Pocahontas County Commission Gives Go Ahead For Code Red Emergency Alert System

Marlinton, WV – The Code Red Emergency Alert system will be coming to Pocahontas County in the near future. At the Pocahontas County Commission meeting Tuesday, Commissioners agreed to partner with the Town of Marlinton to pay for the system software. Marlinton Mayor Dennis Driscoll says it would allow the town to get crucial information to residents in a timelier manner.

“With all the problems we have in letting people know that a flood is coming for instance, the town started looking at a program for autodialing” says Driscoll.

It’s similar to the program installed by Bath County a couple of years ago. Like that program, residents would have choice as to whether or not they want to be on the automated call list. Commissioner Reta Griffith and Driscoll agree it could also be used for non-emergency notifications.

“I like the idea of maybe boil water advisories” says Griffith. “Boil water advisories are another large thing for us” says Driscoll “because I don’t have the manpower to send people around door to door and say boil your water.”

The cost of the system is just over $7000.00 and will be split between the county and the town, pending approval from the Marlinton Town Council.

The Code Red system was not the only commitment of funds the Commission made on Tuesday. Judy Fuller, representing the Durbin Library committee was on hand to ask the Commission to honor their pledge for up to $20,000.00, if the Durbin committee could raise that amount by April 1st. Fuller says they’ve accomplished that through a combination of fundraising, local donations, and a nine thousand dollar boost from the West Virginia Legislature. With the additional money from the Commission, Fuller says they hope to do some initial construction this summer.

In other business, the Commission approved the hiring a new Sheriffs’ department deputy, Brian Shinaberry. He is a replacement for former deputy Dorsey Swisher, who left the department. His employment is effective Monday, April 26th. The Commission also approved a request from the county Civil Service Board to purchase frames for commendation letters for law enforcement deputies. Those will be awarded in a ceremony to be announced at a later date.

The Commission approved motion for Commissioner Griffith to contact WYK Associates for estimates on a list of upgrades or repairs to the courthouse. The list includes the heating and a/c system, installation of an elevator, heating for the jail building, additional roof repairs, and upgrades to the phone/internet system.

Other Actions By The Commission

Appointed county school nurse Jenny Friel to the county Board of Health
Appointed James Bullard to fill the unexpired term of Joe Riley on the Pocahontas County Farmland Protection Board
Agreed to assess a five dollar fee on each Magistrate court fine that will go towards funding for the county Teen Court program
Agreed to lease a storage tank at East Fork Industrial plant to Allegheny Disposal pending inspection of the tank
And announced a public auction on May 18th at 10am to sell the home health care dept of Pocahontas Memorial Hospital. The minimum bid is $400,000.00.