Mayor Skinner Delivers The State Of The City Address
BUCKHANNON, WV: Mayor Robbie Skinner delivered the annual State of the City Address at the February 6, 2025, City Council Meeting. Here are his remarks:
Members of City Council, department directors, administration, staff, business owners, and residents of our City of Buckhannon: Good evening, and thank you for joining us as we highlight the many projects and accomplishments we’ve celebrated together over the past year and share excitement for the future of our City in 2025.
First, tonight, although this address is mostly a look back over the previous year, we have a rare occurrence in our City as we celebrate FOUR new department directors and superintendents. We officially extend congratulations to Ethan Crosten, our Public Works Director; Dakota Arnold, our Waste Department Superintendent; Cody Tenney, our Sanitary Department Superintendent; and Tommy Roblenson, our Water Department Superintendent. Each brings a wealth of knowledge to their position, and we are excited to work with each as they lead in their own styles and work to continue our mission of providing the best public services of any city in the state!
We would be remiss if we didn’t take a moment to congratulate and sincerely thank Jerry Arnold, our retiring Public Works Director. Jerry, like many who have built careers at the City of Buckhannon, dedicated his life from just out of high school through now to our community. So much of what we enjoy today in this community was built and/or overseen by Jerry. He has been an invaluable asset to this city. We will miss him, but we wish him a happy and healthy retirement. An organization-wide celebration of his retirement is planned for April.
We also extend sincere gratitude to Jerry’s brother Kelly Arnold, our soon-to-be retiring Water Department Superintendent. Much like his brother, Kelly also dedicated his professional life to the betterment of our City’s utilities. Our healthy, clear, and great-taste water is largely thanks to his leadership and care of our system. We will miss him, too, when he leaves us this Summer.
2024 proved to be another successful year for our City. We welcomed more new businesses to town including the Mystic Merchant, RenewU Spa, Diamond Dealers, Zen Leaf, Conde Dental, Country Blooms, and The Squire on Main. We also saw significant expansions by St. Joseph’s Hospital, Community Care of West Virginia, Citizens Bank of West Virginia, First Community Bank, Highpoint Construction, Argo Books, Fish Hawk Acres, Sheetz, Micrologic, Lynx, Edward Jones, Fortify Wealth Management, Foster’s Marketing Group, Par Mar Stores, Corhart Refractories, Weyerhaeuser, and Wendling’s Food Service – all adding more job opportunities which further proves Upshur County IS a great place to live, work, and invest!
Building on the positive momentum from our business community, for the first time in our City’s history, we embarked on a comprehensive, aggressive public park facilities improvement plan – with all seven of our city parks receiving a facelift. Our all-volunteer Parks and Recreation Board has been busy working with our City’s public works departments to create beautiful and functional parks for everyone to enjoy. Our first project was the City Park on Park Street. So far, we’ve resurfaced the roadways, expanded and resurfaced our basketball court to be a full, regulation-size court, replaced fencing, renovated two of our three pavilions, repaired playground equipment, and added pickleball courts. Still to come, we will finish the pickleball courts, add an accessible pavilion near the parking area, and add additional lighting. We hope to have all the work completed at the City Park by April 30th as we officially open our public park facilities on May 1st each year. Following our work at the City Park, we will begin a renovation project at North Buckhannon River Front Park – which we plan to have completed by Summer’s End.
I now want to provide updates from several internal city departments; highlighting accomplishments, as well as goals we have as we look to our future:
CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT:
Chief Kimble and our firefighters had another busy year; responding to 1,077 total calls in 2024; down 43 calls from 2023 and down 141 calls from 2022.
One of the most forgotten-about elements that takes a toll on a first responder is the mental and emotional distress that can be experienced. Think about this: a first responder in a small town often answers a call to an incident involving someone they know personally. Witnessing a friend, family member, or loved one experience a traumatic event is extremely difficult. Across the nation, thousands of firefighters have lost their lives to suicide – stemming from mental health struggles unknown to their co-workers, families, or communities. Here in Buckhannon, we’re taking a proactive approach to mental wellness by establishing a regional program partnering with agencies in Upshur, Lewis, and Randolph Counties aimed at providing resources for our first responders to seek the help should they be in need.
