By Stephen Smoot
At the opening of the last Harrison County Commission meeting before the holiday of Thanksgiving, Commissioner Patsy Trecost prayed “thank You for the camaraderie in this room” and “let us follow your lead . . . in Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.”
The bulk of discussion in the first half of the meeting centered around public comment and special funding requests from community organizations. Commissioners have special “pots” of money in the budget to support community organizational needs.
Michael Queen spoke during public comment, representing the Harrison County Historic Preservation Alliance. He had come before the Commission in a previous meeting to request that the body approve putting support of 13 different historic preservation non profits on a levy ballot.
Commissioners had questioned the utility of that in previous meetings, wary of it drawing from other levied needs. They had not, however, rejected the notion. Commission President Susan Thomas informed Queen that discussions on doing that remained “a work in progress.”
Queen responded “that’s a lot better than no” and offered to conduct a meeting to share more details. Michael Spatafore from the Clarksburg History Museum also spoke his support.
Still on the history theme, Larry Ryan from Fort New Salem spoke before the Commission to request $5,000 “for our Spirit of Christmas in the Mountains” This year, they will hold the event on Nov 29 and 30 and Dec sixth and seventh from noon to dark, at which point they light the Christmas tree.
Over 52 years, they have held this celebration but attendance years ago grew to the point that Salem University graciously allowed use of their parking lots. Annually. Fort New Salem engages the area transit authority CENTRA to provide a shuttle bus and this year it will cost $5,000, which is what they requested from the Commission.
Commissioner David Hinkle inquired if it would be better if the County engaged CENTRA and simply assigned them to do the event. Both Ryan and Thomas stated that would potentially violate federal regulations. Hinkle then moved to provide the $5,000, which was approved.
Next came James Griffin, speaking on behalf of the West Virginia Black Heritage Festival. He came to request $21,000 to help with past and future costs of repairs and replacements to the historic Kelly Miller High School, now owned and operated by the Festival organization as a community center.
They had previously secured donations to replace the roof, but had trouble with plumbing and the old boiler heating system. “We had to replace a lot of plumbing, replaced a lot of toilets and old sinks,” he explained. He added that they wished to beef up security due to “a lot of activity in the building.”
Trecost made the motion, which passed unanimously, but fired a blast at Harrison County Schools. The community center had originally been the school for black children until desegregation under Governor Cecil Underwood It had been in service for a half century until that point and Griffith pointed out that for its age and history of use, it remained in good shape.
The criticism of the school system centered on “the Board of Education, which is dumping three more schools. Every time they do that, it falls on the County and municipalities across the state of West Virginia.” Trecost condemned the practice of allowing school campuses to fall into physical decline, then abandoning the buildings when no longer in use.
“It’s a shame what they do to the public when they take 70 percent in taxes right off the top,” concluded Trecost. Hinkle added “I agree with you.”
Jason Martin rounded out the special funding requests with one for $1,500 to support the Shinnston Turkey Trot. Annually hundreds gather for the combination race and Shinnston community reunion, bringing tourism dollars to the city and surrounding area while also raising money for community improvements.
The Turkey Trot is enjoying its 17th year of gathering people and improving the community while having a great time together. Proceeds from recent “Trots” have backed scholarships, paid for a beautiful new fire pit in the Shinnston community green space, as well as cleanup, improvements, and events on the Rail Trail at and near Shinnston.
They also provided donations to the Lord’s Pantry as well as a separate pantry on US Route 19.
Commissioners approved the request, that Martin shared would help to defer the cost of food and other event day needs. He predicted 800 involved in the Trot itself with hundreds more coming for the entertainment and fellowship.
Commissioners had fun discussion the Trot, with Hinkle asking if anyone wore a turkey costume there. When Martin answered in the affirmative, Hinkle playfully offered to donate another $1,000 if Trecost would go to the event in the suit. Commissioners and Martin enjoyed a good-hearted laugh that certainly echoed Trecost’s prayers of thanks for “cameraderie.”
Toward the end of the meeting, Commissioners debated the utility of their body assuming complete control of courthouse security and eliminating the role of the Harrison County Sheriff. Commissioners noted the communication breakdown between the offices and Thomas expressed wariness over cutting a law enforcement office out of its role with courthouse security. She said she’s tried to meet with the Sheriff “to no avail” but still did not want to end the connection.
Commissioners voted two to one to sever ties with Thomas voting in the negative.