Friday, May 18, 2012

West Virginia Counties Complete Canvass of Primary Election

All 55 counties in West Virginia completed their canvass of the results of the 2012 primary election on Thursday, May 17, 2012.

During a canvass the County Commissioners, acting as the Board of Canvassers, oversee the recounting by hand of the ballots cast at a randomly selected five percent of a county’s precincts.

The Boards of Canvassers also carefully examine each provisional ballot cast in the county, making a legal decision on whether a provisional ballot should be counted.

After the canvass is complete, a county “declares” their election results.

Counties started declaring their election results Monday morning. Declaring results starts a 48 hour time period in which a candidate can request a recount.

Recount requests for county and multi-county legislative offices are handled differently than statewide offices.

For county offices, the 48 hour recount request period begins when that county declares its results.

For multi-county legislative offices, the 48 hour recount request period begins when the last county in that district declares their results.

For statewide offices, the 48 hour recount request period begins when the last county in the state declares their results.

Since the final county declared its results at 3:20 PM on Thursday, May 17, 2012, the 48 hour recount window for a statewide race won’t close until 3:20 PM on Monday, May 21, 2012.

Saturdays and Sundays do not count toward the 48 hour time period.

To see the election results on the WV Secretary of State’s website Click H E R E.

Gilmer County Vision Meeting Rescheduled – 06.01.12

Gilmer County Vision Meeting

Friday, June 01, 2012, 6:00 PM

Gilmer County Recreation Center

This is a great opportunity to come and participate in a county wide discussion of several of the key issues facing Gilmer County.

A potluck dinner will also be served.

The County Commissioners will personally provide the meat, condiments, and tableware.

The Commissioners request that everyone please bring a covered dish.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

WV Emergency Communication Trunk and Broadband Project

It was Friday morning May 11, 2012 about 8:50 AM and representatives from Gilmer County Fire Department, Gilmer County PSD, Gilmer County Ambulance Service, Lewis/Gilmer E-911, Gilmer County Sheriff Department, Regional Representative of West Virginia Homeland Security, GSC Public Safety, Gilmer County Commission, Gilmer County Administrator, and The Gilmer County Clerk, and several interested individuals were waiting at the Court house for a meeting when the Gilmer County Office of Emergency Services Director Suzie Kirkpatrick informed everyone that the meeting would start after 9:00 AM because Mr. Joe Gonzalez, the Director of the Medical Communication Division of WV Homeland Security was stuck in traffic due to an accident on I-79. Of course that worked out well for the County Commission President since he has a habit of being late for the meetings all the time which was the case here again.

Mr. Gonzalez is also the project coordinator for the state broadband project, and was to speak about it at this meeting.

About 2 ½ years ago a resolution was passed by the state of WV to have a good communication system in the state.

A study was done on the status of emergency communication and broadband system statewide to include federal, state, and local.

As a result of the study and lack of a reliable communication system, funds were allotted to come up with a system to improve the communication.

The funding for the 2 ½ year project is $125 million, of which $33 million is for microwave system and the rest for the Frontier Communication to build 900 miles of fiber to the areas that normally could not get it.

The broadband portion of the project is to build the infrastructure to allow the service to be used by those who are willing to pay for it.

The study for our area resulted in building the microwave system from Roanoke, WV in Lewis County to Glenville, WV in Gilmer County, and then to Five Forks, WV in Calhoun County to split to Pennsboro, WV in Richie County and Spencer, WV in Roane County, connecting to Kenna, WV and then to Charleston, WV.

Gilmer County already has the tower site on Nutter Run and the state has already taken care of all the right-of-ways.

Two years was available to build the tower system in Gilmer County and one year has already passed.

As part of this statewide communication system a tower has to be built in the Snowshoe area as well which, according to Mr. Gonzalez, has taken longer than anticipated due to the Greenbank quiet zone.

Every communication site will have a 400 foot tower weighing 60 tons, a 10x20 foot precast building, a 20 KW propane fired generator, and 2 redundant heating and cooling systems.

Currently, Gilmer County Emergency Services uses the 190 foot tower at the Gilmer site. The tower has to be removed to erect the new tower. As a result, the county emergency services have to move their communication devices to a temporary location.

The Gilmer County PSD has agreed to let other agencies in the county use the water tank site at FCI-Gilmer.

Once the new tower is completed, all the agencies can use the statewide trunk system for their communications. However, Mr. Gonzalez recommended all the agencies keep their system as backup to the statewide system so they can be used in case of emergencies. Doing so allows them to use the local system as well as the trunk. He suggested this would be a good method of redundancy.

Using the statewide trunk, all the agencies can communicate with each other or they can use one of 250 channels for local communication.

All communications on the trunk are digitally recorded and the recording and use of it are fully confidential and confirms with HIPPA rules.

The anticipated date for starting to use the system is June 15, 2012.

This communication project is a partnership between the county and the state.

There is absolutely no cost to county taxpayers for this project as the WV Division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security pays for the project.

The state will assume the cost of the electric at the site which is a saving since currently county pays for the electricity.

The state also puts up all the antennas and feed-lines and takes care of the maintenance of the site as well as the road.

The site will be under full security with cameras.

County agencies are still responsible to maintain their local radios and repeaters.

Mr. Gonzalez stated it will take about one month to complete the construction.

Suzie Kirkpatrick the GCOES Director thanked Mr. William Stalnaker from Gilmer County PSD for the use of their site during the construction period.

Gonzalez noted that Amateur Radio (Ham Radio) will be part of this project and Hams can put their repeater on these towers since they are of great help during the time of emergencies.

He made sure everyone knows that no one is allowed to climb the tower except the state.

The tower can be used by all public emergency services and it can be rented to commercial customers upon approval so they won’t interfere with emergency services. In this case the customer is charged for the use of the tower and the revenue is shared 90/10 by the state and the county.

The statewide communication system is designed to be fully functional with all mobile systems and is not guaranteed to work with portable radios at all locations.

Finally, although the Gilmer County tower construction started later than planned due to the fact it took 9 months for West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection agency to check the impact of the communication on bird migration and such, it is still a 2-year project and will be completed on time.

Magistrate Carol Wolfe: Thank You

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Advocate for Smaller Schools Says West Virginia Needs a New Educational Philosophy

An advocate for small community schools says, 30 years later, it should be clear the Recht decision has not worked for the benefit of West Virginia’s students.

Challenge West Virginia Executive Director Thomas Ramey says the ruling, issued in May 1982, was supposed to help students in the state’s poorest, most rural areas.

“The education systems in those counties and the education those children in those counties receive has not improved.  In many cases, it’s gotten worse,“ Ramey said on Monday’s MetroNews Talkline.

In the landmark decision in the case of Pauley v. Bailey out of Lincoln County, Ohio County Circuit Judge Arthur Recht helped change education in West Virginia when he ruled the state’s school funding system violated the Constitution and did not create a “thorough and efficient” education system.

As part of that decision, Recht ordered an overhaul to equalize the system, an order that lead to the creation of the state School Building Authority.

Now, twice a year, members of the SBA determine how the millions of dollars available for school construction and maintenance projects in West Virginia are spent.

Ramey says, over the years, the SBA has favored consolidations.

Since 1990, he says 350 schools in West Virginia have closed because of those consolidations, creating long bus rides for some students who no longer attend school in their communities.

SBA officials, though, say consolidations have led to better facilities and create more educational opportunities for students.

At the same time, they say they are helping with local projects that may not have adequate funding without the SBA.

Ramey does not agree.

He says West Virginia needs a new education philosophy.

“I actually think that children, low income children and children in rural areas, have just as much as a difficult time succeeding today than they did prior to the Recht decision,“ he said.

Monday, May 14, 2012

Legislative Update – by – Delegate Brent Boggs - House Majority Leader - 05.14.12

Anna Jarvis had it right many years ago when she initiated the recognition that we now know as Mothe’s Day.  Nothing compares to the love of a mother and I am thankful beyond words for my Mom and to be able to spend some time with her last Sunday on Mother’s Day.  I’m further blessed that I live close by to see her often, not to mention the positive influence she has on three generations of our family.  Whether your mom lives nearby, far away or if she’s no longer living, I hope each of you honored you mom on this special day.

