Meanwhile...

For the remainder of my term of office, and beyond even then, I'll still be working hard to protect and empower all of us! 🙂

Simply put: Even before my previous election to the West Virginia Legislature, it always was and will continue to be my personal practice and philosophy to stand up and speak out on behalf of our personal rights, responsibilities, and empowerment. This will continue to be so, for as long as I breathe in and breathe out. 🤔

Visit www.LarryKump.us & www.LarryKump.com for more about good governance issues, and, for sure and for certain, may God bless you all real good! 🤗

-West Virginia Delegate Larry D. Kump, District #59 (Berkeley-Morgan counties)

Thankful & looking foward to new elections

 FALLING WATERS, WV - Thankful for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday and reflecting upon our recent West Virginia elections, West Virginia Delegate Larry D. Kump, District #59 (Berkeley-Morgan counties) praised county election officials, volunteer poll workers, and energized Mountaineer voters.

 Also, and in a recent meeting with the Berkeley County Council, Delegate Kump applauded the Council's intentions to create additional early voting locations and more voting precincts, in order to reduce long lines of voters in future elections.

 He particularly praised Berkeley County Chief Elections Deputy Darrell Shull, his staff, and the  volunteer poll workers for their "herculean efforts and priceless performance". 

 Delegate Kump further pointed out that many of these volunteer poll workers are elderly, but nonetheless willingly work on election day "from before dawn until long after dusk" on election days.

 Accordingly Delegate Kump proposed that the Berkeley County Council make "an investment in Democracy", by increasing the token volunteer poll worker compensation from $150 to up to $250.

 He then went on to invite all other West Virginia counties to "for sure and for certain, go and do likewise, that God may continue to bless West Virginia elections real good".

 For more about good governance issues, visit www.LarryKump.com and www.LarryKump.us. 

 

My wife Cheryl is (still) a "Hottie"!

 Christine (middle) and Adam Sprang (right) are both resplendent as well as radiant in their wedding photo, but the "hottie" therein is my gorgeous and beloved wife Cheryl (left). 

 Cheryl telephoned me several times every day while she was in Cleveland for the wedding, and she was and is is so excited and happy on behalf of her daughter Christine and new son-in-law Adam Sprang. (A year later now, Christine now has given birth to her son, Jack Anthony Sprang. Of course, Cheryl now shares photos of her new Grandson Jack with me on a daily basis).

 Cheryl also was pleased to see her other three daughters once more, as they all were together at the wedding.

 Even so,  I told Cheryl, that it was time for her to come home to me and our Bodacious Bob, the Wonder Dog.🤔

 I lived alone for many years, prior to marrying Cheryl, but that weekend was the first time, since our marriage on August 11th, 2018, that I had been alone  here at our Falling Waters, West Virginia home.

  I thought it would be a treat or even a nice vacation for me to once again have some cherished private time during that weekend. 

 However, within less than an hour after Cheryl departed, to  drive to Cleveland, our home suddenly seemed so empty and I quickly became very lonely and even sad.😢

So, I told Cheryl, "Drive home to me and Bob as fast as you can, and don't heed the speed limits!" 😮

And so it went and for sure and for certain, when Cheryl arrived back home to me, that God blessed us all real good!

Since Cheryl returned home, we also adopted an English Red Tick Coon Hound puppy, Lady Sadie-Belle von Kumpff.

-West Virginia Delegate Larry D. Kump, District #59 (Berkeley-Morgan counties)

Visit www.LarryKump.us & www.LarryKump.com for my thoughts on other issues,  but mostly about good governance.

How this Citizen Legislator Serves

 Recent legislative differences of opinions and even some calumnious eruptions within the halls of our West Virginia State Legislature have prompted me to publish how and why I continue to sacrifice and serve in the West Virginia House Of Delegates (District # 59, Berkeley-Morgan counties)

 Previously and currently, when serving in the West Virginia Legislature (2010-2014 and 2018 to present)), it always has been my habit to arrive early for all committee hearings, and also to start each of my legislative work days at the State House prior to 6:00 AM, and usually earlier than even then.

(It's amazing what you can accomplish with advance preparation and a robust work ethic!)

 Also, I never have participated in lobbyists' dinners or parties during legislative sessions.

 Even so, my legislative office door always has been open to anyone who wants to discuss issues and principles with me.

Furthermore, rather than relying on the loudest and most raucous voices of some constituents and a few lobbyists, my simple solution always has been to carefully consider the merits of all constituent concerns, but then also be diligent in upholding the sacred Constitutional Oath of Office, which is given to all elected officials.

Our Oath of Office is to prayerfully deliberate, uphold, and defend  our state and federal Constitutions. This sacred vow is not only made to us and our constituents, but also to God.

