Homeowners Harmonize Heft

Click on the link below to view the newspaper article:

http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/572347/EPOHOA-meeting-draws-large-crowd.html?nav=5266#.Tu9vq4gFRic.email

Troublesome and Toxic

The recent December 18th "Christmas Memories I Can't Forget" editorial comments by Don Smith (www.journal-news.net) mirrored my thoughts, as well as my concerns, about West Virginia's unhealthy dependence on revenue from gambling clip joints.

Gambling is a troublesome and toxic combination, especially when it is part of the government revenue stream.

It bodes ill for the well-being of Mountaineer families.

Feedback on Marcellus

John,
Thank you for your kind feedback.
It both surprised and pleased me that, while there were and are stumbles in the Marcellus Shale legislation, it mostly is a step forward, and Delegate Woody Ireland is one of the heroes in this regard.
Those who were pushing so hard for drilling rights remind me somewhat of a child asking his parents for a new puppy and promising that he'll take good and proper care of it.
The job now is to ensure that good and proper care is taken on behalf of the citizens from here on out.
Larry

-----Original Message-----

Delegate Kump,

Your remarks about the Marcellus Shale legislation seem well thought out.
I, too, wish there were more protections, but this is a step.

John Douglas
Editor
The Morgan Messenger

Marcellus & Woody (HB 401)

The legislation to regulate drilling into huge natural gas deposits of "Marcellus Shale" in West Virginia was intensely debated and approved by a Special Session of the West Virginia Legislature.

The vote in the West Virginia House of Delegates on HB401 was 92 yeas to 5 nays, and I voted yea.

My concerns were to balance the legitimate interests and needs of the gas and oil industry, the safety of our environment, and the property rights and privileges of surface owners and residents.

Although I agree that the further development of Marcellus Shale in West Virginia will help our nation become more energy independent and perhaps also foster an economic boom for all of West Virginia, the final version of the bill still fell somewhat short, in my opinion, of giving enough protection to the rights and privileges of property owners and residents.

Even so, the adoption of Delegate Woody Ireland's proposal to have monitoring and oversight of possible disruptive effects upon residents from drilling for Marcellus gas greatly enhanced the value of this legislation.

In summary, I came to the overall conclusion that HB 401 is a step in the right direction and voted accordingly.


Footnote: Click on "WV State Legislature" under "Links" on the right hand side of this webpage, to search for more specifics about this legislation.

Update on Request for Falling Waters Traffic Signal

The West Virginia State Highway Commission previously agreed to my request for them to do a feasibility study regarding the need for a traffic signal at the intersection of Route 11 and Grade Road in the Falling Waters/Marlowe area of Berkeley County, and that this study probably would be scheduled in January of 2012.

However, State Highway Engineer Marvin Murphy now has agreed that his department "will reschedule this study after June (2012), with trying to have results by mid-August".

The reason for this study postponement is that it has been pointed out that traffic at the Route 11/Grade Road intersection may be greater during the Summer months, due to the additional amount of traffic generated by the local Riverbend camping community and other recreational spots that use Grade Road for their access route.

Thornton Cooper's Legislative Proposal

Thornton,

I would be pleased and proud to support and even cosponsor your forthcoming legislative proposal to provide single member districts in the West Virginia House of Delegates.

Furthermore, we should go and do likewise with the West Virginia State Senate districts.

Delegate Larry D. Kump

Mountaineers Prefer Kump

Hi Larry,

Our PAC launches in January, and you will see significant support from us next year.

I am very happy to see you running for re-election to the West Virginia House of Delegates.

You're a model Delegate, who I hope to empower to continue achieving good for West Virginia.

West Virginia desperately needs honest folks like you, who are sincere and capable, in government.

Our taxes can be lowered, our economic climate can become employment friendly, our Judiciary can get an appellate level, and the Legislature can achieve more transparency with voters as well as be much more in harmony with our Constitution.

We can wean our government off the gambling teat, because there's even more revenue from a growing and vibrant economy.

Then our children will stay and prosper here in West Virginia, and our lives will become what they always should have been.

Few are those who can bring about this great change.

Few are those who can fight this fight.

Few are those who won't wear down, sell out, or give up.

Those few will be paid with respect, honor, and gratitude.

History will note them and We the People will revere them.

They will be the heroes of West Virginia, the greatest Mountaineers of all time.

We will do our part to help bring all of this about.

With respect and gratitude,

Greg Jessen
President: Mountaineer Tea Party LLC & PAC