Pocahontas Co. Day Report Director’s First Report to County Commission

Glen Galloway, the new Director of the recently reconstituted Pocahontas County Day Report Center delivered his first monthly report at the May 17th County Commission meeting.  Galloway’s address to the Commissioners sent a clear message that the Center is now fully up and running, Galloway reported that the Center provided services to 11 participants in April, 5 males and 6 females. During that month there were 3 new participants added to the program, 2 completed the program and 2 were terminated from the program for violations. Of the 11 participants, six were unemployed, and one found new employment during April. He said that both drug and alcohol screens were conducted with 2 positive drug results out of 12 screens conducted and 1 positive alcohol result out of 4 screens conducted. Galloway also said that the Day Report Center’s final State requirement – that of offering classes to the participants – has now been met by contracting with a psychological services organization to teach the classes which would be starting on May 18th.

In other actions, the Commissioners heard from Emergency Services Director Mike O’Brien who requested their sponsorship and approval of a grant application to the West Virginia Division of Homeland Security. This grant would be for $8,830.65 and would reimburse the County for the half of O’Brien’s 2015 salary that covered his duties as Director of Emergency Services. The other half of his salary pays for his duties as 911 Director, and that portion is not reimbursed under this grant. O’Brien had to attend numerous training sessions to be eligible for this grant. The Commissioners approved a motion to sponsor the grant. O’Brien added that if the 2016 grant is submitted and approved next year, the grant should reimburse half of both his and his Assistant Director’s salaries.

Chip Adkins of the Pocahontas County Humane Society sent a letter to the Commission stating that the Humane Society would not need any County funding this year.

Mike O’Brien and Commission Counsel Bob Martin presented to the Commission that they had reached a limited easement agreement with the Marlinton Volunteer Fire Department regarding access and control of a radio communication tower and another limited easement agreement to be able to service the 911 generator which is located on the property of Daniel McGee. The Commissioners approved both agreements which were then signed by Commission President Beard.

In a routine financial matter, the Commissioners approved a $1000 budget revision and reimbursement regarding a law enforcement laptop computer.

In his report to the Commission, Bob Martin, Commission Counsel, said he had reached an agreement regarding the Sheriff’s Department providing law enforcement services to Snowshoe Mountain Resort, but was still waiting for the final approval by Snowshoe.

Martin also said he was still finalizing the transfer of the Cass Park property from the Commission to the County Parks and Recreation Board, but there are complicating issues regarding the transfer of the leased parking lot to the park which is delaying things.

The Commissioners went into an executive session with their Counsel to discuss legal issues which would not be acted on at this meeting. Following the Executive Session, the Commissioners closed the meeting with the signing of invoices.

Story By

Tim Walker

Tim is the WVMR News Reporter. Tim is a native of Maryland who started coming to Pocahontas County in the 1970’s as a caver. He bought land on Droop Mountain off Jacox Road in 1976 and built a small house there in the early 80’s. While still working in Maryland, Tim spent much time at his place which is located on the Friars Hole Cave Preserve. Retiring in 2011 as a Lieutenant with the Anne Arundel County Police Department in Maryland, Tim finally took the plunge and moved from Maryland to his real home on Droop Mountain. He began working as the Pocahontas County Reporter for Allegheny Mountain Radio in January of 2015.

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