Truly, doesn't our Constitution  mandate that the basic principles and practices of our government are the pursuit of individual liberty, personal accountability, and personal empowerment (i. e., the "Pursuit of Happiness")?

And so, that always has been and is the well-spring of our unique "American Excellence", and also it is my duty and goal as a West Virginia state legislator.

Simply put, it's not about striving  to pander to the loudest and most raucous voices.

Instead, it  always should be to attempt to strive to glean the best legislative vote, regardless of any future election outcome.

That is my greatest desire, and that principle and practice of mine never waivers.

Please Visit www.facebook.com/LarryDKump and www.LarryKump.us, for more about other principles and issues of good governance. Share this post with others, and ask them to go and do likewise with still others.😉

Meanwhile, and for sure and for certain, may God bless you all real good!😍

-West Virginia Delegate Larry D. Kump, District #59 (Berkeley-Morgan counties)

Just Doing His Duty

 West Virginia Delegate Larry D. Kump, of Falling Waters,  previously participated in an all day "Institute", hosted by the Association of Parliamentarians in Severn, Maryland.

 This good governance advocate explained that, "Folks might view this as a tedious wonk-fest about public meeting protocol, but the proper knowledge and application of parliamentary procedures is an essential element of effective governance. I really enjoyed that additional opportunity to further learn and grow, to better serve my friends and neighbors in West Virginia."

 A life-long student of the Constitution, Delegate Kump always carries a pocket size edition of the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution with him.

Meanwhile, and for sure and for certain, may God bless you all real good!

Please visit www.LarryKump.us & www.LarryKump.com for more about good governance issues.

-West Virginia Delegate Larry D. Kump, District #59 (Berkeley-Morgan counties) 

Character Counts!

As previously published in "The Journal" daily newspaper, by Ed Singhas:

"Some of the social changes we’ve had to endure have made life increasingly frustrating, but we can turn things around if we want to.
We do this by looking past the political rhetoric, and focus on real American values, as opposed to perverted values being sold to us by politicians vying for the vote of each well defined group they themselves created.
We can restore America if we vote for the right people. People who hold to values that made this a great Country to live in.
Those we send to represent us must have impeccable character and integrity as testified by people who know them best, people with know-how, and a proven record of success.
Larry D. Kump,  West Virginia House of Delegates, District #59, has demonstrated that he is sensitive to injustices, and has taken them on at every turn, but never has he used them to incite unrest for political gain.
Larry is a common sense, Christian man who keeps our individual rights front and center. He's a man of principle and high moral values, dedicated to doing what’s right for West Virginians. A Constitutional Conservative, with a proven record of accomplishment in the West Virginia House of Delegates, but more importantly, a man we can trust.
As a long time friend of Larry’s I can tell you , he didn’t just start caring when he entered politics. His entering politics was a result of his genuine concern, and confidence in his ability to get things done.
After a brief time away, his return to public service in 2018 came at the urging of those who know him best, and are confident there’s no one better for the job.
You’ve never had anyone fight harder for you, and as someone who lives outside of his district, I know our State only benefited from his strong presence in Charleston.
I know I share this confidence with many people across our State,  and putting Larry D. Kump back in the House of Delegates was a big step in the right direction for West Virginians.
 -Ed Singhas,
Martinsburg, West Virgina"



Postscript from Larry: Visit www.LarryKump.com and www.LarryKump.us for more about good governance issues, and please share this message with others, asking them to go and do likewise. Finally, and for sure and for certain, may God bless you all real good!

Kump Biography

Larry D. Kump came out of retirement and was first elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 2010, serving two terms in office (until the end of 2014). He then once again came out of retirement and was elected for yet another two year term in the West Virginia House of Delegates in 2018-2020 (Republican, District #59, Berkeley-Morgan counties).

He also has over forty years of prior legislative and public administration skills and experience.

These skills and experience includes management expertise in managing large budgets and meeting payrolls. This expertise is on both the management and employees' side of the table in multiple jurisdictions throughout our nation. He also has drafted and gotten legislation passed into law, often against formidable opposition.

Larry is no stranger to hard work. He began work at age twelve (managing two newspaper routes at the same time), worked at a local shoe store at age 16 (every day after school and on Saturdays), and then continued working at a number of full and part-time jobs to pay for his college tuition. He even found time to be a local radio personality.

This grateful husband of his beloved and bodacious wife Cheryl and proud father of David & Sarah graduated from Frostburg State University with a Political & Social Science Majors and Minors in Economics, Geography, & Philosophy. Since then he has received an alumni achievement award. He later also returned to Hagerstown Community College to receive an Associate's degree, which included a concentration  in Criminal Justice & Business Administration. The community college has given him a community citation award.

He worked in bank management, trained as a CPA, was the Legislative Aide for the Pennsylvania Senate Republican Leader, and even was accepted as a candidate for MENSA membership.

