Delegate John Overington has scheduled three Town Meetings. The first two will be on Saturday, January 7, 2012 with the first at the Marlowe Ruritan Building from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. Directions: Take Rt. 11 to Marlowe Elementary School. Turn onto Broad Lane. The Ruritan building is on the right. The second Town Meeting will be held at Scrabble Mt. Wesley U.M. Church from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. . The church is about a mile from the Berkeley – Jefferson County line on Scrabble Road. The third meeting is on January 14 at the Bedington Ruritan Building from 10-11:30 a.m. (just south of the Bedington Crossroads on the west side of Rt. 11).

“At the beginning of each year I schedule meetings across the district as a way to listen and get input and ideas from the people I represent. These meetings have provided an excellent way for me to keep in touch with the people in the Eastern Panhandle and are a very helpful link in the two-way communication that is important for government to work. Everyone is welcome to attend and participate. I hope those attending will take a few minutes to fill out the Citizens’ Poll in this newsletter and bring it to the meeting.”

“This will be my 28th year of holding these meetings at the start of the 60-day legislative session which begins January 11th at noon and concludes on March 10. Some of the topics the legislature will be considering this year include tax relief and the homestead exemption, drug testing, environmental impact on rising utility rates, frivolous lawsuits’ effect on insurance rates as West Virginia gets described as a “judicial hellhole”, redistricting, tax reform and improving the business climate and issues dealing with Berkeley County’s growth. Other topics include the status of road projects in the area, education, health care, senior citizens, law enforcement concerns and animal abuse.”

My thanks to the 60 + people who attended my three Town Meetings on January 8 and 15 at the Bedington Ruritan, Marlowe Ruritan, and the Scrabble Mt. Wesley United Methodist Church. We had lively discussions at all three meetings. Topics of interest included a possible special election for governor, a balanced budget amendment, and capital punishment Roads, Chesapeake Bay, education, recycling and sewer concerns were some of the additional topics discussed.

Most of the people felt that a special election was needed for governor because of the wording in the State Constitution — Article VII, Section 16 of our State Constitution states: ”Whenever a vacancy shall occur in the office of the governor before the first three years of the term shall have expired, a new election for governor shall take place to fill the vacancy.” Those 33 words including the word “new” are causing concern about a timely special election for a new governor.

A few felt that it might cost too much money and not enough people would be interested in voting. The Supreme Court heard from both sides last week and will make a decision in a few weeks.

Nearly everyone felt that there was too much government spending and West Virginia should support the effort for a balanced federal budget amendment. Our state does have a balanced budget, but there is an unfunded liability of $8 billion for other post employment benefits, that is, health care cost for state retirees.

Capital punishment was a hot topic at the Marlowe meeting. With the exception of a few people, most favored it. All of the surrounding states have it, and this might be the year for the best chance of bringing it out of the Judiciary Committee for a vote. The tragedy that happened to Sydney Devonshire’s family has increased interest in the issue. He attended two of the meeting and had petitions for people to sign.

I appreciate all who turned in my Citizens’ Poll. You have through January 26 to get one in, either by mail or my website if you have not done so. As always, I am interested in your opinions, ideas and suggestions. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any concerns.

Continuing my 27-year tradition I would like to invite you to attend my Town Meetings scheduled for two Saturdays in January. The first is set for January 8, 2011 at the Bedington Ruritan Building from 10 – 11:30 a.m. (just south of the Bedington Crossroads on the west side of Rt. 11). The others are set for January 15 from 10 – 11:30 a.m. at the Marlowe Ruritan (take Rt. 11 to the Marlowe Elementary School, turn onto Broad Lane and the Ruritan building is on the right) and 1- 2:30 p.m. at the Scrabble United Methodist Church (the church is about a mile from the Berkeley – Jefferson County line on Scrabble Road). Mark your calendar — I hope you can attend one of the meetings.

Delegate John Overington announced that he has scheduled a Town Meeting for next Monday April 26 at the Bedington Ruritan Building (just south of the Bedington Crossroads on the west side of Rt. 11 about three miles north from Berkeley Plaza) from 7- 8:30 p.m.

The 60-day legislative session concluded last month and Delegate Overington will be providing a wrap-up of the legislative session and summaries of legislation that passed this year. Also a possible special session is being considered for next month on education, and he is interested in getting input on suggestions to pass on to the governor to include in the call for the special session.

Other topics for the Town Meeting include an update on the Census and the 2009 figures that were released earlier this month. Delegate Overington also plans to provide an update on this year’s contest to find the largest oak tree in the Eastern Panhandle. Last year Dan DeSarno identified the largest tree in the area, a sycamore tree with a circumference of over 20 feet and won the $500 award.

