photo by: Rick Loy

Members of the community sit at the Wetzel County Commissioners meeting to voice their concerns that the county's animal shelter director Pam Ferrell was fired.

The Wetzel County Commission, after firing Animal Shelter Director Pam Ferrell, unanimously chose county maintenance worker Ron McCoy on Thursday to serve as interim director.

The decision to fire Ferrell did not come without dissent, as a group of people attended the Tuesday commission meeting and the Thursday special meeting to voice their support for the former shelter director.

Ferrell, who had been shelter director since 2019, was fired Tuesday in a 2-1 vote. Commissioners Carla McBee and Kelly Nelsen voted to terminate, while commission President Lisa Heasley voted to keep Ferrell.

Heasley told the Tuesday crowd that even she did not know the particulars as to why Ferrell was fired.

“The two commissioners have done this without my knowledge,” said Heasley. “I did not know about this until it was on the agenda. I am not in favor of this and have great respect for Pam and all she does for our shelter and the animals. I am deeply disappointed and I vote a definite no.”

Ferrell also addressed the commission, saying she didn’t understand either.

“I have no idea why this is happening,” she said. “I am in shock. After working there for 12 years, I have done my job appropriately. I have not been given a reason for why I was let go.”

Neither Nelsen nor McBee would give a reason, saying it is confidential for the employee. Wetzel County Prosecutor Tim Haught, counsel for the county, answered a few questions about the commission’s confidentiality rule.

“All I can do is advise the commission on the rules. I do not make their decisions for them,” said Haught.

Ferrell, who had secured her own counsel, waived her right to confidentiality, but commissioners still refused to give a reason for the termination.

Ferrell was reprimanded by the commission and placed on a 90-day probation period after commissioners were alerted to overdue rabies vaccines at the shelter in April. Ferrell claimed she was not told what was expected of her and felt she was doing everything needed. A re-evaluation hearing was held after her 90 day probation period ended, but she was never told of the results of the hearing.

Twelve people who addressed the commission all gave very positive reviews of Ferrell’s service and work ethic. They mentioned her continuous commitment and dedication 24/7 to the shelter, saying she works long hours with no extra pay because of her love for the animals. Members of the Olive Branch from Tyler County spoke on Ferrell’s behalf, saying she has always been good to work with and they believe there is a personal vendetta against her. They called her firing a terrible mistake.

McCoy will continue working in maintenance while serving as interim shelter director.

The commission also on Thursday unanimously approved advertising to hire three employees for the shelter to replace three that have quit since Ferrell was fired.

Ferrell said after Thursday’s meeting that despite being fired, she wasn’t done helping animals.

“I’m going to be their newest volunteer,” she said. “I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing. If I can help those animals I’m going to do it.”