Governor Earl Ray Tomblin delivered his State of the State on Wednesday, January 8, 2014.  CCAWV Executive Director Vivian Parsons was in the audience as the Governor addressed West Virginians near and far.  He likened the work of his term to sowing seeds in a garden, a task he has always enjoyed.  Both, noted the governor, require "planning, patience, and foresight."  He began by noting the work West Virginia has done to sow seeds for a healthy financial future.  Sound oversight of the Workers' Compensation program has led to important savings for West Virginia, and the state has weathered the storm of the country-wide recession without dipping into reserve funds.  Lawmakers and businesses have worked together to secure job opportunities that abound around the

Marcellus and  Utica Shales.  The Governor talked about his commitment to creating jobs, even if he must travel out of the countr y to do so .  Whi le appreciating the unique relationship West Virginia has with Japan, the Governor spent almost two weeks last fall traveling around Europe in the hopes of kindling new, and hopefully prosperous, business relationships. Much of the Governor's speech centered around education.  He spoke of a greater focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) in our schools to create students who are better prepared for today's jobs.  "Our budget is strained," warned the Governor when his speech veered toward finances. He noted that this will be a year of tough financial choices.  He also spoke of the drug epidemic and overcrowded jails - issues Commissioners are all too familiar with.  He spoke of his administration's response to the pleas for additional resources for people suffering from drug addiction.  He created the Governor's Advisory Council on Substance Abuse, which is working diligently to come up with new ways to fight the scourge of drug addiction.  He proudly noted that the population in the Regional Jails has actually decreased since June. Veteran Hershel Woody Williams was honored with a standing ovation (pictured) when the Governor spoke of West Virginia's dedication to our veterans.  The unveiling of the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument serves as a reminder of this dedication. The Governor closed his speech by talking about ways he plans to "weed out" wasteful spending. He assured West Virginians that seeds have been planted for a strong future, and urged next generation Mountaineers to stay, or return, home, to reap the harvest of careful planning and fiscal responsibility.

A publication of The County Commissioners' Association of West Virginia - January 2014 - www.ccawv.org

Photo: Kenny Kemp / WV Gazette

Governor Delivers State of the State Address

PresidentTim McCormick, Ohio (234-3628)

Vice-PresidentNancy Cartmill, Cabell (526-8634)

Immediate Past PresidentRon Watson, Harrison (624-8500)

District 1-- Western DivisionDon Mason, Marshall (845-0482)John Stender, Tyler (758-2102)Danny Greathouse, Hancock (564-3311)

District 1 -- Eastern DivisionChair: Janice LaRue, Mineral (788-5921)Bernie Fazzini, Harrison (624-8500)

District 2 -- Western DivisionAgnes Queen, Lewis (269-8200)Jerry Linkinoggor, Clay (587-4259)

District 2 -- Eastern DivisionChair: Mike Taylor, Randolph (636-2057)J.R. Keplinger, Hardy (530-0284)Donnie Tenney, Upshur (472-0535)

District 3 -- Western DivisionChair: Mickey Brown, Boone (369-1561)Rick Handley, Mason (675-1110)

District 3 -- Eastern DivisionBob Pasley, Wayne (523-5246)Jack Woodrum, Summers (466-7100)Denise Scalph, Fayette (574-4290)

CCAWV2309 Washington Street EastCharleston, WV 25311(304) 345-4639info@ccawv.org

Vivian ParsonsExecutive Directorvivian@ccawv.org

Megan StroupAdministrative Assistantmegan@ccawv.org

Director's Discussion with Vivi an Parsons

Back during Christmas and New Year holidays, there were questions about “if and when” the county commission can close the courthouse and/or give employees additional time off without charge to annual leave. Pages 1-12 through 1-13 of the CCAWV handbook address this issue under “Offices and Courthouse Hours.” In short…While the County Commission has the authority to prescribe the hours of the courthouse operation and such authority implies the ability to close the county offices in weather or emergency situations, it cannot close the “COURT!” 

The Court must remain open unless it is a legal holiday provided by the legislature; time-off as authorized by the Governor which allows the courts to close as if it were a legal holiday; or a day where weather or other emergency conditions in that county prevent the general transaction of court business, as designated by order of the chief justice of the supreme court of appeals or by order of the chief judge of the circuit court of that county.

