Published: February 28, 2008 11:53 am      

Mineral OKs Easter display at courthouse

KEYSER - The Mineral County commissioners approved the placement of an Easter display on the courthouse lawn next month - with one stipulation.

"The prosecuting attorney said as long as the sponsoring agency has a plaque on (the display) identifying who has placed it there, that it should be OK," County Coordinator Mike Bland said.

The display, which would feature a single cross, will be sponsored by the Keyser Presbyterian Church.

Church parishioner Melvin Evans appeared before the commissioners Feb. 13 to request permission to place the display on the courthouse lawn from March 17-24.

Although Evans described the cross at that time as around 7 feet tall, Bland asked him to provide the county with a more detailed plan for the exhibit so the prosecutor could look over it.

Evans also assured the council that the display would not in any way disturb the lawn.

The display was approved on a motion made by Commissioner Cindy Pyles and seconded by Commission President Janice LaRue.

Commissioner Wayne Spiggle was unable to attend Tuesday's meeting.

In other business that came before the council Tuesday:

* The county's Potomac Highlands Regional Jail bill for January was $48,015.

* The commissioners approved a letter to be sent to the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles requesting that driver's license testing be returned to Mineral County for at least one day a week.

LaRue noted that once the 911 center moves into its new building on Pine Swamp Road, there should be sufficient room for the testing at the West Virginia State Police detachment on state Route 46.

She also urged county residents to contact their state legislators with the request.

* The commissioners noted that any elected officials who will not be serving another term beginning in 2009 will only be allowed to spend half their budget for the fiscal year 2008-2009.

For example, Prosecuting Attorney Lynn Nelson and Sheriff Gary White will be leaving office at the end of this year, with Nelson running for circuit court judge and White unable by law to run for a third term.

Contact Liz Beavers at lbeavers@times-news.com.