BUCKHANNON – Newly appointed Upshur County Commissioner Doug K. Bush attended his first regular meeting on Thursday, Sept. 22.

The appointment became necessary after the unexpected passing of commissioner Terry Cutright on Sept. 1, 2022. Fellow commissioners Kristie Tenney and Sam Nolte chose Bush during the Sept. 15 meeting after receiving letters of interest from those interested in the position.

Bush said he felt good about his first meeting, but he knows there is still a lot left to learn about his new role.

“I’m always learning,” the former teacher said. “I think that’s the biggest thing in my position, to soak in as much information as I can find. I enjoy working with the other commissioners, and wow, what a great support staff we have here.”

He reflected on his previous job experience and his dedication to working with the community.

“I have been involved with the Tygart Valley Conservation District for a few years, doing a similar thing, but on a smaller level,” Bush said. “I’ve always had an interest in the community — I have been here my whole life — and I’m always trying to find out ways that I can help. I’m a retired teacher and I’m still working, but always trying to do something for my community.”

Bush previously coached basketball and football for 30 years and taught history for 20 years.

“I’ve also been an elementary PE teacher and I coached at the high school,” he said. “I enjoyed that, and I think that that would be one of my interests, to help out the youth.”

Bush said he aims to accomplish Cutright’s goals and his own during his appointment.

“I think my position is unique because I was appointed, and my job is to do what Terry Cutright had envisioned and to carry out his work,” he said. “So I think I’m in a unique position that I must not only work on what I’d like to do, but I think it’s my job to carry on what Terry wanted.”

“I appreciate the other commissioners for their trust and their confidence in me,” Bush added. “I’m going to try my best, and for the next few months, I’ll be learning. If they’re patient with me, I’ve always tried hard at anything I’ve done and this will be no different.”