Moorefield Examiner

Wednesday, March 11, 2020 • VOLUME 129 • NUMBER 11 ONE SECTION • 16 PAGES • 94¢ Hardy County Planner Tells Planning County Re-affirms Commissioners She’s Resigned By Lon Anderson Second Moorefield Examiner Amendment The March meeting of the Hardy County Planning Com- mission started off normally - Becomes enough with a discussion of the morning’s County Commission meeting, approval of minutes, Sanctuary and discussions about the GIS Board and flood plains. It was By Jean A. Flanagan only towards the end of the meet- Moorefield Examiner ing that the bombshell dropped: Melissa Scott, Hardy County’s By Jean A. Flanagan According to County Commis- Planner for the last seven years, Moorefield Examiner sioner David Workman, several announced that she’s leaving her citizens have requested the Har- position to join a consulting firm. “Do we have this in writing?” dy County Commission re-affirm The news seemed to stun mem- “I want to see this in writing.” the U. S. Constitution’s Second bers of the Planning Commis- It was obvious to all present, Amendment - the right to keep sion, with whom she has worked Hardy County Commission Presi- and bear arms - and declare Har- closely for her entire tenure in dent Harold Michael did not ac- dy County a Second Amendment the County. Under her guidance, Sanctuary. Hardy County has developed a cept Hardy County Planner Me- The Hardy County Commission statewide reputation as a leader lissa Scott’s recommendation that Photo by Lon Anderson approved a Resolution to that ef- in land use planning among the the Hardy County Floodplain Or- County Planner Melissa Scott discusses land use issues with Planning Board Members (left to right) fect at the meeting held Tuesday, small, rural West Virginia coun- dinance be updated. Jay Fansler, Roger Saville and Commission President Lee Lehman. Scott just announced her res- March 3. ties. Because of her expertise, Scott requested the Flood- ignation after serving as both County Planner and Flood Plain Manager for the last seven years. The resolution says “the Coun- she also serves as the County’s plain Ordinance be included on ty Commission of Hardy County, Flood Plain manager and over- the Commission’s agenda at the hereby expresses its desire that saw the creation of the County’s the Examiner. “So lucky!” state leader in land use planning, is one of the lead planners in the March 3 meeting. public funds are not used to un- GIS (Geographic Information Officially Scott’s last day will Jesse J. Richardson, Jr., the lead state, and you really can’t replace “We have to do this for FEMA,” constitutionally restrict the Second Systems) Board to coordinate use be March 17, although she com- land use attorney in the Land Use Melissa.” Scott said. “At their last site visit, Amendment rights of the citizens and sharing of this critical infor- mitted to returning for the April and Sustainable Development As a result of her announce- they said we have to adopt a new of Hardy County; and the Coun- mation management tool. Planning Commission meeting as Law Clinic at WVU, said it was ment, the Planning Commission ordinance because the existing one ty Commission of Hardy County “We have been so lucky to have well. “a great loss for the State of West immediately took two actions to is too old.” hereby declares its intent to op- her for seven years,” Lehman told Asked about her departure, a Virginia and Hardy County. She Continued on page 3 The Hardy County Floodplain pose…any constitutional infringe- Ordinance, first adopted in 1975 ment of the right of law-abiding and last updated in 2009, is re- citizens to keep and bear arms.” quired by the National Flood In- “We believe in all the amend- surance Program, the National ments, but this is the one being Floodplain Act of 1968 and the attacked,” said Commission Pres- West Virginia Code §8A-4-2, §8A- ident Harold Michael. He men- 5-7 and §8A-7-2. tioned efforts in the neighboring The ordinance establishes a commonwealth of Virginia to re- floodplain area and requires per- strict gun ownership. mits and approval of plans for con- Mathias resident John Buckley struction or the relocation of struc- said he thought the resolution was tures within that floodplain area. It worthwhile and asked what being also establishes penalties for those a “sanctuary” meant. When none who fail to comply with the ordi- of the commissioners responded, nance. Buckley said he understands it as The Federal Emergency Man- this, “If there were a dissolution agement Agency administers the National Flood Insurance Pro- of the Second Amendment on the gram through private insurance federal or state level, the local gov- companies. Rates are set by the ernment won’t enforce it.” federal government and