Registration Update

Update on the voter Registration in Wood County:

Republican: 21597

Democrat: 21621

Also you can take another one from the D and put it under the R. I was checking on an individual who I had helped him and his wife switch a few months ago and he had not been properly updated in the system, imagine that! So that brings the difference to 22.

Many of us remember when we were 2500+ behind just a few short years ago. Something is happening that the local media is ignoring, we Republicans just aren't as much out of public favor as some would like you to believe.

*If you know someone who has switched registration please follow-up and ask them if they received a new Voter Registration Card from the County Clerk. That's how I caught this one.*

I'm Speechless...for now

Hoppy's Commentary For Friday

--State Republican Party Chairman Doug McKinney confesses he would vote for Democratic State Supreme Court Justice Spike Maynard in the General Election if there were only one Republican on the ballot. Two seats are open in 2008. McKinney adds that fellow Republicans may “throw me out of the party for that, but you have to give the guy his due.” McKinney says “history will prove him to be the best Supreme Court Justice West Virginia has ever had.”

My thoughts: Maybe our Chairman will prove to be a great prognosticator.

The Rumors are True

Fred Thompson campaign announces state director for West Virginia

An exciting challenge and a change of pace

"Naturally, these new duties require me to sever my official ties with the state party and the state GOP convention."

"My biggest hope is that Republicans in West Virginia can come through this process without creating bitterness or divisiveness, and that we all rally enthusiastically behind the eventual nominee."

Gary Abernathy

My thoughts: I haven't really decided what I think about the way things are beginning to play out here in West Virginia with the change to a convention, but let me say it is starting to remind me of intra-squad scrimmages back in my football days. Most of us couldn't wait to play the opposing team and really put it to them, but then there were always a handful of individuals that just loved to show off for the coach and beat up on one another. We have ten teams choosing up sides within our own larger team. I hope everyone makes it through practice and to the real contest in November.

Cut and Run Crowd Wrong!

Neville Chamberlain was wrong in 1938 and so are the cut and run crowd in 2007.

The head of the Wood County Democrat Committee is on a long rampage again in yet another letter, this one in the September 9th paper. She even quoted one of the great 20th century "intellectuals" Pat Buckhannon and the loser John Kerry.

I supported President Bush in 2000 and 2004 and still do! I can only count our blessings that the challenges of the last six years were not faced by the likes of Gore or Kerry! The President made mistakes, so did other war presidents--Washington, Lincoln, FDR, et al. War is not only hell it is also almost unmanageable. I took Military Science and always thought it was an oxymoron.

The President is fighting the Islamo-Fascists on all fronts he can (and where the Dems don't block him). The primary job of the Federal Government is National Defense. Practically everything else should be left to the local governments and the people.

Al-Qaeda is our enemy, not President Bush. Wake up or we'll all be in deep doo doo, Madam Chairman! What chutzpah by the Dem chair to write her letter the week of 9-11.

Allen Ross
Parkersburg

Bush PR can’t alter Iraq facts

Will the local GOP folks elected to represent the Party please respond!

Walt Auvil is the Chairman of the Wood County Democrat Executive Committee, which the News conveniently omitted. The time for hand holding and singing in Wood County is over, we need ACTION. We on the Wood County Republican Executive Committee need to wake up, before we measure our losses at the ballot box in a few short months.

Bush PR can’t alter Iraq facts

On Sept. 10, Gen. David Petraeus, commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, began delivering his much-ballyhooed report to Congress and the nation of the state of the “surge” in Iraq and his view of the way forward there. Except—as usual with this administration—the whole thing was a stage-managed fraud, cooked up by the Bush PR machine. A fraud most major media outlets echo and perpetuate.

If only Bush’s opponents in Iraq were as spineless, toothless and gullible as the major U.S. media we would have achieved “mission accomplished” there long ago. Iraqis—and our troops—however have the misfortune to largely be in Iraq—outside the convenient bubble of unreality surrounding the U.S.