Interim meetings were held this week, May 14, 15 and 16 at the Capitol.  These are the first interim meetings for 2012 and members are eager to get started with interim study assignments, initial preparations for new legislation during the 2013 regular session and refining bills for carryover.

Children are our future and our most important treasure.  They will be the workers, leaders, decision makers and taxpayers of tomorrow.  Among the bills passed and signed into law during the 2012 session are the following:

Senate Bill 161 (Reporting Sexual Abuse of a Child) expands the list of those required to report abuse and neglect of children, requires all persons to report sexual abuse of children, and increases the fine for those who fail to report. It requires any person over the age of 18 who has actual knowledge of or observes any sexual abuse or sexual assault of a child, must immediately report the abuse within 48 hours to the State Police or other law enforcement agency having jurisdiction.  The law-enforcement agency that receives a report under this subsection shall report the allegations to the Department of Health and Human Resources and coordinate with any other law enforcement agency as necessary to investigate the report.

Penalties for not reporting were raised from $100 to $1,000 as well as an increase in jailed confinement from 10 days to 6 months.

Senate Bill 507 (Involuntary Hospitalization/Firearm Possession/Mental Hygiene) authorizes a parent or guardian to commit a child without his or her consent if the child is under 18 years of age.  It also clarifies the procedures for previously involuntarily committed persons petitioning to regain the right to possess firearms to enable West Virginia to become eligible for federal funding.

Senate Bill 596 (Banning Child Erotica) prohibits the possession, distribution, display, or production of child erotica depicting minors under the age of 18. Any person found guilty of committing this offense will be subject to a misdemeanor and either be confined to jailed, fined or both.

Senate Bill 611 (At-Risk Youth Pilot Project) aims to improve outcomes for at-risk youth in West Virginia by creating a DHHR community based pilot project, if funds are available. At-risk youth are defined as those between birth and age 21 who are low-income; receive benefits from DHHR, and under the jurisdiction of DHHR, or who are in custody of juvenile services, juvenile court, or the alternative school system.  A centrally located, community-based non-profit organization that has adequate facilities and community leadership to facilitate the four year pilot project will be chosen by the DHHR and be put in a county with the most at-risk youth. The pilot project will be operated under the direction of DHHR and in collaboration with educational and juvenile justice entities.

House Bill 4130 (Felony Charge for Sale or Purchase of a Child) covers a multitude of situations regarding the sale or purchase of a child. The bill spells out that any person or agency who knowingly offers, gives or agrees to give to another person money, property, service or other thing of value to buy a minor child for any purpose which entails a transfer of the legal or physical custody of the child is guilty of a felony.  The bill also declares that any person who knowingly receives a child in a sale is also guilty of a felony and, subject to fine and imprisonment.  Upon conviction of this felony, a person will face up to one-to-10 years in a state correctional facility and fined $2,000 to $10,000.  The child may be placed in the custody of the Department of Health and Human Resource or with a responsible person as the best interests of the child dictate.

It is sad indeed that there are those in society that exploit and commit horrendous crimes against children.  The system is far from perfect, but it is the responsibility of all citizens to protect the most vulnerable among us.  I’m committed to always work to protect our children.

How to Contact
Please send address your inquiries to the Capitol Office at: Building 1, Room 226-M, Charleston, WV 25305.  Or, call the Capitol office at 304.340.3220 or my Assistant to the Majority Leader, Mr. Tom Bennett at 304.340.3262 or fax to 304.340.3213.  If you have an interest in any particular bill or issue, please let me know.

For those with Internet access, my e-mail address is “Boggs34@aol.com”. You also may obtain additional legislative information, including the copies of bills, conference reports, daily summaries, interim highlights, and other information from the Legislature’s web site at www.legis.state.wv.us/.  If you write or leave a message, please remember to include your phone number with your inquiry and any details you can provide.  Additional information, including agency links and state government phone directory may be found at www.wv.gov and on the Facebook site of the West Virginia Legislature.

Conclusion
Remember to thank a veteran for their service to our nation and continue to remember our troops - at home and abroad - and keep them and their families in your thoughts and prayers.  Until next week – take care.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Could’ve, Should’ve, Would’ve Doesn’t Work

West Virginia Secretary of State Natalie Tennant said again Friday afternoon at a news conference that not to allow federal prison inmate Keith Judd on the primary election ballot would have been going against the law of the land!!!

Tennant has been criticized by some following this week’s election and upon everybody learning who Judd is.

Judd not only got on the ballot but he received 41% of the vote in the Democratic Primary against President Barack Obama.

Tennant says the U.S. Constitution sets out who can run for President and it does not exclude felons.

“We can’t let our emotions, we can’t let our passions try and override the law,“ Tennant said.

Tennant says there have been a lot of suggestions about what she should have done.

She says many of those go against what the Constitution requires.

“You must be a naturally born citizen, at least 35-years-old and have lived in the United States 14 years and that is all,“ Tennant said.

“The individual 50 states cannot add qualifications to that list.“

Tennant says Judd filed a lawsuit against her office last fall when he thought he would not be allowed on the ballot.

She says the state Supreme Court threw the case out because the filing period for the election had not yet started. It didn’t begin until January.

Tennant says when it gets down to it the law is the law.

“For people to suggest that I should have never let him on the ballot would be suggesting for me to break the law,“ she said.

Friday, May 11, 2012

Bill Stalnaker: Thank You

I would like to thank those who supported me during the 2012 primary election.

Bill Stalnaker

Primary Election 2012: Some Election Analysis

The Executive Director for the West Virginia Association of Counties says voters may be tired of going to the polls.

“We’ve had a lot of elections.  I think people are almost confused as to all these elections we’ve had straight in a row,“ Patti Hamilton says of the turnout for Tuesday’s Primary Election.

The voter numbers hovered around 25% in many areas.  Statewide, turnout was estimated at 27%.

Hamilton says that’s a surprisingly low number.  “There were a lot of very contested local races on the ballot, county school board, that sort of thing, and they didn’t bring out the turnout,“ she said.

Hamilton has been working through the county races in the days since West Virginia’s Primary Election and she talked about some of the races on Thursday’s MetroNews Talkline.

In Barbour County, the Eddie Canterbury, the Democrat nominee for Barbour County Commission, won by just 20 votes.  “It always points out that every vote counts,“ she said of the close win.

In Lincoln County, Assessor Tracey Dempsey lost in the Primary Election.  Incumbent Commissioners also lost renomination bids in Braxton, Brooke, Doddridge, Greenbrier, Mercer, Roane, Upshur and Wayne counties.

Hamilton says Mercer County’s Sheriff was not renominated and the current prosecuting attorneys in Calhoun County and Ritchie County also lost on Tuesday.

“That’s a little bit unusual, actually, for any incumbent to lose,“ she said.  “Particularly, sheriff, prosecutor, we had two prosecutor incumbents lose, if my count is correct.“

In some cases, Hamilton says politics is a family affair.

The son of Lewis County’s current sheriff was nominated for that position and, in Marion County, Joe Manchin IV, the son of U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, won the Democrat nomination for Marion County Commission.

In Webster County, all three Democrat candidates for Webster County Commission had the same last name but Hamilton says none of them are related.  Jerry Hamrick beat Tony Hamrick, the incumbent, along with Louise Hamrick.

The nominees move on to the 2012 General Election which is set for Tuesday, November 06, 2012.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Gilmer County Fire Department Information #2 – 05.06.12

Several members of the Gilmer County Volunteer Fire Department recently attended a class on building construction at the West Virginia State Fire Academy located in Jacksons Mills. The instructor discussed the manufactured materials used to build many homes today. These materials lose strength quickly once they start burning and cause the structure to collapse earlier during a fire compared to older homes built with solid wood framing.

In the event of a fire the most important priority is for you and your family to get out of the house as soon as possible. Modern furnishings with fabrics made from petroleum based products burn much faster than the wool, cotton, and silks once used in homes. Tests have shown that everything in a room with modern materials will be on fire in less than four minutes. In a room without any petroleum based products it may take more than an hour before everything is on fire.

The instructor called modern materials solidified gasoline. These include the fabrics, the foam seat cushions on furniture and the carpets made from recycled plastic bottles. Carbon monoxide is released when they burn along with a form of cyanide that can cause quick death. Because house fires today burn hotter and faster than those in previous times, smoke detectors are more important than ever.

