Morgan County Commission briefs

August 15, 2010

America's founding documents will be displayed in new courthouse

BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. -- Copies of the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights will be displayed on the third floor of the new Morgan County Courthouse.

Resident artist Chris Bosley made wall hangings displaying the documents for Berkeley Springs High School and Warm Springs Middle School, Morgan County Prosecutor Debra MH McLaughlin said at Thursday's Morgan County Commission meeting.

Instead of a wall hanging, the documents will be displayed on a 12-foot-long oak table that Bosley is building and will be placed in front of the windows overlooking the Fairfax Green on Fairfax Street.

McLaughlin said the third floor, which houses the circuit courtroom, will be a great place for the display.

Only the original form of the Constitution will be displayed, not the amendments, Bosley said.

He said he would have it in place on the third floor before the Constitution Day celebration on Sept. 16.

The presentation will be made before the afternoon commission meeting begins, Commission President Brenda J. Hutchinson said.

McLaughlin said the roughly $5,000 cost was paid by donations from her, the Morgan County sheriff and other community members.

"I think it's a good idea. It's pretty good to refresh yourself," Commissioner Thomas R. Swaim said.

Grant awarded

BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. -- Five grants were awarded to Morgan County from the Governor's Community Participation Program.

At Thursday's Morgan County Commission meeting, county Grant Administrator Carol York said the Morgan County Rescue Service and the Great Cacapon Volunteer Fire Co. received $1,000 each, the Morgan County Courthouse received $4,000 for furniture and equipment, and the Humane Society of Morgan County and Morgan County Parks & Recreation each received $5,000.

Commission President Brenda J. Hutchinson and Commissioner Thomas R. Swaim approved the funding at Thursday's meeting.

York said the paperwork has to be returned to Charleston, W.Va., and be processed before the funding will be available.

-- Trish Rudder

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