By Hannah Heishman
Hardy County Sheriff Steve Dawson does not waste time in meetings, usually finishing his monthly reports to the County Commission in under five minutes. But during the Oct. 7 Commission meeting, Dawson had more to say.
First, he observed that his department runs about 100 more calls per month in Hardy County than the WV State Police and the Moorefield Police Department combined.
He also talked about the Potomac Highlands Drug Task Force, and their work destroying a possible fentanyl network that includes Hardy County, involving people from Baltimore.
These are, “real hard core thugs,” he said, trying to establish a network.
Building on that foundation, he laid out his concern: Starting in January 2026, the state of West Virginia will start running two-week enlistment courses for police officers across the state to transition to the West Virginia State Police.
They’ll work four-day weeks, he said, start at $60,000 per year and have take-home cruisers. It will, Dawson said, “essentially steal local police.”
The pay increase alone is enough to empty community and county law enforcement offices.
Dawson said the plan has opposition, including older and retired State Troopers: “We spent 36 weeks going through the academy to become Troopers,” he said. Although most law enforcement officers in W.Va. go through the State Police Academy, they only do the first 16 weeks.
“It’s hard to compete with adjoining counties, anyway,” Dawson said. “It’s impossible to compete with this. You can’t blame the guys if they do go.”
In September, the Hardy County Sheriff’s Office responded to 287 calls. The Moorefield PD had 149 calls, and the State Police responded to 49 calls.
He encouraged Commissioners and the public to contact elected State representatives.
Paul Lewis, 911 and Office of Emergency Management director, hit the Commission with another blow: While discussing different grants’ status, Lewis said if the County requests or receives assistance from the National Guard, the County could be responsible for the total bill.
This is a departure from normal operations. The National Guard, whether Army or Air Force, is historically paid by either the State or Federal governments.
Lewis said the 911 center took 606 calls in September. After the calls dispatched to law enforcement, he reported the County’s EMS numbers: West Hardy EMS had 93 calls; Hardy County Emergency Ambulance Authority (HCEAA) had 81 calls; and Wardensville Volunteer Rescue Squad had 39.
He said HCEAA is operating within its $120,000 budget, with about $36,000 left over. They dropped four calls, which West Hardy picked up.
Lewis said HCEAA leadership is recruiting part-time staff, and have hired new personnel. Future budget challenges will include staffing, and aging equipment.
Moorefield Volunteer Fire Department had 26 calls; Capon Valley VFD in Wardensville had 22 calls; and Baker/Mathias VFD had nine.
The Department of Highways responded to 13 calls.
County Planner Melissa Scott advised the Commission to accept FEMA’s proposed floodplain maps, despite their inaccuracy.
Scott said she’d appealed the maps on behalf of the county, and that FEMA changed them “a little bit.” Scott even met with FEMA representatives on Sept. 4.
She said they maintain Hardy County had only one piece of data for flood flow, and that they will not consider information from outside Hardy County, such as the data from Pendleton County.
One area of concern is mapped floodplains along the South Fork, which is heavily affected by streams and flow in Pendleton County.
“They don’t have any more data, they don’t have any more money, and I recommend to let this (process) move along,” Scott said.
There will still be public hearings, enabling property owners and other members of the public to speak. Later, the County can do a letter of map amendment process.
One of Scott’s concerns is public safety, because of potential issues with dams on the South Fork, many of which are in Pendleton County.
Lewis observed the number of campsites along rivers in the county, including the South Fork, particularly in light of recent flooding and devastation in Texas.
The Commission approved Scott’s suggestion to sign a letter, which she will draft.
Health Department administrator Bill Ours said dialysis company Fresenius has signed the lease to use the Committee on Aging’s building. The center hopes to open in December.
He said his staff is giving flu shots, and with more than 100 people signed up, will start COVID vaccines as well.
Tayare Meade, representing EACHS Head Start, told the Commission that October is National Head Start Awareness Month. She said this month marks 60 years of the program, which teaches students and and helps their families by connecting them with resources and assistance.
Meade said the program has helped 40 million children nationwide, and that Hardy County’s program is growing.
Moorefield VFD Chief Doug Mongold advised the Commission to ensure the State’s Fire Protection Fund disbursement go to fire departments’ accounts specifically designated for money from the government, to simplify auditing.
The Commission approved signing the memorandum for understanding with the fire departments, then will disburse the money equally to each department.
“It’s sad it’s come to the point we have to start this. I would’ve started this with a ‘thank you’ for the work you do, for being on the front line when someone has an emergency or needs help,” said Commissioner David Workman.
Darren Taylor, the South Branch Day Report center director, asked the Commission to sign a letter of support for the Youth Mentoring Grant.
Taylor reported he’s seen a lot of growth in what the center is able to do, services they can provide. There are more than 280 citizens enrolled.
He wants to take what the center is doing for adults, and make it available for youth. Taylor asked local agencies to complete a survey, and all came back with lists of needs for youth: including substance use awareness, truancy issues; mentoring; and recovery.
He reported success with the adult mentoring program, and plans to apply it to youth as well.
“We want to try to see them before we get to the point we see them when they’re 18,” he said, alluding to the age at which the justice system treats them as adults.
Taylor also said, “We have 10 years of mentoring for adults, so a solid track record to show what we’re doing is working.”
Commission president Steven Schetrom congratulated Taylor on his appointment to the West Virginia First Foundation board.
Near the end of the meeting, Schetrom noted the jail bill is creeping upwards, after per diem increased. August’s jail bill — the monthly report is always for two months prior — was $41,010.84.
Citizens often want those convicted of crimes to be “locked up,” but each person sent to jail costs the county. Those same citizesns’ taxes pay for inmates’ stay, whether a single night or years. Programs such as the Day Report center and home incarceration help mitigate those costs.
The Commission “enthusiastically,” per Workman, approved signing Taylor’s requested letter of support.
County Coordinator Wendy Branson reported dog warden Jim Shupe picked up eight dogs in September, returned five to owners, and rehomed one.
The pound and surrounding area are cleaned up, she said, with assistance from the County’s Park personnel.
Regarding Parks, Branson said she’s looking at adaptive play equipment for Brighton Park, which has none, and that she’s also looking for grants to help cover the cost.
Commissioner “Jay” Fansler asked if she’d found any grants to replace USDA grants in paying for police cruisers and equipment. Branson said she has not.
If one of the cruisers goes down, now, it’s for months, not weeks, and the cost of repairs has doubled. Branson noted some of the cruisers have over 100,000 miles on them, and recalls are common.
She said she’s looking for grants. To improve the county’s chances of success in getting grants, Branson also completed a six-week advanced grant-writing course through Marshall University.
Prior to going into executive session for personnel discussions, Workman noted that Hardy County is one of 16 counties where all or part is in extreme drought conditions. USDA assistance to farmers is adversely affected by the government shutdown.
Workman said he’d gotten calls from citizens whose well are dry or going slow, and therefore have to haul in water. He observed that there are citizens who have no water.
The next meeting of the Hardy County Commission is Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 5 p.m.
