Thread by @LuckyLyzzie

I'm here! I will be doing my best to live tweet the Hampshire County Commission meeting. I will also be presenting on adoption of @IDADarkSky ordinances in our community.
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The agenda 1/?

Here is what it looks like inside the room and arriving to the building. The seating is not very accessible for disabled folks, and meetings are held upstairs. 2/?

Present is commissioners Robert Hott, Brian Eglinger and David Cannon. The meeting has been called to order. Meetings from the last meeting were approved with unanimous consent. Commissioners are now giving reports. Brian is speaking about the CVB and putting more funding in. 3/

This is the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Hotel and Motel Tax funds this program. Prior to COVID revenue was 51k, 2020 was 46k, and 2021 was 35k, 2022 went up to 63k. #tourism fiscal year is projecting over 75k for visiting Hampshire County. 4/

Brian states that he wishes to be more aggressive with the Hampshire CVB. He applauds the advertising and accomplishment of the organization. This organization is led by Tina Ladd. He references the Hallmark-esque nature of Hampshire. 5/

He goes on to talk about the county fair. Planning, safety, and livestock. Fair planning is already underway. They have added breeding heifer class. 6/

Grant funds are being discussed for the old Capon Bridge school building. CVB is also sponsoring the Potomac Highlands Sportsman and Outdoor show that will be held at the fairgrounds. There is lots of interest and enthusiasm. March 11-12,2023 7/

Robert Hott is now speaking and is very hard to understand. They added back up generators to the trash centers to make sure that trash collection can happen during a power outage. The current director is retiring and they will be hiring. 8/

David is now speaking about the jail bill and how we have no problem paying our bill, however our bill prohibits funding going to community investment. They are talking about forcing inmates to repay the first 30 days of #incarceration. 9/

They are also talking about making Delta 8 THC illegal. Darren Thorne and Hillenbrand are lobbying the commission about giving up local control of election disputes. There are needed upgrades to the commission on aging. There are many dilapidated buildings. 10/

They are looking at how to take over dilapidated properties and remove blight for the community. Historic landmarks are having a meeting tomorrow and where to store records. 11/

The industrial park in Capon Bridge is fully completed. They had to remove much of the property from the flood plain. A contract was awarded to tear down the old hospital to an architectural reclamation company for 230k. 12/

They are discussing water right of ways in Purgettsville where some houses can catch their water taps on fire from methane. They also awarded grants for AEDs to other organizations. 13/

HardyNet is coming to address right of ways for expanding internet to the fairgrounds. They are asking for approval for the right of ways. Documents were submitted for approval and signature. More on HardyNet in another thread. Plat maps were also submitted. 14/

Internet would not be directly supplied to the fairgrounds themselves but the community in the area. However they are talking about donations for internet at the fair. They are NOT giving free internet in exchange for right of ways. The ground lease agreement and ROW pass 15/

Documents were signed in front of everyone at this time. I'm up next. 16/

Well @average_amanduh filmed my testimony and we will post it. They didn't seem very interested. I will try to talk more with them when we Are done. 17/

They are nominating and appointing Paul Saban to be a deputy sheriff and bailiff. 18/

They seem to be rushing through things, but this is just my opinion. 19/

Tax exonerations are passing. Exemption of waivers for the fees assessed to every property for our EMS services (a non-"tax" but mandatory fee) are also being passed. 20/

Greg Rinker of Parks and Rec is now up to talk about opening bids for #HVAC at the old Capon Bridge School building. Sewer line work and HVAC bids were put out for 27k with THC Asphalt and Cleanup of Virginia. No other people put forth bids. 21/

Not sure what additional work was done to get additional bids. They do not have a history of work with this company. Greg is very soft spoken and not using the microphone so is hard to hear. 22/

They are circling back to paving. $27,417 to fix the basketball court due to cracks and deteriorating surface. This would remove all material and fix sublayers. This comes from ARP funds as an outdoor activity. Project would start March or April when weather improves. 23/

