AT THE DESK — Commissioner Tony Morelli participated in his first meeting in his new role on Thursday morning. -- Andrew Grimm

STEUBENVILLE – The three Jefferson County commissioners Thursday took a moment to offer remarks on Wednesday’s events in Washington, D.C.

On Wednesday, protesters demonstrating against the certification of the Electoral College by Congress breached the capital building, resulting in hours of chaos, the building to be locked down and the deaths of four protesters – one of whom was shot and killed by law enforcement during the melee.

Commissioner Thomas Graham, who started the discussion, praised members of Congress for continuing with the certification process and put some blame on President Donald Trump.

“I seldom get in involved in speaking too much about national politics, but I want to thank congress for being brave (Wednesday) night and stepping up to the plate and not letting the domestic terrorists stop their constitutional duty,” Graham said. “Their safety was at risk, there were people shot, and I am happy to have Joe Biden become president of the United States on Jan. 20.

“I think this current president egged on some of this (Wednesday),” he continued.

Commissioner Dave Maple said watching the events unfold made him think of his family.

“Regardless of national politics, who’s in there, who’s not in there, I have two children in their 20s and I was watching C-SPAN when it started to unfold. The first thing I thought of was my children and I think they were both actually a little scared of their government,” he said. “It’s a shame to see that. I never thought I would see it.

“I can’t remember being their age and having some sort event take place like (Wednesday).”

Commissioner Tony Morelli, who was participating in his first meeting after being sworn in on Saturday, said that all violence should stop.

“It was hard to believe, I thought I was watching a foreign country and I can’t imagine the fear,” he said. “I would say the fear also was probably the same in Milwaukee and (Los Angeles) when they were tearing down and burning buildings. That stuff has to stop, I don’t care what side it is. Left, right, Democrat, Republican. Our country needs to heal.”

The commissioners held a teleconference with representatives from American Electric Power and Friendship Park regarding questions about the company wishing to add an updated page to an easement agreement at the park.

It was explained that the original agreement was made with the original owners of the land in 1915 and is in need of an update to bring it up to more current standards.

Maple raised questions about why there was a desire to make the changes now, and Erica Cline and Brian Recker of AEP clarified several parts of the proposed addition to the easement.

Friendship Park board member Roger Hilty said he had looked through the proposed agreements in great detail and was comfortable with them.

The commissioners approved a one-year detention contract between the juvenile court and Washington County, Pa. The agreement, according to court administrator Joseph Colabella, reserves five beds at the detention center for Washington County and generates $292,000 annually for the county.

“It’s a good thing for Jefferson County and it’s a good thing for our court,” Colabella said.

“That’s less money from the general fund that we have to give the juvenile court for operational purposes,” Graham said. “When you get an amount of $292,000, that’s less money from Jefferson County taxpayers going into operating that facility.”

He noted that past agreements have been for multiple years but this time Washington County opted to only go on a year-to-year basis.

“I think that’s because of the pandemic,” Colabella said. “Detention use is down. Hopefully, after 2021 we will do a multi-year contract.”

He estimated that such agreements have generated approximately $15 million total since the detention center opened.

Among items approved for the engineers office were a contract for a slip repair contract and approved load limit reductions for the spring.

A contract for for $171,822 with BBR Drilling was approved for the county Road 15 slip repair project. BBR had the low bid out of the six that were submitted. The estimate was $258,824.

The load limit reductions are 25 percent on county road from Feb. 1 through April 30.

Newly sworn in officials, state Rep. Ron Ferguson, R-Wintersville, and county Clerk of Courts Andrew Plesich were in attendance and recognized by all three commissioners.

“Congratulations, you both worked very hard,” Morelli said. “I know you’ll be an asset to both our county and the state.”

Graham said it is good to see the young people such as those two engaged in politics.

“I’ve been here 18 years and it’s good to see young people who want to get involved and do what is right for America,” he said. “Good luck to you in your careers.”

The commissioners will hold a reorganization meeting at 9 a.m. Monday.