Newly elected House of Delegates member Roger Hanshaw (R), representing Calhoun and parts of Clay and Gilmer counties (33rd District) held a public forum Tuesday night at the Calhoun courthouse.
The meeting was held by Hanshaw to get input from county citizens as he begins to serve in the legislature. About thirty citizens attended the forum.
Millstone resident Charlie McKown said, "The wings of the EPA need to be clipped," regarding over-regulation and how it effects business.
A number of attendees expressed concern about the lack of real high-speed broadband in the county, while others were concerned about road, bridges and infrastructure.
Several expressed concerns regarding the state's school funding formula and how it affects small populated areas like Calhoun.
Calhoun and area residents raised a number of
concerns that affect their lives, while Del. Hanshaw
continued to ask for concerns and take notes.
Calhoun commission president Chip Westfall said one of the commission's primary issues is funding the regional jail bill. "It takes the biggest hunk out of our discretionary small budget," he said.
Derek Wright, Arnoldsburg fire chief, said small rural fire departments are struggling to survive, with training requirements for volunteers ever increasing.
Volunteers just can't work at their jobs and take the hundreds of hours required to be a volunteer. "This is a problem all over West Virginia's rural counties," with some being closed-down and more at risk.
Oil and gas producer David Cain (above) and several producers, asked
that the legislature re-visit the so called "tank bill" passed
after the Freedom Industries chemical spill that affected 300,000 water customers. Cain said the bill was "overzealous," directly affecting small producers ability to comply and survive.
Hanshaw expressed his thanks to community members for expressing their concerns, pledging to take them into consideration for action.
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