This grass roots leader and Constitutional scholar then went on to be a Labor Relations Specialist for the Maryland Classified Employees Association (MCEA), an independent public employee advocate organization.

After working for MCEA, Larry accepted the position as the Executive Director of the Indiana State Employees Association (ISEA), another independent public employee advocate group. He reorganized ISEA's structure and budget, frequently lecturing at Indiana University and Purdue University post graduate classes on public administration practices and principles.

This kinsman to founding father Patrick Henry and former West Virginia Governor Herman Guy Kump (1932 term) also is related to Town of Hedgesville founder Josiah Hedges.

He also previously served as Regional President of the Assembly of Governmental Employees (AGE), overseeing public policy advocacy issues from Illinois to West Virginia, and received various additional awards for his public service.

His other activities included serving as a leader of the Foundation for Advancement for Industrial research (FAIR), the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), and many other public service organization, as well as serving as an arbitrator for the Better Business Bureau and the American Arbitration Association.

Moving to West Virginia in 1989, he graduated at the top of his class from the Maryland Correctional Professional Staff Academy as a Maryland Prison Case Manager and then  continued to serve as a court expert witness, employee training coordinator, cognitive development trainer, employee critical incident stress counselor, and certified mediator.

He also worked part-time during the evenings as a sex offender group therapy facilitator.

Serving in numerous MCEA elected offices, Larry drafted legislative proposals for the Maryland Legislature and testified before various Legislative Committees.

In 1991, he also successfully organized a coalition of Berkeley County neighbors to block plans for sewage effluent discharge across their privately owned properties by an out-of-state developer.

After witnessing the overwhelmed facilities and woefully inadequate parking at the local Falling Waters Post Office, he contacted and persuaded the national postal authorities to build a new Post Office in 1993.

A cancer survivor, this independent thinker and advocate of citizen empowerment also is an ordained minister within the Hedgesville Ward (congregation) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

Larry is a strong believer in rock solid fiscal discipline, enhancing family values, and strengthening individual liberty and personal responsibilities.

Gravely concerned about those who are elected to represent us, Larry continually reminds friends and associates that our government belongs solely to the citizens, and that too many forget that one of the major sources of our "American Excellence simply is our Constitution and our citizens.

Please visit the other posts on this website and also www.LarryKump.com for more about his views on the issues.

Meanwhile and for sure and for certain, may God bless you all real good!

Who wants free ice cream?

The Presidential election was heating up, and some grade school children were showing an interest.

The teacher decided that having an election for a class president would be a good civics lesson.

The students would choose the nominees.

The nominees would make campaign speeches, and the class then would vote.

There were many nominations.

Donnie and Joey were picked as finalists.

The day arrived for them to make their speeches.

Donnie went first. He had specific ideas about how to make the class a better place, and promised to do his very best. Everyone applauded.

Then Joey spoke. He said, "If you will vote for me, I will give everybody ice cream."

The class went wild, screaming, "Yes! Yes! We want ice cream!"

An intense discussion followed. How did Joey plan to pay for the ice cream?

Joey didn't know.

Would Joey's parents buy it, or would the class pay for it?

Joey didn't know.

The class really didn't care. They just wanted ice cream.

Donnie was forgotten.

Joey won by a landslide.

Sometimes, elections are like that.

Please visit www.facebook.com/LarryDKump and  www.LarryKump.us for more about the principles of good governance, and share this post with others, asking them to also go and do likewise. 🤔

And, for sure and for certain, may God bless you all real good! 😍

-West Virginia Delegate Larry D. Kump, District #59 (Berkeley-Morgan counties)

"Mouseland" (or, the Power of Principles over Politics)

The "Mouseland" fable originally was written in the 1940's by Clarence Gillis, and then later narrated by the late Tommy Douglas and subsequently made into a slide show presentation.

It was in the late 1960's when I first saw a film of the slide show version, when I was a political science undergraduate student at Frostburg State College in Western Maryland.

It since then has been remade into an animated video version.

Regardless of the politics and Canadian nationality of Tommy Douglas, Mouseland's message rises above fractious and feckless political partisanship, both then and now, with a cry for each and every one of us to stand up and be responsible for our own personal accountability and empowerment.

Click here to watch the video, and decide for yourself if these principles make as much sense to you as they do for me.

Also, pass this along to all of your friends, family, and associates by clicking on the envelope icon at the end of this entry. Even better: Ask them all to go and do likewise!

Regardless of where you live, do your part to support the quest for "Jobs & Prosperity", "Personal Liberty & Family Values", and "Returning Government Back to the People".


Until then, may God bless you all real good!

Working together to Stay Independent,

West Virginia Delegate Larry D. Kump, District #59 (Berkeley-Morgan counties)

Postscript: Visit the other posts on this website and also www.facebook.com/LarryDKump for more of this about that!