A Saint Joseph School eighth-grader added Berkeley County Commission meetings to the list of government forums he has attended after serving March 20 as an honorary member.
Matthew Billmyer, 14, of Shepherdstown, has attended several public forums and local government meetings with his mother, Carrie Blessing, and said he likes learning how decisions made by elected officials affect his community. Blessing ran in the November 2024 election for Jefferson County Commission, Shepherdstown District, and her son was present for candidate forums, where he learned that even though people are on different sides politically, they can still communicate respectfully. He and Blessing recently went to a packed public hearing about a proposed water-packaging facility in Middleway, W.Va., where attendees spoke out for and against the project, and Billmyer got to see firsthand how public input plays a role in decision-making.
After being sworn in by Commissioner John Hardy, Billmyer told the commissioners, county administrator, county office administrator and a small assembly of audience members that he runs cross-country at Saint Joseph School and enjoys other sports, including soccer and football. He also likes art. While he isn’t sure what vocational path to take just yet, he is focused on his next academic steps, which will be taken at Jefferson High School.
During the meeting, the commissioners heard a plea from a local resident to seek more state funding so taxpayers don’t have to foot the bill for much-needed road improvements and increased staffing for law enforcement. Commissioner H.D. Boyd talked about the success of the recent St. Patrick’s Day celebration in downtown Martinsburg and shared plans for the Home Show on March 29 and 30 and Rail Fest on May 10, both at the Martinsburg Roundhouse.
President Eddie Gochenour acknowledged a request for March to be proclaimed as American Red Cross Month and also provided updates from Martinsburg-Berkeley County Parks and Recreation, including the success of the recent Toughman Contest, how there will be open gym times during the school system’s spring break at both of the county’s recreation centers and that the annual June Jubilee will be moved to Lambert Park.
Vice President Steve Catlett took a few moments to reflect on the life of Robert “Bob” Shickle, who died March 14 at the age of 93. According to his obituary, he was one of the founders and was a charter member of the Hedgesville Volunteer Fire Department, was a member of Hedgesville United Methodist Church and was a charter member of the Hedgesville Lions Club.
“He gave his whole life to that community out there in Hedgesville,” said Catlett, adding that Shickle was “a great human being.”
