Ohio County Commission Hears Rave Reviews About ‘Wings Over Wheeling’ Event
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WHEELING - Last month's "Wings Over Wheeling" went smoothly with little turbulence, Ohio County commissioners learned Tuesday.
The airshow took place Aug. 24 at the Wheeling-Ohio County Airport.
"We estimate there were about 7,500 people in attendance," County Administrator Randy Russell reported. "They watched 13 aerial acts amid 13 static displays."
The event also included about 150 classic cars participating in a cruise-in at the airport, he continued.
"We did have a few incidents," Russell continued. "An RC (remote control) plane went down in a field behind the airport. We also had at least three individuals that were affected by the heat, and one had to be transported (to an area hospital).
"Other than that, it was a disaster-free day."
Russell noted that those attending appeared to have a fun time, and he thanked sponsors for making it a "great day." Commissioner Zach Abraham singled out Melissa Marco, project coordinator for Ohio County, for her efforts with the event.
"It was very well-organized, and I've heard nothing but compliments about the event," he told her.
Abraham also thanked emergency responders who were present on scene throughout the day.
Russell added the county also gained three part-time employees at the airport as a result of the airshow. All three are students in the new aviation program being offered through a partnership between Marshall and West Liberty universities.
"They wanted to spend more time at the airport, and we're going to figure out how to make that happen," Russell said.
In another matter, commissioners were addressed by Wheeling Police Assistant Chief William Noice, who also serves as vice president of the Wheeling Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 38. Noice asked commissioners if it would be possible for FOP members with the Ohio County Sheriff's Department to have their membership dues deducted from their paycheck on a monthly basis.
Membership is $10 a month or $120 a year, Noice reported.
In the past, it was taken out of their paycheck, he explained. In 2018, both the county and the city of Wheeling stopped taking FOP dues out of law enforcement paychecks following a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court.
The court ruled that such union fees in the public sector violate the First Amendment right to free speech.
"The FOP is not subject to that as we are not a union in the normal sense. It is a voluntary organization," Noice explained.
Following the ruling, members had to pay their monthly dues on their own, and membership decreased, he said. The Wheeling FOP dropped from having as many as 200 members to fewer than 100. It is now back up to about 150, according to Noice.
The city of Wheeling has resumed deducting FOP membership dues from the paychecks of their officers, and Noice asked commissioners if the county would again start doing that for their deputies.
Abraham pointed out that Ohio County Sheriff Tom Howard is president of the local FOP, and he asked why Howard didn't address the commissioners himself. Noice responded that he is generally considered by the Wheeling FOP as the expert on the issue. Commission President Don Nickerson said the commission would take the request under advisement.
The commissioners will next participate in a meeting of the Ohio County Development Authority, slated for 6 p.m. Tuesday at The Highlands Event Center. The commission will next convene at 6 p.m. on Sept. 17 at the City-County Building, 1500 Chapline St., Wheeling.