpayers, but their differences over time have created a schism on the Commission that Thomas must navigate to maintain decorum.
In other business, Commissioners approved a request from the harrison County Livestock Association for $3,000 “to purchase tents to house the livestock for their Livestock Show and Sale at Summit Park on September 19th through September 21st.”
Commissioners also heard an update from Thrasher concerning the construction of bridges to serve the Rail Trail. The Thrasher representative stated that he wanted to gauge the opinion of the Commission on plans created for the bridges, but the discussion centered mostly on issues of engineering.
