Featured, Meetings

Commission Hears Complaint Concerning Drugs

   After a holding a silent Prayer and reciting the Pledge, Shawn Glaspell, President, called the May 4, 2021 Commission to Order. All members were present. 

   County Clerk Catee Slater was present along with employees: Chief Deputy Clerk Beth Kellar, Executive Assistant Randee Britton, COW David King, DCAA Director Neal Romain, and DC OEM George Eidel.

     The Commission approved the minutes to their past meeting. 

    Under Public Comment, a Town of West Union citizen gave a verbal account concerning the use, sale and distribution of drugs which seems to be taking place in the city limits. They ask their name to remain anonoymous in any public report.

    The person indicated that along with the drug abuse and the loud music day and night, animal abuse seemed to be taking place, as well as the abuse of small children. 

     They noted the police had been notified and had responded at different times, but except for a drive through, nothing like searches or speaking with those in the neighborhood had taken place. 

     The person stated they felt unsafe in their own home after spending thousands to remodel it. They also indicated the house had been broken into in the past and they had been required to install a security system in the home. 

    Their conversation with the Commissioners lasted about half an hour, with more information being given. Due to this person’s request to stay as anonymous as possible, this information will not be included in this article. 

     Glaspell took the person’s name and number as is to “make some phone calls” and see if this issue could be taken care of. He asked that the person return to a future meeting and report back if the issues had been taken care of. 

    Under 911 Mapping and Addressing, the new E-911 mapper Shane Hinton introduced himself, then presented Woodland Dr. for the 1st reading. Woodland Drive is a private drive, off of Arnolds Creek Road, 5.2 miles from Rt. 50. 

    The Commissioners spoke to the COVID-19 Policies and Procedures,  noting that masks were still to be worn in the Courthouse and that weekly cleanings were still taking place. 

    George Eidel, Floodplain Manager, reported one floodplain permit application had been received for the ACP Supply Header Project, with multiple locations.

    Eidel, as OEM Director, reported the Volunteer Fire Department Runs and the Department of Law Enforcement’s arrests and tickets, noting that he did not have the Ambulance Responses included with his report.

    He reported the last Community Covid Vaccination Clinic  would be held this week, with COVID Vaccination Clinics being held in various locations across the County.  In his opinion, the Community Clinics would probably be revisited in the fall.  

     He also reported that he had attended a webinar training session to for Continuing Education as a Floodplain Manager. 

     Neal Romain of the DCAA reported their primary check balance to be $163,489.20, their fund balance to be $317,925.49, and income for April in the amount of $22,823.69. Glaspell asked if he had heard anything about drug overdoses in the area and he noted that the DCAA hadn’t been called to many overdoses in the County, noting that the DCAA has had to throw away Narcan due to it expiring. 

     David King, COW, reported that he and those working on the Annex had met and worked out the logistics concerning the delivery of the supplies, materials and equipment needed. He noted the Commission needed a place to move the excess vehicles to and the old Courthouse step stones.  There was no decision made concerning either. 

     He indicated that he has spoken with the pastor of the Emmanuel United Methodist Church  who has given permission for the people building the annex to park in the parking lot that was used by the old DCHS. 

    He noted he worked on the office for the PSD and that Armstrong was due in to hook up the phone line for the fax machine.

     The Kierstyn Sendling ATV ride was then brought up and discussed. There has been a request that campers at the Doddridge County Park be allowed to ride their ATVs across park property to access Snowbird Road. This request was reported as being refused. 

     It was then asked, if the campers can’t do this then why is the Fair allowed to? It was also indicated that the ATV Club may have their own insurance.

    After realizing the potential number of people that would be coming to the area for this ride, Glaspell then requested that Greg Cottrill attend the next meeting. 

     There were no Budget Revisions presented for approval. 

  The Commission approved 2 Exonerations and the Probates as presented by Catee Slater, County Clerk.