By WARREN SCOTT
The Weirton Daily Times
WELLSBURG, W.Va. — The Brooke County Animal Shelter is helping to relieve the plight of an animal shelter affected by the hurricane in Texas.
Brooke County Commissioner Jim Andreozzi on Tuesday applauded the efforts of the shelter’s staff and volunteer Lori Baltich in taking in about 14 dogs from a Texas shelter.
“These animals had already been in the shelter (before the hurricane), unclaimed,” said Andreozzi, who explained the shelter’s staff was anticipating an influx of pets separated from their owners during the storm and was attempting to make space for them by seeking other accommodations for those they were housing.
The commissioner said a veterinarian who has worked with the Brooke County shelter learned of the Texas shelters’ situation and suggested the local shelter could help.
Andreozzi noted it’s not the first time the shelter has been the temporary refuge for animals outside the county.
Early last year the shelter accepted 10 dogs gathered by the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department from a home that had become overrun with animals. In appreciation, the Calhoun County Commission sent a $1,500 check to Brooke County for veterinary and other expenses related to the canines’ care.
The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. For information about adoption fees and other details, call (304) 394-0800.
In other business, Commission President Tim Ennis said a representative of the West Virginia Division of Highways has agreed to meet with officials of Brooke and Hancock counties to discuss the road bond issue to be decided in an Oct. 7 special election.
Ennis said the official is slated to speak at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 19, which has led the commissioners to begin their regular meeting that day at 9 a.m.
He added the meeting may be moved to the main courtroom, depending on its availability and the level of attendance.
County Clerk Sylvia Benzo noted early voting will begin on Sept. 22 for the special election, which will determine passage of the Roads to Prosperity to the state’s constitution. If approved, it will authorize the sale of up to $1.6 billion in state bonds over the next four years.
The amount may not exceed $800 million in fiscal year 2018; $400 million in 2019; $200 million in 2020; and $200 million in 2021. Repayment of the bond debt would come from funds generated by recent increases in state Division of Motor Vehicles fees. The amendment also would authorize the state to collect an annual tax to pay the interest and principal of the bonds.
The county commissioners are among area officials who have questioned how much of the bonds’ revenue will be used locally. The state highway official’s visit is at their request.
Also on Tuesday:
• Brooke County Sheriff Larry Palmer told commissioners he will be asking Wellsburg officials to clear and refill two alleys near the courthouse to accommodate the extension of grounding wires to protect courthouse equipment during power surges. Palmer said the county will resurface the alleys after the work is done. Wires and surge suppresses will be installed at a cost of about $14,000 to prevent courthouse equipment from being damaged by surges.
The sheriff said the surges have been a recurring problem and resulted in the loss of about $12,000 in computer or radio equipment this year alone.
• The commissioners are continuing to accept letters of interest in the unexpired terms of Leonard and Deloris Ginier on the Brooke County Museum and Cultural Center board. Letters of interest may be submitted to the county clerk’s office at the courthouse.
Scott can be contacted at [email protected].
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