It’s never happened before so Bill Helms doesn’t know how it’s going to feel.
Although he has served as chief deputy for the past eight years, it wasn’t his name on the ballot in 2012 or 2016, it was Marshall County Sheriff Kevin Cecil’s. Tomorrow, though, on Primary Tuesday in Marshall County, West Virginia, WILLIAM HELMS will be one of two names in the Democratic Primary for Sheriff.
“It does feel a little weird, that’s for sure,” he said. “But I know I really want the job so I’m proud of it, too. Law enforcement was a calling for me and I’ve had a great career, and I really can’t think of a better way to spend the rest of it but serving the people here in Marshall County.
“I know my county and I know the people here,” he said. “Every community has its issues and that’s the same here, too, but keeping these folks safe is what I enjoy doing and I hope the voters decide to give me that promotion.”
Policing During Pandemic
Four words.
It. Was. Not. Easy.
But Helms and his deputies remained on patrol each and every day and at times, they were exposed to COVID-19 while serving the citizens.
“We took as many precautions that we could, but the job is the job, too, and it doesn’t matter who calls us for our help,” the chief deputy explained. “That’s how it works, and that is why our deputies are always out there patrolling the county. On average, they put around 100 miles per day on their cruisers because it’s a pretty big county.
“During the stay-at-home order from the governor, we’ve stayed out of the office as much as possible, and that included me, too. I still performed the administrative duties that come with the position, but it gave me the time to get back out on the roads, too,” he said. “Through the years, I have done just about everything there is to do as far as law enforcement is concerned, but it is patrolling and being out there with the residents that I really enjoy.”
It Ain’t Over
The Marshall County Health Department reported today three new positive COVID-19 cases which increases the numbers to 36 conformations and one probable case. According to the distributed press release, one individual is a female in her 30s and is reporting no symptoms. The second individual is a male in his 60s and is reporting no symptoms. The third person is a male in his 20’s and is reporting mild symptoms. All are currently in isolation at home and Marshall County Health Department staff will be checking in with them daily, checking symptoms and temperature.
As of today, eight county residents remain in isolation and 29 have been released from isolation.
That is why Helms knows exposure to the coronavirus can still take place, especially with the occurring reopenings and public gatherings.
“We’re not out of the woods yet, that’s for sure,” he said. “That’s why we’re still going out our jobs being cautious and asking a lot of questions, and it’s also why we’re doing as much as we can on the telephone, too. Everyone has to be careful right now and not expect everything to just go back to normal.
“I think we all adopted some things during the stay-at-home order, like washing our hands frequently, cleaning surfaces, and using the hand sanitizer, and I know I’ll continue to do those things in the future,” Helms continued. “I know we’re all anxious to get back to normal, but I do think we need to be careful for a little longer.”
The Next Four Years
Helms envisions future growth, and not just across the Ohio River in Belmont County.
He believes population will increase in all Marshall County communities, too, and that is because the chief deputy feels the gas and oil industries will continue to grow because of statistics concerning past production.
“What we have learned over the past 10 years is that they go where the gas and the oils is, and Marshall County is No. 1 in the state of West Virginia in both gas and oil,” Helms said. “That’s the way it works, and it makes sense if you think about it.
“But that means the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office has to be ready for those things because with more people and more industry come additional issues that concern law enforcement,” he continued. “We have met with a lot of people and there have been a lot of conversations within the county about what we will need in the coming years no matter what develops in Belmont County.”
PTT Global America announced 10 days ago a six-to-nine month timeline for them to make a final investment decision on a $10 billion petrochemical “cracker” facility in Dilles Bottom, an area that is directly across the Ohio River from the city of Moundsville. A plethora of properties have been purchased in Marshall County the last two years and more, Helms said, are under examination.
“With the amount of work that has been performed on that property, and all of the money that company has already spent, I remain confident it will take place and that’s why I will continue preparing,” he said. “It would change the economy here in Marshall County in a lot of different ways.
“When those industries first arrived, there were a lot of positives for local businesses like the hotels, the gas stations, and for our restaurants, but those folks added to some of the problems, too,” Helms added. “So, if this cracker comes in, we’ll see a lot of new faces around the community and there are positives and negatives to come with that situation.”