Consider all possibilities when planning how to get out of your home in case of a fire. During a house fire near Morgantown the mother escaped out the back door. The two sons escaped by going out windows. The father died when he tried to go out the front door which he always used. Don’t let habit decide whether you live or die.

Remember, do not go back into a burning house. Talk to your family about where to meet outside so you know everyone is safe. Pick a place that is away from areas that smoke might reach. A home fire is always a tragedy. Don’t make the outcome worse by going back inside. While you may see the smoke that can kill, you won’t see the deadly gases that end your life.

Gilmer County Assessor Gary L. Wolfe: Thank You

I, Gary L. Wolfe – Gilmer County Assessor, would like to thank each and every one of my supporters through 2012’s Primary Election. I am looking forward to remaining in office for another term.

G-Comm™: Hoppy’s Commentary - The ‘Anybody But Obama’ Vote

Even in the strange game of politics, a strong showing by a mullet-sporting extortionist serving time in federal prison in a race against the President of the United States constitutes a good “man-bites-dog” story.

So when federal prisoner #11593-051, aka Keith Judd, pulls down 41% of the vote compared with President Obama’s 59% in Tuesday’s Primary Election, inquiring minds want to know what it all means.

The blogosphere is filled with rants of how West Virginians are bigoted clodhoppers.  Here are a couple of postings from the website Slate:

“So basically the hillfolk (sic) will vote for just any white person over Obama. Shocker,” wrote Tom Pryor.

“The people of West Virginia have got to be some of the stupidest people on this planet,” wrote a poster identified as Popokinip.

There were a lot more like that, but you get the drift.  As always, the truth of what happened on Tuesday is a little more complicated.

West Virginians did not know who Keith Judd was.  Yes, there had been a couple of stories about this odd ball who embellishes his resume and claims to have been a candidate for President four other times.  But his “candidacy” in the beauty contest of West Virginia’s Democratic Presidential Primary Election was virtually ignored.

So, it’s not as though nearly 73,000 Democrats and independents in West Virginia were getting behind this miscreant.

No, this was a protest vote against a President who is wildly unpopular here.  Keith Judd was just a surrogate for “Anybody But Obama.”

The President’s primary constituency groups are not widely represented here.  Liberals/progressives, younger voters, environmentalists and minorities are significantly outnumbered by older, white, working class conservatives.

West Virginia just isn’t in Obama’s demo.

Additionally, the President’s activist EPA has put a significant strain on coal, the state’s leading industry.  Coal has responded with a campaign critical of the EPA.  That effort has chipped away at the little support the President does have here.

Consider that in 2008 President Obama carried Boone County, located in the heart of coal country, but in Tuesday’s election, Obama lost Boone to Judd 2,343 to 2,199.

So, either more Boone County residents decided in the last four years that were racists, or they’re fed up with Obama’s EPA and they used Tuesday’s vote to say so.

Also, President Obama has no natural political allies in West Virginia.  Governor Tomblin and Senator Manchin say they are undecided if they will vote for the President. Congressman Nick Rahall says he’ll vote for Obama, but is quick to point out sharp differences with the administration.

All leading state Democrats, except perhaps Senator Jay Rockefeller, who is not up for re-election this year, realize the political toxicity of President Obama and would prefer to pretend as though he doesn’t exist.

The editorial writers at the Charleston Gazette would like us to believe that Obama’s West Virginia woes are due to our “rural, less-educated” population.  If that elitist view is accurate, it would explain why so many voters picked Keith Judd Tuesday.

But it’s more likely that voters who picked Judd did not know he was a joke of a candidate. They did, however, know plenty about the current President, meaning their choice was a strong statement of their dissatisfaction.

And that’s no laughing matter.

Wednesday, May 09, 2012

OddlyEnough™: Texas Prisoner Met Requirements to Be on Democrat Primary Election Ballot

OBAMA LOST OVER 40% OF WEST VIRGINIA PRIMARY VOTE TO FEDERAL INMATE NO. 11593-051

With 72,459 Votes Keith Judd, Federal Inmate No. 11593-051, Won 40.6% in West Virginia’s Democrat Primary.

“The Inmate, Keith Judd, Is Serving Time At The Beaumont Federal Correctional Institution In Texas For Making Threats At The University Of New Mexico In 1999.”

Secretary of State Natalie Tennant says a man serving prison time in Texas was included on the West Virginia Democrat ballot for Tuesday’s Primary Election because he met all of the legal requirements to be there.

By law, Tennant says there are only specific instances when the Secretary of State can deny a potential candidate a spot on the ballot.

Making up that list, “If a person has changed their party affiliation within 60 days, if they’ve filed for more than one office, if they’ve missed the deadline, if they have not correctly filed the prescribed form and if they haven’t given the filing fee,“ she said.

Tennant says Keith Judd, Prisoner #11593-051 at a Federal Correctional Institution in Texas, met those requirements, and even paid the $2,500 filing fee.

He is currently serving prison time for making threats at the University of New Mexico.

“You could dig deeper (than the filing), but I don’t have that authority and this just goes to show that.“  Tennant says, if the Secretary of State could determine candidate eligibility based on qualifications, she says that would put too much power into one office.

She says it’s up to the courts to decide eligibility issues, which they have done for other races in the past.  That did not happen in this case because no one legally challenged Judd’s candidacy.

“We want an agency, the filing officer, the Secretary of State, to apply the law consistently and, whether you like or not, this is what we’ve done,“ Tennant said on Wednesday’s MetroNews Talkline.

Judd picked up 72,544 votes for 41% of the total vote compared with President Barack Obama’s 105,854 total for 59% of the Democrat vote.

“If you look at it on the surface, (President) Barack Obama won the nomination in West Virginia.  More people voted for him to be nominated in West Virginia than did not,“ Tennant said.

In the Republican Presidential race, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney easily won West Virginia with 68% of the vote from those voting Republican ballots.

The Republican numbers broke down as follows:

Mitt Romney 75,402 68%

Rick Santorum 14,611 13%

Ron Paul 12,145 11%

Newt Gingrich 6,910 6%

Charles “Buddy” Roemer 1,523 1%

Gilmer County Election Results: 2012 Primary

Thank You for Job Well Done

We would like to thank the Gilmer County Clerk Jean Butcher and her entire staff, Commissioner Ramsey, Deputy Ben Huffman, Mr. Radabaugh and all the others who helped for the job well-done at Election night.

They provided the reports very timely to anyone who requested them.

Thank You

The Gilmer Free Press

Glenville Police Department Report - April 2012

New Investigations
Incident	Location	Officer	Disposition
Petit Larceny (Cell Phone)	Lions Liar	Chief Moss	Active with Suspect
Battery (Female)	Pine Street	Jenkins	Arrest Warrant
Domestic Battery	S. Lewis Street	Chief Moss	Arrest / Jail
Burglary	Walnut Street	Moss / Jenkins	Active with Suspect
Citations
Incident	Location	Officer	Disposition
Speeding 47/25	Walnut Street	Jenkins	Cite #676989
Profanity in Public	Bank Street	Chief Moss	Cite #677007
Suspended Operators	College Street	Chief Moss	Cite #676987
Warnings Issued
Incident	Location	Officer	Disposition
Speeding	N. Lewis Street	Jenkins	Warning #1336
Trash / Dog without Water	College Street	Chief Moss	Warning #1334
Noise Complaint	High Street	Chief Moss	Warning #1335
Speeding	Mineral Road	Jenkins	Warning #1370
Speeding	College Street	Jenkins	Warning #1368
Speeding	Mineral Road	Jenkins	Warning #1369
Failure to Yield	WV Hwy 5 E	Chief Moss	Warning #1333
Noise	Walnut Street	Chief Moss	Verbal
Illegal Vehicle / High Grass	Walnut Street / Center	Chief Moss	Warning #1332
Trash / Brush	N. Lewis Street	Chief Moss	Verbal
High Grass	N. Lewis Street	Chief Moss	Verbal, Cut it
Speeding	Mineral Road	Jenkins	Warning #1358
Speeding	College Street	Jenkins	Warning #1366
Speeding	W. Main Street	Wheeler	Warning #1367
Other Police Calls
Incident	Location	Officer	Disposition
Loose Dog	Out of City	Chief Moss	Gave Advice
Alarm	*****	Chief Moss	All OK
Police Assistance	Brooklyn Drive	Chief Moss	Advice
Noise Complaint	W. Main Street	Chief Moss	Unfounded
Fight	W. Main Street	Chief Moss	Fled Scene
Suspicious Activity	Brooklyn Drive	Chief Moss	Unfounded
High Grass Complaint	N. Lewis Street	Chief Moss	Been Cut
Neighbor Dispute	River Street	Chief Moss	Talked to Both Parties
Fight Call	Pub	Chief Moss	Incident Only
Alarm	*****	Chief Moss	All OK
Assist Citizens
Incident	Location	Officer	Disposition
Vehicle Unlocked	Main Street	Wheeler	Unlocked
Assist Other Agencies
Incident	Location	Officer	Disposition
Sheriff Department	Dry Fork	Jenkins	Domestic
Magistrate Court	Court	Chief Moss
Sheriff Department	James Street	Chief Moss	Loose Dog
Accidents
Incident	Location	Officer	Disposition
2-Vehicle Accident	Senior Center	Chief Moss	Report
2-Vehicle Accident	Foodland Entrance	Chief Moss	Report

