KINGWOOD – The Preston Dive Team and a Victims of Crime Act grant were two of the topics discussed at the Tuesday meeting of the Preston County Commission.
Stacy Greaser, victim advocate, told commissioners she is applying for an $85,023 VOCA matching grant. Greaser asked the commission to provide the $23,911 in matching funds.
She said the grant is due Monday, and if approved, would go into effect in October.
“The grant covers a lot of things I didn’t know it covered.” she told commissioners.
Greaser said if the grant is approved, some of the funds will go to pay for events and a laptop she can use to work from home, if necessary.
“I’m going to ask for a car for transportation and gas cards for victims,” Greaser said. “I’ve previously had to go to Pittsburgh to pick up victims so they can testify. I don’t know if I’ll get it, but I’m going to ask.”
In other business, commissioners signed a letter of support for the Preston County Dive Team. The team requested a West Virginia Division of Emergency Management grant to purchase needed equipment.
Team members are currently paying for all of their equipment out of pocket.
“A well-equipped squad is a necessity to meet our need for emergency situations like water rescues. Also to retain and recruit qualified and experienced team members, adequate and updated equipment is critical,” commissioners wrote in their letter of support.
Commissioners also discussed the use of the old community corrections space in the courthouse by the prosecuting attorney’s office. The rooms, on the second floor, would eliminate having to carry evidence and files from the annex to the courthouse.
Also discussed was an ordinance recently passed by the cleanup committee. Commissioner Dave Price, who represents the commission on the committee, said the ordinance will soon be presented to commission for approval.
The ordinance addresses dilapidated buildings, open dumps, unlawful disposal of litter and other refuse or debris, and overgrown vegetation that pose a threat to health and/or public safety.
According to West Virginia law, the ordinance must be read during at least two meetings and published as a class 1-0 legal advertisement, and a reasonable number of copies made available for public inspection.
Commissioners also passed a resolution designating April as Fair Housing Month.
TWEET@DominionPostWV