The ability of the county commission giving time off to county employees other than legal holidays (as provided by the legislature or the Governor) is somewhat gray, however if the county commission gives time off that is not authorized by the legislature or by the Governor, that time off is not a legal holiday and does not close the “court,” therefore the courthouse building must be open, the courtroom must be open and enough county staff available to accept court filings so that no one misses a filing date because of courthouse closure!  In the event of weather or other emergency condition it is advised that the county commission and the Judge work together to make a unified decision to close both the county offices and court.

This is our busiest time of year coming up ladies and gentlemen. We have our legislators in session as we speak. We have our own CCAWV Legislative and Business meetingsin Charleston, January 26-28. We have Board of Equalization and Review. We have budget hearings and levy establishment. Have I missed anything? Oh yeah, our daily dealings with our constituents and county concerns to deal with as well a courthouse full of employees!!! Thank God we're only part time employees!!?? I hope to see as many of you as possible at our legislative and business meeting in January at the Charleston Marriott. We

have some great informational workshops to attend, and thank you to Vivian for putting together a great agenda and workshop session. We will also get the chance to talk to our legislators face to face in their backyard!!  Don't forget to invite them to our reception. It only gets bigger and better every year, because of YOU!!  

Please remember this is a member driven organization and you are the members!!  Without all of you, we could not move forward making the lives of our citizens better and giving them a better county and state to live in!!

Board of Directors2013 -

2014

President's Message by Tim McCormick

Crowning achievements: Pleasants County Water Project- this so far has 35 miles w/3 storage tanks providing over 240 customers w/the commission providing over 1 Million themselves.Hydro Electric Dam - negotiating w/a billion dollar company and creating a PILT thru 2039 of over 1 Million annually. Air Evac Contract - providing every household in county w/emergency medical air transportation thru Air Evac. Average flights cost 20k to 25k and there have been 5 flights in less that 30 days since signing the contract.Biggest debacle or most embarrassing moment: N/A          Best advice for other County Commissions: There is no "I" in TEAM.Funniest thing to ever happen at a commission meeting: Too many to mention. :) County Commission Staff: Tina Oldfield, County Adm.

Jay Powell

P l a c e w h e re I g re w u p : Nelsonville, OH

Real life occupation: Retail Grocery Manager

Years' experience as a County Commissioner: 13yrs

You would be surprised to know that I: Have 16 grandkids and 1 great grandchild

My personal philosophy: Live and let live.

What do you like most about being a County Commissioner?

Being able to make a difference in the community where I live.

What do you like least about being a County Commissioner?

Being called a Chia-Pet by the other two balled headed commissioners.

Who would you invite (living or dead) to your next County Commission meeting and what wo u l d yo u d i s c u s s ? Future County Commissioners to discuss decisions we've made.

Jim Cottrill

Place where I grew up:  St. Marys, WV

Real life occupation:  Semi retired, full-time family man

Years' experience as a county commissioner: 8yrs

You would be surprised to know that I: Went sky diving

My personal philosophy:  Treat others as you want to be treated and give God the glory for everything in your life.

What do you like most about being a County Commissioner?  Being able to make a difference in my county.

What do you like least about being a County Commissioner?  Budget time, trying to stretch the money.

Who would you invite (living or dead) to your next County Commission meeting and what would you discuss?  Jesus - the Bible and the direction our nation is headed.

P l a c e w h e re I G re w Up : St.Marys, WV

Occupation: Speech Pathologist

Yrs as Commissioner: 5yrs

Surprised to know: Coach High School Football at St.Marys High School

Personal Philosophy: In all thy ways acknowledge God and He will direct thy paths. - Prov. 3:5-6

Like Most: Having the opportunity to make a small impact on the community I love so much!

Like Least: The layers of red tape to fight through to get a project completed.

Who would you invite (living or dead) to your next County Commission meeting and what w o u l d yo u d i s c u s s ? The President and Legislators from Washington D.C. as I feel we could give insight to them on how the "Real World" operates and how their po l i c ie s , l aws and l eg i s l a t i ve guidelines get in the way of progress!

Spotlight on a County Commission: Preston County

Larry Barnhart

CCAWV Legislative Conference

January 26 - 28, 2014Charleston MarriottCharleston, WV 2014 Spring Board Meeting

May 18 - 19, 2014Wheeling IslandWheeling, WV 2014 CCAWV Annual Conference

August 3 - 6, 2014Pullman PlazaHuntington, WV

County Commission OutreachBringing public awareness to the office of County Commissioner

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