Primary Election 2012: Area’s National and State Results

Braxton County

U.S. PRESIDENT - DEMOCRAT
# of precincts reporting (out of 22): 22

1048 votes for KEITH JUDD/D

1352 votes for BARACK OBAMA/D

U.S. PRESIDENT - REPUBLICAN
# of precincts reporting (out of 22): 22

24 votes for NEWT GINGRICH/R

79 votes for RON PAUL/R

7 votes for CHARLES “Buddy” ROEMER/R

408 votes for MITT ROMNEY/R

69 votes for RICK SANTORUM/R

U.S. SENATE - DEMOCRAT
# of precincts reporting (out of 22): 22

556 votes for SHEIRL FLETCHER/D

2160 votes for JOE MANCHIN III/D

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - 2ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT - DEMOCRAT
# of precincts reporting (out of 22): 22

352 votes for DUGALD BROWN/D

731 votes for WILLIAM MCCANN/D

957 votes for HOWARD SWINT/D

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - 2ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT - REPUBLICAN
# of precincts reporting (out of 22): 22

514 votes for SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO/R

43 votes for MICHAEL DAVIS/R

25 votes for JONATHAN MILLER/R

GOVERNOR - DEMOCRAT
# of precincts reporting (out of 22): 22

469 votes for ARNE MOLTIS/D

2214 votes for EARL RAY TOMBLIN/D

GOVERNOR - REPUBLICAN
# of precincts reporting (out of 22): 22

73 votes for RALPH WILLIAM CLARK/R

473 votes for BILL MALONEY/R

JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS - DEMOCRAT
# of precincts reporting (out of 22): 22

1327 votes for J.D. BEANE/D

881 votes for LETITIA “Tish” CHAFIN/D

775 votes for ROBIN JEAN DAVIS/D

179 votes for LOUIS PALMER/D

219 votes for H. JOHN “Buck” ROGERS/D

632 votes for JAMES J. “Jim” ROWE/D

COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE - DEMOCRAT
# of precincts reporting (out of 22):  22

820 votes for WALT HELMICK/D

544 votes for JOE MESSINEO/D

408 votes for STEVE MILLER/D

606 votes for SALLY SHEPHERD/D

68 votes for BOB TABB/D

TREASURER - REPUBLICAN
# of precincts reporting (out of 22):  22

174 votes for STEPHEN R. “Steve” CONNOLLY/R

235 votes for MIKE HALL/R

Calhoun County

U.S. PRESIDENT - DEMOCRAT
# of precincts reporting (out of 10): 10

453 votes for KEITH JUDD/D

527 votes for BARACK OBAMA/D

U.S. PRESIDENT - REPUBLICAN
# of precincts reporting (out of 10): 10

16 votes for NEWT GINGRICH/R

34 votes for RON PAUL/R

9 votes for CHARLES “Buddy” ROEMER/R

186 votes for MITT ROMNEY/R

35 votes for RICK SANTORUM/R

U.S. SENATE - DEMOCRAT
# of precincts reporting (out of 10): 10

228 votes for SHEIRL FLETCHER/D

903 votes for JOE MANCHIN III/D

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - 2ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT - DEMOCRAT
# of precincts reporting (out of 10): 10

161 votes for DUGALD BROWN/D

266 votes for WILLIAM MCCANN/D

425 votes for HOWARD SWINT/D

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - 2ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT - REPUBLICAN
# of precincts reporting (out of 10): 10

241 votes for SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO/R

20 votes for MICHAEL DAVIS/R

15 votes for JONATHAN MILLER/R

GOVERNOR - DEMOCRAT
# of precincts reporting (out of 10): 10

249 votes for ARNE MOLTIS/D

846 votes for EARL RAY TOMBLIN/D

GOVERNOR - REPUBLICAN
# of precincts reporting (out of 10): 10

43 votes for RALPH WILLIAM CLARK/R

220 votes for BILL MALONEY/R

JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS - DEMOCRAT
# of precincts reporting (out of 10): 10

451 votes for J.D. BEANE/D

328 votes for LETITIA “Tish” CHAFIN/D

413 votes for ROBIN JEAN DAVIS/D

65 votes for LOUIS PALMER/D

103 votes for H. JOHN “Buck” ROGERS/D

225 votes for JAMES J. “Jim” ROWE/D

COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE - DEMOCRAT
# of precincts reporting (out of 10): 10

250 votes for WALT HELMICK/D

522 votes for JOE MESSINEO/D

127 votes for STEVE MILLER/D

129 votes for SALLY SHEPHERD/D

14 votes for BOB TABB/D

TREASURER - REPUBLICAN
# of precincts reporting (out of 10): 10

101 votes for STEPHEN R. “Steve” CONNOLLY/R

125 votes for MIKE HALL/R

HOUSE OF DELEGATES - 33RD DELEGATE DISTRICT - DEMOCRAT
# of precincts reporting (out of 10): 10

378 votes for DAN D. SIZEMORE/D

719 votes for DAVID A. WALKER/D

Doddridge County

U.S. PRESIDENT - DEMOCRAT
# of precincts reporting (out of 12): 12

124 votes for KEITH JUDD/D

168 votes for BARACK OBAMA/D

U.S. PRESIDENT - REPUBLICAN
# of precincts reporting (out of 12): 12

122 votes for NEWT GINGRICH/R

156 votes for RON PAUL/R

22 votes for CHARLES “Buddy” ROEMER/R

995 votes for MITT ROMNEY/R

180 votes for RICK SANTORUM/R

U.S. SENATE - DEMOCRAT
# of precincts reporting (out of 12): 12

57 votes for SHEIRL FLETCHER/D

279 votes for JOE MANCHIN III/D

GOVERNOR - DEMOCRAT
# of precincts reporting (out of 12): 12

64 votes for ARNE MOLTIS/D

260 votes for EARL RAY TOMBLIN/D

GOVERNOR - REPUBLICAN
# of precincts reporting (out of 12): 12

244 votes for RALPH WILLIAM CLARK/R

1157 votes for BILL MALONEY/R

JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS - DEMOCRAT
# of precincts reporting (out of 12): 12

85 votes for J.D. BEANE/D

104 votes for LETITIA “Tish” CHAFIN/D

142 votes for ROBIN JEAN DAVIS/D

25 votes for LOUIS PALMER/D

75 votes for H. JOHN “Buck” ROGERS/D

60 votes for JAMES J. “Jim” ROWE/D

COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE - DEMOCRAT
# of precincts reporting (out of 12): 12

99 votes for WALT HELMICK/D

40 votes for JOE MESSINEO/D

81 votes for STEVE MILLER/D

61 votes for SALLY SHEPHERD/D

18 votes for BOB TABB/D

TREASURER - REPUBLICAN
# of precincts reporting (out of 12): 12

501 votes for STEPHEN R. “Steve” CONNOLLY/R

685 votes for MIKE HALL/R

HOUSE OF DELEGATES - 6TH DELEGATE DISTRICT - DEMOCRAT
# of precincts reporting (out of 12): 12