The Iraq they live in has lost 2.5 million of its citizens—refugees from the violence, of whom less than a thousand have been accepted into the U.S. Two million more have been “internally displaced,” which means driven from their homes by ethnic cleansing and/or U.S. attacks, but lacking the means to escape the country. Thirty percent of equipment the U.S. has issued to Iraqi “security forces” is unaccounted for, including 110,000 AK47 assault rifles and 80,000 pistols. And, 655,000 Iraqis are dead due to the violence as of mid-summer 2007.

Despite the fact one in every $10 spent by the U.S. government is spent on Iraq (approximate total projected bill of $1 trillion; $200,000 a minute) Baghdad “enjoys” approximately 1-2 hours a day of electricity (with heat not less than 100 degrees during the summer). There were four complete nationwide blackouts during July. Of 17 major power lines to Baghdad, two are operating. Two-thirds of all Iraqis have no access to clean drinking water.

No amount of PR can alter the facts for those living in Iraq. The cost of deploying a U.S. soldier in Iraq is $390,000 a year. The cost in human suffering for our troops, Iraqis and the families of both is incalculable. And one more: The cost of bringing a U.S. soldier home is $627.80.

Walt Auvil -- Parkersburg

*My thoughts: I'm actually disappointed with Walter. This diatribe could have been concocted from any Moveon.org piece of propaganda. Walt is beginning to sound like a George Soros clone.

Local Leaders Silent

Taint of scandal is damaging GOP

Where is the Party....Who Speaks for us!

And for those who thought that the event in the City Park was just a friendly thing to do, I give you Joe Delong. After the Democrat organized party building event in the City Park that was well attended by local Republicans and Democrats I'm sure Joe feels very welcome and embolden in Wood County. It would have been great if Wood County could have found a candidate to run when Betty steps down, instead we are rolling out the red carpet for her replacement!

Local Democrats (and others) come out Swinging for '08

Bob Gould's passing a shock to WV GOP & Dems

Sen. Donna Boley, a longtime Gould friend and supporter, told The Associated Press, "He was just a good friend, an intelligent guy, very politically astute."

Complete story at Republican Gazette

Huntington Herald-Dispatch

BOB GOULD

THE 3RD SENATORIAL DISTRICT 2ND ANNUAL PICNIC

SENATOR DONNA BOLEY AND JACK BOLEY

CORDIALLY INVITE YOU TO

THE 3RD SENATORIAL DISTRICT 2ND ANNUAL PICNIC

SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 2007

FROM 4:00 TO 8:00 P.M.

AT THEIR CAMP SITE SITUATED IN
FRIENDLY, TYLER COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA

Pleasants County, Wood County, Roane County, Wirt County and Tyler County Republican Executive Committee Members and Spouses, as well as, County Republican Women Organizations and Spouses, or a friend, are all invited:

To attend, The 3rd Senatorial District 2nd Annual Picnic, to be held at the Camp site of Donna Boley and her husband, Jack Boley, in Friendly, Tyler County, West Virginia (see directions below).

We have invited back this year John and Liz Raese, and Chris and Jeannette Wakim and both couples will be in attendance.

Also, an invitation will be extended to include the following Incumbents and their Spouses: 3rd Senatorial District – Senator J. Frank Deem, Wood County, 6th Delegate District – Delegate Wm. Roger Romine, Tyler County, 7th Delegate District – Delegate Lynwood “Woody” Ireland, Ritchie County, 8th Delegate District – Delegate Bill Anderson, Wood County, 9th Delegate District – Delegate Larry Border, Wood County, 10th Delegate District - Delegate Tom Azinger and Delegate John Ellem, Wood County, and 11th Delegate District – Delegate Bob Ashley, Roane County.

Donna and Jack Boley will furnish the hamburgers and hot dogs, as well as, the buns, drinks, eating utensils, paper products, etc., and all you are asked to bring is your favorite covered dish – such as a dessert, bake beans, potato salad, macaroni salad, etc., and please bring lawn chairs. They have two grills set up on the pavilion and this event will proceed rain or shine.

