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

Letters to the editor

Dem’s voter appreciation event

The “Voter Appreciation” event at City Park Sunday was covered by the paper as a non-partisan event. (Unfortunately some of our fine GOP elected officials were snookered.) The bipartisan label is difficult to understand when the article in advance was all about the Democrats who were running the event.

Walking by the event I saw the featured billboard-bus with its campaign signs for a Democrat running for Secretary of State in 2008, Democrats purchased and gave out 200 Democrat campaign T-shirts that folks were wearing, Democrats paid for the food and the good country band brought in from Charleston who were wearing Democrat campaign shirts, major Democrat state officeholders from the Democrat-dominated Legislature and judicial branch were featured, etc.

This event was obviously a successful campaign event for Democrats in 2008. I suppose the Vast Democrat Establishment feels they need even more Democrats in office and are targeting Wood County. After 79 years of Democrat State Legislative and Judicial Control and 90-plus percent of the time control of all executive positions they feel they want 100 percent. With our state of West Virginia ranking 50th or 49th in every important national rating, guess who has to take responsibility?

Allen Ross

Parkersburg

Ask and Ye Shall Receive

*************UPDATE*************

County hears funding requests

New organizations requesting funding Tuesday were:

• Parkersburg Art Center
• Wood County Historical Society
• Blennerhassett Historical Foundation
• Parkersburg Actors Guild
• Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport Authority
• Veterans' Museum
• Williamstown pool
• West Virginia Automobile Museum
• Juliana-Ann Street Historical District.

Couch said all of the funding requests are worthy causes. He said he estimated that organizations requested 108 percent of the hotel tax proceeds during Tuesday's meeting.

Vienna City Council backs hotel tax hike

Councilman Roger Bibbee said it is important to note that the average Vienna resident won’t be affected by the increased tax.
“A lot of people are concerned and didn’t realize that this is not being imposed on residents, only the users of the facilities,” Bibbee said.

Nohe said he is hopeful city council will approve the increase.

"People in the hotel business in the city have actually asked us to pass it," Nohe said. "In Vienna, we’re not big on increasing taxes, but this seems like pretty smooth sailing since they’ve asked us to."

My Thoughts:
This thing is starting to look like a County form of the outlawed West Virginia Budget Digest.

The idea that this "user fee" is being imposed on a non-resident, and therefore not a local voter makes it OK is the same philosophy that the gambling industry is using to justify their cause. Tourists are fair game to local governments, but these are the kinds of little things that continue to keep West Virginia at the bottom.

I know this is a radical thought, especially anywhere in West Virginia, but let's suppose that the natural laws of competition were in place in this situation, which make no mistake, they are not. If a Community in Wood County were allowed to reject this tax without sinking the big plans of all of those who expect to receive this loot, they would be at a competitive advantage over the surrounding hotels and would probably fill more rooms. At the end of the year, that hotel would see an increase in business, revenue, and jobs and that Community could actually see an increase in total revenue from the lower tax rate. Those additional occupants would more than likely spend their money close to that renegade facility thereby leaving more of their money in that community, which is what tourists are suppose to do I'm told.

I wish I could take credit for this concept that is proven to work, but of course I can't. New ideas take awhile to make it here, they always have, and old habits are hard to break.

******************************************

Word is out the the County Commission is coming into a little more CASH, actually a lot of CASH, approximately $200,000 + expected from the user fee increase that was passed just a week ago, doubling it from 3% to 6%. User fee is a creative way of referring to a tax increase. Last year the taxes collected from this dropped $14,376 from the previous year, despite the increasing number of motel /hotel rooms in the county.


First of many groups and worthwhile organizations that will attempt to tap this CASH. I am a bit surprised that some folks are in line so quick for this new money, (actually before it is even official) almost makes one wonder if they knew it was going to be available.

Actors Guild requests tax revenue funds

"We are asking for some of the county’s hotel/motel tax to keep the doors open and the lights on."

Greg Smith (not me), Actors Guild

Let's go back to a few comments made concerning this tax increase when it was introduced recently.

"The plan is to use virtually the entire increase for more marketing and advertising for the area."

Steve Nicely, President, Greater Parkersburg Convention and Visitors Bureau

"Because the funds go toward attracting more people to Wood County, I will make a motion we raise the hotel/motel tax to 6 percent, contingent on all municipalities within the county raising theirs."

Commissioner David Blair Couch

"This (the hotel tax) is a user fee paid by visitors."