claims are Sheriff Bryan Ward echoed sup- adjudicated through FEMA. port of the resolution. Scott presented an updated Continued on page 6 Floodplain Ordinance for the Commissioner’s consideration. “Where is the side-by-side?” Michael asked. “I want to see the SBCTC Continued on page 7 Clarifies Census Day Is Approaching By Jean A. Flanagan Policies Moorefield Examiner By Jean A. Flanagan Moorefield Examiner Steve Swingle was a busy man last week. On Monday, the part- “I want to address some false nership specialist with the U.S. information that has been circulat- Census Bureau visited the Hardy ing about the South Branch Career County Board of Education and on and Technical Center,” said Ju- Tuesday, he made a presentation lie Hansrote, financial director at to the Hardy County Commission. SBCTC. The message was the same - it’s im- Hansrote addressed the Hardy portant to be counted. County Board of Education at the The U.S. Constitution requires meeting held Monday, March 2. every person in the United States Hansrote said there were five be counted every 10 years. April 1, points she wanted to clarify. 2020 has been designated a Census “One - there is no test to at- Day. That’s when the bureau will tend the South Branch Career and make its greatest effort to get the Technical Center. There is an in- word out about the importance of Artwork created by East Hardy Early Middle School K - 5th-graders is on display at the Eagle’s Nest Gallery at Eastern West Vir- terview process. being counted. ginia Community and Technical College. The display will run through Wednesday, March 25. Admission is free. “Two - Drug testing is not man- “This year, there are three datory. Last year there were 51 stu- ways households can be counted,” dents who volunteered to be drug Swingle said. “The first is the Inter- tested. Those students earned a net. Heads of households can go to Drug-Free Certification that they A Tale of Two Levees: Moorefield South Levee www.2020census.gov. There are can present to any potential em- nine questions, which should take ployer. about 10 minutes to answer.” “Three - It was reported that Certification Moves Forward, North Levee Needs Work There is the paper form, which students must attend two years will be mailed upon request. Heads at South Branch to become certi- By Hannah Heishman Petersburg — of the bridge in “overtop,” or spill over the top, of plain behind it, including most of of households can also respond via fied in a completer course. In fact, Moorefield Examiner town over the South Fork river. the South Levee. Moorefield, may have issues with telephone. students get certificates after each Between March 12 and March The levee crosses the railroad The North Levee requires flood insurance, or be required by year. 20, invitations to participate in The Moorefield Town Council on Rohrbaugh Lane on one side, more work before FEMA can ap- banks to hold specific amounts or “Four - it was reported that the Census will be delivered in morning classes were for Grant covered a wide range of topics at and extends nearly to Brighton prove it. types of insurance. the mail. Once that invitation is County students only. In 2008-09, their meeting on March 3. Park and the South Branch river From Weimer Automotive Second, the levee’s height can received, decide which method of Hardy County chose only after- Moorefield’s South Levee cer- on the other. dealership to the end of the Le- be raised with earth, from six response is best and complete the noon classes. tification draft looks good, and In 1985, the South Branch vee, it is not high enough, and inches to two feet. This will cost process. “Five - It was reported the South is ready for FEMA, said Public had a 400-year flood event, and there are four options. between $500,000 and $600,000. “It’s important to be counted Branch Career and Technical Cen- Works director Lucas Gagnon. the South Fork had a 1000-year First, the Town could do noth- Third, the Town could use an I- for a number of reasons,” Swing- ter is part of the Petersburg High The South Levee protects event. ing, leave the levee as it is, and wall, which involves burying most le said. “The census determines Continued on page 7 Moorefield south — towards The 1985 flood would not property owners in the flood Continued on page 5 Continued on page 5 2 - MOOREFIELD (WV) EXAMINER, Wednesday, March 11, 2020 Opinion What We Know Letters to the Editor Dear Editor, saw the writing on the wall and re- him, lies are in his nature. He has you vote. I am a 1938 model, so I have signed before he could be kicked been a liar, dishonest businessman, May The Creator guide you and About Coronavirus lived through the administrations out.

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