Braxton Citizens' News, Community

County Commission honors Essay winners

Gracie Dyer takes 1st in county & state competition

The highlight of last Friday’s Braxton County Commission meeting was the honoring of local and state winners of the County Commissioners Association of West Virginia’s Essay Contest. Commission President Lisa Godwin recognized the local winners who included Gracie Dyer 1st place, Lauren Pritt 2nd and Bailey Pritt in 3rd place.

The local winners received cash prizes for their essays on the subject of how county government serves its citizens. The prizes were contributed by Commission President Godwin, her fellow commissioners Melvin Gum and Larry Clifton as well as Braxton Newspapers.

Executive Director of the County Commissioners Association of West Virginia Pat Cadle was on hand to recognize those who won on the state level. Gracie Dyer won first place in the state and received a $500 check for her efforts. Both Lauren Pritt and Bailey Pritt were named honorable mention and received a check for $50. All three are students of Lori Dittman’s Braxton County Middle School class. Dyer’s first place state win also netted Dittman $500 to spend on classroom supplies.

Randy Sanders, President of the World Association of Marching Show Bands (WAMSB) Buckhannon Host Committee spoke with the Commissioners regarding tourism and economic impacts the 2023 world competition will bring to the region when it is hosted in Buckhannon next year. “Braxton County’s proximity to the weeklong event’s epicenter means they will greatly benefit from the influx of the thousands of international visitors expected to be in attendance” said Sanders, president of the WAMSB 2023 Host Committee.  “This competition will help generate an immediate economic impact that will be felt throughout Upshur and our neighboring counties. We want Braxton County to be involved in the opportunities that will be created.” He requested that the County join their counterparts and cities of the Central West Virginia area in sponsoring the event. Sanders requested that Braxton County tributed $10,000. President Godwin stated that the Commission would review their budget for later discussions.

Addi Facemire presented monthly reports on the activities of the Braxton County Drug Testing Center for April and May. She stated the center had conducted 95 drug screenings in April and a total of 107 in May. She added that three people had successfully completed the terms of their home confinement and had been released

In other business, the Commission approved the short form settlements as presented by the Fiduciary Supervisor for the following: Dixie L. Graff, Michael Lee Harper and Izetta B. Ware.

During the discussion of purchase orders for consideration, Sheriff Lou DellaMea requested that PO# 740 be changed to Sports Connection at a cost of $595 per vehicle. The request was granted on a motion by Larry Clifton.

Global Science & Technology will provide the Assessor’s Office a Dell Laptop, UPS Backup and a 5090 Optiplex at a cost of $2,896.66.

Two purchase orders were approved for Casto and Harris. The County Clerk will buy 5 Land Books at a cost of $500.54 plus shipping.  The Sheriff’s Tax Office will pay $3,024.63 for tax statements and envelopes.

Following a brief discussion, the Commission approved a lease agreement, contingent on the review of the Prosecuting Attorney, between ATC Ponderosa K LLC and the County for leased space on a radio tower in Burnsville.

Larry Clifton made separate motions that will result in internal budget revisions for the Assessor’s office and internal budget revisions for stage government grant line being approved.

The Commission approved a request from the law firm of Bowles Rice to continue a hearing set for July 1 in the estate of Susanna Rose for 30 days.

The Commission voted to go into executive session under Section 9-9A-4 of the State Code to discuss a personnel matter at 9:36 a.m. When the meeting reconvened in regular session, Melvin Gum made a motion to approve the bills presented for payment with the exception of 3 invoices. Those invoices were for the Sheriff’s Law Enforcement division and consisted of 2 led Flashlight each at a cost of $390.77 with orders places on June 6, 7 and 9. The total of the three invoices are more than what is allowed without a pre-approved purchase order.

The final act of the meeting was the approval of the minutes from the Commission’s June 3 meeting. The next regular meeting of the Braxton County Commission will convene on Friday, July 1 beginning at 9:00 a.m.