CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A standing room only crowd at the Kanawha County Commission courthouse Wednesday night saw the county planning commission recommend a rejection of Clendenin’s annexation plan.
A large crowd turned out for the hearing, almost all of which were against the annex of 166 homes and seven businesses.
“I live in Clendenin, and the town can’t take care of what they’ve got,” said Joey Gibson. “The mayor won’t offer to help (anybody). I don’t see how they can take care of a bigger area.
The ultimate decision on whether the annex is approved will be in the hands of the county commission. Clendenin Mayor Gary Bledsoe said the reason for wanting the annex was mostly because of law enforcement.
“We’ve asked for two minor boundary adjustments in 112 years. The last one was 35 years ago,” he said. “We are the only farthest incorporated area in that end of the county that produces law enforcement. As far as law enforcement on that end, we’re it.”
Matthew Myers showed up because he had no desire to live in Clendenin.
“This doesn’t benefit our community. We’re sufficient enough without the having of city limits and ordinances,” Blackwell said. “We’re in the country and we want to keep it that way. If we wanted to live in Clendenin we’d (move into town).”
Bledsoe wasn’t bothered before the meeting that so many came out to oppose the annex.
“That’s what this meeting’s for. It’s a meeting for the planning commission to hear the pros and cons; it’s fine with me,” he said. “We expected this. But we’re still intent on requesting this minor boundary adjustment.”
The Kanawha County Commission is expected to make a final ruling on the annex later this month.