“Over the years these meetings across the district have provided an excellent way for me to keep in touch with the people in the Eastern Panhandle and are a very helpful link in the two-way communication that is important for government to work. Everyone is welcome to attend and participate. This is my 26th year of holding Town Meetings and I enjoy the interaction and input both before and after the legislative session,” Overington said. “I welcome input on topics such as jobs and economic development, education, taxes, heath care, crime, environment, roads, hunting and other topics.”

TOWN MEETING SCHEDULE

Monday, April 26, 2010
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Bedington Ruritan Building

By Jamie West, Journal Staff Writer POSTED: January 10, 2010

SCRABBLE – With the West Virginia Legislature preparing to reconvene in Charleston this week, a local lawmaker took time to speak with county residents about their concerns and priorities.

Delegate John Overington, R-Berkeley, conducted two town hall meetings Saturday to discuss some of the current matters and issues going on within the Panhandle, as well take questions and feedback from inquisitive residents of the community.

The first town hall meeting took place at the Bedington Ruritan building at 10 a.m., while the second was held at 1 p.m. at the Mount Wesley United Methodist Church in Scrabble near the Jefferson/Berkeley county line.

Overington said that approximately 25 to 40 people attended the Bedington meeting, while approximately 13 people attended the gathering in Scrabble, including fellow House member Craig Blair, R-Berkeley, and a pair of individuals who recently announced their intentions for public office: Phil Martin, running for Berkeley County Commission, and Lori Rea, running for representation in the West Virginia House of Delegates for the 57th District.

Overington said that a major topic of discussion at the Bedington meeting was the hike in water and sewer rates.

“They also felt that the sewer board was not being responsive toward their concerns,” Overington said after the meeting.

More talks circled about the anticipated tightening of Chesapeake Bay emission requirements and how that would also lead into an increase in costs. In time, the federal government will allocate nitrate and phosphorus reductions on a state level, and from there, it will eventually be set on a county level by the state government, Overington said.

“My concern is that it will affect the farm community, developers and homeowners, and it will increase costs for sewer plants, which will eventually get passed on to the individual customer,” Overington said.

The state budget was also discussed, he said, including the projected $120 million deficit for the state government for the fiscal year of 2011, which begins July 1.

“It provides opportunities to set your priorities, and where your spending really needs to go for essential state services,” Overington said.

At the Scrabble meeting, Overington fielded questions about affordable high-speed Internet service and the lack of cellular service in a wide variety of areas, as well as inquiries about the completion of the W.Va. 9 project.

One resident expressed concern about not being able to immediately contact 911 in the event of a farming accident because cell service in the area is sparse. She said that critical amounts of response time could be saved by having adequate service in the area.

Overington mentioned that service varies by provider, but said that he felt there was a need for additional cell towers in northern Berkeley County.

As for Route 9, Overington said he anticipates the road to be open within the next couple months.

Another main subject that will be focused on in Charleston is the locality pay issue, which Blair and Overington both touched on during the meeting.

“Average property taxes in Jefferson County are $1,200, and they are $900 in Berkeley County. Statewide, it’s an average of $400, and down in McDowell County, it’s close to $60,” Overington said.

A locality pay initiative could help educators and others in dealing with the cost of living in the Eastern Panhandle.

“The disparity in cost of living in the Panhandle and the rest of the state is like this,” Blair said, holding his arms out at width.

The 60-day legislative session begins Monday and will last until March 13.

-Staff writer Jamie West can be reached at (304) 263-3381, ext. 132, or jwest@journal-news.net.

Delegate John Overington has scheduled three Town Meetings for Saturday, January 9 and 16. The first two will be on Saturday, January 9, with the first at the Bedington Ruritan Building from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. (just south of the Bedington Crossroads on the west side of Rt. 11).

The second Town Meeting will be held from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. at the Scrabble Mt. Wesley U.M. Church about a mile from the Berkeley – Jefferson County line on Scrabble Road.

The third meeting is on January 16 at the Marlowe Ruritan Building from 10-11:30 a.m. Directions: Take Rt. 11 to Marlowe Elementary School. Turn onto Broad Lane. The Ruritan building is on the right.

“For over a quarter of a century these meetings have provided an excellent way for me to keep in touch with the people in the Eastern Panhandle and are a very helpful link in the two-way communication that is important for government to work. Everyone is welcome to attend and participate. I hope those attending will take a few minutes to fill out my annual Citizens’ Poll found at this web site or in the Saturday, January 2 Journal or my newsletter and bring it to the meeting.”

