By Peggy Mackenzie
The Greenbrier County Commission approved a proclamation for the 19th Amendment Centennial commemorating the August 1920 ratification of the Women’s Rights Act, a milestone addition to the Constitution of the United States, which involved the tireless efforts of suffragists who stood steadfastly and fought hard to achieve the right of women to vote.
Now, Tammy Shifflett-Tincher said, women are holding offices in unprecedented numbers. As contributors, their skills and significance cannot be underestimated in all areas of life – for the economy, healthcare, education, public service and more. Aug. 26, 2020, she said, is the day we will set as the Centennial Anniversary of the Women’s Rights Act.
In other business: Sheriff Bruce Sloan was approved to hire new deputy, Seth Arbaugh, at the Tuesday meeting. Sloan said with a recent retirement, he will be presenting at least one more hiree request at the next GCC meeting. The new deputies won’t be ready to work independently for some time, he said, likely not until the end of the year or into 2021 when their training is completed.
- With the approval of the Caldwell Sewer and Stormwater Project Resolution #2 for engineer fees, Commissioner Lowell Rose said that the TIF project was originally undertaken to upgrade White Sulphur Springs’ sewer system, but floods and storms have caused water to be continually standing under the homes of many in Caldwell’s low-lying areas, hence, the stormwater issue was added to the TIF. Both projects are ongoing simultaneously, he said.
- Each year a resolution is approved to designate the lead economic development corporation for the county. This year, as in the past, the Greenbrier Valley Economic Development Corporation was approved to act as the economic leader for the county. GVEDC also serves two other counties, which, like Greenbrier, contribute $1.25 per capita to fund the organization activities on their behalf. The total approved for Greenbrier County was $44,350.
- County Clerk Robin Loudermilk stated that Financial Approvals for the 2019/2020 fiscal year were in order with no issues.
- Four bids were opened for land clearance for demolitions located in Rainelle, Charmco and WSS. The bidders were: L.D. Hanna and Son – $25,037; Treadways Dirt Works – $19,010; Valley Rebuilders – $58,400; and All Construction Inc – $47,315.90. Rose said the bids will be reviewed for accuracy by 911 Center Deputy Director Paula Brown, who will name the successful bidder at a later date.
- The HMGP Mitigation Reconstruction resolution for September 2020’s application for Caldwell and WSS were determined to be in the flood plain. Those applications were resubmitted. Rose said, “It’s good to see things are finally being done on these properties.”
- In a related issue, the Commission approved to sign a letter requesting to transfer both Rainelle and WSS municipal buyouts from FEMA to be passed on to the municipalities, which have maintained and mowed the flood plain properties. Rose said these properties will remain as green lands and cannot be built upon again.
- The last item on the agenda involved a change order with the contractor for the SportsPlex in which storm drainage mitigation was removed from the original contract to keep costs down, resulting in stormwater overflow. The Commission approved the change order at $342,453.53. Commissioner Mike McClung said, “Although it’s more than we had hoped for, we all agree we cannot not do it.” Tincher said, “But, I cannot support any SportsPlex construction expenses, which are now at more than two million dollars.” The drainage issue, she went on, is an unfortunate situation taking away from the Arts & Recreation funds, which are lower than in the past and it is unclear if there will be enough available in the future. McClung said, “We are still honoring all the Arts and Rec grant recipients.”
- As noted by Tincher, October 14 was the last day to register to vote in Greenbrier County. Early voting begins Oct. 21 through 31, weekday hours from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the county courthouse in Lewisburg and 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the Community Center in Rupert. Both locations on Saturday, the hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. She said Oct. 28 is the deadline for Absentee by Mail Application and November 2, 2020 is the deadline to hand-deliver Absentee Ballot to the County Clerk’s office.