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The Calhoun Commission passed a resolution Wednesday opposing the proposed closure of the Grantsville detachment of the WV State Police, forwarding it to agency head Col. C. R. "Jay" Smithers.
Following weeks of rumors that the detachment was on a list to be pulled and relocated to Big Otter, Clay County, the commission, using state Senator Jeff Kessler, received a response from Col. C. R. "Jay" Smithers, confirming the movement.
The commission's resolutions reads:
"The commission unanimously opposes a plan by the West Virginia State Police to close the Calhoun detachment at Grantsville and move it to Clay County."
"The commission, after reviewing the agencies justifications to save money, cannot discern such cost savings and furthermore protests the action because of decreased response times to much of the county, affecting the safety and security of the citizens."
Col. Smithers has variously claimed savings for the agency of $200,000 to $250,000 with the closure of 21 detachments in West Virginia.
State media and the Hur Herald have been unable to obtain the list of 21 detachments from Charleston, the State Police have denied public information requests for the list and so far have declined to issue the list with Freedom of Information requests.
The Herald reported earlier that the agency was looking at a $450,000 piece of property in the Big Otter area, that could be used as a combination barracks for Clay and Calhoun.
Since publishing that story, the Herald has been informed that State Police administrators have issued an order that the Grantsville Detachment will no longer be issuing public information locally.
The commission reviewed problems with the county budget Wednesday, and heard a report about deteriorating problems with the court house and roof. They authorized Peter Cobbett to make some minor repairs to courthouse steps.
The county is receiving a $30,000 grant through Community Participating Project Funding, which will be used to upgrade air conditioning in the courtroom and purchase a copy machine for Circuit Clerk Shelia Garretson.
Kevin Means gave a presentation regarding the Doddridge County Day Report Center that is looking at expanding into regional counties.
The commission will be making payments on a $1,700 water bill from the Town of Grantsville at Wayne Underwood Field, a bill that escalated because of a water leak with the meter being pulled.
The commission approved an annual $1,697 warranty contract on the county voting machines for the next four years.
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