Please R.S.V.P., no later than Thursday, August 23, 2007, and let us know whether or not you will be attending, how many and what you will be bringing, by contacting either Beverly G. Lockhart, Wood County Republican Executive Committee – Chair, at (304) 424-7041, or e-mail her at bgl49@earthlink.net, and/or Senator Donna Boley, Pleasants County Republican Executive Committee – Chair, at (304) 684-3266, or e-mail her at donnaboley@suddenlink.net.

We look forward to fellowship with you, trading ideas, looking towards the future in 2008 and building for a greater tomorrow in the Republican Party. This promises to be a great time for all, so please give us a call and tell us you are coming.

NOTE: IF POSSIBLE PLEASE CAR POOL – LIMITED PARKING.

Directions: Go North on Route 2 – through St. Marys (Pleasants County) – to Friendly, Tyler County, WV. As you exit Friendly (Tyler County) watch on your left – you will see a closed Church. Turn towards the River at the Church, and go across the railroad tracks – turn right – go to Lot No. 27 – (Jack and Donna Boley).

No Hino Deal for Fenton! Pay up or Sell!

Fenton Glass owes $230K in back taxes

Officials with tax office said the business has until Nov. 13 to pay the real estate taxes owed or risk the property being put up for sale by the county. The personal property tax owed would be handled by the Wood County Assessor’s Office and the state.

“Cash has been utilized for more current needs, such as labor and material costs, and we are continuing to work on restructuring”said George Fenton, president of Fenton Art Glass.

Wow, so we are going to sell Fenton to pay for HINO. I would think with all the breaks that Toyota was given there ought to be something that Wood County can do for Fenton, other than sell their facility to the highest bidder. Sure wouldn't want this to happen on my watch if I were an Elected Official. Not a real resume builder or something that folks forget easily.

I will be posting more on this tragedy as it develops.

Stockholm syndrome in our Legislature

Is there a Stockholm syndrome for politicians?

The more I talk with some of our Republicans, the more I am convinced of the existence of such an affliction.

West Virginia Regains Familiar Position

Governor disappointed by state rank

"West Virginia is ranked at the bottom of Forbes Magazine’s list of the best states to do business. The list put out recently ranked the Mountain State 50th on its annual list, dropping one spot from last year to now trail Louisiana."

Even the worst disaster to hit Louisiana since the War of Northern Aggression (Civil War) couldn't keep them in our spot for long. As I have said for many years now, West Virginia has three possibilities to get out of the bottom and stay there.

• Puerto Rico becomes our 51st State


• We are reunified with the Commonwealth of Virginia


• A sustained Republican takeover of the three branches of State government

Local Republicans Speak Out

Ireland to leave office in 2009

Rocky Peck, who was chairman of the Wood County Republican Party during the 2004 campaign, said Ireland was to be a player in future Republican Party politics.

If Gov. Joe Manchin either runs for the U.S. Senate or appoints himself to replace Sen. Bob Byrd when a vacancy occurs, Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., would run for governor and Ireland would run for Congress, Peck said. Another possibility was she could run for state Senate for the seat held by Vic Sprouse, R-Kanawha, who isn’t running for re-election, he said.

‘‘That’s kind of been the rumors,’’ Peck said.


Bob Fish of Wood County, a vice president of the West Virginia Republican Party, cited Ireland’s service and respects her decision for personal reasons..

‘‘I think Betty has done an outstanding job as secretary of state,’’ he said.

New Williamstown Lions Club President

Congratulations to Lenny & Linda Rabatin. Lenny is a former Vice Chairman of the Wood County Republican Executive Committee and served for many productive and prosperous years with his wife Linda. The Lions Club gain is our loss.

Lenny and Linda still live in Williamstown, not Vienna as stated in this article.

