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A publication of The County Commissioners' Association of West Virginia - April 2014 - www.ccawv.org
April is National County Government Month! County governments across the nation are enjoying some recognition this month as the spotlight shines on the work they do during National County Government Month. While county governments work hard year-round to serve citizens, April is the time to educate the public about county government and showcase the achievements of elected officials. NACo (the National Organization of Counties) has used its online presence to promote awareness of National County Government Month, offering educational infographics and even a video counties can share (find these and more at www.naco.org). CCAWV is doing its part to spread awareness about the role of county commissioners in communities across West Virginia. Our annual Essay Contest awards $300 to the essay that best captures exactly “How my county commission makes life better for me” (it should be mentioned that the teacher of the winning student also gets $300!). Second and third place prizes are also awarded. At any time, commissioners are welcome to request copies of our informational pamphlet to help inform the public about the duties of county commissioners. Happy National County Government Month to all the hard-working public servants that make up the membership of CCAWV! We appreciate all that you do to serve your counties!
New FEMA Maps, New Laws: The Changing Face of Floodplains On March 21st, the new Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014 was signed into law by President Obama. It repeals some provisions of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 and changes others. In addition, FEMA changed their floodplain maps, and the WV legislature passed SB 621 (Authorizing Insurers offer flood insurance, which is meant to encourage private insurance companies to offer flood insurance in addition to
NFIP). CCAWV turned to Richard Carte, West Virginia NFIP Assistant Coordinator, for some help in navigating the new laws. He explained that the new federal law, in particular, has many provisions that they are still sorting out – the how and when of FEMA refunds, the grandfathering clause, etc. He expects they will have the answers to these questions and more in a few months. CCAWV hopes to have a representative from the West Virginia NFIP office at our annual meeting to explain how this will affect counties. In the meantime, the website www.floodsmart.gov released an online Toolkit for county officials that can be found here: https://www.floodsmart.gov/toolkits/insurance/officials.htm. It includes templates for notifications, presentations, fact sheets, and brochures. In addition, FEMA released a five page overview from the federal perspective that commissioners may find informative: http://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1396551935597-4048b68f6d695a6eb6e6e7118d3ce464/HFIAA_Overview_FINAL_03282014.pdf If more information becomes available prior to the August meeting, we will be sure to pass it along. CCAWV will be compiling questions, case studies, and specific issues for the WV NFIP office to address at the August meeting – please forward these to [email protected].
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) [email protected]
Vivian ParsonsExecutive [email protected]
Megan StroupAdministrative [email protected]
Director's Discussion with Vivi an Parsons
One of the foremost issues on the minds of county commissions is dealing with the cost of incarceration of inmates. As substance abuse grows, the number of arrests keeps rising and county budgets suffer.
CCAWV has explored numerous ideas and methods for easing the county burden and to this end we are partnering with the WV Regional Jai l and Correctional Facil ity Authority on a new effort. RJA will host meetings at each of the regional jails, inviting all local government officials who utilize the host jail’s services. The purpose
will be to discuss ways to control costs and improve jail services, and CCAWV encourages all county commissioners and administrators to attend the meeting held at your jail facility.
The first meeting has been set for May 15th, 11:00 am, at the South Western Regional Jail (serving Logan, Mingo, Boone, and McDowell counties).
Commissioners in those counties should have already received letters of invitation. We’ll keep you posted as additional locations and dates are set! Please take the opportunity to roundtable with RJA staff, other county officials, legislators, court participants and others in attendance. Communication is the best tool we have in controlling this budget-busting dilemma.
As you all know, CCAWV sponsors an essay contest for 8th graders in West Virginia dealing with "how your county helps you". This is a way to expose our young folks to County Government and how it operates and what we, as commissioners do for our constituents.
This is a great learning opportunity for our young West Virginians to begin to understand what we do to help them and possibly encourage them to get involved with their county and/or community. It's a great way to spread our message of helping others and improving the quality of life for our residents. There is also a monetary award for the winners
and their teachers.
If you need any information, please let Vivian and Megan know and it will soon follow. Keep up the great work you are doing for your constituents and good luck to those involved in the upcoming elections!!
