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

org

Legislative Conference 2015

On January 25 27, 2015, CCAWV hosted its
annual Legislative Conference. This years
conference was very well attended, with
Commissioners from every corner of the state
braving the wintry weather to get to Charleston.
The CCAWV Board and Legislative Committees
met on Sunday afternoon, followed by an update by
Joe DeLong, Executive Director of the Regional
Jail Authority. The CCAWV Service
Appreciation Dinner followed the days meetings.
We saluted new members and those with many
years of experience. Hats o to Sam Rogers of
Ritchie County who, with 29years of service
under his belt, had logged more years as a
commissioner than anyone else in attendance.

Kicking o Mondays agenda was keynote speaker U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito. Senator Capito updated
Commissioners on issues that she would be focusing at our nations Capital in coming months. She talked about the
importance of finding funding for much-needed infrastructure projects here in West Virginia. If you disagree with me, I
understand it, the Senator remarked, but I think you will agree with me a lot.

Following the keynote address, Deborah Cox, NACos Legislative Director, updated commissioners on NACos latest
eorts at the Capital. NACo, who serves as the legislative watchdog for counties across the country, is monitoring issues
ranging from public lands issues to environmental regulations. Steve Rawlings of WVCoRP followed Deborah to give
counties an update on risk management.

After lunch, commissioners were treated to

updates from WV Senate President William Cole
and WV House Speaker Tim Armstead. Robby
Queen, Director of Intergovernmental Aairs
from the Governors oce, made some remarks
on behalf of Governor Tomblin. The days
agenda rounded out with the CCAWV Business
Meeting before Commissioners broke to prepare
for the Legislative Reception.

This years Legislative Reception was very well

attended. It is designed to give commissioners
an opportunity to engage with their legislators
face-to-face. It is a highlight of the conference,
and this year was no exception. Thank you to
the WV Senators and Delegates who attended!

The conference wrapped up on Tuesday morning, but that is just the beginning of our work. CCAWV has a full legislative
agenda for this session! Thank you to everyone who attended the conference, as well as our speakers!

D i rec tors Disc ussio n with Viv i a n Parsons

The Legislative Session is in full motion and many bills
have been introduced that could have implications for
county government. CCAWV is doing our best to
track these issues and keep you aware of their status.
Our Legislative Committee meets weekly on Thursday
evenings to discuss and strategize!

Revising or eliminating Prevailing Wage is a hot topic

this week as well as expanding home r ule for
Municipalities. The Prevailing Wage bill (SB 361) is on
the Senate Floor and the Municipal Home Rule bill
(SB323) has passed the Senate. CCAWV supports home rule for counties as
well and hope that this session might provide an opportunity for that.

The smoking regulation bill (HB 2208) was on the agenda in Political
Subdivision and after lots of discussion was placed in a sub-committee to hash
out details. Weve been told the sub-committee intends to change the bill to
simply give commissioners veto power over current and future regs enacted by
the health department, if they (commissioners) choose to exercise it. Will
report more after the sub-committee meets.

All other issues on the CCAWV agenda are works in progress and we hope to
report bill numbers soon. Senate Majority Leader Mitch Carmichael is taking
the lead to sponsor 4 of those bills in the Senate and Senate Finance Chairman
Mike Hall has promised support. We are meeting with House leaders next
week.

No te s f rom Na ncy - Nancy Car tm i l l

If you did not attend the Legislative Conference held
in Charleston in January, it was certainly your loss.
Those in attendance not only had a great time, but
learned so much. We heard it straight from the
mouths of the legislative leadership.
It was indeed a pleasure to have Senate President,
Bill Cole and Speaker of the House, Tim Armstead
speak to us about the issues facing them during this
legislative session. They responded to the many
questions asked and they both demonstrated an
attitude of transparency and involvement. As they spoke they outlined exactly
the bills to be acted upon and many times asked for our involvement as issues
concerning counties are addressed.
The Governors oce was well represented by Robby Queen, Director of
Intergovernmental Aairs. It is a pleasure to work with Robby. He is always
well versed on the issues facing counties and is a great representative of the
Governor.
U. S. Senator Shelly Moore Capito was the keynote speaker at the conference.
She was like a breath of fresh air as she spoke in great detail about the plans
for this administration and how they would face the many challenges ahead. We
do appreciate Senator Capito taking time out of her very busy schedule to
address county commissioners. She left our meeting to catch a plane in very
snowy weather to make it back to Washington for afternoon meetings. Senator
Capito constantly shows us how committed she is to the people of West
Virginia.