They are looking at submitting funds to a grant writer to make sure that steps are not missed in ARP finding and get the project disqualified. A motion is being presented to present the funding for Erin Timbrook to repave the basketball court, passed. 24/

Estimates from A1 Cooling $94,800, David Watts $190,786 for fixing air handlers at the old Capon Bridge school. They are discussing the reviews and comfort with the A1 cooling company. Stating suspicious of big difference in estimates. 25/

They are discussing tonnage of the units and whether or not they are comparable and brand of units. They can't age the current units. Current units are all just electric and 3 units don't work at all. 26/

They are discussing the warranty on work being done. Units in the building are already rented. The elementary is having PE in the building. There was no heat there during the election. 27/

They are stating it's hard to ask people and businesses who rent office space there when there is no heat and no air at times. Brian states this building is important and is worth investing in. Cannon moves to approve the bid from A1 due to the cost savings. $94,800. Pass. 28/

Greg Rinker again states difficulty in getting bids for projects in the community. This seems strange. 29/

Slainesville Volunteer Fire is requesting a letter of support that they are in fact supporting the community. The letter was not read aloud. Questions are being asked why this is needed and they want to finance a new tanker. For the loan they need to show they serve. 30/

Robert Hott continues to refuse to use the microphone and takes an aloof stance. They vote to sign the letter that Slainesville Volunteer Fire provides a service to the community. 31/

David Cannon states he is happy to support our local fire departments. In the WV code if one of the local fire companies wish to charge for services they need county commission approval. They can charge up to $1500 for a single structure fire. Romney fire charges. 32/

They are also doing department head meetings and handbook and wage review. They set an inhouse committee for department heads, wage review and an employee handbook. Brian states he will personally be starting the committee. 33/

Oh I forgot to mention county clerk Eric Strite is also here. Oops. 34/

Brian's goal is to come up with more efficient ways of bill paying, simplified processes before things hit the clerk. They will also be doing wage review. Verbal consent given. Dates pending for these meetings. 35/

Moving on to Aaron Cox the GIS and technology coordinator. This is the broadband and streaming update. We are ready to start going live with county meetings via YouTube and Facebook. 36/

The ice storms wreaked havoc on not only power but communications utilities. Lots of the fiber is having to be spliced and repaired. There are places where fiber is on the ground. Rates are around 30% for broadband access. 37/

They are saying these rates exceed goals. Community Connect project is complete from Wardensville to Capon Bridge. There is issues with farmland preservation and increasing easements. There is a federal process to remove preservation easements Del Hillenbrand is working on it 38/

These easements deter excessive development and giant power lines from decimating farmlands. They are trying to remove farmland protections. They are continuing to hang fiber in the air, not undergrounding even with documented weather damage. 39/

HardyNet is a public-private partner and they are looking to reduce their burden when it comes to right of way and property easement. Aaron is stating it is his opinion we shouldn't be charging them a $500 permit. They are talking about being fair to everyone. 40/

One property owner did not agree to easement at the 50/29 split which is an apartment complex. They are going to push assignability clause for electrical lines that exist. Worst case scenario is going around. 41/

If they want increased services at the complex in the future the land owner will have to pay, and they wish to make sure the tenants are aware of the owner won't agree. 42/

They are stating that we will be under "best effort" for starlink in Q1 to Q2 with 30 new satellites deploying this year. 43/

Brian Eglinger calls folks who say county commission meetings are veiled in privacy as "keyboard warriors" that he doesn't like. 44/

Public comment time is now open. 45/

People are applauding evening meetings for availability of public to come to meetings. People are having issues with the local ambulance systems and transport, and significant delays in care. 46/

More discussion is being had regarding increasing response times and transport availability to and from our critical access hospital, some of which has resulted in patient death and documented harm to a child. 47/

