By Stephen Smoot
Last week Michael Benson, the 27th President of West Virginia University, came to Hardy County. He met with citizens and stakeholders at the South Branch Smokehouse and also saw poultry operations while in town. His first stop, however, was at the Hardy County Courthouse to meet local officials.
Officials gathered first in the County Commission chambers. These included Hardy County Commission President Steven Schetrom, Commissioner David Fansler, County Clerk Loretta Humbertson, Public Information Officer Peggy Moomaw, and County Coordinator Wendy Branson.
Alexandria Smith, Hardy County’s West Virginia University Extension Agent, accompanied the President and members of his staff.
Initially, those in attendance took about 10 minutes to meet, talk, and share. Then Moomaw and Branson led the President and other attendees on a tour of the Courthouse, first explaining the “old” and the “new” sections.
Humbertson led the group first into the County Clerk’s office. Branson, with a background in history, took particular interest in the records rooms, poring over books dating back to the 1790s and also noting the signature of the then-United States Secretary of State and future Chief Justice, John Marshall’s signature on some documents.
Branson heard about the process of digitizing County records and that at one point, high school students and college students on summer break came in to assist in the process.
She also explained that for the 2026 primary election, “this will be the first year that we have a satellite location on the eastern side of the county” for early voting. Humbertson explained that the office undertook the extra work to add the option because “we found that a lot of people were driving all the way across the county for early voting.”
Branson went next toward the County Assessor’s office, along the way meeting Sheriff Steve Dawson and speaking with him a few minutes. Each cordially thanked the other for “the work you do.” In the Assessor’s office, Jim Wratchford was not present at the time, but Branson met and shook hands with the staff in the office. It was explained that “Jim is out getting us lunch for Secretary’s Day.”
He also shared his admiration for the number of trophy animals on display in the office.
Branson stoped briefly in the Sheriff’s office and asked to go into the cell in the back for a photo. Next he ascended to the second floor to talk about home incarceration with officers there. Benefits of home incarceration for certain offenders were shared. Some of those in the program are gainfully employed, raising families, and doing other productive tasks, but made a life mistake and are paying for it. Branson heard that it also helps substantially with the County’s regional jail bill.
Branson also stopped and met with Hardy County Magistrates Craig Hose and William Keplinger.
From the Courthouse, he traveled next to a stakeholder and citizen meeting at Smokehouse Barbeque and then was shown a poultry facility.
“I was very pleased that President Benson visited Hardy County,” stated Commission President Schetrom, who added that “My impression is that it was a very well-received visit. The reception hosted by the WVU Extension Office in Hardy County was very well attended.”
Branson explained that “Hardy County’s strong agriculture industry is deeply tied to West Virginia University, and I appreciated the opportunity to see evidence of that firsthand during our ‘Welcome Home Tour’ stops.”
He added that “More than 30 years into my career in higher education, I’ve never enjoyed anything more than exploring West Virginia and meeting people during this tour. Thank you to everyone who welcomed us to Hardy County and made our time there so enjoyable.”
