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WHEELING -- Ohio County commissioners acted Tuesday to make changes to the County Development Authority, commending some for their service and appointing others in their place.
Commissioners removed former Wheeling Mayor Andy McKenzie from the board, and he will be replaced by current Mayor Glenn Elliott.
"(McKenzie) has been a member of the board for a long time, and I congratulate him for his service," said Commissioner Randy Wharton, who also serves as OCDA president.
Commissioners next accepted resignations from the OCDA board by former Commissioner Tim McCormick and former County Administrator Greg Stewart, who has been hired by the OCDA to manage The Highlands property.
New Commissioner Zach Abraham, attending his first meeting as commissioner Tuesday night, was appointed to take McCormick's spot as OCDA member.
County Emergency Management Agency member Lou Vargo, appointed earlier in the meeting to serve as interim county administrator, also was appointed to temporarily serve on the board in Stewart's former spot. A new administrator, when hired, likely will be appointed to that seat, commissioners said.
Long-time OCDA member John Lewis, representing Valley Grove, was retired from the board, as Wharton said he is no longer able to attend. Lewis was granted the title of a non-voting member emeritus.
"Mr. Lucas is a combat veteran of World War II, and one of the nicest people you will ever meet," Wharton said. "Rather than just remove him, it is recommended we approve him for emeritus status. I think he deserves that."
The board voted to annul three OCDA appointments they approved at their last meeting on Dec. 15. Wharton explained the names of the appointees had not been placed on the commission agenda prior to the vote as is required by law, and they could be reappointed in the future.
Those appointed Dec. 15 and removed Tuesday were Josh Jefferson, executive director of the Regional Economic Development Partnership; Delegate Errika Storch, also president of the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce; and Scott Reed, president of MVA Diagnostic.
Abraham then announced a list of new members being appointed to the board. These included Eriks Janelsins, president of the Oglebay Foundation; Mary Pockl, managing principal of the Zeno, Pockl, Lilly and Copeland accounting firm; Tanner Russell, senior commercial banking executive at Unified Bank; Bob Smith, owner of S&P Engineering and Engineered Foundation Solutions; W. Franklin Evans, the new president of West Liberty University; and Eran Molz, president of the Upper Ohio Valley Building and ConstructionTrades Council.
All bring needed experience and knowledge to the board, Abraham said.
Commissioner Don Nickerson said commissioners will ask mayors in the county to suggest names from their communities as potential members for the board. These residents could be appointed in the coming weeks, or their names could be kept on file for future appointments, he said.
At the start of the meeting, commissioners voted Wharton to serve as board president this year, and Nickerson as vice president. They also reappointed Don Tennant as county solicitor and Doug McCroskey as dog warden.
The commissioners are next scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. on Jan. 19, with the public invited to participate by phone.