Jefferson County Commission business has been at a standstill for the last two months because two commissioners—Tricia Jackson and Jennifer Krouse—refuse to go to the meetings. Their absences mean the remaining two commissioners—Steve Stolipher and Jane Tabb—cannot conduct meetings because they lack a quorum.
The issue is a vacancy on the commission and President Stolipher’s control of the meeting agenda. Jackson and Krouse disagree with Stolipher and Tabb over who should fill the vacancy on the five-member commission. The two-two standoff sent the matter to the Jefferson County Republican Executive Committee to choose three possible replacements and present them to the commission.
But that did not satisfy Krouse or Jackson. Krouse posted on her Facebook page that the committee has not provided “three actual conservatives for the Commission to review. Unfortunately, far too many of the elected ‘Republicans’ in West Virginia seem to be either incompetent, self-interested, closeted liberals, or some combination thereof.”
It should be noted that Krouse, Jackson and Stolipher are all Republicans. Tabb was elected as a Republican, but she has switched to Independent.
The standoff means the commission cannot do the public’s business. As a result, grant money is lost, critical 911 positions go unfilled, probate and estate matters go unresolved, a contract for Internet security cannot be renewed, on and on.
And there is no resolution in sight. As recently as November 7, Krouse and Jackson issued a press release saying they “WILL NOT attend a meeting” that has the replacement appointment on the agenda.
Jefferson County prosecutor Matt Harvey has had enough. Harvey has filed a court petition to have Krouse and Jackson removed from office. According to the petition, “The respondents’ conspiratorial, willful and intentional refusal to attend meetings has deprived the Commission of a quorum and the ability carry out the lawful business of the County.”
Harvey also pointed out that “they each continue collecting their salaries despite not attending to the official business to which they were elected.” That amounts to about $3,800 a month plus health insurance costs.
During an appearance on Talkline Monday, Harvey said, “They have a duty to, number one, attend meetings. Number two, you’re required to vote, and you also have a duty to (do) the business of the county.”
This issue cannot be resolved now by Krouse and Jackson giving in and returning to the meetings. They have had their chance, and they have demonstrated time and again by their obstinate behavior that they are unwilling to abide by the laws they swore to uphold when they took office. The logical step now is their removal.
Harvey’s petition for removal will be heard by a three-judge panel. Hopefully, that body will agree with Harvey and send Jackson and Krouse packing so the commission can get back to conducting the people’s business.