Dear Friends and Residents of the 54th District
This is a historic time to be living. Our world is constantly changing
and we are at the beginning a new millennium filled with challenges of
growth and technology, with new hopes and opportunities.
As I begin my 16th year in the Legislature, I feel honored by the trust
you have placed in me over the last 15 years. As I reflect back over
these years, I am inspired by the wonderful people I have met, talked
with, worked with, and gotten to know.
There have been humorous times such as when I was returning a phone
call and got hung up on twice! It seems the person had been getting too
many calls from telemarketers concerning new phone services and credit
cards. His son, who had been answering the phone, thought I was another
telemarketer, but he finally let me through.
Two days before 2000 I had the honor of celebrating Anna Sholley's
100th birthday. She is one of only a few persons whose life will span
three separate centuries. Blessed with a caring family, Anna's health
and mental sharpness are truly inspiring as is her attitude of helping
others.
My wife JoAnn and I had the opportunity to celebrate New Year's Eve
with Phil Martin, his family and friends. Phil was also celebrating
his retirement after 30 years with the Martinsburg Fire Department. The
Martin family, multiplied millions of times across this nation, is what
makes the United States the greatest country in the world.
With my Winners Award I am proud of the achievement, talent and
community service of so many people. Energetic senior citizens' groups
like the Morris Young Retired Men's Chorus bring so much life and fun to
people throughout the area. I have enjoyed working with students and
staff at Potomack Intermediate School and other schools and with
dedicated parents or grandparents willing to make the long five-hour
trek to Charleston so that their child or grandchild could serve as a
page. These are people committed to improving their community.
Thousands of you have shown your interest in responsive government by
returning Citizens' Polls or attending my Town Meetings to make your
views and concerns known. Many of you have completed the polls over the
last 15 years. I am looking forward to an equally rewarding 2000 year.
In these 15 years I have filled up 15 notebooks of contact with you,
with your ideas, suggestions, concerns, and complaints. My 16th
notebook is ready to go!
We still have much to do, though. Let's continue this two-way
communication. I hope that you will be able to attend one of my Town
Meetings on January 15 and that you will take time to fill out my
Citizens' Poll. During the upcoming legislative session, I hope we can
continue the progress we have made in West Virginia.
Best wishes,
Delegate John Overington
Happy New Year and
Happy New Millennium!
