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Wood County Commission OKs grant application efforts

Victim Advocate Jez Williams, Wood County Grant Coordinator Toni Tiano and Prosecutor Pat Lefebure appeared Thursday before the county commission for approval to apply for the federal Victims of Crime Act Grant for the victim advocate positions in the prosecutor’s office. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

PARKERSBURG — The Wood County Commission signed off Thursday on applying for funding to help pay for the victims’ advocates in the Wood County Prosecutor’s Office.

County Grant Coordinator Toni Tiano, Prosecutor Pat Lefebure and Victim Advocate Jez Williams appeared before the commission to get approval to apply for $73,436 from the federal Victims of Crime Act for victim advocate positions in the Prosecutor’s Office.

“We have had it for 26 years,” Tiano said. “This is the 27th year we have applied for this grant.”

The grant funds the positions of victims advocate and assistant victims Advocate, both full-time employees. The grant would cover part of the salary and benefit costs. The county will have to cover the remaining $29,067.

The advocates serve 5,500 victims a year and provide a variety of services.

Commissioner Jimmy Colombo, who had previously served on the state parole board, said the advocates are a source of strength for the victims who otherwise may have broken down.

“I have witnessed that many times,” he said.

In other business, the commission is still looking at two properties to be cleaned.

Levi Brady, the new compliance officer, updated the commission on abandoned and dilapidated properties at 286 Drain Road in Mineral Wells and 33 Harvest Drive, Vienna.

The commission also:

* Approved a settlement with Amneal in the West Virginia Opioid Litigation. No dollar amounts were given or when they would be paid.

* Announced vacancies on the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department board, the Vienna Library Board; the Wood County Civil Service Commission and the Little Kanawha River Parkway Authority.

* Accepted the bid for two mowers from Fore Timber for the Wood County Maintenance Department. The two zero-turn mowers will cost $14,239 each.

Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com

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