The Hancock County Commissioner selected Commissioner Eron Chek as the President of the County Commission at its January 2, 2025 meeting. Commissioner Paul Cowey will serve as President Pro-Tem and preside over meetings in the event Chek is unable to do so.
The Commission welcomed newly-elected Commissioner Tommy Ogden to his first meeting. Ogden said he is looking forward to working with the Commission on ways to improve revenue.
An adjustment in salary was approved for Ira Aracich. Commissioners said there had been an increase in traffic to that Department due to grants. The adjustment to $65,000.00 was approved on a 3-0 vote.
Commission Board appointments for the coming year were approved. Ogden nominated Chek to serve on the Executive Committee for the Business Development Corporation. The appointment passed on a 2 to 1 vote with Cowey voting no. The full Commission will serve on the BDC Board. Ogden will serve as the Commission’s representative on the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Planning Commission Executive Committee with the full Commission to serve on the Board. Commission Board appointments include the following: Comm. Ogden: County Extension Services, Hancock County 4-H Foundation; Top of WV CVB; Criminal Justice Board; Comm. Chek: Hancock County Health Board; Hancock County Parks & Recreation; Hancock County Sheltered Workshop.
Jeremy Ober will serve on the WV 911 Council. Ober and Aaron Beaumont will serve on the 911 Advisory Board. Open positions exist on the RC&D Council; Greater Weirton Area Senior Center; Workforce Investment Board and the Home Consortium.
Personnel appointments for the Coming year include the following: John Klee, county administrator; Ira Aracich, finance administrator; Theresa Cain, office assistant; Arles Graham, Maintenance Technician; William White, Assistant Maintenance Technician; Albert Bucci; Janitor; William Ross, IT Technician; Gary Jenkins, Mechanic/Auto Technician; Bob Vidas, Abandoned Buildings and Dilapidated Properties; Jeremy Ober, Emergency Management Director; Stephanie Fryer, Emergency Management Deputy Director; Jeremy Ober, 911 Director.
Full-time Dispatchers include Michael Watkins, Teresa Elliott, Aaron Beaumont, Jeff Luck, Andy Nickerson, Melissa Kafton, Bernadette Varlas, Kayla Sarles, Makenna Nickerson, Kyle Robinson, Monica Sprouse, Travis George. Part-time Dispatchers include Sierra Dunlevy, Amy Nickerson, Carl Hinerman, .The Administrative Assistant position is open.
Commissioners voted to advertise for the Director of Humane Operations, Full-time Dog Warden/Humane Officer and Part-time Dog Warden/Humane Officer. The salary for the Director will be advertised as $45,000.00 with incentive for performance. Until those positions are filled Floyd Schute, who recently retired as dog warden, will perform those duties at a salary of $17.01/hour.
Animal shelter positions approved include Hope Dennis, Full-time Operations Manager; Lily Lyons and Clara McIntosh, full-time workers.. Part-time workers include Carolyn Barton, Kathy Beagle, Anannah Bianchard, Patricia Cornwell, Lydia DiBiagio, Jenna Duffield, Annabei Fitch, Faith Geer, Ashley Miller, Patrick O’Brien, Whitney Osborne, Melissa Rosohac, Susan Rudder, Stephanie Slack, Tanner Smith, Nevaeh Wells, Alexandrea Ziegler and Alexis Rhiannon Paris.
The Commission will meet again for a regular meeting on January 9 at 2:30 p.m.
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