Commissioner Rick Modesitt

Here is how this money is currently distributed:

• Greater Parkersburg Convention and Visitors Bureau 53%
• Artsbridge 4%
• Belleville Homecoming 0.5%
• Oil and Gas Museum 1.5%
• Parkersburg News and Sentinel Half Marathon 2%
• Parkersburg Homecoming 2%
• Smoot Theatre 4.5%
• Mountwood Park 18%
• West Virginia Interstate Fair & Exposition 9%
• Veterans/Fort Boreman Park 5%
• Mid-Ohio Valley Multi-Cultural Festival 0.5%

Average Tax Rate

• Total Tax on a Hotel Room (incl. hotel room tax, sales taxes, etc.): 12.2%
  Average Hotel Room Tax: 6.7%
  Average Sales Tax on a Hotel Room: 5.5%
• Total Tax on a Car Rental: (incl. rental tax, sales tax, etc.): 11.7%
• Special Restaurant Tax (excl. sales tax): 2.7%

How the Hotel Room Tax is Used

• On average, 55% of the hotel room tax monies collected is allocated to the CVB.
• Slightly more than one-third of destinations use hotel room tax monies for convention center purposes (operations, construction, debt service).
• 11% of destinations allocate hotel room tax revenue to arenas and sport facilities.

source: Destination Marketing Association International

Here is a link to remind folks what other Republicans had to say about Senator Bob Dole and his history of tax increases.

Bob Dole likes to Raise Taxes

A Collection of GOP Remarks on Dole's Record of Increasing Taxes

Republican Picnic

What Will They Think of Next

Officials consider precinct changes

PARKERSBURG — Political party executive committeemen will be affected by a proposed realignment of the boundaries of 42 voting precincts in Wood County.

......and Greg Smith of Vienna, a Republican, will see his district change from B-2 to B-3.

"So if those three individuals (executive committee members listed above) choose to run again for office in 2010, they will have to run from another district because they will no longer live in the district they are serving right now," Ross said.

They will continue to serve out their time in their current district, but these three will live in a different district after the move, and that will have an affect on who will be running for the next election," Ross explained.

My thought:
Magisterial District B-3 is currently occupied by Robert Hammond, although the last time he actually ran for his seat on the Wood County Republican Executive Committee was 2002 when he lived in Parkersburg and was elected to represent District A-3, which under WV code 3-1-9 as revised by Senate Bill 607 will no longer be legal.

This small bit of information isn't known to many and omitted by others, so I am being moved into a District that is occupied and more than likely I will have another contested race next election.

Let me say that having successfully defended my current seat on the WCREC for the past 13 years, and most recently against Dr. Fred Gillespie in 2006, I look forward to the 2010 election cycle and hope that my vacated seat in Vienna District B-2 will be filled and utilized to the advancement of our Republican Party.

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

**************UPDATE**************

Apparently several Republicans bought into this affair!

’’It’s a great party,’’ said Delegate Tom Azinger, R-Wood

Sen. Donna Boley, R-Pleasants, said the event gave her a chance to speak with many of her constituents and listen to what they had to say

Plenty of "Strong with Joe Delong" tee shirts given out at this non-partisan event. Joe is the Majority Whip in the WV House of Delegates and is running for WV Secretary of State, the office currently held by our Republican Betty Ireland.

When the @#%& hits the fan next year during the 2008 Presidential election, as it always does, maybe some of your new found friends will help you. It is more likely that one of the folks you had your picnic with will be the one to do you in, given the chance. When the negative radio spot pops up, or the union supported effort for your opponent begins where ya gonna go?

Democrats had an enjoyable and well attended event

They had a good crowd and plenty of local and Statewide Democrat support.

Along with some others that I hope were just lost! *ugh*

I didn't want to jump to conclusions, but I had it confirmed tonight (19 June) that there were more party goers. There was no intent on my part to not include all. My apology to Commissioner Modesitt and friends for bringing this unintended oversight to my attention.

Do you suppose Delegate Poling will be attending our Republican Picnic in 13 days (in case you haven't heard we are having a picnic)...Fat Chance!

Delegate to host ‘Voter Appreciation Day’ at park

Looks like the Democrats are bringing all they have for the 2008 election. I do sincerely hope the WCREC has something to offer our elected officials and candidates this election cycle, if we have ever needed a strong effective Republican organization it will be in '08.

"The first 200 people to attend will receive a free T-shirt. Poling is expecting from 300-400 people."

"Poling (said) various volunteer groups have called more than 2,000 registered voters in Wood County, inviting them to this event."

This is pretty much how you do stuff like this, it's not complicated!

WVGOP Announces Its Presidential Nominating Convention‎

In Case You Missed It…
Yesterday, the West Virginia Republican Presidential Convention announced the details of its presidential nominating convention on February 5, 2008. Here's a few articles recapping the announcement.

