For those still amazed that one of the hottest primary races is for agriculture commissioner, here's another first: There's now a Republican attack ad aimed at the presumptive front-runner in the Democratic primary.
The (so far) Internet-only spot by the West Virginia Federation of Young Republicans is titled "Walt Helmick: Fake Farmer Puts Himself First."
Unlike a lot of attack ads the spot is very funny, raising issues that Helmick 1. "isn't a real farmer," 2. "doesn't even own a truck," and 3. "lives in a ritzy Charleston condo." (during legislative sessions, anyway ...)
Of course, judging by their financial disclosures filed with the state Ethics Commission, none of the five Democratic candidates meet the (now ruled archaic) requirement that agriculture be the primary source of income for commissioner candidates.
Under the section of the disclosure form to disclose sources of more than 20 percent of gross income, the forms list a variety of businesses and industries but, tellingly, there are no categories for agriculture or farming.
Bob Tabb did check "recreation," writing in "agri-tourism," as well as "retail," with the notation, "farm and nursery." The deputy agriculture commissioner also checked "state government" in that category.
Helmick, assistant agriculture commissioner Steve Miller, and retired Agriculture Commission field supervisor Joseph Messineo each checked only "state government," while Sally Shepherd marked none of the categories.
Shepherd, who listed "self-employed farmer" in the employment section of the form, also listed no sources of income over $1,000.
Under sources of income over $1,000, Messineo cited his Red Oak Farm in Spencer, while Tabb cited his Town and Country Nursery business. Helmick listed Allegheny Lodge Enterprises, which includes his natural spring water bottling company.
Miller listed three rental properties in Fort Ashby and Cumberland, Md., and a self-storage business, but no agriculture-related income more than $1,000.
***
Got a call from a reader who was worked up because he couldn't find a parking space at Stonewall Jackson Resort because they were all occupied by SUVs and pickup trucks with Division of Highways' plates.
That, I learned, was because of the annual two-day conference for Highways' maintenance supervisors and engineers held at the state resort park in Lewis County.
Highways spent $41,226 for last year's conference, which ranked it a distant 20th among state agencies' spending at Stonewall Resort.
For those still amazed that one of the hottest primary races is for agriculture commissioner, here's another first: There's now a Republican attack ad aimed at the presumptive front-runner in the Democratic primary.
The (so far) Internet-only spot by the West Virginia Federation of Young Republicans is titled "Walt Helmick: Fake Farmer Puts Himself First."
Unlike a lot of attack ads the spot is very funny, raising issues that Helmick 1. "isn't a real farmer," 2. "doesn't even own a truck," and 3. "lives in a ritzy Charleston condo." (during legislative sessions, anyway ...)
Of course, judging by their financial disclosures filed with the state Ethics Commission, none of the five Democratic candidates meet the (now ruled archaic) requirement that agriculture be the primary source of income for commissioner candidates.
Under the section of the disclosure form to disclose sources of more than 20 percent of gross income, the forms list a variety of businesses and industries but, tellingly, there are no categories for agriculture or farming.
Bob Tabb did check "recreation," writing in "agri-tourism," as well as "retail," with the notation, "farm and nursery." The deputy agriculture commissioner also checked "state government" in that category.
Helmick, assistant agriculture commissioner Steve Miller, and retired Agriculture Commission field supervisor Joseph Messineo each checked only "state government," while Sally Shepherd marked none of the categories.
Shepherd, who listed "self-employed farmer" in the employment section of the form, also listed no sources of income over $1,000.
Under sources of income over $1,000, Messineo cited his Red Oak Farm in Spencer, while Tabb cited his Town and Country Nursery business. Helmick listed Allegheny Lodge Enterprises, which includes his natural spring water bottling company.
Miller listed three rental properties in Fort Ashby and Cumberland, Md., and a self-storage business, but no agriculture-related income more than $1,000.
***
Got a call from a reader who was worked up because he couldn't find a parking space at Stonewall Jackson Resort because they were all occupied by SUVs and pickup trucks with Division of Highways' plates.
That, I learned, was because of the annual two-day conference for Highways' maintenance supervisors and engineers held at the state resort park in Lewis County.
Highways spent $41,226 for last year's conference, which ranked it a distant 20th among state agencies' spending at Stonewall Resort.
Speaking of conferences, the two-day Spring Family Court Judicial Education Conference starts April 30 at the Charleston Marriott and at least one invitee was not impressed by the first day's agenda.
Following opening remarks by Chief Justice Menis Ketchum and sessions for case law and legislative updates, the conference will break for lunch. Afterward, the entire afternoon agenda will be devoted to stress reduction, first with a seminar titled "Decrease Stress, Feel Better Now" hosted by Aymee Coget, head of the American Happiness Association in San Francisco, followed by a hands-on stress reduction session provided by the West Virginia School of Massage Therapy.
(Hey, I've never had the misfortune to find myself in a Family Court, but I suspect Family Court judge is a highly stressful occupation ...)
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House Government Organization Chairman Jim Morgan, D-Cabell, confirms what was suspected about legislation passed in 2011 to make an exception to the ban prohibiting state employees from soliciting, so that Public Broadcasting personalities could continue to participate in on-air fund drives.
The legislation (HB2695) also includes a proviso clarifying that the Educational Broadcasting Authority is quasi-independent, stating that it is under the Department of Education and the Arts "for purposes of administrative support and liaison with the office of the governor."
Morgan said that was done primarily to make clear that the EBA has the power to elect its own chairperson. (That was after then-Gov. Joe Manchin got a bill passed in 2005 making the governor the chairman of a number of state boards and agencies, including the EBA.)
"That was added more or less to allow the board, if they desired to, to elect another chairman -- to say they had the ability to do so," Morgan said.
***
Regarding Alana Minear's ouster as parking director for the city of Charleston, I'm advised it has something to do with the parking division being too efficient in ticketing vehicles belonging to the FBI, police officers, judges, and other prominent individuals ...
***
Finally, following recent candidate interviews, a reader noted that the incumbents in the new 36th Delegate District (Delegates Nancy Guthrie, Mark Hunt, and Danny Wells) talked at length about the need for sewer lines and better roads in the Upper Kanawha Valley and wondered why, after a combined 34 years in the Legislature, it took them so long to notice ...
Of course, thanks to redistricting, those former 30th District delegates can no longer rely on votes from South Hills, South Charleston, and parts of Kanawha City, now split off into the new 35th.
Reach Phil Kabler at ph...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1220.
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