Residents and councilor press for transparency on McIntosh settlement, meeting procedures and prayer policy

Several residents, a former council member and Councilor Dee Scritchfield used the April 21 meeting to press the Common Council for greater transparency about McIntosh-related funds, meeting procedures and recent changes to prayer at meetings.

Former Council Member Bob Staats submitted a written memorandum urging caution on grant spending, noting that state and federal grants ultimately draw on taxpayer funds and that grant-supported projects carry future maintenance costs. Staats wrote that a public hearing for the Welcome Center lease requires a Class I legal advertisement under West Virginia law and said he was not aware such notice had been published. He also asked whether funds from the McIntosh insurance settlement could instead help fund a community building to replace the damaged McIntosh House and NYA Hall.

Councilor Dee Scritchfield provided written comments for the record saying she had requested fiscal reports and that an accountant had only recently provided corrected reporting; she said the general fund had been drawn down and urged immediate cuts including a freeze on pay increases until the fund is stabilized. The submission asked that the council be involved before large spending decisions are finalized.

Kathy Garrett said she was offended by comments about past council members and asked why prayers at meetings had been changed after a complaint; Bob Staats and other speakers asked that the public forum be returned to earlier in the agenda so community input occurs before votes. Senator Eric Tarr (WV Senate) also spoke briefly in support of infrastructure investment to stabilize rates and encourage economic growth.

The meeting record shows councilors acknowledged the comments and accepted written submissions into the record; council scheduled follow-up and requested documentation on legal notice and fiscal reporting.