The Hill: Victory in W. Va. could spread to other states
"The West Virginia GOP could announce its pick for president by 2:30 p.m. Eastern time on Feb. 5, potentially giving that candidate a boost in states where polls close hours later. More than a dozen states have moved their primaries to so-called Super Duper Tuesday, including delegate-rich California, New York and New Jersey. West Virginia's unique nominating convention could make a lot of noise during the traditional tedium of Election Day. While the state is not on the tip of most pundits' tongues, that could change if a winner is announced as early as 11:30 a.m. on the West Coast….Read more at:
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/victory-in-w.-va.-could-spread-to-other-states-2007-06-07.html

NBC News: WV WANTS TO BE A PLAYER ON FEB. 5
In the latest effort by a state to increase its significance in the presidential nominating process, West Virginia Republicans held a conference call with reporters earlier today to discuss their brand-new presidential convention, which will be held on Tsunami Tuesday, February 5, 2008. The hook is that the results of the winner-take-all convention will be known as late as 4:00 pm ET that day -- meaning it will be the first of the 20-odd Tsunami Tuesday states to report its results. "It will be something that will be interesting to people in West Virginia," said Robert Fish, CEO of the state's presidential convention.
Read more at: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/06/07/217497.aspx

Parkersburg News and Sentinel: GOP makes radical changes
In an effort to have more say in the presidential primary election Republican party officials have made significant changes to their 2008 state convention. "As you know, many of the states are looking at the process in order to see how they can be effective in influencing the ultimate choosing of president," state Republican official Bob Fish said. "This move allows us to make a decision while there is still a decision to be made." In 2000, 16 states held primaries on Super Tuesday, the largest presidential primary election day in U.S. history. Fish said the 2008 "Super Duper Tuesday," will have 23 states holding primary elections, including West Virginia, which he referred to as a "tipping point state." Read more at: http://www.newsandsentinel.com/news/articles.asp?articleID=17190

Wheeling Intelligencer: W.Va. GOP To Have Early Voice in 2008
West Virginia will be the sixth state to weigh in on the 2008 Republican presidential nomination, and the first to announce its choice on the new "Super Duper Tuesday." National attention — as well as Republican presidential candidates and their campaign dollars — should be focused on West Virginia Feb. 5, 2008, when the first-ever State GOP Presidential Convention happens in Charleston. State Democrats will meet in April to select their nominee. The state Republican convention begins at 9 a.m. on Feb. 5, with the final selection announced as early as noon and probably no later that 4:30, said state GOP Presidential Convention Chairman Bob Fish. West Virginia will be the first state to make its presidential selection on Super Duper Tuesday. Read more at: http://theintelligencer.net/community/articles.asp?articleID=20473

Republican Gazette: West Virginia Republicans will cast first votes in the nation for president
Republicans in West Virginia will cast the first votes for president in the entire nation because of the GOP's move to a state convention format for selecting delegates to the national convention. Prior to the Feb. 5 state convention, county conventions and online voting for delegates to the state convention will begin Jan. 1, meaning Republicans at the county level will be casting votes for president before anyone else in the country. Read more at: http://www.abernathystrategies.com/republicangazette.html

National Journal's Hotline: WEST VIRGINIA (2/5 GOP caucuses; 5/13 primary): The Early Bird Picks The Nominee?
The WV GOP may choose its WH nominee by 2:30 p.m. EST 2/5, "potentially giving that candidate a boost in states where polls close later." Convention chief exec. Robert Fish: "I believe it can have a big impact. ... This can give a winning characteristic to one of the campaigns." …UMich prof. John Jackson says evidence from Jimmy Carter's early concession in '80 "suggests that if West Coast voters think the race is over, they are less likely to turn out." He "added that on a day when reporters and network news producers are twiddling their thumbs and begging for news before the polls close, the... announcement will be like food to a starving village" (Youngman, The Hill, 6/7).

West Virginia MetroNews: GOP To Hold Convention
The Republican Party in West Virginia is looking to earn a little publicity come "Super Duper Tuesday" February, 5th 2008. Super Duper Tuesday will be when close to 20 states will hold their primary elections and party nominations for president will be revealed. However in West Virginia the Republican Party will hold the first presidential nominating convention in the state. They will be electing 18 of 30 delegates who will represent West Virginia in Minneapolis at the presidential convention next August. Read more at: http://www.wvmetronews.com/index_forsub.cfm?func=displayfullstory&storyid=19542

WTAP News: G.O.P. State Convention
"It provides such a huge amount of grass roots input, with county caucuses, the opportunity for any West Virginian to be a delegate to this convention," says convention C.E.O. Bob Fish, "the opportunity for the national media interest we believe is going to bring to it, really helps West Virginia help claim its rightful position as a 'tipping point' state." Read more at: http://www.wtap.com/news/headlines/7893027.html