MORGANTOWN — Nonstop and not sustainable.
That’s how Monongalia County Magistrate Todd Gaujot described the daily workload in the county’s magistrate courts.
Magistrate Ron Bane said the county’s four magistrates handled more than 6,500 cases in 2021, up from just over 6,300 in 2020.
“When Ron talks about the need for a magistrate, it’s code red right now. We’re bleeding,” Gaujot said, adding “It’s not sustainable in any capacity.”
To that end, Delegate Joe Statler, R-Monongalia, said he’s worked with Bane on a bill he plans to introduce in the forthcoming legislative session that would give Monongalia County a fifth magistrate.
Statler was among a handful of elected officials to speak in favor of such legislation during Wednesday’s Monongalia County Commission meeting. Others included Senator Charles Clements, R-Wetzel, and incoming delegates Geno Chiarelli and Debbie Warner, both Monongalia County Republicans.
Also on hand was not-quite-retired Monongalia County Circuit Court Judge Phillip Gaujot, who retired Dec. 31 but isn’t officially out of office until Perri Jo DeChristopher is sworn in to fill the seat.
“We have to have another magistrate. There’s no option,” the elder Gaujot said. “They’re working day and night over there. They have little time between hearings. The bottom line, the result of this, is justice can’t be provided if you don’t have time to administer justice.”
Berkeley County received a sixth magistrate in the last legislative session bringing the total to 159 statewide, with at least two in every county. From 1996 to 2000, Monongalia County had five. In 2000, the state opted to take one away and provide it to Mercer County.
Bane asked the commission to consider a letter of support for the forthcoming legislation.
“In the past they’ve said we needed two, but they’ve never done anything about it. My concerns are if we don’t put a bill in place then we’re not saying we’re still interested and want it,” Bane said.
Also on Wednesday, the commissioners said they’re getting inundated with messages and requests surrounding BOPARC’s decision to close the Morgantown Ice Arena for some 16 months during a forthcoming renovation.
“I’ve been on here two years and I’ve never seen anything like it. We get calls and emails, texts, but this reached a new level,” Commissioner Jeff Arnett said, characterizing the correspondence as passionate but respectful.
The issue drew a huge crowd to Tuesday’s meeting of Morgantown City Council. Four of the 30-some speakers who addressed council were back to raise the issue with the commissioners, who said they’re willing to listen and work on a solution if asked, but must walk a delicate line.
“It is a city issue and we have to navigate very carefully,” Commission President Tom Bloom said.
In other news, the commission recognized longtime Monongalia County Circuit Clerk Jean Friend with a proclamation recognizing her historic 60-year stretch in office from 1962-2022.
Lastly, the commission voted to keep Bloom as the body’s president for 2023.
