By Hannah Heishman
The County Commission meeting on May 5 was direct and to-the-point.
Paul Lewis, 911 Director, reported issues in April with the computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system, which sends first responders information regarding the call to which they’re responding.
He said emails were also down for seven days, apparently because the amount of emails the center sends triggered a security measure. He’s working with Hardy Telecom to prevent future issues.
Lewis noted FEMA funding and grants are all still on hold, as FEMA’s operations are largely on hold.
Hardy County Emergency Ambulance Authority liaison Roger Vacovsky reported $720,000 in ambulance fees has been collected so far. He said 858 late notices were mailed in April.
Vacovsky said an independent consultant hired to audit collections gave county processes an overall ‘good’ rating.
“Our gross collections are at 61%, which is considered strong for the industry,” he said.
Hardy County Health Department director Bill Ours told Commissioners a low spot in the department’s parking lot will be fixed.
He reminded the public the department offers vaccines, and expressed appreciation that vaccination rates have not dropped in Hardy County.
He also observed that wells in Hardy County are going dry: “We need some rain, and we need it bad.”
Ours warned those feeding feral cats to be cautious for rabies. He noted there had been several recent animal bites, all from activities like breaking up dog fights and feeding stray cats.
“I don’t know (that) we’ll ever stop that,” he said. “I can run articles, but getting people to pay attention is the hard part.”
Sheriff Steve Dawson said the drug task force has had 44 felony cases in the last year, mostly drug related, with nine other felony cases “just waiting.”
He reported deputies assisted ICE in arresting four people in the U.S. illegally.
Dawson, with cooperation from Hardy County Prosecutor Robert Ryan, requested $20,000 from the opioid settlement money to purchase new surveillance equipment, including Starlink access, which will help the task force.
The Commission approved the request.
Kate Combs and Sydney Lancaster, representing Moorefield High School DECA, returned to thank the Commissioners for their support in sending 14 youth to Atlanta for their International Career Development Conference (ICDC).
Commissioners declared May 8 both childcare Provider Appreciation Day for Mountain Heart, and World Red Cross Day for the Shenandoah Valley Chapter of the Red Cross. They signed proclamations recognizing EMS Week and National Police Week.
Wendy Branson, County Coordinator, requested and received permission to apply for a grant for court security.
In April, she reported Jim Shupe picked up eight dogs, and returned two to their owners. Seven dogs went with Potomac Highlands Animal Rescue. Eight dogs are at the pound.
The meeting ended with an executive session requested by an employee; there was no decision made.
The Commission meets again Tuesday, June 2 at 9 a.m. The public is encouraged to attend, view the meeting as it’s live-streamed on the Commission’s Facebook page, or watch the recording through the same site.
