Published: April 22, 2008 11:53 am      

County mayors decide they're doing fine without coalition

KEYSER - After hearing from representatives of the Garrett County Municipalities Inc. last month, representatives of four of Mineral County's five incorporated communities decided Monday they're doing just fine without forming a similar coalition.

GCMI, composed of the mayors of the eight incorporated municipalities in Garrett County, was formed to enable the cities and towns to work together on projects that they might not otherwise be able to participate in individually.

Oakland Mayor Asa McCain, Kitzmiller Mayor Jim Browning and Duane Yoder of Garrett County Community Action met with the Mineral County mayors at their request March 17 to present an overview of how the municipalities have benefited from their collaborative effort.

Monday, however, Car-pendale Mayor Casey Lambert said he felt "we're already doing a lot of things that they do."

He cited the cooperative atmosphere that has developed between Carpendale and Ridgeley since Dr. Rick Lechliter became mayor of Ridgeley.

"We know we can fall back on each other; we've established a real good communication link since Rick took over," he said.

Lambert also noted that the two towns are currently working on an agreement that would enable Ridgeley to provide some police protection to Carpendale.

Keyser Mayor Glen "Bunk" Shumaker also said that Keyser has always been willing to step in and help the other communities in the county in times of need.

"Any time any of the cities need something ... we have no problem with sending one of our guys or equipment to help out," he said.

"I really don't see where we'd benefit from an organization."

Mineral County Commissioner Wayne Spiggle, who has been chairing the meetings between the commission and the municipal representatives, said he was impressed with the fact that the Garrett County organization has been so successful in obtaining grants for the towns.

"The ringer for me was that ever since they developed the entity, they said they've never missed a grant application," he said.

It was noted by several of the officials, however, that the Region 8 Planning and Development Council provides much helpful assistance to the municipalities in applying for grants.

In addition, the funding processes of Maryland and West Virginia are often quite different.

The group therefore decided not to pursue the formation of a coalition.

Other officials in attendance at Monday's meeting included Keyser City Administrator Deborah Pamepinto, Elk Garden Councilman Tom Braithwaite, Carpendale Councilman Butch Armentrout, County Commission President Janice LaRue and Commissioner Cindy Pyles.

Contact Liz Beavers at lizbeavers@yahoo.com.