The Braxton County Commission filled the vacancy of Prosecuting Attorney last Friday at a Special Meeting that convened at 9:00 a.m. The vacancy was created when Jasmine Morton Mohr resigned last month.
Upon convening the special session, President Lisa Godwin told the audience that five candidates had applied for the position, but only three were qualified under state code to hold the position. She added that those three were interviewed by the Commission.
Larry Clifton made a motion to go into executive session to discuss the hiring. When the Commission returned to open session, just 12 minutes later, Clifton made a motion to hire Dwayne C. Vandevender to fill the vacancy Prosecuting Attorney’s position. That action was unanimously approved. Vandevender will serve in the capacity until December 31, 2024. The balance of the 6-year term Morton elected to in 2022 will be on the November 2024 ballot.
Dwayne Vandeven-der brings a wealth of experience to his new job. He has served as Prosecuting Attorney in Webster County since 2001.
The Webster County native graduated from Webster Springs High School. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration, management and operations in 1990 from Glenville State University. He was accepted and graduated from the West Virginia University College of Law in 1996. That same year he began his professional career with the Nicholas County Public Defender’s Office as an Assistant.
In 1997 Vandeven-der took a position as an assistant with the Nicholas County Prosecutor’s Office where he remained until 2000 before being elected Webster County Prosecuting Attorney in 2001.
In his spare time, he also finds time to be an assistant softball coach for the Webster County Lady Highlanders.
When ask to comment on his new position, Vandevender replied,” I’m very excited. I have worked quite a bit as a special prosecutor in Braxton County and its been a good experience. I am looking forward to working with Braxton officials and serve it’s citizens.”
In other action, The Commission discussed and approved the HUD Grant Committee which will oversee a $500,000 grant to revitalize property within the county. That committee will consist of Lisa Godwin, Rella Cvetican, Brent Boggs, Pam Wine, and April Lloyd.
The only other item on the Special Meeting agenda that could be discussed was a purchase order that would a lot $500 to renew the SAM Registration with the Federal Contracting Center, Inc. That action was approved on a motion introduced by Larry Clifton.
The meeting adjourned at 9:20 a.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Braxton County Commission will be on Friday April 7 beginning at 9:00 a.m.