GOP Meeting...no parachutes please

WOOD COUNTY REPUBLICAN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE - REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING - TUESDAY, JULY 17, 2007, @ 7:30 P.M. - JUDGE DONALD F. BLACK COURTHOUSE ANNEX, LARGE CONFERENCE ROOM, MARKET STREET, PARKERSBURG, WV

It is our vision and our goal to further the Republican Principles and Philosophy throughout our area and to be the torch bearer for our City, our County, our State and our Nation. Come, join us and contribute to the furtherance of our vision and goals as we jointly strive together to blaze new trails for the Republican Party.

During 2007, the Wood County Republican Executive Committee will meet every other third (3rd) Tuesday of the Month at 7:30 o’clock p.m., for our Regular Meeting as per our By-Laws and on the off months all Sub-Committees and Committees of the Wood County Republican Executive Committee will meet on the off Month, on the third (3rd) Tuesday of each off Month at 7:30 o’clock p.m., we encourage each and every one of you to attend and work with our Republican Party here in Wood County, West Virginia.

BEVERLY G. LOCKHART

Chair

Wood County Republican Executive Committee

(304) 424-7041 Hm.

bgl49@earthlink.net

Ron Paul on the Radar

Only in America and only under a bizarre set of circumstances would this be possible, but the Republican Primary could be just what Ron Paul ordered.

Click for more information

Work'in for the Man ain't that Bad

Being one of the decreasing number of people on my street with West Virgina plates on my two luxury vehicles (18 year old van and 8 year old jeep) I'm glad my property taxes are helping out.

Employee exercise program cost Wood County $6,113



It's always nice to see folks receiving services or benefits with public funds that the average contributor can't afford for themselves. The main profiteers of this program are the administrators, it's always helpful to the cause to give away goodies, especially when it's not out of your own pocket. When you're helping folks that help you when needed, it's a win win. Money speaks loudly to some in Wood County, and if you do as told, you too can get in line!

"Show me the MONEY"

Why not Fenton Too? Who's Next!

Fenton plans to restructure, could be sold

Asked if this could mean closure of the century-old glass factory, Fenton said, “We’re trying not to do that.
“This has to do with financing and cost structure, and involves a variety of options that we’re considering,” he said. “But there’s nothing firm at this time.”

Looks like Fenton Glass will be the first of many local companies to ask for a similar break to the HINO Deal, and why not. Already folks are asking the Assessor how much more money will we have to spend from this deal, if any!

Officials: Hino financial impact on schools not known

By "impact" they mean new money into the coffers. By the time the county receives revenue from HINO, it will most likely just off set departing businesses tired of buying their own equipment and paying the full tax burden.

High on HINO

State buys nearly 12-acre tract next to Hino plant

"In addition to the buying property adjacent to Hino, Burdette said the Wood County Commission will approve an abatement of property taxes on the facilities equipment, meaning the equipment will not be taxed.

The state is spending $5 million to purchase equipment for the Hino plant and then leasing it to the company for 15 years".

So far sounds similar to the deal Toyota cut in Mason County. While local small businesses struggle to pay these taxes others make a deal. Many local companies simply leave West Virginia and locate elsewhere, many times just across the border to avoid taxes on new equipment needed to expand.

Taxing Land "Into Use"

Better ways to tax property

"Real estate taxes should relate to the minimal needs of a highly efficient government. In many cases taxes are being raised because our neighbors find a way to sell their property for an exorbitant price to an unsuspecting victim".

Jim Weigle, Parkersburg News & Sentinel

Mr. Weigle makes several points in his Letter to the Editor that are of interest. This is happening to more and more folks around Wood County, especially those in areas that have seen commercial development. Rosemar road is a prime example, I feel sorry for folks that have lived in a house or on a small piece of land for years and find out that a business has paid commercial value for the hill or ditch next to them.

Red White & Blue Republican Picnic

1st Annual Republican Red White & Blue Picnic at Fort Boreman Park

What a View

A Beautiful Day on the Ohio River

Lots of Familiar Faces

Plenty of Food, Drinks and Desert!

And of Course, The Band with a Great Variety of Music