Much time has been spent again this year – both on the pursuit of gaining full CFAI accreditation and on designing, developing, and completing work on our training facility on Mudlick Road. We received a very generous gift from Loudoun County, Virginia Fire Department: a flashover/burn box. This item will enhance our abilities to instruct all levels from beginners to seasoned members.
Under the leadership of Captain Baxa, our fire department and City have now hosted three Country Roads Fire Conferences at the Brushy Fork Event Center – held each January since 2023. Firefighters from all over the Southeast came to Buckhannon to learn from each other, share experiences and expertise, and enjoy everything our community has to offer. This most recent conference included many more local firefighters from here in Upshur County, and across West Virginia. This event continues to pick up steam – putting Buckhannon on the map in many areas.
CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT
The police department completed its third year of CALEA accreditation. We’re happy to report that we continue to have a near-perfect score in the program, and a mid-term audit pointed out zero issues. Chief Gregory and our officers are already preparing for a full re-accreditation evaluation taking place this year. This process will see the police department undergo its fourth and final web assessment for this cycle in February, then move on to the on-site assessment in late March. This will culminate with a hearing before the CALEA commission where the past four years of the police department’s accreditation efforts will be reviewed, and a decision to reaccredit the police department for the next four-year cycle will be made.
Our Police Department spent a good portion of 2024 training officers in Instructor Development focusing on a wide array of areas of expertise. This enables officers to stay current on the ever-evolving nature of law enforcement, all while keeping the instruction in house.
One of the highlights of 2024 was the partnership that the City of Buckhannon Police Department entered with First Choice Services. This partnership embedded a Peer Liaison with the Buckhannon Police Department in April 2024 with a mission to assist individuals experiencing substance use disorder, homelessness, or behavior issues with getting off the street, and getting the necessary needed services. The police department’s Peer, Erica Bennett, hit the ground running and has had numerous success stories throughout 2024.
In October 2024, our VIPS program celebrated its 10-year anniversary. This was a commemoration of service of the numerous individuals who have given so freely of their time to assist the City of Buckhannon, its residents and its visitors with a wide range of activities, ranging from pre-planned events to assistance with emergency situations. VIPS is a tremendous asset to the police department and is an organization that continues to grow.
Our police department continues to be an active partner with West Virginia Wesleyan College. We host not only Criminal Justice students as interns, but also Service Scholars sponsored by the Office of Community Engagement. Specifically, with the Service Scholar program, the police department began a mentorship program where a senior student volunteer guides and mentors a freshman student volunteer as they assist the police department with a wide variety of administrative tasks, including but not limited to helping to manage our accreditation.
SANITATION DEPARTMENT:
In 2024, the collection crews and city contractors completed projects begun in late 2023 which included over 5,000 feet of clay tile into new PVC systems. Major projects in these upgrades included 1,100 feet on Shawnee Drive, 1,200 feet in Myrna Street, 1,200 feet on Taylor Street, 900 feet along North Locust Street, and along Madison Street, services for vendors were also created around the newly constructed parking lot between East Lincoln and Madison Streets, and the storm water system was upgraded on the property. The entire redevelopment of this property should be completed in 2024.
Major improvements to the wastewater treatment process were also completed with the installation of an automatic bar at the headworks of the plant. This, along with changes to the treatment process, has resulted in a cleaner effluent being produced.
A major stormwater project took place to complete the Ritchie Street Stormwater collection system. This project upgraded an undersized pipe which created a bottle neck in the system. This was the 7th and final phase of this project which began in the mid-2000’s.
In conjunction with the Street and Water Departments, the intersection realignment at Scott Street and Shawnee Drive was completed with the addition of stormwater facilities as well.
WATER DEPARTMENT:
One of the great points of pride for our city is that we own the utility services in our community. We collect the waste, provide high-quality drinking water, and operate a wastewater treatment facility – all to best serve our citizens and business owners. We have continuously made necessary upgrades to all our facilities – mostly completed by our own crews – all to squeeze every possible ounce of available life out of each plant, truck, pipe, and piece of machinery.