212 votes for CHARLIE DELAUDER/D

60 votes for KARL PAUL/D

Gilmer County

U.S. PRESIDENT - DEMOCRAT
# of precincts reporting (out of 14): 14

690 votes for KEITH JUDD/D

643 votes for BARACK OBAMA/D

U.S. PRESIDENT - REPUBLICAN
# of precincts reporting (out of 14): 14

35 votes for NEWT GINGRICH/R

28 votes for RON PAUL/R

3 votes for CHARLES “Buddy” ROEMER/R

252 votes for MITT ROMNEY/R

40 votes for RICK SANTORUM/R

U.S. SENATE - DEMOCRAT
# of precincts reporting (out of 14): 14

335 votes for SHEIRL FLETCHER/D

1235 votes for JOE MANCHIN III/D

GOVERNOR - DEMOCRAT
# of precincts reporting (out of 14): 14

298 votes for ARNE MOLTIS/D

1232 votes for EARL RAY TOMBLIN/D

GOVERNOR - REPUBLICAN
# of precincts reporting (out of 14): 14

45 votes for RALPH WILLIAM CLARK/R

284 votes for BILL MALONEY/R

JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS - DEMOCRAT
# of precincts reporting (out of 14): 14

417 votes for J.D. BEANE/D

441 votes for LETITIA “Tish” CHAFIN/D

540 votes for ROBIN JEAN DAVIS/D

101 votes for LOUIS PALMER/D

229 votes for H. JOHN “Buck” ROGERS/D

288 votes for JAMES J. “Jim” ROWE/D

COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE - DEMOCRAT
# of precincts reporting (out of 14): 14

330 votes for WALT HELMICK/D

518 votes for JOE MESSINEO/D

220 votes for STEVE MILLER/D

178 votes for SALLY SHEPHERD/D

150 votes for BOB TABB/D

TREASURER - REPUBLICAN
# of precincts reporting (out of 14): 14

107 votes for STEPHEN R. “Steve” CONNOLLY/R

159 votes for MIKE HALL/R

HOUSE OF DELEGATES - 33RD DELEGATE DISTRICT - DEMOCRAT
# of precincts reporting (out of 9): 9

242 votes for DAN D. SIZEMORE/D

472 votes for DAVID A. WALKER/D

Lewis County

U.S. PRESIDENT - DEMOCRAT
# of precincts reporting (out of 24): 24

905 votes for KEITH JUDD/D

1076 votes for BARACK OBAMA/D

U.S. PRESIDENT - REPUBLICAN
# of precincts reporting (out of 24): 24

128 votes for NEWT GINGRICH/R

129 votes for RON PAUL/R

19 votes for CHARLES “Buddy” ROEMER/R

1285 votes for MITT ROMNEY/R

177 votes for RICK SANTORUM/R

U.S. SENATE - DEMOCRAT
# of precincts reporting (out of 24): 24

446 votes for SHEIRL FLETCHER/D

1818 votes for JOE MANCHIN III/D

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - 2ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT - DEMOCRAT
# of precincts reporting (out of 24): 24

359 votes for DUGALD BROWN/D

1041 votes for WILLIAM MCCANN/D

447 votes for HOWARD SWINT/D

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - 2ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT - REPUBLICAN
# of precincts reporting (out of 24): 24

1543 votes for SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO/R

194 votes for MICHAEL DAVIS/R

35 votes for JONATHAN MILLER/R

GOVERNOR - DEMOCRAT
# of precincts reporting (out of 24): 24

360 votes for ARNE MOLTIS/D

1888 votes for EARL RAY TOMBLIN/D

GOVERNOR - REPUBLICAN
# of precincts reporting (out of 24): 24

254 votes for RALPH WILLIAM CLARK/R

1395 votes for BILL MALONEY/R

JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS - DEMOCRAT
# of precincts reporting (out of 24): 24

302 votes for J.D. BEANE/D

726 votes for LETITIA “Tish” CHAFIN/D

883 votes for ROBIN JEAN DAVIS/D

210 votes for LOUIS PALMER/D

327 votes for H. JOHN “Buck” ROGERS/D

672 votes for JAMES J. “Jim” ROWE/D

COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE - DEMOCRAT
# of precincts reporting (out of 24): 24

722 votes for WALT HELMICK/D

307 votes for JOE MESSINEO/D

659 votes for STEVE MILLER/D

307 votes for SALLY SHEPHERD/D

58 votes for BOB TABB/D

TREASURER - REPUBLICAN
# of precincts reporting (out of 24): 24

448 votes for STEPHEN R. “Steve” CONNOLLY/R

946 votes for MIKE HALL/R

Ritchie County

U.S. PRESIDENT - DEMOCRAT
# of precincts reporting (out of 15): 15

205 votes for KEITH JUDD/D

270 votes for BARACK OBAMA/D

U.S. PRESIDENT - REPUBLICAN
# of precincts reporting (out of 15): 15

110 votes for NEWT GINGRICH/R

208 votes for RON PAUL/R

23 votes for CHARLES “Buddy” ROEMER/R

990 votes for MITT ROMNEY/R

181 votes for RICK SANTORUM/R

U.S. SENATE - DEMOCRAT
# of precincts reporting (out of 15): 15

64 votes for SHEIRL FLETCHER/D

477 votes for JOE MANCHIN III/D

GOVERNOR - DEMOCRAT
# of precincts reporting (out of 15): 15

76 votes for ARNE MOLTIS/D

459 votes for EARL RAY TOMBLIN/D

GOVERNOR - REPUBLICAN
# of precincts reporting (out of 15): 15

209 votes for RALPH WILLIAM CLARK/R

1164 votes for BILL MALONEY/R

JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS - DEMOCRAT
# of precincts reporting (out of 15): 15

337 votes for J.D. BEANE/D

99 votes for LETITIA “Tish” CHAFIN/D

155 votes for ROBIN JEAN DAVIS/D

34 votes for LOUIS PALMER/D

114 votes for H. JOHN “Buck” ROGERS/D

55 votes for JAMES J. “Jim” ROWE/D

COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE - DEMOCRAT
# of precincts reporting (out of 15): 15

96 votes for WALT HELMICK/D

156 votes for JOE MESSINEO/D

93 votes for STEVE MILLER/D

102 votes for SALLY SHEPHERD/D

20 votes for BOB TABB/D

TREASURER - REPUBLICAN
# of precincts reporting (out of 15): 15

634 votes for STEPHEN R. “Steve” CONNOLLY/R

527 votes for MIKE HALL/R

G-Comm™: Hoppy’s Commentary - Primary Election Observations

—Keith Judd, the odd ball inmate doing time in a Texas prison for making threats at the University of New Mexico, got four out of every ten votes in the Democratic Primary for President Tuesday in West Virginia.  We knew President Obama was unpopular in West Virginia, but… this?  It will be interesting to see how this story gets played.  Is this embarrassing for President Obama?  The state of West Virginia?  I suspect the vast majority of those who voted for Keith Judd did not know he’s a jail bird, but rather they simply cast a protest vote against the President.

—Senator Joe Manchin, who easily won re-nomination Tuesday, says he’s done talking about whether he will support or oppose President Barack Obama in November.  Manchin made national news recently when he said he wasn’t sure he could back the President, but then he appeared to walk back that statement.  During an appearance on Metronews last night, Manchin indicated that he’s said all he’s going to say on the issue.  Unfortunately for Manchin, that bell has already been rung and the Senator may continue to be asked about it throughout the campaign.

—We love to complain about the politicians who are in office, but we almost never throw out incumbents.  Only two incumbent state lawmakers were defeated Tuesday—Democratic Senator Richard Brown from the 9th senatorial district and Democratic Delegate Joe Talbot in the 44th house district race.

—The turnout Tuesday was historic… historically bad.  Unofficially, only about 25 percent of registered voters cast ballots.  That would be the lowest turnout for a Primary Election in West Virginia in 60 years.  The next lowest turnout was 39 percent in 2004.  One reason could be election fatigue; this was the sixth election in West Virginia since the 2010 primary.

—Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney still has some work to do in West Virginia.  Nearly one in three of the Republicans and independents who voted in Tuesday’s Republican Primary, voted for someone other than Romney.  Romney made a private fundraising visit to the state last week, but neither he nor President Obama campaigned here.

—Sally Shepherd grabbed the early lead in the race for the Democratic nomination for Agriculture Commissioner, thanks to support in her home county of Kanawha.  She doubled up Walt Helmick with over 8,000 votes, but as the evening wore on, Helmick eventually caught her and pulled away, winning by 15,000 votes.

