…..The lull is over and things are happening in Hancock County and in Charleston. If you’re going to throw your hat into the ring for political office this week is the week to do it. Filing for office ends the 27. If you’re filing by mail, regardless of when the application and money reach the clerk’s office or Secretary of State’s office, it must have a postmark of Jan 27.
……So far there’s only one contested race in the County and that’s for County Commission with Tommy Ogden now filed against Tony LaScola. It’still unclear if Patrick Arneault will join the race. Early indications were that he was considering it. I always said the County Commission position was the best local elective job of all. If you run for the House or Senate you have to leave your job for two months and live in Charleston. You make less money and have more people mad at you. And, this is totally unscientific, but you that stress and long hours in a crowded chamber, means you get sick a lot more. The years I was in the House I caught every virus that came down the holler. Everytime they brought a new lot of kids in to hug and shake hands, I thought “here we go again.” Oh and shingles, I got shingles. Maybe, that’s why there’s not a lot of interest in legislative positions.
…….Pat McGeehan (R- 1st) has no competition in his District, but incumbent Mark Zatezalo(R-1st does in the second. Michelle Slates had stated she was running early in the game when Zatezalo announced he was running for the Senate. When Ryan Weld (R-1st) did a back step and filed for his old position, Zatezalo did a back step as well. I predict there will be a race as has the portion of Weirton in Hancock County who didn’t get racetrack video lottery fund and his misstep on that whole issue will come back to haunt him, plus this is where the incumbent has the disadvantage due to all the phone calls they failed to return and the challenger has the advantage because her ability to return phone calls is yet untested.
……Scott Gittings has no competition and the Sheriff’s race used to be a hotly contested race with as many as Democrats running. I remember one race that had Frank Rocchio, Joe Manypenny, Bill Webster, Harold Lassan, Alex Stakias in it. I remember Joe Manypenny telling my Dad that if Webster didn’t get out of it, Joe and Bill would split up the North and Rocchio would win. That exactly what happened.
…….No contest yet in the Circuit Court Judges’ race. Judges Cuomo, Sims, Olejacz and Wilson so far are unopposed, but Brooke County Prosecutor Joe Barki has announced he will file against Wilson and has promotional material declaring he will.
…….Patrick Morrisey has entered the Governor’s Race on the Republican side with former Sec of State Mac Warner. There is a very viable candidate on the Democratic side and that is Steve Williams. Steve is the longtime Mayor of Huntington and has received accolades for what he has done to clean the City up, both in drugs and dilapidated buildings. Prior to that he served in the House of Delegates. I served with Steve and found him to be an able and conscientious legislator who was on the conservative side There may be a race in the general and if the Democratic party thinks they have a shot they may pour money. On the downside, what can a Democratic Governor get accomplished with a Republican Legislature.
……Still waiting to see if Larry Shaw will run for his Board seat again. I was surprised to see former Delegate Randy Swartzmiller throw his hat into the Board of Education. Closer to home than the Legislature, but a whole host of different issues. In the eight years I’ve covered the Board I’ve found the board members to really have to vote on complex issues/
…….And, while I’m in favor of the Board having local Counsel David Cross, I do think the Board’s attorney should be present at every regular meeting. I give Kudos to the County Commission and Cities of New Cumberland and Weirton for doing so. It often averts trouble before it occurs.
……It did my heart good to see donors come through to make up the difference in the rolling flag for the Oak Glen fieldhouse. It’s a fitting remembrance for two very special men who were dedicated to the community and the school. Ed Fields should be commended for bringing the project to fruition by making sure all the funding is needed.
…….And good luck for those brave souls who have cast their lot to run for office. They’ve chosen a difficult road, but if you travel it there is the satisfaction that you have made a difference,