“I am interested in listening to and getting input on issues and concerns that may come up during the 60-day legislative session that begins on January 13 and runs through March 13. These include the budget challenges the state faces, legislation dealing with job creation, tax relief, frivolous lawsuits and their impact on West Virginia, issues concerning Berkeley County’s growth as it continues to lead the state. Other topics for consideration include roads, education, health care, senior citizens, agriculture, the environment, law enforcement concerns and judicial reform.”

TOWN MEETING SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, January 9, 2010
10:00 – 11:30 a.m. Bedington Ruritan Building
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.. Scrabble Mt. Wesley UM Church
SATURDAY, January 16, 2010
10:00 – 11:30 a.m. Marlowe Ruritan Building

Citizens share concerns with Delegate Overington
By Jenni Vincent / Journal staff writer
POSTED: February 8, 2009

BEDINGTON – Democracy was alive and well in north Berkeley County Saturday morning, when about two dozen citizens came out to share their concerns – and sometimes frustrations – with Delegate John Overington, at his final town meeting
before heading off to Charleston for the state legislative session.

Overington, R-Berkeley, is no stranger to hosting these types of gatherings, since he’s been in office for 25 years and has always “believed strongly in the value of having a two-way dialogue between citizens and politicians,” he said.
Far from being just a social event, Overington said he gets some of his best ideas by talking to constituents.

Some of those ideas, such as putting prisoners to work picking up trash along state highways, were the basis for bills that later became laws, Overington said.

“I consider my best resources the people I represent,” he said. “When we’re in Charleston, we’re often surrounded by lobbyists, but I want to have fresh on my mind what’s on your minds.”

“That’s why I’m here to listen to you, to get your ideas and suggestions,” Overington said, adding that this year’s legislative session won’t be easy due to the ailing economy and the state’s dwindling surplus.

Saturday’s event, which was held at the Bedington Ruritan Club and was the last of three held locally, drew folks who wanted to talk about a variety of topics including prevailing wage, the need for additional broadband access,
questions about the local sewer line and the homestead exemption.

Martinsburg resident Marc Petitpierre, who agreed that the economy is a major and continuing concern, had some advice for Overington.

“Tax breaks don’t work by themselves. I would encourage you to consider other proactive means to help the economy,” he said.

Petitpierre said he also believes that there needs to be “more aggressive action” to protect the state’s natural environment, especially in rapidly developing areas where trees are routinely clearcut for housing and commercial
developments.

“I don’t think we should just be worried about the rainforests in Brazil,” he said.

Overington said he is sponsoring a contest to help find the Eastern Panhandle’s largest tree, a contest which is being conducted in conjunction with the Eastern Panhandle Conservation District.

Additional information is available by contacting Sara Wuertenberg weekdays at (304) 263-4376, ext. 116.

Several speakers were clearly frustrated with rising property taxes and the impact on long-time home owners, some of whom are literally being priced out of their homes and the area, they said.

Marie Fogarty of Whitings Neck, agreed that something needs to be done about property taxes.

“I think they are taxing people who have lived here all of their lives out of their homes and the answer seems to be to sell your home and move out. But where do we go? Deeper into West Virginia, where maybe you can afford the land
and a house?” Fogarty said, adding that most people aren’t able to or don’t want to move.

She also attended the session to speak about health care needs, because she believes only the “very rich and very poor” are currently receiving adequate medical care under the existing delivery system.

Fogarty said she is a proponent of a single-payer health care system, a concept which has been endorsed by many doctors, she added.

Just having the opportunity to discuss all of these types of issues in a community forum was a benefit, according to Fogarty, who credited Overington for reaching out to local citizens.

“John Overington has a lot of experience with these meetings and I think he genuinely wants to hear what we have to say and he genuinely wants to represent the people – that’s why he keeps getting re-elected,” she said.

Berkeley County Commissioner Bill Stubblefield, who participated in the meeting’s discussion, said he understood the participants frustrations.

He also reminded them that county officials have limits to their power and funding.

“It’s bad enough that taxes are high, but only 18 percent stays in Berkeley County. The rest goes to Charleston,” Stubblefield said.

Richard Drewry of Falling Waters, who’d never been to one of these meetings before, said he attended because he’d like to be able to hunt on Sundays.

“I’m a bow hunter and I’d like to be able to bow hunt on Sunday. I know other states in the West do it and this is one of the few states in the East that doesn’t do it,” Drewry said prior to the meeting.

Bedington resident Bill Henneberger, who lives near Overington, said he is most concerned about property and income taxes.

“Hopefully, those two won’t be increase at all. But I’m hoping to see something done with the homestead exemption,” he said.

The legislature reconvenes on Wednesday. Overington’s telephone number in Charleston is (304) 340-3447. Messages can be left at (877) 565-3447.