-2015

2014

tors
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President
Nancy Cartmill, Cabell (526-8634)
Vice-President
Mickey Brown, Boone (369-1561)
Ex-Officio
Tim McCormick, Ohio (234-3628)
Ron Watson, Harrison (624-8500)
District 1-- Western Division
Chair: John Stender, Tyler (758-2102)
Eldon Callen, Monongalia (276-7948)
District 1 -- Eastern Division
Dr. Richard Lechliter, Mineral (303-3848)
Bernie Fazzini, Harrison (624-8500)
District 2 -- Western Division
Agnes Queen, Lewis (269-8200)
Jerry Linkinoggor, Clay (587-4259)
District 2 -- Eastern Division
Chair: Mike Taylor, Randolph (636-2057)
J.R. Keplinger, Hardy (530-0284)
Dick Waybright, Jackson (273-4480)
District 3 -- Western Division
Bob Pasley, Wayne (523-5246)
Rick Handley, Mason (675-1110)
Gordon Lambert, McDowell (383-4542)
District 3 -- Eastern Division
Chair: Denise Scalph, Fayette (574-4290)
Jack Woodrum, Summers (466-7100)
CCAWV
2007 Quarrier Street
Charleston, WV 25311
(304) 345-4639
info@ccawv.org
Vivian Parsons
Executive Director
vivian@ccawv.org
Megan Stroup
Administrative Assistant
megan@ccawv.org

C C AWV Un v ei ls ne w Website!
After many months of work,
CCAWV unveiled our brand new,
state-of-the-art website at the
beginning of the year.
We would like to thank Jamie
Summers-Brown, President of Bricks
Without Straw, for his tireless work
on this project. The new website
has a host of new features. We
encourage you to take some time and
familiarize yourself with it. It will be
a great resource! Some of the new
features include an updated
Members Only section.
Register (it only takes a minute) and
get access to meeting documents, the
Commissioners Handbook, the
updated directory, and much more!

Integrated Social Media The

bottom of the page is now connected
to our Twitter feed, which in turn is
connected to our Facebook page.
Check it out for up-to-the-minute
updates on the latest county and
legislative news!

Businesses interested in Associate

Membership can now apply online!
They can read about the benefits of
membership, and the various levels of
membership available.

Newsletters will be posted and

available, in full, where you can
peruse and download past issues.

Calendar of Events

County Commission Outreach

Bringing public awareness to the oce of County Commissioner

CCAWV Spring Board

Meeting
May 17 18, 2015

CCAWV Annual Essay Contest!

Its almost that time again! Next month, we will be rolling out CCAWVs 4th Annual
Essay Contest. Open to 8th grade students across the state, we ask them to explain in
500 words, How does my county commission make life better for me? Its an
opportunity to engage West Virginias children in a discussion about county government.
Over the years, several commissions have used innovative ways to introduce their
countys 8th graders to the world of county government. Here are some ways you can
engage and inform the youth in your county:

Contact principals and 8th grade teachers! Let them know about the contest. (Dont
forget to mention, there are prizes! $300 for first place, $250 for second, and $150 for
third!)

See if they will allow you to come to the schools and present. If they do, be prepared to
explain what you do in terms they can grasp. Use examples they are familiar with (such
as parks or recreational areas). Allow them time to ask questions.

Set up a mock commission meeting. Allow them to be commissioners and make

decisions!

CCAWV Annual Meeting

Canaan Valley Resort
August 9 11, 2015

We urge you to participate in whatever way you can! Please spread the word, and keep
an eye on the Listserv or the website for contest details. Dont miss this unique
opportunity to connect with the public. They are, after all, the future leaders of West
Virginia!

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This is a monthly publication for county commissioners, commission sta, associate members and other interested parties.