Wednesday, June 13, 2012
EXTRA ONLINE EDITION THE CLAY CENTER IS OFFERING A VARIETY OF SUMMER KIDS PROGRAMS. PAGE 4
Meeting to raise fire service fee set for Thursday By Jack Bailey
Leslie sworn in as Putnam Circuit Court Judge By Jack Bailey jackbailey@theputnamstandard.com
jackbailey@theputnamstandard.com
WINFIELD – Two Putnam County commissioners who opposed raising the county's fire service fee last year say that a recent proposed increase from the county Fire Board is more reasonable, but are waiting to make a final decision until after a public meeting Thursday night in Winfield. Putnam County Commission President Gary Tillis said that the most recent request for an increase was more reasonable than a request last year that he opposed. “I definitely feel that this request is way more reasonable,” Tillis said of the request that the Fire Board made last month that would raise the $25 a year fire service fee for most homeowners to $37.50 a year. “But I want to hear from the public first before I make a final decision. I haven't made up my mind yet. I definitely want to listen to the concerns and comments from the public.” Likewise, Commissioner Joe Haynes opposed last year's request for a fire service fee increase, but finds the most recent request more reasonable. Last year, the Fire Board asked for fee increases that would have increased the fee 100 percent or more depending on the size of a structure. SEE MEETING ON PAGE 4
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WINFIELD – Hurricane attorney J. Robert Leslie was sworn in as Putnam County's newest Circuit Court Judge during an investiture ceremony Tuesday at the Judicial Building in Winfield. A standing room only crowd of nearly 100 people attended the ceremony in Courtroom A on the third floor of the Judicial Building. Among those in attendance were several circuit court judges from around West Virginia as well as Supreme Court Justices Menis Ketchum and Robin Davis. Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin appointed Leslie on May 18 to replace Judge O.C. Spaulding who retired Dec. 31 due to health concerns. Leslie will serve until the General Election in November. He is the Democratic candidate in the race to fill the remaining years on Spaulding's term, which ends in 2016. Leslie will face Republican Joe Reeder in the November election. Tomblin was on hand at Tuesday's investiture ceremony for
With his wife Amy looking on, Hurricane attorney J. Robert Leslie (left) is administered the oath of office by Putnam Circuit Court Judge Philip Stowers to become the county’s newest Circuit Court Judge. Photo by Jack Bailey Leslie and said that Putnam County's newest circuit court judge will be a fair public servant who will represent the
state and county well. Tomblin also credited Spaulding for leaving a meaningful legacy in Putnam County
during his time on the bench. Spaulding was in attendance SEE LESLIE ON PAGE 3
Commission approves tax repayment plan with company By Jack Bailey jackbailey@theputnamstandard.com
WINFIELD – Putnam County Commissioners signed off on a plan at their June 12 meeting to allow a local business to pay back $125,000 in taxes that went uncollected over the past several years as the result of a misunderstanding. In 2005, the Commission
agreed to let Tasty Blend Foods enter into a payment in lieu of taxes agreement that would allow the company to have a tax break of 20 percent for 10 years and 15 percent for an additional 10 years as an incentive for creating 30 new jobs. However, the agreement was never signed, just a letter of intent, explained Commission attorney Jennifer Scragg Karr. As a
result, the company has been overpaying personal property taxes and not enough real property taxes for the past several years, she said. The difference over the past several years has grown to $125,000 and the company has agreed to repay that in annual installments of approximately $9,000 between now and 2026, she said.
Tasty Blend is the maker of Teays Valley Biscuit Mix and other food products. In other news at the June 12 Commission meeting, commissioners heard proposals from two companies to provide the county's property and liability insurance for the next fiscal year. SEE COMMISSION ON PAGE 3
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