Carroll County Commission Meeting Turns Tempestuous

HUNTINGDON (September 17) — The September meeting of the Carroll County Commission had what was presumed to be a simple agenda but two points of order resembled more of a classroom scolding. Commissioners Cyril Ostiguy and Daniel Thomas were chastised during the meeting.

During the election of notaries, Commissioner Ostiguy had applied to become a notary. Commissioner John Austin asked why the fellow commissioner wanted to be a notary. In a lengthy response, Ostiguy wanted to test the system on the process and added that he felt there were numerous issues with the process making it too easy to obtain. He concluded that there needed to be a vetting process.

Austin then stated his opinion on the fact that he felt Ostiguy’s application was not serious but was asinine and was only done to make a point. He then made an amended motion to accept all the notaries except for Ostiguy. During the vote, Commissioner Larry Spencer, Joey Simmons and Austin voted against excluding Ostiguy from the list. With the failure of the motion, the original motion was then put before the Commission for a vote approving Ostiguy.

The second point of contention came at the end of the meeting as the Resolutions Committee had recommended a point broach the subject of decorum. This came following multiple heated exchanges about the future of the Rural Fire Department and the opening of the EMA Director’s position. Commissioner Daniel Willman scolded Commissioner Thomas on his behavior and how he overstepped his position as a commissioner. Thomas did agree that he may have overstepped but if put in the position again he probably would not have changed his approach.

On the agenda for the approval were four resolutions dealing with the 2024-25 Fiscal Year Budget. Resolution 9-01-2024 amended the FY25 Budget Fund Balance $55,618.50 (Three Star Grant — $50,000; Insurance Recovery — $3,545.50; Prevention Coalition — SOR GRANT — $2,073). Resolution 9-02-2024 transferred funds from the Reserve Account for Carroll County Library at $626 to the communication line item. Resolution 9-03-2024 accepted and budgeted the TOP Grant for Carroll County Library valued at $5,672; the expenditures will go towards communication ($3,672) and other contracted services ($2,000). Resolution 9-04-2024 accepted and budgeted for the MAR Grant for Carroll County Prevention Coalition valued at $76,855.

In other business, Joseph Butler was re-elected Chairman of the Carroll County Legislative Body as was Darrell Ridgely to the position of Chairman Pro Tempore. The following committee assignments were approved: Budget — Darrell Ridgely, Chairman; John Austin, Secretary; Manuel Crossno; Willie Huffman and Lana Suite. Insurance — John Austin, Chairman; Cyril Ostiguy, Secretary; Daniel Thomas; Jimmy Halford and Walter Smothers. Solid Waste — John Austin, Chairman; Jay Phipps, Secretary; Jimmy Halford; Darrell Ridgely and Joey Darnall. Tax Rate — Barry Mac Murphy, Chairman; Lana Suite, Secretary; Darrell Ridgely; Philip Moore and Cyril Ostiguy. Purchasing — Barry Mac Murphy, Chairman; Paula Bolen, Secretary; Darlene Kirk; Lana Suite; Jason Martin and Jay Phipps. Personnel — Manuel Crossno, Chairman; Randy Long, Secretary; Willie Huffman; Walter Smothers and Dan Willman. Law Enforcement — Jimmy McClure, Chairman; Walter Smothers, Secretary; Joey Darnall; Dan Willman and Spiridon Roditis. Highway — Darrell Ridgely, Chairman; Joey Simmons, Secretary; Randy Long; Philip Moore; Daniel Thomas and John Austin. Properties — Willie Huffman, Chairman; Morris Rogers, Secretary; Randy Long; Larry Spencer and Joey Simmons. Delinquent Tax — Jimmy McClure, Chairman; Jay Phipps, Secretary; Morris Rogers; Jason Martin and Barry Mac Murphy. Beer — Jay Phipps, Chairman; Larry Spencer, Secretary; Jason Martin; Walter Smothers and Daniel Thomas. Rural Fire — Lana Suite, Chairman; Jimmy McClure, Secretary; Philip Moore; Jimmy Halford and Dan Willman. Civic Center — Joey Darnall, Chairman; Barry Mac Murphy, Secretary; Joey Simmons; Morris Rogers and Jason Martin. Rules — Randy Long, Chairman; Jimmy Halford, Secretary; Cyril Ostiguy; Spiridon Roditis and Jimmy McClure. Resolutions — Spiridon Roditis, Chairman; Manuel Crossno, Secretary; Joey Darnall; Larry Spencer and Dan Willman.

The Commissioner heard an update from Sgt. Dwayne Tordsen on the Re-Entry Programs through the Carroll County Jail. The following notaries were elected: Kim Carter, Kelsey Caswell, Jessica L. Hunley, Sandy C. Longmire, Candace Lowe, Clint Mann, Christi L. Nethaway, Cyril Ostiguy, Connie Strnad and Jennifer Waldrup.

The next regular meeting of the Carroll County Commission is October 14 at 7 p.m. at the Carroll County Government Complex.