June 18, 2013
A longtime Lubeck public service district commissioner in the midst of county controversy passed away Tuesday afternoon.
Seventy-three-year old Jim Smith, a nearly 30-year veteran with the Lubeck PDS, died of a heart attack in his Wood County home.
Family members say the stress of an independent investigation launched Thursday into Smith and Commissioner Ox Johnson's alleged mismanagement of the PSD may have contributed to his death.
They say Tuesday morning Smith was deemed in good health by an area doctor.
Funeral arrangements for Jim Smith are being handled by Leavitt Funeral Home in Parkersburg.
