Pumping Gas

Buckhannon recorder Richard Edwards to resign over fuel theft investigation
by Darlene J. Swiger STAFF WRITER Aug 12, 2016 0

BUCKHANNON — Buckhannon City Recorder Richard Edwards, who also served as former acting mayor, will resign his office by Aug. 31 as part of an agreement reached with the state, Buckhannon Mayor David McCauley said in an email.

Upshur County Prosecuting Attorney David Godwin indicated Edwards has signed an agreement confirming his intention to resign, according to a letter hopes to Steven Nanners, who has been facilitating communications between Edwards and the prosecutor’s office.

“On the condition that Edwards complies with this agreement, I will not present the results of the police investigation of Mr. Edwards’ use of a city of Buckhannon fuel card and/or the filing of allegedly fraudulent travel vouchers to the September term of the Grand Jury,” Godwin wrote.

“I reviewed the fuel charges and the travel vouchers and I agree that he has made sufficient payment,” Godwin wrote.

Mayor McCauley said he learned of the investigation Aug. 9.

“While I suppose no city relishes the kind of attention that invariably results from a matter such as this, I want to absolutely reassure our citizens that our city is a very strong organization that is not defined by the character or acts of any one person,” McCauley said.

In the weeks ahead, Buckhannon City Council will develop a process for the appointment of a new city recorder, who will serve through June 30, 2018, Edwards said.

Letters of interest for this position should be addressed to Mayor of City of Buckhannon, City Hall, 70 East Main Street, Buckhannon, W.Va. 26201.

The successful candidate must be a current resident of the city of Buckhannon. City Council hopes to install a new city recorder by sometime in October.

Any person requiring more information about the position of city recorder should contact Amberle Jenkins or McCauley at (304) 472-1651.