Commissioners’ support sought for business development

WELLSBURG - The Brooke County Commission was asked Tuesday to support efforts to establish a business at the north end of Follansbee.

The commission tabled a request from the City of Follansbee for assistance in funding an access road to a site at the city's north end eyed for commercial development at the motion of Bernie Kazienko, commission president.

Kazienko said he welcomed news of development in the county but wanted to learn more before making a decision.

In a letter to the commission, Follansbee City Manager John DeStefano said the road is needed to accommodate a business interested in locating on an acre north of the Rite Aid store.

The land is part of about 18 acres bought by the city from Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel for $1.4 million in 2003 with the purpose of marketing it for economic development.

DeStefano said city officials have approached Gov. Joe Manchin for funds for the road and have been asked to also contribute local money for the effort.

The county commission has established an economic development fund from which such projects may be funded.

Follansbee Councilman at Large Jim Andreozzi, who attended the meeting, said city officials are still in talks with the possible developer and he couldn't comment on its intentions.

In other business:

County Clerk Sylvia Benzo noted Brooke County residents have until Oct. 14 to register to vote in the Nov. 4 general election. She said voters also may cast their ballots early between Oct. 15 and Nov. 1 during the courthouse's regular hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, and during special hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 25 and Nov. 1, the last two Saturdays before the election.

For information about registering, call the county clerk's office at (304) 737-3662.

In addition to the presidential race, the election will determine renewal of the Brooke County School District's five-year operating levy and the winners of races for a seat representing Brooke and Ohio counties in the state Senate, a judge's seat in the 1st Judicial Circuit Court, which includes the four Northern Panhandle counties, and other state offices.

The commission appointed Paul Lish Jr. of Wellsburg to the Brooke Hills Park Board. Lish was one of three who applied for a seat held until recently by Norm Schwertfeger, who resigned. George Barchiesi Jr. and Joan Simonetti Beck of Follansbee also expressed interest.

County Commissioner Norma Tarr said all three would have been good choices, and the three commissioners agreed to encourage Barchiesi and Beck to apply for seats on the board that will open in the future.

In related business, the commission was advised the terms of two members of the Top of West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau board of directors will expire in the near future, and the organization is accepting letters of interest through Executive Director Dan Greathouse.

One of the seats must be filled by a Brooke County resident.

The commission approved the hiring of Joell Devore as a full-time employee of the county assessor's office at the recommendation of County Assessor Tom Oughton, who said Devore will be paid with state money in the assessor's valuation fund.

Devore previously held a part-time position in the department.

The commission also authorized the hiring of two part-time security guards for the county courthouse or magistrate court to replace two guards who have left.

(Scott can be contacted at wscottheraldstaronline.com)