| The West Virginia State Police is relocating its Clay detachment from the current location at Maysel near the center of the county to the edge of the county at Big Otter
The new detachment will be located at one of Clay's premium properties the agency has purchased for $341,000.
The agency says the new detachment will be operational no later than December 31.
The move was never acknowledged as a public issue in Clay, even though the move does extend response times to the county seat and other parts of Clay.
The Grantsville Detachment was to have been part of the consolidated barracks, eliminating the Calhoun detachment and moving it to Clay.
The move appeared to be on the fast-track when the Herald broke the story and the Calhoun Commission passed a resolution opposing the closure.
The Calhoun Commission, after reviewing the agencies justifications to save money, said they could not discern 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."
Delegate David Walker said the State Police are no longer seeking to close Calhoun's detachment, but would move the Clay detachment and use the location for a training facility.
Grantsville businessman Raymond Baker has leased the barracks near Grantsville to the agency for 20 years.
"I have never raised the monthly charge of $600 and just signed a two-year lease with them," Baker said. "I have not been trying to sell the building," he continued, saying the lease does have a clause it can be voided by either party.
"I understand they will be looking for a new building to house the Grantsville detachment in Calhoun," Delegate Walker said, with officials indicating the current owner was wanting to sell the property.
Col. Smithers had 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 were unable to obtain the list of 21 detachments, with the State Police having denied public information requests for the list and so far have declined to issue the list with Freedom of Information requests.
Since publishing the closure 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.
Public Information Officer Michael Baylous told state media, "We continually review our daily operations in an attempt to become more effective and efficient as an agency."
While the legislature approved $250,000 for a new barracks in Calhoun in 2007, Gov. Manchin declined to approve the appropriation.
STATE POLICE SAY THEY WILL NOT CLOSE GRANTSVILLE DETACHMENT - Agency Purchasing Premo Clay Property For $350,000
REVIEW WORRIES CALHOUN OFFICIALS - Possible Closure Grantsville Detachment
STATE POLICE COULD BE PULLING CALHOUN DETACHMENT - Agency Won't Confirm-Deny
PULLING TROOPERS FROM RURAL COUNTIES WILL "ENHANCE" COVERAGE
(02/27/2007)
CALHOUN WILL GET $250,000 FOR STATE POLICE BARRACKS
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