SUMMERSVILLE, W. Va. — A three-judge panel has delayed a decision regarding a petition seeking the removal of all three Nicholas County commissioners.
The panel decided it would wait until the West Virginia Supreme Court makes a decision on the county commission’s appeal of a circuit judge’s decision.
State Supreme Court Chief Justice Robin Davis named Senior Status Judge Frank E. Jolliffe, Monongalia County Circuit Judge Philip D. Gaujot and Third Judicial Circuit Judge Timothy L. Sweeney to hear the petition.
The petition alleges the commissioners illegally changed the form of county government and violated the state’s open government laws when they hired Roger Beverage as county manager.
Commissioner John Miller denied wrongdoing on the part of the commissioners.
The ruling being appealed came in a lawsuit filed by residents who claim the commission hired Beverage without public discussion.