County to handle Mountwood finances

VOLCANO Mountwood Park will soon turn over control of its finances to the Wood County Commission.

Blair Couch, Mountwood Park board president, said the move is a big step for both the commission and the park.

"The revenues and expenses will be tracked on the county level, but the Mountwood Park budget will still be the Mountwood Park budget," said Couch during Thursday's Mountwood Park board meeting. "The process gives the park financial stability and brings back the opportunity to review finances quickly."

Couch said the board will maintain control over park operations, rather than become an advisory board.

"The board will still control the park, and that is a home run. We didn't want the park to become a second thought; we wanted the park to be front row and center."

Under the agreement, any excess funds in the park budget will be carried over, not consolidated with the general budget of the county.

The partnership means a personnel change for the park, with the elimination of the position of Mountwood Park director. The county commission voted Thursday to create a new Wood County park director position, which will be advertised immediately.

The new employee will coordinate Mountwood Park, Fort Boreman Hill Historic Park and Veterans Park.

The position of Mountwood Park director has been held by Carla Knapp for three years.

"It'll be a brand new position," said Couch. "The county will advertise and accept applications and interview applicants."

Board member Chris Swarr asked if the board would have any input in the selection of the new director. Couch said he believed the board would have some sway.

"Will Veterans and Fort Boreman and Mountwood parks have some say over this? I think so," said Couch. "I think that will be pretty critical to the success of the position."

The county will take over administrative control of the park's finances Sept. 1. The Mountwood Park director position will likely expire when the new Wood County park director is hired, said Couch. The county will accept applications through Aug. 19.

Marketing and events coordinator Mark Beth Held recently resigned to take a full-time teaching job with West Virginia University at Parkersburg. Today is her last day with the park.

The county has no plans to immediately refill the position.

"I know the board wants to express its sincere appreciation for Mary Beth's hard work and her service here," said Couch.

CIVIL FILINGS: Wood County | West Virginia Record

June 3
Arlene Quoyle vs. Lincare Inc. and Mike Morrison
PA - Benjamin N. Conaway; J - Reed
* The plaintiff is suing the defendant for wrongful termination, and age discrimination after she was fired on June 25, 2010. She seeks unspecified damages, attorney fees and court costs.
Case number: 11-C-230

Linda and William T. Marty vs. Thomas A. Durnell, M.D., Inc.
PA - Bill Merriman; J - Beane
* The plaintiffs are suing the defendant for medical malpractice when Linda, after being treated by Durnell for 10 years with vulvar dermatitis, consulted with two other physicians in 2009 who diagnosed her with Paget's disease which resulted in a vulvectomy on Sept. 24, 2009. William makes a claim for loss of consortium. They seek unspecified damages, interest, attorney fees and court costs.

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