Resident urges intervention in WADI case; commission proclaims Sexual Assault Awareness Month

During the public comment period at the April 1 meeting, resident Judith Delagarza of 6003 Woodlands Bluff urged the commission to seek intervenor status in a filing before the West Virginia Public Service Commission related to WADI, reporting that campaigns in surrounding counties have already applied for intervener status and that Monongalia County was holding an intervenor workshop that evening at 6:00 p.m. at the Cheat Lake Volunteer Fire Department.

Delagarza, who identified herself as treasurer of Stewart's Community Council, said intervenor filings close June 1 and that Preston County has already been approved for intervenor status; she asked the commission to follow suit.

Later in the meeting, Kaye Powney, prevention educator with RDVIC, read a proclamation recognizing Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Powney cited prevalence statistics and stressed the importance of prevention, survivor support and coordination among state and local service providers. "It is important for people who've experienced sexual violence because it encourages people to talk about it," she said as she read the proclamation. The commission moved, seconded and approved the proclamation by voice vote.

The public comment and the proclamation were recorded during the meeting; the commission did not take a formal vote on intervenor status at the meeting but commissioners said they were informally pursuing counsel before making any formal intervention decision.