Bridge name, illegal dumping concern Brooke County commissioners
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WELLSBURG -- The Brooke County Commission turned its attention to a potential name for the new Ohio River bridge and the recurring problem of illegal dumping.
County Commissioner Tim Ennis said at Tuesday's meeting that the recent transport of the future bridge’s main span to its piers between Brilliant and an area a mile south of Wellsburg inspired him to consider a name for the span.
While noting the name ultimately will be determined by the West Virginia Legislature, he suggested the span be dubbed the Pioneer Bridge.
Ennis acknowledged the bridge is slated to include a bicycle path that will lead to the Brooke County Pioneer Trail below, but he said that’s not the only motive to name it as such.
“What we saw yesterday was a pioneering marvel of engineering,” he said, alluding to a process in which the 4,100-ton main span was carried by four barges and lifted onto the piers using hydraulic jacks.
But Ennis said that also isn’t the only reason behind the name.
He noted the definition of pioneer, as a verb, is “to develop or be first to use or apply a new method, area of knowledge or activity.”
Ennis and his fellow commissioners said the bridge can serve as inspiration to them and others to adopt a pioneering spirit in improving the county, including drawing new businesses and residents.
Commission President A.J. Thomas noted U.S. Census officials recently brought bad news where West Virginia is concerned, reporting the state experienced the largest population decline in the nation.
He said Brooke County has seen a steady decline in residents in recent years and currently has a population of about 21,000.
Thomas said new approaches are needed to reverse that trend.
“We need to be pioneers, so why not start fresh with that moment?” he said of the bridge’s development.
County Commissioner Stacey Wise said the panel is hopeful its future establishment of a judicial annex to house all of the county’s courts and staff, planned for the corner of Sixth and Main streets, also will help to spur interest in the city and county.
She noted the commission awaits approval by the state Supreme Court of plans for the court facilities, which fall under its jurisdiction.
“Hopefully it will be a domino effect for more people to come to Brooke County,” Wise said, adding staff with the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission is exploring avenues to secure more funds for infrastructural improvements in the county.
Wise said one way residents can encourage development is by abstaining from and deterring illegal dumping.
She said she and the other commissioners joined Brooke County Sheriff Rich Beatty and Follansbee Police Chief Larry Rea in investigating three areas beneath the Veterans Memorial Bridge where things were illegally dumped.
The items ranged from a hot tub and a toilet to children’s clothing still bearing the tags, which Thomas said was saddening because it could have been donated to a local charity.
“We just want to make it known we’re going to work really hard against it,” Wise said while referring to illegal dumping and littering she said makes areas of the county an eyesore.
Thomas added the sheriff’s department has been encouraged to issue the highest fines for such actions.
He acknowledged the recent collection of litter along Cross Creek Road by the Brooke High School chapter of Skills USA and other volunteer efforts.
County officials noted all residents are required under state law to pay for garbage collection and may dump trash at the Brooke County Landfill, a private business in Colliers, on the last business day of each month.
In other business, Larry Swanson, a former leader of the Brooke County Economic Development Authority, told the commission the group has reorganized as an independent, nonprofit group called Ohio Valley Business Alliance Inc.
He said it includes many of the same members who will work to promote economic development in Brooke County as well as all counties from Hancock to Wetzel.