Government, Latest News, Preston County

Preston county administrator resigns

KINGWOOD — The Preston County Commission will discuss the resignation of the county administrator, when it meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4.

Six months into the job, Administrator Shannon Smith Wolfe has tendered her resignation. On Sunday Wolfe said she had no comment.

Wolfe was hired in May to replace Administrator Kathy Mace, who retired but has remained on part-time.

Last Wednesday evening, commissioners Dave Price, Don Smith and Samantha Stone met in executive session for personnel reasons. According to the meeting minutes, Price announced after they returned to open session that the commission was not taking any action and that Wolfe had resigned.

Price said Saturday that there was, “nothing really to say, except that we may not fill the position right away.”
He promised a brief comment to that effective at tonight’s meeting.

Commissioners have sent out notices to county office holders, telling them of the resignation.

Wolfe edged out 24 other applicants for the administrator’s job. Commissioners interviewed eight before choosing Wolfe on a unanimous vote. She was hired at $54,000 per year, with her performance to be evaluated in 90 days.

A graduate of the West Virginia University College of Law who also holds a master’s degree in public administration, she was teaching at Alderson Broaddus College when selected for the county job. Previously she worked as legislative liaison for the State Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Children and Families, was an attorney with Jackson Kelly and worked with her family’s medical practice.