At the close of the final county commission meeting of the year, outgoing Greenbrier County Commission President Woody Hanna, a WVU grad, was honored by fellow commissioners Lowell Rose and Mike McClung with a painting of the West Virginia University, painted by Robert Tuckwiller, to commemorate Hanna’s years of service to the county.

Hanna’s seat on the commission will be filled by newly elected commissioner Tammy Shifflett-Tincher beginning on Jan. 8, 2019.

Hanna authorized Rose to serve as Chair of the Commission at the first January meeting, at which time a new commission president will be selected.

A recap of nearly 20 accomplishments fulfilled during Hanna’s term as county commission president were cited to include: a new service helicopter for the Greenbrier County Airport Authority, $450,000 in hotel/motel tax funds available to the county, six years of continued funding for the Greenbrier County Animal Shelter, donating $250,000 to support the WSS pool, development of the Sam Black water project by PSD #2, United SkyWest servicing Greenbrier Valley Airport, assigning the dog warden  position and the Day Report Center under the Sheriff’s department umbrella, moving the Day Report Center to Ronceverte, the purchase of the final 6-plus miles of the Meadow River rail track for the Meadow River Trail into Rainelle, establishing the Rupert regional office for the sheriff’ department, the purchase of 143 acres on Harper Road to develop a sportsplex and park, acquiring grant applications toward resolving flooding issues in Rainelle, acquiring a five-percent discount in flood insurance through FEMA’s community rating system, settling the pool litigation dispute and, lastly, securing ownership of the 911 Center property.

Hanna offered his thanks and appreciation for the exemplary service by the many people in all the departments within the courthouse, the 911 center, elected officials, both past and present, clerks, security and other personnel, including the custodians who maintenance the building. Chief among those he mentioned, was Commission Clerk Kelly Banton, whom Hanna called an especially “valuable asset to the county.” He said fellow commissioners Lowell Rose and Mike McClung have proved to be “really special to me.” And, Hanna added, “I’m sure Tammy [Shifflett-Tincher] will step in and keep things coming. It’s been an honor to serve for 12 years [in two separate terms] as commissioner. I will always remember these times.”

In other business:

• Greenbrier County Sheriff Bruce Sloan requested approval for two new hires for the department. Desiree Baught was approved for a deputy sheriff position and Michele Saunders will serve as courthouse security guard, replacing Amy Boles, who will replace retiring officer Lloyd Fisher.

• The commissioners went into executive session with Prosecuting Attorney Patrick Via to discuss a possible action on an issue concerning the Greenbrier County Housing Authority. When they emerged, Commissioner Hanna authorized Via to contact HUD with regard to the county’s housing authority.