I brought up lack of OBGYN and pediatrician services and our memorandums with @ValleyHealth. Brian Eglinger stated people can travel over 30 miles to Baker to receive care. I stated if we want to attract residents we need basic care. 48/

Brian Eglinger is openly hostile to this. Now they are discussing the removal of dilapidated buildings and the process to get funds and the extensive process. David Cannon says commissioners shouldn't be driving roads to tell folks what to do w/property 49/

Bill 2033 is currently sitting in Charleston but it is very broad. Citizens are stating this bill could be weaponized. Brian Eglinger just called me a liar in front of my community. 50/

So not only did Brian call me a liar and didn't know where DHHR facts and figures comes from but invited me to leave. I will be obtaining video of the entire meeting soon. 51/

Overall vibe check, Brian Eglinger is openly hostile when confronted by facts and numbers. Recommendations: take cited sources printed out plainly and give to them. 52/

Robert (Bob) Hott is very old school. If he could have reached to kick his cowboy boots up onto the desk, he would have. He refuses to speak into the microphone. Don't be afraid to ask him to do so. 53/

David Cannon is the most professional and level headed person on the commission. He is a reasonable man who is willing to talk with folks. Try and connect with him one on one. Send emails for a paper trail and document phone calls/messages for all of them. 54/

The layout of the room makes it awkward for people to give testimony and there is no microphone for public comment unless you come right up to the desks. This could be greatly improved to increase accessibility and participation. 55/

Eric Strite is the clerk and he is a mild mannered man that is pleasant to speak to and who to call to get on the agenda. 56/

This is NOT a safe space to be openly gender expansive or openly queer. This is a place to fly under the radar, as hostility and disrespect will happen if you give the mere hint of not being cis het. I purposefully dressed "passing". 57/

The only public restrooms are on the 2nd floor, and I did find an elevator. There is 2 handicapped street parking spots near the entrance. There is a reasonable wheelchair ramp into the building. Don't watch the clock outside. It's always wrong. 58/

Most of the people (around 25) were friendly and kind. There is a pastor that comes and prays before each meeting. He's nice but obviously of the far right evangelical type. 59/

There is a very nice lady named Kathy and without knowing it she is a #folkreporter too. She or her son comes and records the meetings and posts them to Facebook in community groups for people to access. She said her son does the tech work, she just presses play. 60/

Emma, the managing editor for @HampshireReview was there. She's really nice and we will be scheduling lunch together soon. She was really fun to talk with after the meeting. I'm excited for this new relationship. She is safe and asked my pronouns. 61/

Also @average_amanduh was there with me, and we all know I love my girl! She is safe too. I am excited to learn the different frequent attendees and their personalities. There was lots of milling and chit chat after. 62/

Take aways: I have a lot of questions about how our bidding process works. How bids are put out. I will reach out to Greg Rinker to ask.

I have lots of questions about our fiber network and expansion project. I will be reaching out to Aaron Cox to learn more.
63/

I am going to request data from Hampshire County Emergency Manager regarding ambulance response times and also find out where to find data on ambulance transport wait times at our critical access hospital. I have lived experience but I love data. 64/

I will be doing some research on farmland preservation easements. There was discussion about work arounds and pending legislation being pushed by Delegate Hillenbrand to use eminent domain and other means of getting preservation exemption. 65/

I will also be working on scheduling testimony at our local municipalities (Capon Bridge and Romney) town meetings to discuss @IDADarkSky ordinances. I would also like to reach out to @NCC_CNC regarding Dark Sky designation for the Ice Mountain Preserve. 66/

I will also try to get directly on to the agenda for Hampshire County Schools to make IDA compliant lighting changes as they are some of the biggest light pollution emitters in the community. 67/

What can you do? I could really use help with research and data requesting. I really need an external handheld recorder. My phone just isn't enough. At this point I think that is all I have to #folkreport! Thanks for following. Subscribe to @BlackByGodWV
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