Our city’s water treatment plant, located on Wood Street, was constructed back in the late 1950’s through early 1960’s. It has served us VERY well. Think about the growth, expansion, increased demand, as well as everyday wear and tear on that facility. The plant is in its mid-60’s age-wise, and has long outlived its life expectancy; again, thanks to our highly skilled water department crews. If not for them, we would’ve had to construct a new facility some twenty years ago, thus missing out on those additional years we’ve been able to utilize our current plant.
What does all this mean exactly? Our City has begun the process of working to replace our water treatment plant. Unfortunately, none of us enjoy talking about utility rate increases, but the likelihood of a series of “stair-stepped” water rate increases will be necessary to complete this project. With 96% of Upshur County residents and businesses relying on good, clean drinking water provided by the City of Buckhannon, this must be a top priority as we continue to plan for our future.
As for the work completed by our department past year, we have continued to replace and upgrade water line services across the City. In addition to the new 6″ water main on Thurman Avenue, we have also completed upgrades on Meade Street and Island Avenue. This is a drastic improvement to both water service and fire services. Chief Operator, Kelly Arnold presented the Water Board with a comprehensive list of lines throughout the city that require upgrades. We are tackling the most imperative needs first and working our way down the list.
STREETS, WASTE, AND ENGINEERING DEPARTMENTS:
Jerry Arnold and Jay Hollen have been busy as usual working through a long list of projects through Waste Collection, Streets, Parks, Sanitation, and Water Departments. Our Waste Department is working on an all-encompassing strategic plan should be complete by Spring this year. This will allow us to have a better understanding of our equipment needs, as well as how to proceed with rating customers – both residential and commercial – and inside and outside of city limits. Jerry has been working on this for the better part of 2024.
Jay Hollen worked diligently on the Gateway West project which was completed in 2024. The efficiency of our public works crew kept the City’s financial contribution very low: only $92,500 for a project that cost $462,700 total.
Jay is continuing to work on the engineering and design of the Island Avenue Utility and Street Improvement Project, including the orderly installation of new gas, sanitary, storm, and water lines from on the North side of Island Avenue from North Florida Street to Gate Street. The Sanitary and Water Departments completed the installation of new utilities in the area, and the new sidewalk and driveway approaches will be constructed during the first half of this year weather permitting.
He’s also continuing to work with Kelly, Ethan, Potesta & Associates, Virco Contracting, Pro Contracting, and Tradeworx on the construction of various water system and sanitary sewer system improvement projects via the $2,382,905.27 ARPA grant that was received by the City. Of the five projects under contract for 2024, all have been completed except for Contract A which is the Tennerton Booster Station Building – New Water Distribution System Installation Project. The completed projects included:
- Taylor Street Sanitary Sewer Collection System Installation Project
- North Locust Street Sanitary Sewer Collection System Installation Project
- Tennerton Booster Station Building – New Booster Station Building
- Tennerton Booster Station Building – New Water Distribution System
- Purchase of new Water equipment for the Water Treatment Plant Projects
Finally, listing a few more line items completed include Jay providing engineering and surveying services required for the new sidewalk and lighting project along Morton Avenue from Route 20 to First Street, which is approximately 2,450 linear feet. The total design fees associated with the project are $75,000.00 with the City being responsible for $15,000.00.
He has also worked with both the Buckhannon-Upshur Airport Authority and the Water Department to install a permanent generator and automatic transfer switch at the airport booster station so that a reliable source of backup emergency power is available. The Airport Authority is dedicating a piece of property to the City Water Department for the generator installation while the Water Department is purchasing the new automatic transfer and performing all site and electrical work required.
