WELLSBURG, W.Va.

Brooke county commissioners on Tuesday appointed Tim Ennis to fill the commissioner seat left vacant by the passing of Bernie Kazienko.

 While the decision was supported by both commissioners, it came with controversy.

 Commissioners sorted through a list of 17 applicants, including Kazienko’s son.

 Commissioner Marty Bartz found that Kirk Kazienko was the perfect fit for the position in the interim.

 “Kirk did a wonderful interview and comes highly qualified for this position.  He has a degree in business administration from West Virginia University,” he said.

 But when it came time to make a motion, Commissioner Norma Tarr did not second his choice.

 Instead, she offered up her own choice, someone she felt was familiar meetings and the county’s needs.

 “I think the county was very lucky to have Tim Ennis want to apply and he also is going to run for the job,” said Tarr.

 While Bartz said he feared appointing someone who plans to run would make it seem like their backing one candidate, he worried about the alternative of a democratic committee picking a choice of their own, and voted in favor of Ennis.

 “I’ve made a lot of contacts in the 17 years I’ve been a member of the House of Delegates, in Charleston and in Washington D.C., and I’m going to bring that to Brooke County,” said Ennis.

 Voters, who will ultimately elect the permanent commissioner later this year, showed support for Ennis, including Kazienko.

Their concerns were with Tarr’s decision process.

“I noticed you (Marty Bartz) interviewed all of the candidates, and that was great.  Did both of you?” said one observer.

 To that question Tarr answered “No.”

 “I’m sad you didn’t take the time Norma, because I know you were available.  We all know you were available.  You told us last week you had other plans,” said Kazienko.

Kazienko was not planning to run for the position this year but after the meeting said he may consider throwing his hat in, in hopes of changing the politics of Brooke County.

Ennis will resign from his position as state delegate on Monday.

The democratic executive committee will then have to submit three names to the governor, who will then decide who will fill the empty delegate seat.