On Tuesday, January 14, commissioners Andy Skidmore and Brian Ellis announced that they had come to an agreement upon the candidate who would fill the seat made vacant by the resignation of Steve Deweese on November 30, 2024.

Doug Pierson of Buffalo will serve on the county commission until a candidate is elected to fill Deweese’s unexpired term in the 2026 General Election.

Commissioners Brian Ellis and Andy Skidmore were unable to agree upon a single individual to fill the unexpired commission term after interviewing 21 applicants following the December 17 commission meeting. The selection process was made easier on Tuesday because the Putnam County Republican Executive Committee (PCREC) had narrowed the list of nominees to three. The PCREC met on January 9, 2025, and nominated Mark Drennan of Fraziers Bottom, Doug Pierson of Buffalo, and Ron Stone of Winfield to fill the seat.

Ellis and Skidmore agreed upon Pierson after meeting for 25 minutes in executive session. Ellis stated that Pierson’s appointment would create a voice on the county commission for residents on the north side of the Kanawha.

Pierson, a member of the Buffalo Town Council, must resign from town council before taking the oath of office as county commissioner. He was re-elected to serve a 4th term on town council in the November 2024 General Election. A swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for the January 28 commission meeting.

In other business of note, the commission approved the annexation of three lots into Winfield city limits. The annexation will add 4.9 acres to the city.