—Most predicted that Robin Davis and Tish Chafin would finish one, two in the race for the Democratic nomination to the state Supreme Court, and they did. The question was whether Chafin, who spent the most in the race, would finish first.  However, Davis finished on top by just about one percentage point.  Davis and Chafin will face Republicans John Yoder and Allen Loughry in November.

—Secretary of State Natalie Tennant says her office received a number of complaints from independent voters who had trouble getting the ballot of their choice.  Tennant says it’s important for independents, who can vote in either the Democratic or Republican primaries, to ask for the ballot they want. 

Tuesday, May 08, 2012

Gilmer County Primary Election 2012 Results

Preliminary Results after ALL Precincts plus Early Voting and Absentee :

 

Commission:
John Moss – 441
Norma Hurley – 255

Larry Chapman – 704

 

 

Sheriff:

Larry Gerwig – 1004

Berk Reed – 424

 

Prosecutor:

Gerry Hough – 1001

 

Assessor:

Gary Wolf – 1207

 

Magistrate:

Carol Wolfe – 1015

Mickey Metz – 442

Alton Skinner – 521

Bill Stalnaker – 442

 

Board of Education:

Misty Pritt – 911

Tracy Rexroad – 282
Tammy Cundiff – 312

William K Simmons – 710

Kris Snyder – 596

 

Conservation District Supervisor:

Jane Collins – 1175

 

Commissioner (Republican):

Daren Feit – 192

Magistrate (Republican):

Lori Rosenberg - 184

 

Ambulance and Fire Department Levy:

 

For : 65.51%

Against:  34.49%

Do Not Forget to Vote - Primary 2012

Fewer Voters Used Early Voting Compared with Recent Elections

Early Voting for the May 2012 Primary was down from just four years ago.

According to the Secretary of State’s Office, 60,811 registered voters cast early ballots.

That is compared to 70,815 back in May 2008. Of those votes, 36,242 were Democrats, 18,758 were Republicans, 5,709 were independents, 16 votes came from the Mountain Party and 86 for other political parties.

Early voting ran 10 days starting April 25, 2012 and wrapped up on Saturday.

Many County Clerks across the state noted lower than usual early voter turnout.

Some attributed it to voter burnout.

Since 2008 there have been 8 statewide elections.

Four of those were after the death of U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd, a special primary and general election to select Byrd’s replacement and then a special primary and general election to fill the governor’s office.

Other clerks say there is not a lot of choices on the ballot and some say voters are not as fired up about this primary than they were in 2008.

The Secretary of State’s Office wants to remind voters that the ballot, especially on the Republican side, is a long one.

The last items on the ballot will be levy and non-partisan races.

The Secretary of State’s Office says if you haveve made it that far, you have voted the entire ballot.

Gilmer County Vision Meeting - May 18, 2012 - Canceled

Gilmer County Vision Meeting Canceled

The county wide meeting scheduled for May 18, 2012, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at the Gilmer County Recreation Center to discuss key issues facing Gilmer County has been canceled due to scheduling conflicts.
The meeting will be rescheduled at a later date.

G-Comm™: Hoppy’s Commentary - Election Day

It’s Primary Election Day in West Virginia.  Voters are choosing their nominees for local, state and federal offices for the Republican and Democratic Parties for the November General Election.

Additionally, in most counties, voters will choose members of local school boards in non-partisan elections, and some counties will have local issues on the ballot, such as school levies.

Perhaps you could not blame West Virginia voters if they are a little burned out on elections.  Today’s primary makes the sixth election since the 2010 primary, thanks to special primaries and elections to fill vacancies for U.S. Senator and Governor, following the death of U.S. Senator Robert Byrd.

The peculiar circumstances put West Virginia in a state of nearly constant campaign mode for the last two years.  Politics can be great sport, but we can grow weary of the campaign signs, commercials and promises.

Yet, we cannot allow the frequency to diminish the importance.

Of course it matters who is nominated and ultimately elected.  It’s often said that we get the government we deserve.  If true, then we, the voters, bear a fundamental responsibility for the quality of leadership that we get.

Hugo Black, the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice, said, “No right is more precious in a free country than that of having a voice in the election of those who make the laws.”

The counter arguments for apathy are that “my vote doesn’t matter,” suggesting that either one vote doesn’t make a difference or that somehow all politicians are the same.

As to the latter, they are not.  True, they may, as a whole, have a greater sense of self-importance, but their views are as varied as the constituents they represent.

On the issue of the significance of a single vote, consider the Bush-Gore race in 2000 when the margin of victory in five states was less than 1.5%.  In Florida, Bush’s edge in the popular vote was .00092%.

Personally, I always get a thrill out of voting.  I leave the polls feeling as though I’ve fulfilled a worthy civic responsibility.  I’m tempted to call candidates I voted for to tell them so, as if my vote has created some bond between us (For the record, I don’t).

Still, it means something to say, through your vote, “I’m with you.”  Politicians, who take their responsibilities seriously, often talk about feeling humbled by the support they receive.

Potential voters, disillusioned by politics or disgusted by politicians, need to hear the higher calling.  Candidates come and go, promises are kept and broken, campaign ads distort the truth, but ultimately elections are about freedom and democracy.

The foundation of democracy is the consent of the governed.  It’s only by the blessing of the people through their willing participation in elections that the power accorded government is legitimate and moral. 

Monday, May 07, 2012

G-Hype™: Candidate for Gilmer County Board of Education – Tracy Rexroad - 2012

Hello Fellow Gilmer Countians,

My name is Tracy Rexroad and I am candidate for the Gilmer County Board of Education. I believe it is time to put politics aside and put the needs of our children first.

I was raised in Braxton and Gilmer County. I graduated from Braxton County High School in 1994. Following high school, I attended Glenville State College for two years. At that time I felt the call to serve my country. I enlisted and served for five years in the Airborne Division of the Navy.

Currently I am an active member of the Sand Fork Elementary Parent Teacher Organization. I also serve as a member of Sand Fork Elementary Local School Improvement Council. In addition to this, I am an officer of the Gilmer County Little League Organization, serving as the Player Agent, advocating for the players. I am also a coach for the Gilmer County Blue Angels Softball Team.

I am married to Jonathan Rexroad, who works in the oil and gas industry. We are the proud parents of our daughter, Samantha. Samantha is a sixth grade student who maintains a 4.0 G.P.A. at Sand Fork Elementary. This fall she and her friends from our other elementary schools will begin their junior high/high school education at Gilmer County High School.

I have a vested interest in the success of Gilmer County’s educational system. I believe my daughter and your children need an unbiased voice to represent them on the Board of Education. I believe it is necessary to have an honest person to represent our children that is not politically motivated. I believe it is necessary to have board members that make decisions based on fundamental educational principles.

As a parent of a child attending school in Gilmer County, I am concerned with the direction our system seems to be headed. The truth of the matter is that we need to work with the State to correct our deficiencies in order to regain control of our educational system. I believe our children need a representative who is willing to work with the State. We need to face our responsibilities and work with officials in charge to ensure our children have the very best possible education in modern facilities that are safe and conducive to reaching the 21st Century Goals established by the State.

I may not always agree with State recommendations, but I promise to fight for our children in an appropriate and respectful manner. I will present my ideas, based on your recommendations, to the State in the same respectful manner.

If you choose to elect me, I will make myself available 24 hours a day so that you may voice your concerns. I would be honored to represent our children and you as a member of the Gilmer County Board of Education. Your support would be greatly appreciated on Election Day, May 08, 2012.

We Must Not Fail Our Children Again.

Thank you,

Tracy J. Rexroad

— Paid for by the Candidate —

GFP - 05.07.2012
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Legislative Update – by – Delegate Brent Boggs - House Majority Leader - 05.07.12

Service to and appreciation for Veterans is a vital part of our State record of patriotism and veteran support.  While veteran issues is primarily a function handled on the federal level, the Legislative and Executive branches of state government have consistently worked to enhance and improve the circumstances of active duty and retired military personnel.  Here is a synopsis of military affairs and veterans legislation passed and signed into law in 2012:

Senate Bill 603 authorizes the Adjutant General to establish morale, welfare and recreation facilities throughout the state, which is currently only authorized at Camp Dawson in Preston County. The bill will also authorize the establishment of a board, corporation or other entity to operate the facilities. Funds created from the facilities operations will be used exclusively to benefit the facilities.

