At its regular meeting, he Mingo County Commission agreed to contribute to an effort to help Logan Mingo Mental Health (LMMH) reach out to victims of floods.

Robert Mays addressed the MCC about LMMH’s efforts to find those who were affected by floods earlier this year and may still need services.

“It’s hard for people who have not been flooded to understand how people might still need help after so long,” Mays said.

He explained that Federal and State government has offered LMMH grants totaling $175,000 to hire personnel who are out in areas affected by flooding making assessments and referrals to those in need. He asked the MCC for $10,000 to rent a building in Delbarton for storage and to hire a delivery truck and a driver to help transport goods to those in need. He said after the flood of 1977, West Virginia had a program called People Reaching Out, or the PRO program. That program is called PRO WV today. The commissioners said they felt the services provided through that program are vital.

“I think it is more than right that we as a commission stand by you,” Commissioner David Baisden said.

Commission President John Mark Hubbard remarked LMMH had an excellent support staff.

“The people you have working for you are second to none,” Hubbard said. “They got out in the community so quickly and have really helped. This is Mingo Countians helping Mingo Countians, it is a win-win situation.”

The commission voted unanimously to give LMMH $10,000.

Also at the meeting, Office of Emergency Services (OES) Director Jarrod Fletcher gave a report on the progress made by his office in its efforts to bring together a committee to help solve a problem that has plagued the county for years — ambulance service.

“Providing the people of the county with ambulance service has been a problem since 1995, Fletcher said. “Currently we have two private companies, but we don’t know how long they will be up and running.”

Fletcher explained the committee has commitments from at least 10 people from different areas of the county, and would begin meeting to brainstorm ways the county could address the problem of emergency medical services.

In other business, MCC agreed to assist the Town of Gilbert by providing $10,000 in matching funds for sidewalk  installation and repairs, donated $1,500 to the Parsley Bottom Freewill Baptist Church food pantry and pay for repairs to the warehouse at Millers Creek.