Petition Seeks Removal of Nicholas Commissioners

  A three-judge panel has been appointed to hear a petition seeking the removal of all three Nicholas County commissioners.

State Supreme Court Chief Justice Robin Davis named Senior Status Judge Frank E. Jolliffe, Monongalia County Circuit Judge Philip D. Gaujot and Third Judicial Circuit Judge Timothy L. Sweeney to hear the petition.

The State Journal reports that the petition alleges the commissioners illegally changed the form of county government and violated the state’s open government laws when they hired Roger Beverage as county manager.

Commissioner John Miller denied wrongdoing on the part of the commissioners.

The commission is appealing a judge’s ruling that Beverage’s hiring violated the West Virginia Constitution. The ruling came in a lawsuit filed by residents who claim the commission hired Beverage without public discussion.