Senate Bill 605 limits the liability of landowners who make land available for law enforcement or homeland defense training. The bill expands liability limitations of landowners who grant a lease, easement, or license of land to individuals; and federal, state, county or municipal government, or any agency, when the land is used for military training.  The bill additionally adds the activity of spelunking to exempted recreational purposes.

House Bill 4007 notes that an individual who has voluntarily quit employment to accompany a spouse serving in active military service - who has been reassigned – is qualified for unemployment. The account of the employer may not be charged for those benefits.

House Bill 4037 references professional and occupational licensure for former and current members of the Armed Forces of the United States.  It requires consideration of military education, training and experience as qualifications for professional licensure.  During periods when the licensee, certificate holder or registrant is on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, the National Guard, or any other military reserve component and deployed outside of this state – for six months after discharge from active duty – the license, certification or registration of a person shall continue in good standing.  The certification or registration shall be renewed without payment of any dues or fees for the maintenance or renewal of the license, certification or registration without meeting continuing education requirements for the license when circumstances associated with military duty prevent the individual from obtaining the required continuing education.  The member of the Armed Forces is to submit a waiver request to the appropriate board, informing the board of circumstances regarding deployment outside of the United States or in any combat area. Verification that the individual performs the licensed profession as part of his or her military duties as annotated in Defense Department Form 214 (DD214) is to be made.  During periods when the licensee is accompanying his or her spouse who is on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces or National Guard and is deployed outside of the state is provided the same opportunity to receive licensure for six months after active duty. The license, certification or registration of that person regulated by a board is to continue in good standing and renewed without payment of any dues or fees for the maintenance or renewal of the license, without meeting continuing education requirements when circumstances associated with accompanying a spouse on military duty prevent the individual from obtaining the required continuing education. The accompanying spouse submits a waiver.

House Bill 4330 provides that driver’s licenses may contain information designating the licensee as a person who is an honorably discharged veteran of any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States.  It also provides veterans may renew licenses without cost if not expired; and redefines ‘previously licensed’ as an applicant who has held at least a level two or similar driver’s licensing level or class.

House Bill 4433 provides high school diplomas to veterans of World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam Conflict, regardless of whether they were attending high school before entering the military.  Prior law required veterans to be attending high school before entering the military.

House Bill 4493 directs the State Department of Education to implement a program involving students that recognizes the contributions made by West Virginians in the United States military.

The bill does the following:

• Establishes the observation of a week in which December 07 falls as a special memorial week as Pearl Harbor and Military Appreciation Week.

• Declares March 30 as a special memorial day to be known as Vietnam Veteran Recognition Day.

• Declares August 07 as a special memorial day to be known as Purple Heart Recognition Day.

• Declares July 27 as a special memorial day to be known as Korean War Veteran Recognition Day

How to Contact
Please send address your inquiries to the Capitol Office at: Building 1, Room 226-M, Charleston, WV 25305.  Or, call the Capitol office at 304.340.3220 or my Assistant to the Majority Leader, Mr. Tom Bennett at 304.340.3262 or fax to 304.340.3213.  If you have an interest in any particular bill or issue, please let me know.

For those with Internet access, my e-mail address is “Boggs34@aol.com”. You also may obtain additional legislative information, including the copies of bills, conference reports, daily summaries, interim highlights, and other information from the Legislature’s web site at www.legis.state.wv.us/.  If you write or leave a message, please remember to include your phone number with your inquiry and any details you can provide.  Additional information, including agency links and state government phone directory may be found at www.wv.gov and on the Facebook site of the West Virginia Legislature.

Conclusion
Remember to thank a veteran for their service to our nation and continue to remember our troops - at home and abroad - and keep them and their families in your thoughts and prayers.  Until next week – take care.

Sunday, May 06, 2012

G-Hype™: Candidate for Gilmer County Magistrate - Bill Stalnaker - Democrat - 2012

Bill Stalnaker is running for Gilmer County Magistrate.

He moved back to Gilmer County in 2003 after being employed in Nicholas County for 16 years.

He is the son of Bill and Betty Stalnaker of Baldwin.  He is married to Debbie Stalnaker, wife of 30 years.  They have two children, both residing in Gilmer County. Niki Ramezan, branch manager of United Bank and husband Jonathan; and Cody Stalnaker, field sales representative for Weatherford International and wife Kristin.  They have two grandchildren Greyson Ramezan and Mason Stalnaker and one more on the way.

He is self-employed as owner/operator of Stalnaker Oil & Gas LLC.  He has been a small business owner for 18 years.

He is a member of the Glenville First Baptist Church where he serves on the board of trustees.  He is also an active participant with the FBC Cancer Fund for Gilmer County.

In his free time he enjoys spending time with his family, being a grandpa, golfing, hunting, fishing and just being outdoors.

Bill would like the opportunity to serve the people of Gilmer County.  He feels the citizens of this county deserve to be treated fairly.

“I will not be accepting any campaign contributions.  I will not be affiliated with any special interest groups, therefore if elected I will be able to treat each individual the same.  He is an honest, ethical hardworking citizen of the county and look forward to having the opportunity to serve you.”

“I would appreciate your vote for Bill Stalnaker as Gilmer County Magistrate.  Thank You.“

G-Hype™: John Moss for Gilmer County Commission -2012

Hello, I am John Moss and I am running for the office of the Gilmer County Commission.  I was raised in Gilmer County all my life and currently reside on Spruce Run off of Cedar Creek. I am married to Pamela Hickman Moss and we have two children together. My daughter,  Ashley, graduated from Glenville State College and currently works at Gil-Co Faith Pharmacy. My son, Travis, works in the Oil and Gas Industry.

I have been serving Gilmer County for the last twenty-three years in law enforcement and I am currently the Police Chief for the City of Glenville. The best part of my present job is meeting and talking with the public and assist them when they need help.  Therefore, my primary goal at being in the office of County Commission is to work with the people in our community and give them a voice for what could be done to improve Gilmer County.

Over the years, Gilmer County has developed a bad name and its about time we change it to bring back its good name. To do this, the office of County Commission needs to let the public know the decisions being made and the subjects that are up for review.

Also, our present County Commission has started a project of starting our own 911 center here in Gilmer County. Not only will this allow for better service, it will provide more available jobs for the people of our community. If elected to the office of the County Commission, I will continue to help the elderly, by helping the senior citizens, the EMS and all the Fire departments located in Gilmer County.

In conclusion, the primary reason why I am running for the office of County Commission is because I was raised here, and I want it to be a good place for my future grandchildren to be raised. I want the public to have a voice of what should or could be done to improve Gilmer County and bring back its good name.

Thank you for your support.

John Wm. Moss

Election 2012: Carol Wolfe Candidate for Gilmer County Magistrate

G-Hype™: Norma Hurley – Candidate for Gilmer County Commission - 2012

If I have learned anything from recent events it is this.

“The world is a dangerous place. Not because of the people who are evil;
but because of the people who don’t do anything about it.    Albert Einstein

Hello, this is Norma Hurley.  As candidate from Center District I seek a seat on the Gilmer County Commission where I will always be available to make your voices heard on matters of public importance.  I hope to shake off public apathy and assist the people in becoming part of their local government once more.

I would start with efforts to increase public knowledge when it comes to actions involving tax dollars.  I encourage and support every effort toward greater transparency and accountability in all matters coming before the Commission or any public body.  I feel if you accept the credit when things are good you must take the responsibility when (being human) things go bad.  We must not pass the buck.

This would be an exciting opportunity to put people before politics and work within the Commission and with our Legislature to consider the effect of any action, at the county wide level, every time.  Without the people Gilmer County would not exist.  You are important.  We are laboring under a weak economy as the population shrinks and economic growth is stagnant.  Every decision sets a precedent, becomes a blueprint of this county’s future. I do not want to see the lines on the map blurred.  I do not want us to lose our identity as Gilmer County.

If elected I will encourage communication and making public information more readily available prior to decisions so that all concerned Gilmer County Citizens can be more aware and informed. I will always be ready to search out or guide you to the answer to any question.  People must feel free to express any concern, contribute ideas and feel confident they are included in the process whose purpose is to serve the greater good.  I would like to be part of making that happen.

