By Angela F. Durkin, The Journal
MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — On Thursday, the Berkeley County Commission approved the appointment of an interim sheriff and selected candidates to fulfill unexpired seats for Eastern Panhandle Regional 9 Planning & Development Council as well as Berkeley County Public Service Water District.
County Administrator Gary Wine addressed the commission to initiate the process to replace Sheriff Nathan Harmon when his resignation goes into effect Dec. 26 at midnight.
At the Dec. 14 meeting, the commission approved a timeline to replace Sheriff Harmon, which will begin Wednesday when the application process is opened. Qualified applicants will be able to submit applications until 4 p.m. on Jan. 10, 2024.
A motion was entered by Vice President Eddie Gochenour to appoint Chief Deputy Tom Young to fill the vacancy on an interim basis.
Commissioner James Barnhart asked Wine if the interim role would cover all of the sheriff’s duties, including the oversight of the county’s tax office, animal control office as well as signatory obligations. Wine confirmed Young will have the full responsibility. President Jim Whitacre said appointing an interim sheriff would help ensure a “seamless carryover.”
With a unanimous vote, Young was selected to serve Berkeley County as the interim sheriff for a period not to exceed 30 days, effective Wednesday, Dec. 27.