The beauty of Tucker County may be why my ancestors decided to settle here. (If your last name is Stiles or Spessert, we’re likely related). After a career in rural studies and humanities, and farming part-time, I returned home to where my Grandma and Grandad Stiles and my Dad had farmed.

Last spring, that farm on Limestone Mountain began coming back to life. We’re still eating out of the freezer from the garden, planted in May when we arrived, because my Saint George friends Ellen and Ronnie took time out of their busy schedule to plow it for us. We’re still enjoying the chestnuts, blueberries, applesauce, and other delights from plantings established by my father and grandparents decades ago.

My Dad, Jim Stiles, loved farming and loved helping people — that’s why he was a county agricultural extension agent his whole career. I chose a less challenging career path, but it was one that connected to my love of rural places and in particular West Virginia.

Now, I was just planning to enjoy my early retirement on the farm, but the tragic loss in January of a dear family member, Lori Knight Stiles, and the loss of so many other dear family members, including Dad’s sister, Faye “Tag” Stiles — made me rethink my life plan. Lori, Aunt Tag and Dad gave so much to others through their public service.

After being asked to run for political office, I made the decision in January to honor them, and run in the Democratic primary for the Tucker County Commission.

Tucker County — in fact, all of West Virginia — is at a pivotal point. Decisions made now will impact citizens for decades to come. We have beautiful nature, kind people and tremendous opportunities to build a stable, prosperous future. But only if we seize those opportunities, with kindness and a spirit of cooperation, will we see the sustainable future we all wish to see.

It’s important to have good governance and cooperation of county, municipal, state, and federal governments to see success, and to set goals. And so, I come to the people of Tucker County — many who read The Inter-Mountain — to ask: what are your priorities for Tucker County, going forward?

I invite you to give me a call at 304-478-3519 to share your thoughts and ideas.

Deborah Stiles

Democratic Candidate,

Tucker County

Commission