KINGWOOD — Preston commissioners approved four precinct changes and took other actions Friday in preparation for the May primary election.
Precinct 6 will move from the Lenox Community Building to the North Preston Senior Center. Precinct 23 will go from the Eglon Community Building to the Maple Springs Family Life Center.
Precinct 27 will move from the Szilagyi Center in Rowlesburg to the Rowlesburg Fire Hall, and Precinct 28 from the Farmers Wildlife Club to the Maple Springs Family Life Center.
“It’s for the voters. It’s for the poll workers. It’s just to make it a little easier for everyone,” County Clerk Linda Huggins said when requesting the changes.
Some of the polls were not well-heated or were harder to access than the replacement locations, she said. Each polling place is paid $100.
Republican Michael McGovern and Democrat Kim Dixon were named ballot commissioners. Each was nominated by the county executive committee of their party.
They will proof the ballots and help the county clerk on election night.
Commissioners also adopted an emergency absentee voting policy by a 3-0 vote. It mirrors state law and says any person who enters into a health care facility within 30 days before the election can vote an absentee ballot.
The person can be anywhere within a 30-mile radius of Kingwood, the county seat. That means they might be outside the county.
Also Friday, commissioners:
– Reappointed Shawna Knotts to another three-year term on the Preston County Ambulance Association board.
– Heard Kelly Stadelman of the Tucker Community Foundation’s request for a $3,000 donation for the Run For It program. Last year, the commission gave $2,000 and the previous year $3,000. No action was taken.
– Agreed to write a letter of support for Arthurdale Heritage, which is applying for a $75,000 grant to make repairs to buildings.
– Agreed to creation of a special account to hold funds left to benefit the county animal shelter by the late Dolores Ryan.
– Opened bids for aerial photography of the county. One company, Thrasher Engineering, bid. The cost is not to exceed $45,000. Charges will be based on the number of square miles covered. The bid will be considered for approval next week.
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