***END OF DEPARTMENT REPORTS***
In addition to the department heads listed above, Finance & Administration Director Amby Jenkins is truly an invaluable resource for our city. She is in this building before the sun comes up and doesn’t leave until long after the sun goes down. Oh, and by the way, I’m not talking about the sunrises and sunsets in the winter months. If it were mid-June, when the sun comes up at 6am and doesn’t go down until after 9pm, the same is true. She has dedicated her life to the betterment of this organization, and we will never be able to thank her enough for her service. Amby and the team inside City Hall make it possible for all our skilled labor departments to function properly – all in effort to serve our citizens, business owners, and visitors.
City Attorney Tom O’Neil, Stockert Youth Director Deborah Brockleman, and Building Code and Enforcement Officer Vincent Smith all play integral roles in taking our projects from discussions to finished products.
As you can see, once again, we have been extremely busy, but we wouldn’t want it any other way! The team I reference above includes more than 100 men and women who come to work here every day – all for one goal: to best serve our community. Our City Council is extremely proud of, and thankful for each one of you! We sincerely thank you, ALL of you, for everything you do! You make us the city we are, and the city we want to be.
Over this next year, we have our work cut out for us in the Street Department. We’ve already begun a much-needed streetscape project to beautify sections of Ritchie Street, but once completed, we will be moving on to South Kanawha, Fayette, and Pocahontas Streets, as well as the completion of infrastructure improvements on Shawnee Drive. We also have several miles of paving work to complete on Reger Avenue, Wood and Randolph Streets, just to name a few.
Members of City Council: as we work on our 2025-2026 general fund budget, I ask that we continue prioritizing robust investments into infrastructure improvements. Our citizens and business owners deserve our attention to detail to our streets and sidewalks. We are only as smooth as our bumpiest street.
Finally tonight, we as leaders of this City as well as our citizens and business owners alike must stay informed and engaged in the discussions taking place at the State Capitol. The future of our community depends on it. I’m going to be very honest… I am very concerned about our hospital. Currently, West Virginia has what is called a “Certificate of Need” process that healthcare providers must follow when they wish to embark on facility or service-offering expansion. This legislation acts as a checks-and-balance system, and is fair to all hospitals regardless of size or location. This law has been in effect for decades in West Virginia, and it MUST remain. The Certificate of Need process is protecting rural hospitals like ours, but out-of-state lobbying groups, along with some outspoken in-state representatives, want this legislation abolished. If it is repealed, St. Joseph’s Hospital as we know it today may cease to exist. I, along with hospital leadership – both here and at WVU, as well as fellow hospital board members have been fighting hard for several years at the State Capitol urging representatives in both houses to keep the Certificate of Need legislation alive. This year, even though the 2025 legislative session has not even officially begun, we are already seeing more opposition to this than ever.
So what we you do as a community? Write letters, make phone calls, and if able, travel to the State Capitol to meet with our representatives face-to-face. Not only is St. Joseph’s Hospital the largest private employer in Upshur County, but it also provides critical access to healthcare in our region. We CANNOT afford to lose our now more than 100-year-old hospital.
Please understand, the intention of this message is not to scare anyone, but it is intended to provide information and a call-to-action of our community. At the present time, our hospital is doing great. Skip Gjolberg is a fantastic CEO, and his team is dedicated to the well-being of not only the hospital itself, but most importantly, to the total health of everyone it serves. Our mission is to make sure we’re all doing our part to ensure that the right care stays right here, close to home.
CLOSING REMARKS:
To finish on a positive note, I want to say I am proud of my colleagues on this City Council. Each one of you brings a wealth of knowledge and unique perspective to the table. I appreciate your friendship, guidance, discussions, and even disagreements. Our community is a better place because of the conversations held here, and the diverse opinions and backgrounds that guide us forward.
And so, tonight, to the citizens and business owners of this community, I am proud to report to you tonight that the State of our City is strong. With the right decisions and strong heart and dedication, we continue to be well-positioned for the future. Let the world have no doubt, that we ARE one of the very “BEST Small Towns in America!” I want you to know that it is truly the honor of my life to serve my hometown as your Mayor, and I cannot thank all of you enough for your support, love, encouragement, guidance, advice, and prayers most importantly.
Let’s bring on 2025! We have work to do!
May God continue to bless our City of Buckhannon, State of West Virginia, and the United States of America!