MORGANTOWN — Sometimes things work out.
Call it luck, coincidence or … something else entirely.
That’s what Monongalia County Commission President Tom Bloom did Wednesday during an update on Hazel’s House of Hope.
Bloom said most of the people displaced by the May 1 storm damage to HHH are back in the facility.
A Mountain Line bus transported 18 people using the Bartlett Housing Solutions shelter from Hotel M, in Star City, back to HHH on Wednesday.
Bloom again credited the efforts of private companies like March-Westin and Lytle Construction to intervene on behalf of the social services housed in the HHH facility — stopping just short of calling it divine.
“Ron Lytle gets 30,000 square feet of roofing two days before this happens, and he just gives them the roofing so we’re able to take care of it,” Bloom said.
As it turns out, that roofing was to be part of a project for Mark Nesselroad. Nesselroad played a central role in acquiring the HHH property and turning the old hotel building into a home for social services. He serves on the board of directors for Morgantown Community Resources, which owns the property.
“People do not believe it,” Bloom said of how quickly things came together following the storm. “I’m not a religious person, but I think it’s the work of God …”
Bartlett Housing Solutions Executive Director Keri DeMasi said there are still four individuals who rent apartments on HHH’s third and fourth floors awaiting word they can return. She said one other person has been placed in permanent housing since the storm, and two other placements should happen “any day.”
In other county news, the commissioners recognized the time and effort put in by Monongalia County Clerk Carye Blaney and everyone involved in Tuesday’s primary election.
It was pointed out that the county’s election process was largely wrapped up by 9 p.m.
“There’s never a question with our elections,” Commissioner Jeff Arnett said. “They’re certified quickly, they’re fast and they’re accurate. We feel confident in that.”
Less pleased were the commissioners with an editorial in Wednesday’s The Dominion Post questioning the speed at which traffic concerns at a pair of intersections in the University Town Centre are being addressed.
Bloom said the commission is working with the city of Granville to address the issues.
“We’re working together and we’re moving through the process. To say that it’s not moving fast enough, well that’s the way the system is,” Bloom said, adding, “We will get it resolved in a timely manner, but we have to go through the process.”
Lastly, the commission approved $1,500 for Cheat Lake Rotary’s Flags for Heroes Program. That money will be used to sponsor flags for 30 county employees who would like flags placed for their heroes, be they a military hero, a community hero or otherwise.
It was explained those requests will be honored on a first-come, first-served basis.
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