The event was sponsored by the Randolph County Democratic Executive Committee and took place at the Harman Fire Hall Tuesday evening.

Mike Taylor, Democrat incumbent candidate for the Randolph County Commission for the Cheat District, discussed a number of ways the county commission has served the community of Harman during his 11 years in office.

“Here in the Harman area, I have voted for and supported various projects, such as when the Harman School was closed, the commission contributed $25,000 toward the repairs,” Taylor said. “I have been a strong supporter of Pioneer Memorial Library and have worked hard to make sure that they have the necessary funding to obtain the match for state grants. I voted to support the Fourth of July celebration held right here in Harman and sponsored by the fire department.”

As a retired West Virginia State Police major, Taylor said he is committed to public safety.

Kesling

“During my 11 years in office, the number of field deputies has doubled and we have added four court security officers to help (free up) the deputies,” Taylor said.

“I have displayed fiscal responsibility with the yearly budget, and speaking of budgets, let me make this perfectly clear to everyone present here tonight, every full-time county employee, including our deputy sheriffs, will receive a $750 pay raise, 18 paid holidays, paid sick leave, annual vacation, a $350 one-time pay adjustment that is given at Christmas and 100 percent of their health insurance is paid for by you, the taxpayers,” he said.

Taylor said this year’s election race has a “negative tone.”

“This is the third time I have campaigned for a seat on the county commission, and the first two times were positive races where we shared our visions for the future and how we wanted to improve Randolph County,” Taylor said. “Unfortunately, this race has taken on a much more negative tone with unwarranted attacks and untrue attacks against me.”

If re-elected, Taylor said he plans to focus on continuing to expand broadband internet access and increase the fight against the opioid epidemic.

Democratic challenger David Kesling spoke after the incumbent candidate, focusing on fiscal responsibility and transparency.

Kesling said he believes he can successfully take on the role as county commissioner because of his 25 years of experience in business management.

During his speech, Kesling addressed fiscal concerns about decisions made by the commission.

“The county also pays $10 per year as rental fee to the airport authority plus a $37,500 maintenance fee for snow removal and grounds upkeep,” he said. “Why not have the county maintenance department do the snow removal and maintenance upkeep? This could save $37,500 for a new sheriff’s deputy to help fight the drug problem.”

Kesling also raised concerns about the Randolph County 911 Center.

“Let’s start with the new 911 call center – how long has it taken the county to map for 911? The commission started this project in 2009,” he said. “I’m sure you all have heard about the issue in Beverly about trucks getting lost because the lack of 911 addresses in the GPS.”

Kesling went on to say he believes property already owned by the county — such as the former county jail — could be remodeled and used for the Office of Emergency Management.

Commissioners serve six-year terms.

Phil Isner, incumbent Democratic representing the 4 District in the West Virginia House of Delegates, said he is proud to have been part of what happened during the 2017 and 2018 legislative session — including the teacher pay raise effort.

“The children are really our future,” Isner said. “When we talk about investing in a teacher pay raise, we’re really talking about investing in our kids, we’re really talking about investing in a drug-free, educated workforce. Every politician that stands before you will have some talk about how we need to eradicate the drug problem — that starts early in their education and it starts with the teachers, because they’re the ones that are going to be spending hours a day with our students and they’re the ones that can get these kids started on the right track.”

In the future, Isner believes there will be challenges for the state and region to face, including the WVPEIA issue, infrastructure problems and making additional investments in education.

“I’ve heard this from Sen. (Joe) Manchin in letters he has written — we can’t build West Virginia up while tearing each other down,” Isner said. “If you give me the opportunity to go back to Charleston to try to represent the values of Randolph and Pocahontas counties, one thing I promise you I’ll do is I’ll try to reach across the aisle. I’ll try to forget about whether it’s a Republican idea or Democrat idea. If it’s a good idea, I can promise you that I’ll work for it and promise you that we will try to bring some results back for the people of Randolph County.”

Bill Hartman, the other 43rd District House of Delegates incumbent, echoed Isner, saying a number of positive things took place during the most recent legislative session.

“Coming off of a real demanding legislative session, it kind of takes you awhile to decompress about all of the things that happened, and there were some really good things that happened,” Hartman, a Democrat, said. “I think the pay raise for the teachers and service personnel and particularly correctional officers — we were right near a disaster in our correctional institutions and there were people working mandatory 12-hour shifts — I think we averted a disaster there.”

Hartman noted he believes there are three important issues, aside from budgetary matters, which need to be addressed, including establishing a good workforce, fighting the ongoing drug epidemic and slowing the decrease in population.

Cody Thompson, a Democratic challenger for the House of Delegates 43rd District, said he believes no other candidate will fight for state workers, especially teachers, the way he intends to if elected.

“State employees (in West Virginia) are the backbone — whether it’s the state troopers, the (Department of Heath and Human Resources), (Department of Highways), teachers — we’re the backbone,” Thompson said. “I’m not going to let anyone push us around.”

Thompson added he hopes to see and make change “for the better” and keep more people in the state.

“I teach at Elkins High School and I see issues every day with our kids. We’re talking about opioids, we’re talking about our socioeconomic status,” he said. “Things are changing in Randolph County and they aren’t getting any better. I want to see us grow, I want to see us change — change for the better.”

Delegates serve two-year terms.

Also taking part in the event were non-partisan candidates for Randolph County Board of Education: Curlie Ray Jr., Tygart District; incumbent Lisa Wamsley, Tygart District; incumbent Janie Newlon, Cheat District; and incumbent Donna Auvil, Elkins District. Judy Guye Swanson represented and spoke on behalf of Melodee Price, candidate for the Elkins District. Terri Weiford, candidate for the Elkins District, was unable to attend the event and was represented and spoken for by Ray.

BOE members serve four-year terms.

Democratic challengers Laura Finch, D-Pocahontas, and Margaret Kerr Beckwith, D-Randolph, are both running for a West Virginia State Senate District 11 seat.

Finch addressed those in attendance during the event, saying she is looking toward the future for all seven counties she would be representing if elected. Finch said these counties are diverse but have similar values.

Beckwith was not present for the event but sent a letter to be read during the meeting.

Senate District 11 encompasses all of Nicholas, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Randolph, Upshur and Webster counties, as well as a portion of Grant County. Also running for the seat are incumbent Robert Karnes, R-Upshur; and Delegate Bill Hamilton, R-Upshur. State senators serve four-year terms.

Julia Rossi Stevenson and Marilyn Kesling, candidates for Randolph County Democratic Executive Committee — Female, were present and addressed attendees. Also running for this committee are Barbara Green and Nancy Bross-Fregonara.

Candidates for Randolph County Democratic Executive Committee — Male, including Bob Elbon, Robert Bowers, Jerry Simmons and Kesling, addressed those in attendance. Also running but not in attendance was Dr. Farukh Khan.

A number of candidates who were unable to attend the event sent letters to be read to attendees, including Manchin, incumbent candidate for U.S. Senate; Talley Sergent, candidate for U.S. Congress, Second District; and Aaron Scheinberg, candidate for U.S. Congress.

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