Serving as an honorary Berkeley County commissioner brought to life lessons that a Saint Joseph School eighth-grader is learning about county government.
Jeremiah Simpson II, 14, of Martinsburg, represented the private Catholic school at the governing body’s March 27 meeting. While seated among four of the five commissioners, the county administrator and county office administrator, he listened as the commissioners gave reports from the boards on which they serve and discussed helping neighboring Jefferson County as it revamps its day-reporting program.
County Administrator Gary Wine explained how Jefferson County’s program to provide treatment as an alternative to incarceration for nonviolent offenders whose substance abuse has led to legal problems is shutting down at the end of June. In an effort to ensure those who are in the program aren’t left floundering and that others have a chance to participate in the program that also reduces taxpayer costs associated with incarceration, Wine said he and Tim Czaja, director of the Berkeley Day Report Center, have come up with a plan to transport Jefferson County participants to the center in Martinsburg at no cost to the commissioners or Berkeley County taxpayers.
Commission President Eddie Gochenour sought and received from Wine and Czaja assurances that doing so would not have a negative impact on Berkeley County staff or finances.
“I think everyone feels comfortable with it,” Commissioner John Hardy said. “I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for us to be involved” and help Jefferson County.
Hearing that and other discussions preceding decisions by the county commissioners, Simpson saw firsthand what he and his fellow eighth-graders have been learning about county government in West Virginia. They have been examining the roles and responsibilities of county commissioners, the sheriff, prosecuting attorney, county assessor, county clerk, clerk of the circuit court, judges and magistrates, as well as the board of education.
Anthony Petrucci, county clerk, introduced John Alderton, administrative assistant for the Berkeley County Deputy Sheriff Civil Service Commission, who spoke to the commissioners about the extensive annual report he recently completed.
“I really have a passion for what I do and, hopefully, my work does reflect my passion,” Alderton said.
“Obviously, there has been some work and some detail put into this report,” Hardy said. “Thank you for that. You’ve really done your due diligence.”
After being sworn in by Hardy, Simpson told the commissioners and other meeting attendees that he plans to attend Martinsburg High School after completing his studies at Saint Joseph School, where he has been enrolled since kindergarten. He is already training with the Bulldogs’ football team and also participates in jiu-jitsu outside of school. He is interested in studying engineering in college, possibly with a focus on architecture.
