Under West Virginia state law, the Pocahontas County Solid Waste Authority (SWA) is governed by W. Va. Code §22C-4-3, which outlines the board's composition and the specific procedures for filling vacancies.
Board Composition
The board consists of five members, each serving a four-year term. These members are not all appointed by the same entity; rather, they are appointed by four different authorities to ensure a diversity of oversight:
| Appointing Authority | Number of Members |
| Pocahontas County Commission | 2 Members |
| WV Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) | 1 Member |
| WV Public Service Commission (PSC) | 1 Member |
| Board of Supervisors for the Conservation District | 1 Member |
Rules for Filling Vacancies
According to W. Va. Code §22C-4-3(b), the following rules apply when a seat becomes vacant:
Timeline: Vacancies must be filled within 60 days after the vacancy occurs.
Authority: The vacancy must be filled by the original appointing authority. For example, if a member originally appointed by the County Commission resigns, only the County Commission can appoint their successor.
Term Duration: The new appointee serves for the balance of the remaining term (unexpired term) of the member they are replacing, rather than starting a fresh four-year term.
Holdover Provision: Members generally hold office until their successor has been duly appointed and qualified.
Qualifications and Restrictions
Residency: Members must be citizens of West Virginia and the county.
Conflict of Interest: No member may have a financial interest in the collection, transportation, processing, recycling, or disposal of solid waste.
Compensation: Members receive no compensation for their service but are reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
Recent Local Context (March 2026)
As of March 2026, the Pocahontas County Commission has been actively seeking a replacement for a vacancy left by Ed Riley, whose term was set to expire on June 30, 2028. Following state law, the Commission opened a public application process requiring interested residents to submit letters of interest detailing their qualifications to the County Clerk.
Would you like me to find the contact information for the Pocahontas County Clerk’s office or the current list of SWA board members?
Absolutely. As of late March 2026, the SWA is in a period of transition following a recent resignation. Here is the contact information you need and the current roster of the board members as they stand today.
Pocahontas County Clerk’s Office
This is the primary office for submitting letters of interest for county-appointed vacancies.
County Clerk: Melissa Bennett
Address: 900 Tenth Avenue, Suite C, Marlinton, WV 24954
Phone: 304-799-4549
Email: pocaclk@clerk.state.wv.us
Office Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Current SWA Board Members (March 2026)
The board is currently operating with four active members and one vacancy that the County Commission is in the process of filling.
| Name | Position | Appointing Authority |
| David Henderson | Chairman | WV Public Service Commission |
| David McLaughlin | Vice-Chairman | Pocahontas County Commission |
| Phillip Cobb | Member | Greenbrier Valley Conservation District |
| Greg Hamons | Member | WV Dept. of Environmental Protection |
| VACANT | Member | Pocahontas County Commission |
Note on Vacancy: This seat was recently held by Ed Riley, who resigned in early 2026. The County Commission held a special session on March 19, 2026, to discuss his replacement. Local interest groups have publicly recommended Angela Fisher for this position, though an official appointment confirmation typically follows the commission's formal vote.
Next Step for You
If you are interested in the vacancy or tracking the board's decisions, the next Solid Waste Authority meeting or a County Commission regular session would be the best place to hear the official appointment announcement.
Would you like me to check the upcoming meeting schedule for the County Commission to see when the next vote is slated?
The Pocahontas County Commission is currently in the middle of the appointment process. Following a special session on March 19, 2026, the Commissioners established a specific timeline to fill the seat formerly held by Ed Riley.
Upcoming Key Dates
The Commission has set a formal deadline for applications, and the final vote is expected shortly thereafter:
Application Deadline: Friday, April 3, 2026. All letters of interest must be submitted to the County Clerk’s office by the close of business on this date.
Next Regular Commission Session: Tuesday, April 7, 2026. While the agenda is typically finalized the week prior, this is the first regular meeting following the application deadline where a vote to appoint the new member is likely to occur.
Next SWA Regular Meeting: Wednesday, March 25, 2026 (Tomorrow). The Solid Waste Authority typically meets on the last Wednesday of each month. While they cannot appoint their own member, this meeting will likely involve discussions regarding the current "Transfer Station" controversy and the transition of the board.
Critical Context for the Vacancy
The timing of this appointment is particularly significant due to a major shift in county waste management:
Landfill Closure: The county landfill is expected to reach capacity and become unusable by the end of 2026.
Transfer Station Dispute: There is significant public tension regarding "Option #4," a plan to transition to a commercial transfer station. A special SWA meeting on March 19 drew nearly 50 residents, forcing the session to move to the Circuit Courtroom to accommodate the crowd.
The "Fifth Vote": Because the SWA has been split on recent votes regarding the future of the landfill, the person appointed to this vacancy will likely cast the deciding vote on how the county handles trash disposal for the next decade.
Would you like me to draft a template for a letter of interest that you or a candidate could use to apply for this position before the April 3rd deadline?
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