10/10/2025 21:35
Mount Hope, W.Va. On the streets around 100 Bluestone Road, parents talk about kids on bikes, porch lights, and the sound of evening crickets. That picture is what many residents say is at stake as a proposal for a group living facility advances in a largely residential area.
A petition hosted at openpetition.org/!hoper asks county leaders to pause and withdraw support until independent reviews are finished and shared with the public. The comments posted alongside the petition describe a town that wants to help people in recovery and wants a plan that fits its size and resources.
“We already have three low income complexes and more people on the streets,” wrote Brenda Troitino of Mount Hope, who also pointed to two vacant house fires last winter. “Turning that building into a rehabilitation facility would hurt this neighborhood.” Others echoed two themes again and again. “Property value and safety,” wrote Drema Pike. “Safety for citizens and property depreciation,” added Benny Munsey. “We do not have much of a police presence for something like this,” wrote Paul Remy, who said only two officers patrol the town. “To make sure Mt. Hope stays safe for kids,” wrote Jamie Remy.
Residents also question the fit of the location. “I live 100 yards from the building,” wrote Elza Allen Brown. Several commenters said a high needs facility belongs where policing and medical support are stronger, and they mentioned larger nearby cities by name. Others urged leaders to focus first on jobs and small businesses that could lift the tax base.
Another thread is clarity and accountability. Commenters ask for basic facts about who would live at the site, what services would operate, and how emergencies would be handled. “Documents and plans need to be public and vetted so residents are aware of how this will impact their personal lives,” one neighbor wrote. “We believe in second chances, but only if everything is legal, safe, orderly, and known to the public,” wrote another.
The petition lays out specific steps the County can take before any commitment. It asks for a public hearing in Mount Hope with meeting materials posted in advance. It seeks full disclosure of funding and operations, including staffing that provides clinical supervision around the clock. It asks for conflict-of-interest safeguards, leadership vetting through a public service background check, and a neighborhood plan that covers lighting, parking, cameras, trash handling, and coordination with police, fire, and EMS.
The voices in the community expressed in the petition are more defensive than anything else. Signers say they support people who are trying to rebuild their lives, and they also want a plan that protects families who live nearby. In the words of one resident, the town needs “legal, safe, orderly, and publicly known” steps before any green light.