Keep kissing hands and shaking babies!!!! Just kidding of course!!
Board of Directors2013 -
2014
President's Message by Tim McCormick
Crowning achievement: Saving about $2 million on healthcare; Energy upgrades on all major county buildings; Establishing commercial drug lab
Best advice for other County Commissions: Think, move to the future.
Co u n t y Co m m i s s i o n e r S t af f : Marty Seufer – County Administrator, Angie GrahamMandy Dennis
Stephen E. Gainer
Place where I grew up: (outside) Parkersburg
Real life occupation: Dentist
Years' experience as a County Commissioner: 5 years
You would be surprised to know that I: I was an army captain and helicopter pilot in Vietnam.
My personal philosophy:
Make the l i fe you l ive be the message you give.
What do you like most about being a County Commissioner?
Opportunity to move our society ahead.
What do you like least about being a County Commissioner?
False information in the local paper.
Who would you invite (living or dead) to your next County Commission meeting and what would you discuss?
My deceased sister - social justice.
Wayne Dunn
P l a c e w h e re I g re w u p : Parkersburg, WV
Real life occupation: Penske Truck and Hertz Car Rental
Years' experience as a County Commissioner: 7 years
You would be surprised to know that I: Played drums in rock bands for over 10 years.
My personal philosophy: "What good shall I do this day."
What do you like most about being a County Commissioner? Facing the challenges for our county and being able to address them.
What do you like least about being a County Commissioner? Bullheaded politicians with secret agendas.
Who would you invite (living or dead) to your next County Commission meeting and what would you discuss? My Dad, who served 4 yrs as Commish and Teddy Roosevelt.
Place where I grew up: Wood County
Real life occupation: Retired Parkersburg Fire Chief
Years' experience as a County Commissioner: 3 years
You would be surprised to know that I: I always wanted to be an airplane pilot but I'm afraid to fly.
My personal philosophy: Be honest, straight forward, and treat others fairly.
What do you like most about being a County Commissioner? Helping an individual or group resolve a problem.
What do you like least about being a County Commissioner?
When a group asks for financial support and we are unable to assist.
Who would you invite (living or dead) to your next County Commission meeting and what would you discuss? President Ronald Reagan or President John F. Kennedy and have them explain how they improved and stimulated the economy reducing taxes.
Spotlight on a County Commission: Wood County
David Blair Couch
May Interim Committee Meetings
May 19 – 21, 2014
2014 Spring Board Meeting
June 22-23, 2014Wheeling IslandWheeling, WV 2014 CCAWV Annual Conference
August 3 - 6, 2014Pullman PlazaHuntington, WV
County Commission OutreachBringing public awareness to the office of County Commissioner
This is a monthly publication for county commissioners, commission staff, associate members and other interested parties.
Calendar of Events
The three members of the Wetzel County Commission are making it their mission to promote understanding of the Commission’s duties and responsibilities amongst the eighth graders of Wetzel County. For the past three years, Commissioners Bob Gorby, Larry Lemon, and Don Mason have made personal appearances at four of the county’s middle schools. Working with the students’ social studies teachers, they arrange to give a presentation to the students, who are studying West Virginia history and county government as part of their civics curriculum. Each commissioner explains part of their duties, as students follow
along in CCAWV’s informational brochure (each student gets a copy). The whole presentation takes 45 minutes to an hour. This year, excessive snow days made it more difficult for teachers to take the time to focus on the essay contest. In spite of this, Commissioner Larry Lemon noted that one teacher, who had taken a group of eighth graders to the State Capitol during the legislative session, showed enthusiastic support for the contest, and even hoped to make it an assignment for students. Commissioner Don Mason suggested that other commissions looking to reach out to students in their counties begin by contacting middle school principals or social studies teachers. Teachers are not always aware of CCAWV’s contest, he warned. Wetzel County Commission actually sweetens the pot for participating students by offering awards (the student wins $25 and the school wins $100) for the best essays within the county. Thank you to the Wetzel County Commission for going above and beyond in promoting real understanding of county government in your schools!
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Wetzel County Commission Brings County Government to Eighth Graders
