The first item listed on the agenda for the September 10, Putnam County Commission meeting, “Recognition of Harold Brown, Retired Putnam County Commissioner,” puzzled me.
Harold Brown? I became a Putnam resident in 1971 when I married into the politically active Hurricane Breeze family. I had met every county commissioner who had served since 1966 except for one who had moved to Florida following his term on the commission and it was not Harold Brown. I never heard of Harold Brown.
Harold Brown was present and introduced himself to all in attendance. He began, “Sixty-seven years ago, I came in and took a seat where you gentlemen are. I’m 93 now, and thank God, my heart is still working.”
Brown said that he left Putnam County in 1967 because of his employment. Brown was elected to the commission in 1956 when he was still in college. During his term, the commission built the annex which has since been remodeled to serve the Sheriff. Brown cited a number of procedural changes that were instituted during his time on the commission. Upon returning to Putnam County this last January, Brown discovered that his photo was not on display with those of other commissioners. Following Brown’s recognition, his photo has placed in the 1956-61 time slot.
In other business, the commission heard updates from the WVU Extension Service and 4-H Director Raechel Neal, and a brief update concerning county water projects from Terry Martin of the Regional Governmental Council.
The commission voted to adopt an ordinance which will regulate the location of vape smoke shops in the territorial limits that are not within municipal corporation limits. All future vape shops must be located beyond one mile of any child day care facility, school or public or private institution of higher education, public park or recreational facility, public library, federal, state, county or municipal office building or another vape smoke shop or an establishment licensed to serve alcoholic beverages.
The ordinance will not affect any vape smoke shop which is currently in operation.
The commission designated the trick-or-treat time to be 6-8 p.m., Thursday, October 31, for all areas in the county outside of city limits.
The commission directed county attorney Larry Frye to request a ruling from the State Fire Marshal concerning a change in the current fire service districts. Due to recent annexations, areas served by the Teays Valley Volunteer Fire Department are now within Hurricane city limits. One section of State Code requires a city to provide fire protection services and another section states that the State Fire Marshal is to determine fire protection jurisdictions. Commissioner Andy Skidmore recused himself from the discussion because of his position with the City of Hurricane.
The next commission meeting will be Tuesday, September 24, at 5 p.m.
