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Calhoun County Clerk Richard Kirby said just a few kids were enrolled in the summer
youth program, which has been changed by the Workforce Investment Act. Kirby said
Calhoun kids (last year about 50 worked on county projects) used the summer jobs
and money to pay for school expenses.
The new program requires year-round involvement and is directed toward kids setting
job and career goals, requiring them to attend meetings and programs approved by
the agency.
Kirby had declined to "sign-off" on several of the Workforce Investment Board's
criteria, which is managed by the Children's Home Society of Parkersburg. He said
local participants and kids had not been adequately informed about the changes.
Kirby said this is an example of a program which appears to have great intentions,
but in the end does not help the kids who need the money. "They are not in the
program," he said.
A representative of the Children's Home Society told The Herald, while the numbers
have declined, the program will focus on delivering a more productive service to
young people.
Commissioners discussed issues related to E-911 addressing and mapping. McKenzie
Engineering, who earlier informed the Commission they had done all they were going
to do with the project, advised the Commission that local volunteers had not done
their part in completing the process.
E-911 Director Barry Pitts told the Commission his group has done everything
McKenzie told them, stating he is often unresponsive in answering calls or meeting
with the local group.
McKenzie failed to provide new timelines for completion of the project.
The Commission has been advised the county will not have to pay a special audit
conducted by the West Virginia State Supreme Court. The county had received a
$27,000 bill for an audit of Magistrate Steve Johnson's office.
The Commission is processing a request from Fred and Pat Jarvis, who are seeking to
open a liquor store in Calhoun. The parties are being advised they must obtain
signatures on a petition to have the issue placed on the ballot.
Calhoun is the only county in West Virginia that does not allow a retail liquor store.
Jarvis said he is forced to go court of the county to purchase liquor. "That means
taxes the county needs is leaving the county," he said.
A number of contracts and resolutions for the spending of grants were reviewed,
including the changing of scope.
The Commission passed two resolutions, one changing the time period for levies from
three to five years, and another allowing the county to raise its own funds for
economic development. Both initiatives were the result of legislation passed in
Charleston.
Dorcas Cain was re-appointed to the Calhoun County Library Board, and Marvin Zwoll
and Gloria Stevens were appointed to the LEPC board.
The Commission was to meet with the Calhoun County Board of Education regarding
their donation of Wayne Underwood Field to the county, asking them to re-consider
the addition of the Barr property to the project, which includes the practice field and
parking lot.
Other issues, the location of the emergency services building (see earlier story), bills,
bonds, wills, settlements and orders.
The next regular meeting will be on Thursday, August 1.
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