The Greenbrier County Commission met in regular session on Thursday, Oct. 10. The meeting opened with the pledge to the flag and the prelude. The minutes from the last meeting were approved as the settlement of nine estates presented by the fiduciary supervisor Cindy Alley.
County Clerk Robin Loudermilk presented arts and rec transfers. There were three exonerations and four county splits. Among the transfers was one for the Meadow River Trail. This was an AML reimbursement. Budget revisions included increasing emergency services supplies and increasing law enforcement officers’ overtime.
Robin Haynes, 4-H Greenbrier County extension agent, spoke to the Commission about signing a resolution to recognize Oct. 6-12 as National 4 H week. She explained that 4-H is enrolling for the new year and that volunteers will be needed for camp, shooting sports, fairs and other events. Haynes read the proclamation she wanted the Commission to sign. Contained within the proclamation was the following “Head, Heart, Hands and Health is what 4-H is all about. 4-H is the largest youth development organization in the nation with 6 million youth being enrolled. In West Virginia, 1-5 youth are in 4-H. Three hundred Greenbrier County youth are involved with 50 adult volunteers. 4-H let’s Kids get hands on, teaches STEM, healthy living and leadership among other things for over 100 years.“
The proclamation included other information as well.
It was approved and signed. It was noted that Greenbrier County is one of only a few to have two extension agents.
An application was being considered for a new hire for the position of program assistant at the Greenbrier County 4-H extension office. Up for the position is Katherine Little of Beckley. Katherine grew up in 4-H and has been substitute teaching. She has already passed the background check through the university through volunteering. A motion was made and passed to approve her hiring.
Next was an approval letter of support for a grant application from the Child Youth Advocacy Program, West Virginia Birch Program. Fran Zarcone of the local branch explained the need for the grant. She told how they serve Pocahontas and other counties, as well as Greenbrier. In Greenbrier alone they’ve had 169 new clients from law enforcement and CPS alone. They have a 62.2% disclosure rate. They hope to have a new therapist salary with the grant, a caregivers café, and an addition to the building to allow for greater privacy. They’re facing a 44% budget cut from BOCA, which is their biggest funding source. They need this grant for alternative funding. A motion was passed.
Amanda Short from Region 4 gave an update on the Rt. 60 East Sewer White Sulphur Springs project. Payout #3 is going to E.L. Robinson Engineering. This will be coming out of TIF funds.
A gig-ready broadband project was discussed. There’s going to be a gap between paying out and when the grant reimburses so it’s been discussed with the state to get the state to help carry the burden.
The current prosecuting attorney brought up the need to speed up hiring Lauren Lynch to fill the position of assistant prosecuting attorney. The current assistant prosecuting attorney is out on maternity leave. This would give the prosecuting attorney help until he leaves office in January. Her employment would start Oct. 28. Motion passed.
A motion was passed to hire Donnie Honaker as the new courthouse security officer within the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Department. Honaker spent 13 years at the Greenbrier and has passed the background check. The new hire was OK with the incumbent Sheriff taking office on Jan. 1.
A motion was tabled on a lease agreement with AT&T Mobile Tower located at 1004 Skyline Drive Rainelle WV.
In the Greenbrier County Commission, Margaret Preston Calcarney litigation a settlement agreement was made.
A celebration was held for the start of West Virginia’s semi-quincentennial approaching in 2026. Attending were members of the Senate, legislators and local representatives. The Battle of Lewisburg started everything off on Oct. 10. A proclamation was made.
Early voting starts October 23 and runs through Nov. 2.
A public meeting is scheduled for Oct. 23 at 9:30 a.m. with the County Commission meeting following.
A public meeting is scheduled for Oct. 16 at 10:30 a.m. at the Greenbrier County Visitors Center.
