The Necessary, the Nice and the Nostalgic

I walked into the Brooke County Commission meeting with little idea of what to expect, primarily because Brooke County did not have any online offerings of its' agenda.  I did let the commissioner know I would be there, and that helped.

I was right in my suspicions when it came to the atmosphere.  When I got there, despite the fact that it was the time to start, the Commissioner, Bernie Kazienko, asked me to stand up and introduce myself and then had everyone else stand up and introduce themselves to me.  A local journalist then handed me one of the few agendas available and then the meeting got underway.

The Commission is in the process of funding and building a pipeline t go between three communities, Wellsburg, Beech Bottom and Hamlin.  This would provide a shared water source for situations in which any one of the communities did not have suitable drinking water.  This is fairly common in the area because of flooding of the Ohio River and creeks, as well as mountain runoff flooding.  Now, there is a good chance this will become even more common because of new natural gas wells being built in the area.  Wellsburg drinks water treated from the river, but Beech Bottom and Hamlin drink well water.  If the water in Beech Bottom were to be contaminated because of a frackwater or natural gas leak, the small town could simply divert some of Wellsburg's supply.

Another item drawing much disagreement was funding for Brooke Hills Park.  The Commission used to fund the park by $30,000 dollars per year, but it had been removed the previous year as a line-item.  This argument will continue in further discussion next meeting, after other more vital services are secured, Kazienko said.

Other issues included tire collection and garbage being amassed outside homes near Cross Creek--and questions over whether there was a way to help those who are not fortunate enough to be able to afford to get rid of it themselves.

Few issues were truly resolved in the meeting, but when the county has little money with which to resolve them, there is little that can put to rest instead of being put aside until funds present themselves.

One allotment that was able to be made was a gift to the Wellsburg City Museum--a glass case in which to display a flag Civil War to celebrate its' anniversary.  Secretary for the Board, Ruby Greathouse said she wants it to be displayed properly rather than tucked away in an old sack.

"I wanted that thing so bad I was going to go out and get it with my pension," Greathouse said.

The meeting concluded on somewhat uncertain terms, quickly to be dispelled by talk of the upcoming West Liberty Hilltoppers basketball game.