Ben Herrick, representing the Planning Commission presented a revised Comprehensive Plan for Tucker County at Wednesday’s meeting.
The plan will now include tracking commercial power reliability, the Cheat River Trail, Tucker Community Foundation, updated Disaster Recovery with the assistance of Darla Stemple, Corridor H, the new Cultural Districk Authority, improved target dates for the implementation strategies.
Upon completion of a public meeting the update would need to be approved by the Tucker County Commission. A notice of the public meeting will be published and all commissioners urge our residents to attend.
Allen Staggers, speaking on behalf of MonPower addressed the commission regarding the proposed electric rate increase. Herrick stated that the increase would be 10 percent to residential customers’ base rate with an additional 5.85 percent surcharge for right-of-way and tree trimming. This rate increase was suspended by the Public Service Commission for 270 days and is now scheduled to take effect in February, 2015. It is expected that the Public Service Commission will be holding a meeting regarding this proposed increase and all citizenz are urged to attend or write to the PSC to voice their concerns and opinions on this matter.
Bobby Phillips and Kathy Kahler presented the commissioners with an after action report in response to the recommendations of the consultant J. R. Henry. The commissioners were pleased to see that the report contained measurable goals.
Roxanne Tuesing, presented the commissioners with a letter on behalf of the Tucker County Senior Citizens, Inc. She stated that she knew no action could be taken at this time, but wanted to get the letter to them. This letter is a formal request for the senior center to be granted the use of the space currently being occupied by the Tucker County Health Department if or when the Health Department vacates this space. Tuesing stated a need for the additional because of the increase in programs, employees and the opportunity to secure federal foods for the nutrition program. This program requires a secure, locked storage space. “Without the additional space”, stated Tuesing “We cannot access that program.”
Tuesing added that they also provide space for the WV Workforce program and Congressman McKinley’s and the Attorney General’s mobile offices. The letter goes on to state that they have been unable to provide some free clinics for the seniors due to a lack of adequate space. Having access to the Health Department area would alleviate these problems.
Dustin Luzier speaking for the Community Corrections program stated that they had provided 4,000 hours of community service for the month of May and hoped to duplicate that number for June. He added that as of July 1, 2014, the Tucker County Community Corrections would no longer be joined with Randolph and Pocahontas counties. He expects to hear from the State of WV within the next two weeks about the dispensation of a grant that his department applied for.
Darla Stemple gave an update on the road signs and stated that she is waiting on the posts to arrive.
The commissioners announced the hiring of some of our local youth for their summer program. The commissioners stated that all applicants were outstanding Tucker County youth and the decision was extremely difficult. Those being offered employment are: Walker Blosser, Cody Bohon, Levi Helmick, Cody McCrum, Connor Metz, Josie Mullenax, and Madison Mullenax. They will be under the supervision of Joe Long.
The commissioners also approved the hiring Jenny McCrum, J.J. Burns, and Adam Arbogast as part-time workers at the Animal Shelter. They also approved the hiring of Eric Mullenax on an as needed basis.
The commissioners wanted to compliment Dustin Luzier on the professional way he presented himself to the delegation in Charleston regarding the Community Corrections department.
Commissioner Hinkle wanted to make it known that there are new brochures available from the Historic Landmark Commission that list all the historic places in Tucker County that are on the National Registry.
Commissioners also wanted to commend the health fair that was recently held in Canaan Valley. They were extremely happy with how very well attended it was.
The next meeting of the Tucker County Commission will be on Wednesday, June 25, 2014 at 6 p.m. in the Tucker County Courthouse Courtroom.