Preston County

Big races, new faces in the WV State Legislature

10.02.15

Updated: 10/5/13, 12:35 p.m.

Over the past few months much of the state political news has been focused on the gear-up to the 2016 Governor’s race, with three current candidates getting most of the attention: Senate President Bill Cole (R), business owner Jim Justice (owner of the Greenbrier and a number of coal operations), and Senate Minority Leader Jeff Kessler.

A number of legislatives seats have changed in the State House and Senate chambers with little fanfare or note.

In our December Legislative Hubbub (sign up here for all the news), we’ll dive deeper into this race and the other state races that we are keeping an eye on, including those for the Agriculture Commissioner, State Auditor and Secretary of State positions, just to name a few.

There are some other state races we are keeping an eye, too, including those for the Agriculture Commissioner, State Auditor and Secretary of State positions, to name just a few.

But while these races have been getting started, a number of legislatives seats have changed in the State House and Senate chambers with little fanfare or note.

One senator and two delegates have left their seats since the end of the 2015 legislative session.

Senate Vacancy Filled by Bob Ashley, Roane County

David Nohe, the Republican Wood County senator vacated his seat in August after being appointed to the West Virginia Parole Board.

Governor Tomblin appointed former Delegate Bob Ashley (R – Roane Co) to replace Nohe. Ashley’s Senate seat covers Pleasants, Wirt, Wood and part of Roane County. He was sworn in by Senate President Cole on September 15, 2015 (right).

First House Vacancy Filled by Steven Shaffer, Preston County

In the House of Delegates, a swearing in ceremony for a newly appointed delegate took place in early May (left).

Delegate Larry Williams (D – Preston Co.) retired to take a position with the Department of Agriculture. Williams served in the House of Delegates for 22 years, and was especially active on issues relating to farming and agriculture.

Governor Tomblin appointed Steven Shaffer (D – Preston Co.) to fill the vacant seat. Shaffer is currently a lawyer in Preston County, and formerly served as a coal miner, the mayor of Tunnelton and an assistant prosecuting attorney in the county.

Second House Vacancy Filled by Martin “Rick” Atkinson

The second House of Delegates vacancy – the seat left vacant by Bob Ashley’s appointment to the Senate – was filled on Oct. 4. Governor Tomblin appointed Martin “Rick” Atkinson III of Reedy to fill the 11th District House seat (covering Roane and part of Jackson County).

The appointment is effective immediately.

Atkinson has a background in the treated wood industry, retiring from BPB – Stella Jones, a leading manufacturer of pressure treated wood products. Atkinson is now the director of sales for Mountain State Log Homes and an active member of the Roane County 4-H club.

How Mid-Term Vacancies are Filled

Vacancies are filled by a process outlined in the WV Code (Sec. 3-10-5).

It is the Governor’s duty to appoint a replacement to fill a vacant seat. The replacement is appointed until the end of the term of that seat. The Governor chooses the replacement from a list of three “legally qualified” people who are submitted as options by the executive committee of the Democratic or Republican party – whichever party the person holding the seat immediately before its vacancy was affiliated with.

The Today in the Legislature blog is the best source of information on these appointments.

Preston County Journal: Flood of 1985 the Catalyst for 30 Year Success Story

07.18.15

AP/Wide World Photos

By Theresa Marthey – Preston County Journal

Lynda Monk and Christine Grobert were 16 years old when the Flood of 1985 devastated much of Preston County.

The girls were moved to lend a hand but didn’t want to collect money; they wanted to physically help. So, they gathered a group of seven, themselves included, and they traveled to Rowlesburg the following June with their Catholic priest and two chaperones.

“I think this program is a sample that all you need is one person to start a great thing.”

“We were gung-ho and ready to go when we got here,” Grobert said. “We stayed in the Veterans of Foreign Wars building on Chestnut Street, the same place we stay in now…”

… Thirty-years later, what was a one-week, eye-opening experience for seven girls has turned into an annual summer home repair program organized through the Catholic Church of Preston County. More than 14 different volunteer groups now spend the summer months repairing homes owned by needy families.

“It is pretty awesome and makes us proud,” Grobert said with tears in her eyes. “I think this program is a sample that all you need is one person to start a great thing.”

This year the group from Chatham, New Jersey, had 43 students in their first week of volunteering.

“We have people on a waiting list to come and be a part of this program back home. It means that much to these kids,” Grobert said. “Some come back year after year.”

After the 30 years of volunteering, what was there left to say that hadn’t been said? “Come on down,” Grobert said. “Open yourself up to the experience.”

“It is not going to be what you think it will be,” Monk said. “It will be so much more.”

Read the full story at: www.theet.com/prestoncountyjournal

Preston County News: Nonprofit Trout for Cheat Providing Big Boost for Regional Tourism

06.03.15

Photo by John Dahlia/Preston County News and Journal

For 15 years, the community-based non-profit Trout for Cheat, Inc., has been quietly raising money and collecting government grants so they can purchase and release thousands of pounds of rainbow trout into the Cheat River.

This year alone, the group has been able to purchase enough trout to stage three releases since April. The most recent was Thursday, May 8, when approximately 2,000 pounds of trout were released into the Cheat River between Rowelsburg and Kingwood on WV Rt. 72.

Clearly, stocking a Preston County river is a good thing for the environment, but also has a big impact on county and state tourism.

The non-profit is able to do this with the help of an elimination dinner fundraiser and matching grant dollars from the state.

The drastic difference in funding this year means the non-profit can only purchase enough rainbow trout for four release events during the spring, three of which have already taken place. In the past they had enough money to stock the Cheat River up to nine times.

Clearly, stocking a Preston County river is a good thing for the environment, but also has a big impact on county and state tourism.

The question is, why haven’t the Preston County Commission, Greater Morgantown Convention and Visitor’s Bureau or any other government entity been willing to fund Trout for Cheat’s fish stocking activities? What they are doing is by definition in support of state and county tourism.

Read the full story at theet.com/prestoncountyjournal