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By Bob Weaver
A delegation of about 35 Wirt County residents and elected officials
pled their
case in Charleston last Wednesday, seeking help for poorly funded
rural counties.
Wirt County is facing imminent financial collapse, much of which is
caused by
unfunded mandates from Charleston. The most pressing is the regional
jail
charges which will soon be a problem for Wirt.
The group met with Sen. Donna Boley and Delegate Larry Border.
Commission
President Lention Offutt signed a statement outlining the counties
plight. "We
hopefully made them aware of our situation," said Commissioner Robert
Lowe.
He said the legislature appeared to be consumed with the gray poker
machine
issue. "A few weeks ago there was a mention that counties might get
some of the
poker money, but that idea seems to have died," he said. It has been
a rare
occasion the legislature has passed bills that favor county
government.
He said the needs of poor, low-tax based counties appears to be on
the bottom of
the list. Sen. Donna Boley and Congresswoman Shelly Moore Capito,
both
Republicans, have come to Wirt expressing interest in rural counties.
Boley has
suggested several reforms which would help preserve rural life and
rural
counties.
Sen. Oshel Craigo (Dem) and other politically powerful members of the
legislature have openly spoken for county consolidation. The
Charleston Daily
Mail has editorially stated "Wirt County never amounted to much" and
should be
eliminated.
Commissioner Lowe said "It is a one size fits all mentality," based
on an
assumption that consolidation will save money. Wirt Commission
President
Lention Offutt said it is likely taxes will go up at time of
consolidation, and there
will be little representation of rural communities.
Lowe said the need to preserve community life in rural areas is
definitely on the
back burner.
Lowe meets with capitol lobbyists
A.J. Manchin alive and well around capitol corridors
Commissioners Murray and Offutt sign document with Senator Boley
Wirt group congregates in rotunda
Photos courtesy of John Griffin
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