G-Hype™: Candidate for Gilmer County Magistrate - Alton Skinner - Democrat - 2012

G-Hype™: Lori Rosenburg Republican Candidate for Magistrate of Gilmer County - 2012

Lori Rosenburg, a Troy resident officially filed her Certificate of Announcement for Candidacy on January 12, 2012, to run for Magistrate as a Republican in the 2012 Elections in Gilmer County.

Rosenburg is a recent December 2011 graduate of Glenville State College with a Bachelor’s of Behavioral Science Degree in Psychology/Sociology, with a minor in Criminal Justice – Cum Laude (with Honors).

She has been a resident of Gilmer County since 2004 when she and her husband Jason purchased their home here. She has one son Cary Barlow, a promise scholarship recipient who currently attends Glenville State College (sophomore) who was recently accepted into the Teaching program at Glenville State College.

Mrs. Rosenburg is dual certified in both Corrections and Law Enforcement in the State of Florida and worked as a Correctional Officer for the Florida Department of Corrections. She also worked as an armed guard for the Wackenhut Corporation in Florida as well as California and was on a global response team that gave her the opportunity to work at NASA in Florida after the 9/11 tragedy guarding the Kennedy Space Center.

Lori who has a Class A CDL, most recently worked as a contractor driving fuel tankers for the US Military forces in Fallujah, Iraq with her Husband Jason from November of 2007 until she was injured and had to return home in June of 2008. Her husband Jason, who has been working in Iraq since 2006, is currently based in Baghdad and takes classes at GSC part time (online). Jason supports Lori 100% in her choice to run for Magistrate and they together will pay all costs incurred for her campaign; they will not accept any donations or hold any fundraisers.

Rosenburg is looking forward to running for Magistrate in this 2012 Election, because Justice and Equality in the Criminal Justice system are two things she feels are most important especially when it concerns our citizens. She promises to be Firm, Fair, and Consistent; without favoritism. Rosenburg feels that all of these things are essential when you are working for the people; the taxpayers and citizens.

Election 2012: Dr. Bill Simmons – Candidate for Gilmer County Board of Education

To the Voters of Gilmer County:

After a long career in public school and higher education which covered everything from teaching seventh grade English through being Chancellor of the West Virginia Board of Regents, I have decided to put my education and experience to use in bringing positive changes to Gilmer County Schools.  While all educational systems are complicated and face continual challenges, there are key factors that must exist and be known and understood if our students are to receive a competitive educational experience.  From my own educational history and from forty plus years of teaching and administrative experience, I understand what it takes to make a successful school or school system.

If I am elected to the Gilmer County Board of Education, I can promise an honest effort to accomplish the following goals for our schools:

(1) Address the deficiencies cited in the State audit and regain control of the County School System.

(2) Insist on hiring the most capable teaching and administrative staff for the County.

(3) Work to have a comprehensive study of the County’s facilities needs done by an outside, independent professional study group.

(4) Develop a long-range plan for Gilmer County Schools which sets forth a vision for our county schools including goals of achievement and unique program opportunities for the future.  Plan must be communicated and understood by school personnel, parents and the general public.

(5) Promise a County System that is transparent, open and accountable.

(6) Develop clear lines of communication from the schools to the public.

Thanking you in advance for your support.

William K. Simmons, Ph.D.

Paid for by the candidate

G-Hype™: Candidate for Gilmer County Assessor - Gary Wolfe - Democrat - 2012

Saturday, May 05, 2012

Early Voting Suggests Low Turnout for May 2012 Primary

More than 37,500 West Virginians have voted early ahead of the May 08 primary, with turnout appearing light amid a dearth of contested races on the ballot.

The figure reflects in-person and absentee ballots cast as of Wednesday, after seven days of early voting.

The early voting period ends today, Saturday, May 05, 2012.

Election officials will not open or tally any of these early votes until after the polls close Tuesday.

West Virginia had 70,815 early voters during the last presidential primary year, in 2008.

Democratic primary voters chose Hillary Clinton over the party’s eventual nominee, President Barack Obama. That year’s general election saw a record 153,096 early votes.

“The high water mark is the 2008 general,‘’ noted Jake Glance, spokesman for Secretary of State Natalie Tennant, West Virginia’s elections chief.

Tennant’s office provided the early voting figures. With this year’s presidential nominees all but decided, the biggest races May 08 are both on the Democratic ballot.

Five candidates seek the nomination in a bid to succeed retiring Agriculture Commissioner Gus Douglass.

Another six are campaigning for the party’s nod in the two-seat state Supreme Court race.

Republican candidates for these offices are all assured of moving on to November.

The Democrats also have just 28 contested races among the 67 House of Delegates districts, while the Republicans have 15.

The Democrats also have all six of the contested state Senate races, out of 17 seats on the ballot.

Democrats account for 52% of the state’s voters, but 61% of the early votes.

Around 29 of the early votes have come from Republicans, in keeping with their share of registered voters.

Both major parties allow unaffiliated voters to cast ballots in their primaries. More than 3,400 had done so as of Wednesday.

These independent voters represent the fastest growing portion of the state’s electorate, with 210,500 people currently registered outside of the major parties compared to less than 85,000 in 2000.

The state-based Mountain Party also has ballot access in West Virginia, and has five House of Delegates candidates. Its voters have cast 10 early ballots.

Thursday, May 03, 2012

Gilmer County Commission Special Meeting - 05.04.12

GILMER COUNTY COMMISSION

Agenda for Special Meeting

May 04, 2012 @ 9:00 AM

Location:  Gilmer County Magistrate Court Room, 10 Howard Street, Glenville, WV

(Location changed due to Early Voting)

Call meeting to order

Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag

Public Comments

New Business

        Discussion and/or action on:

            •  EDA Grant Application

Wednesday, May 02, 2012

Mr. Heinlein From The WV Department Of Education Briefed Gilmer’s Citizens About School Takeover

Mr. Charles Heinlein From The WV Department Of Education Briefed Gilmer’s Citizens About School Takeover

On April 26, 2012 Mr. Charles Heinlein, Dr. Jorea Marple’s deputy, attended a meeting sponsored by the Gilmer Schools Coalition.

He addressed the State’s takeover of our schools, but he forcefully refused to elaborate on justifications for the takeover.

There was clarity that like it or not the State has control.

Also, Mr. Heinlein stated that our duly elected school board was rendered essentially powerless by the State’s decree and Mr. Blankenship represents the State.

The consequence is that normal checks and balances, essential elements for survival of a democracy, are suspended at the County level.

The Board’s authority to deal with issues including personnel actions, school facilities, finances, and other functions with the exception of responsibilities involving student discipline, expulsions and school trips were summarily removed.

Mr. Heinlein did not disclose the time line for returning the school system to local control or specifics regarding exactly how the Board can remove its deficiencies.

Other notable omissions included a failure of Mr. Heinlein to define specifics about how the State would work with the Board to provide needed services from Charleston to enable the Board’s authority to be restored expeditiously.

Numerous questions and concerns surfaced at the meeting.

The focus was opinions about the State’s failures including problems with honesty, deliberate avoidance of transparency, behind the scenes activity of a select few leading to the takeover, the State’s failure to give the County a chance to solve its problems prior to a takeover as was done for other counties, and the State’s deliberate blockage of information to keep citizens uninformed while secret takeover activities were underway.

One citizen asked Mr. Heinlein to cite one example of what Mr. Ron Blankenship had done during his tenure to be something which would not have been done otherwise and the question was unanswered.

There seemed to be a pervasive feeling among meeting attendees that what was cited as the State’s justification for taking over our school system was pure camouflage.

It was expressed that true reasons probably dealt with a long-term plan to consolidate counties.

That would result in regionalized court houses, law enforcement, K-12 schools, and other functions normal for a sovereign county.

The question is what can we do about our plight?

Our elected officials failed us miserably and our recourse as responsible citizens is to take decisive action at the ballot box.

Instead of complying with demands of the bosses for how we should vote, we can judge candidates on their proven ability, honesty, commitments to transparency, and their firm pledge to keep lines of communication open to prevent future deal making behind closed doors.

GCBOE: Schedule of Proposed Levy Rates – Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2013