Ted Kula has been appointed as Summers County’s newest addition to the county commission. President Charles W. Saunders and Commissioner Mike Gore have appointed Kula to serve out the last two years of Jack David Woodrum’s term.
County Clerk Mary Beth Merritt sent out official word following the commission’s special session that “Woodrum’s term was due to expire on December 31st, 2022,” however, “this same seat on the Summers County Commission will be on the primary 2022 for a full six-year term.”
“I’m hopeful for what these two years will bring,” said Kula, following his appointment Friday. “Economic development is what I want to work on and broadband, and I see there’s a lot of synergy going on right now around this.”
Kula said he was already familiar with addressing the commission and excited to serve in this capacity for the next two years. He credits ManTech for bringing him to Hinton. “I came here as technical director in 2001, worked in the technology building from 2005-2018,” and became a familiar face in Hinton and Summers County.
Former commissioner Bill Lightner had good things to say about Kula’s appointment.
“If I were still serving on the commission, Kula is who I would’ve chosen [to fill Woodrum’s seat],” Lightner said. Woodrum resigned at the end of the year to represent the district encompassing Hinton and Summers County at the state level.
“Ted Kula is sharp as a tack and a problem solver,” according to Lightner. “Problem-solving is what he did for ManTech. Kula is a wonderful person, genuine, personable, sociable, and polite, and he possesses a wealth of information. He will truly prove to be an asset,” Lightner added.
“I want to facilitate cooperation on the local and state level,” Kula explained. Over the years Kula has led the Hinton Area Foundation and has been involved in civic projects. He served on a committee to address dilapidated buildings on the county level.
Kula originally came to Hinton to develop a web-based delivery system and had no idea it would become his forever home.
“My job was a big job. I met Cheryl, got married and [] are now parents to two young daughters. It is beautiful here,” Kula said.
There are a lot of things Kula wants to work toward to attract businesses and families here and said he is excited to work cooperatively with the county, city, and state.
Commission President Charles Saunders said, “Ted has a lot of knowledge” and the special session had a good result when new commissioner Mike Gore made the motion to appoint Kula to Woodrum’s former seat.
Saunders also said, “we can work with other government entities to accomplish a lot of things over the next couple of years.”
Job one for the commission — today’s AGENDA:
Following reports from various county departments from Corrections to Assessors Office, 911 and the Sheriff’s department, Commission President Charles Saunders, and new Commissioners Mike Gore and Ted Kula will get to work organizing their committees for the year ahead.
Some of the committees listed:
- Region 1 Planning and Development Board
- Enhanced 911 Advisory Board
- New River Gorge Regional Development Board
- WVU Extension Service Board
- Parks and Recreation Commission
- Summers County Council on Aging Board and Commission Alternate to the Board
- Farmland Protection Board
- Summers County Planning Commission
- Website Committee
- Workforce WV
- Dilapidated Structures Committee
- Fire Board
- Solid Waste Authority Board
- Monroe/Summers Solid Waste Board
- Summers County Building Commission
