Bill Beard Reelected Pocahontas Commission President for 2017

At its first meeting of the New Year, the Pocahontas County Commissioners welcomed a new member, Jessie Groseclose and unanimously chooses Bill Beard to remain as Commission President for 2017. Listen in as Commissioner David McLaughlin nominates Beard and the Commissioners all accept this.

“I move Bill Beard be elected as County Commission President for the year 2017” said McLaughlin.

Acting as Commission President, Beard entertained this motion.

“It has been moved that I will be President of the County Commission for the year 2017” said Beard. “Any discussion on the motion …(approximate 5 second pause)… No other discussion, any objections to the motion? … (approximate 5 second pause)… it passes.”

The next step in reorganizing the Commission for 2017 was to make Commission Board Appointments. The Commissioners agreed to keep the same Board Appointments as in 2016, with the new Commissioner, Jessie Groseclose , assuming the same board assignments as departing Commissioner Jamie Walker had in 2016. A list of all the Commission Boards assigned to each Commissioner can be found with this story on our website, www.alleghenymountainradio.org.

Following the 2017 Commission Reorganization, the Commissioners conducted normal opening procedures such as approval of prior meeting minutes, exoneration orders and improper charges. There were no hear callers -that is – members of the public wishing to address the Commissioners.

They approved final settlements and orders as presented by County Clerk Missy Bennett.

The Commissioners then appointed Donald McNeel to a three year term on the 911 Advisory Board.

They approved a letter needed annually by the Pocahontas County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (PCCVB) to send to Pendleton Community Bank in support of maintaining the Bureau’s line of credit account. Cara Rose, Director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau explained this is only used as a temporary funding tool for timely projects until Hotel/Motel Tax checks are received. She said this was not used at all last year, but was briefly used the year before. The Commissioners approved writing this letter which assured the Bank that the PCCVB receives regular checks from the County’s Hotel-Motel Tax.

Cara Rose then delivered the annual update on the PCCVB in which she asked that the Commission appoint a Pocahontas County Bi-Centennial Committee to plan for a year to a year and a half celebration of the County’s 200 years of existance which will occur in the year 2021. She also asked for about $2000.00 to get the project started. The Commission will take up the appointment of the Committee at its next meeting and will consider the $2000.00 contribution in its next organizational funding meeting in February.

The Commissioners also received an update on Preserving Pocahontas from BJ Gudmundsson. Besides delivering the expected financial transaction records, BJ talked about an upcoming project helping the Green Bank Observatory digitize their archives and making those available on-line to the public. She also brought in some interesting old and historic photos and documents to show the commissioners, including one which proved a little known fact that at one time there was a “Piggly Wiggly” supermarket in Marlinton.

The Director of the 911 Center, Mike O’Brien appeared before the Commissioners to ask their approval of a year renewal of the Nixle Emergency Communication System service. He reported that he negotiated the cost of this service down from $5150.00 last year to $2573.00 for this coming year. He also said Nixle has guaranteed this new lower rate for the next 3 years. The Commission approved the renewal of Nixle Service for this coming year.

Pocahontas County Commission Board Assignments

January 2017

Commission President Bill Beard:

• Purchasing Agent –Pocahontas County
• Pocahontas County Senior Citizens
• Greenbrier Valley Economic Development corporation
• Region 4 Planning and Development Council
• Pocahontas Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees

Commissioner Jessie Groseclose:

• Pocahontas County Board of Health
• Pocahontas County Convention and Visitors Bureau Board (PCCVB)
• Pocahontas County Extension Service /4H
• Community Corrections Board
• Pocahontas County Farmland Protection Board

Commissioner David McLaughlin:

• Pocahontas County Emergency Medical Services (EMS Board)
• Region 1 Local Elected Officials Board of WIA
• Pocahontas County Water Task Force Board
• Pocahontas County 911 Advisory Board
• Pocahontas County Local Emergency Planning Committee