The Wood County Commission met Thursday where Wood County Commissioner Jim Hamric was sworn in and took his seat with Commissioners Jimmy Colombo and Blair Couch. Hamric was appointed to the commission this week to fill out the unexpired term on commission which will last until the end of the year. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

PARKERSBURG – The newest Wood County Commissioner was sworn in Thursday and immediately got to work.

Wood County Commissioner Jim Hamric took the oath of office at the Wood County Courthouse with over 50 people, including friends, family, county officials and others in attendance.

Hamric, a retired educator and coach, was sworn in by Justice Gerald M. Titus III of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals who was a former student and football player of his in Spencer in the early 90s. Hamric was an assistant principal and athletic director at Parkersburg High School after coming to the area in 1999. He retired in 2006, but has worked constantly as an administrator when someone left and they needed someone, working as a principal at Blennerhassett and Jackson middle schools.

Hamric was appointed by Commissioners Blair Couch and Jimmy Colombo this week to fill the seat vacated with the retirement of Robert Tebay. Hamric, who was selected from seven candidates who applied, will finish out the unexpired term which will go to the end of this year.

“We had a great county commissioner retire,” Commission President Blair Couch said. “Bob Tebay served the county well for 22 years.

Wood County Commissioner Jim Hamric took the oath of office Thursday from Justice Gerald M. Titus III of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals at the Wood County Courthouse with his wife, Marjorie, holding the Bible, their daughter, Lori Hamric, and granddaughter, Haley Gibson, by his side. Hamric is finishing out the unexpired term left when former Commissioner Robert Tebay stepped down last week. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

“It was our task, Commissioner (Jimmy) Colombo and myself, to find a worthy replacement. Judging by the crowd we have here, we certainly did.”

Titus, who grew up in Spencer where Hamric was an educator, remembered the man who coached him at Roane County High School. He spoke of how in 1991, the Roane County boys football team under Hamric went 14-0 and won the state football AA championship coming back to win the game after being down 16-0 at halftime.

“Coach Hamric was one of my heroes growing up,” Titus said. “He was for every boy who grew up in that town.

“I remember his motto, ‘Refuse to lose’ and ‘Bigger, stronger, faster.’ It really brought our whole community together. Everyone in Spencer is still so proud of him. A lot of the boys he coached are now leaders in our community. That is what West Virginia is all about.”

Hamric’s wife of 59 years, Marjorie, recounted a story where he wanted to run for the Roane County Commission at one point as a couple of his coaches ended up in elected positions. However, they moved to Parkersburg and it seemed like that dream would not come to be. However, with his appointment to the Wood County Commission, that was a goal he was able to reach.

Wood County Commissioner Jim Hamric, center, talks with wellwishers who attended his swearing in ceremony Thursday at the Wood County Courthouse. Hamric was appointed to the commission this week to fill out the unexpired term when the seat was vacated with the retirement of Robert Tebay last week. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

“The circle went all the way around and his dream was fulfilled,” she said.

Parkersburg Mayor Tom Joyce said he has known Hamric for years and commented on his commitment to the community.

“I have been all over with this guy,” Joyce said. “He really cares about young people and cares about every community he has ever lived in.

“Wood County is lucky to have you.”

At one point, Hamric knew it was time to get to work after Colombo jokingly told him he was late for the start of his first meeting as a commissioner.

A reception was held Thursday at the Wood County Resiliency Center for Wood County Commissioner Jim Hamric who was sworn into office on Thursday. Hamric talks with some of the people who attended his swearing in during the reception. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

“The last thing he told me was ‘be on time,'” Hamric said with a laugh.

After the ceremony, the commission began hearing budget requests from Wood County Clerk Joe Gonzales, Wood County Circuit Clerk Celeste Ridgeway, Jana Singer of the Day Report Center and WVU extension agents Gwen Crum and Jodi Smith.

Many of the department heads were keeping their budgets close to what they had last year, but wanted the commission to consider giving employees a pay raise.

“My employees really do an excellent job for the county,” Gonzales said. “The commission will have to look at all of the expenses for the county and would take a pay increase for the employees into consideration.

“Everything else pretty much remains the same.”

His requests for the primary election in May and the general election remains the same with a request for more money for extra help if they find out they need it.

All of the department heads appearing Thursday wanted the commission to consider pay raises for employees. Some needed additional materials. The Day Report Center is looking at a computer program to help with case management. They will be looking at a custom system designed by the county’s IT department and used in the prosecutor’s office.

Couch asked how soon they could get a measure on the ballot for the fall as the commission will be looking at putting an emergency services levy on the ballot to help pay for ambulance service being provided by the WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center. Officials are also looking at the possibility of providing money from such a levy to local volunteer fire departments which could lead to the elimination of the Wood County Fire Fee. Officials will be looking at some different possibilities.

Gonzales said the date to get it on the ballot would be sometime this summer and he would get the exact date to the county commission soon.

The other department heads will be appearing before the commission next week with their budget requests.

“Next week will be an intense week as far as getting the budget done,” County Administrator Marty Seufer said.

The commissioners spoke to Hamric about the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department and the six counties they cover as well as the services they provide across the area.

“All of those areas look to Wood County as a leader,” Hamric said. “This county is a leader and there is a price to go with that.

“Here we are.”

They talked about the health department and moving it to St. Joseph’s Landing.

One of the factors facing the commission is the county’s jail bill which will increase significantly, Couch said.

The county budgeted over $2.2 million last year for the jail bill, which the state charges to housing inmates from Wood County in regional jails. Seufer estimates they will have to budget $3.3 million this year.

Couch said the state legislature has not provided any assistance to counties in being able to handle that.

He still wanted to see a one percent sales tax in parts of the county, outside the municipalities, that don’t already have it. Colombo said two-thirds of the county already has it.

“We could lower the property tax if we had the one-percent,” Couch said.

County Administrator Marty Seufer said health insurance costs are at around a five percent increase and he is working on trying to lower it further.

“We try to work within our means but we are having certain issues that go beyond our means,” Couch said.

Hamric said his first day and first meeting as a commissioner was “amazing.” From the people who came to see his swearing in, to those who came to wish him luck and to his family who were there to share the moment with him.

“It was touching to know there were so many people who cared about me, wanted me to do good and who supported me,” he said.

He considered seeking public office in the past. He initially thought about running for the school board and did some discussions about it, but decided the nine-month term on the county commission would be ideal for him to see if another elected office would be something he might seek in the future.

“It really influenced me to really go for it,” Hamric said. “This just fits me perfectly.

“It just seemed like this one was just waiting for me. I wanted to experience it and see how it was.”

If things go well, he would consider running for another office in the future.

Hamric said he wanted a chance to serve the community who has been so good to him since he came to Parkersburg.

“They accepted me having come from outside the community and accepted me,” he said. “I fell in love with the community and plan to stay the rest of my life here.”

Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com