Attention Wetzel County Taxpayers: Recently I had an occasion to visit our Wetzel County Sheriff’s Office. I walked up the steps, pushed the buzzer, and expected to be buzzed in. The door did not buzz open, instead a voice came from the speaker inquiring as to my business.

When I finally got the person to understand what I wanted, I was told to wait outside and they would see if someone would come out and see me. Imagine my surprise when I was told by a courthouse employee that no one can get into the sheriff’s building!!!

Over the past 40 years I have known no other sheriff that locked the county taxpayers out of the county owned building.

I have always been told that people who keep doors locked and allow no access, then there must be something that’s no good going on inside. What’s going on? Why are the doors locked? Why can’t the tax paying people come in? It will be mighty cold this winter waiting outside to talk to someone.

I never thought I would see the day when citizens are not welcome in the sheriff’s building. After all we, (the taxpayers of Wetzel County), paid for the building and we pay the salary of those people who work behind those locked doors.

Concerned Taxpayer,

Charles Young

New Martinsville