Commissioner James Booth Honored At The Weekly Meeting

MARIETTA, OH — Today, the Washington County Board of Commissioners held their public meeting at the Job and Family Services building. It was for the most part business as usual.

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One of the more unusual portions of this week's meeting had to do with a car. The Washington County Veterans Services Commission transferred a vehicle to the commissioners' motor pool. It was approved without debate, but the commissioners wanted to clarify what this was about. Commissioner James Booth said that he attended the meeting where this was decided.

"The veteran services saw that they had an extra vehicle that they wouldn't need. They didn't figure they could sell it for much or get the full value as a trade-in. So they figured they'd transfer it back to the commissioners and county money could be put back to work."

Commissioner Kevin Ritter said that the commissioners' motor pool does not mean this is now an extra vehicle for one of the three commissioners to freely use.

"We may use it for the odd trip to go up to Columbus. Let me take this opportunity to make sort of a self-serving reminder to the public. A previous board of commissioners set a precedent that this board of commissioners continues to follow. We don't turn in mileage. Fifty-four cents is allowable for all the trips these three make around the county, around the state, we don't turn that in. That saves taxpayers an awful lot of money. So in a self-serving way, I just want to mention that."

Commissioner James Booth was awarded a plaque from the Washington County Veterans Service Commission for his support of local veterans.

"On behalf of the DAV, I present you with this plaque. Thank you for all you've done for the services."

Commissioner Booth accepted the plaque and thanked him. He later told a story about after he returned home from the Army and was met with fanfare. There was a Vietnam veteran that invited him for a beer. He took him up on the offer. Booth said this veteran explained what he went through with jungle combat, never knowing if you'd live to see tomorrow, then coming home and experiencing a full range of hate and public backlash. "Those guys went through pure hell."

He said this veteran was envious of the treatment he got.

"So yeah I'm in the paper a lot. But if one thing I do in my position I can help someone or what have you...that's awesome."

There are also a lot of resurfacing and paving projects going to be taking place on Washington County roads. There were a lot of delays during the Covid times, so now they're moving full steam ahead to make up for that. There will be resurfacing and/or paving on County Roads 3, 4, 30, 32, 102, 340, and 446. They're getting bids ready to use state and/or federal funds depending on the project. They will also be taking care of a number of landslips in the county, those are funded through FEMA.

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