Two Mountwood board posts filled
By PAMELA BRUSTPARKERSBURG -Wood County commissioners interviewed and approved two replacements for the Wood County Parks and Recreation Commission, Mountwood Park's governing board.
Dave White, facilities director at West Virginia University at Parkersburg, and Ross Henry Elson, retired industrial plant worker, interviewed with the commission on Thursday for the two vacant board seats.
"Jim Reed and Scott Stephens have both resigned from the board, leaving two vacant seats. With the appointment recently of Jean Ambrose to the board and filling these two seats, the board will be back up to full capacity again," said Commissioner Blair Couch, who serves as commission liaison to the Mountwood Park board.
Membership on the park board requires members be land owners and both men said they do own property in the county.
White said he was raised on a farm in Jackson County, had served as an adjunct faculty member at WVU-P teaching welding before becoming facilities director. He holds several associate degrees and a bachelor's degree, has experience in personnel and dealing with budgets.
"When my kids were younger we used to go out to the park to picnic, swim and camp. I hate to say it, but over the years it seems like the park has deteriorated. I think it could really be something that not only local folks could enjoy again but also attract those traveling on Route 50 to spend some time," White said.
Elson told commissioners he is retired. He worked at Kraton/Shell and is a native Wood Countian.
He has training including with industrial equipment, budgets and is an avid camper.
"I'd like to make the park better, we use the camping facilities on a regular basis," he said. Elson said seasonal campers have recently done some work at the campground site including some seeding, cleanup of picnic tables and work on the restrooms.
"I think part of the problem is that the campground is not in the camp proper, and there's kind of a disconnect there. Mr. Elson has been regularly attending the park board meetings, making suggestions and has a lot of good ideas," Couch said.
County officials noted the campground does produce income through rental of the sites.
"The park is going to have to go through some changes. I just want to be able to help in some way," Elson noted.
The commissioners unanimously nominated the two men to take over the vacant board seats. Under the commission policy, they have to wait one week before officially making the appointments and having the two men sworn in to the board posts.
