By WILSON BUTT
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
June 24, 2008 04:46 pm
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The Mercer County Commission appointed Verlin T. Moye to replace Rudolph Jennings as Clerk of the County Commission Tuesday morning. A 17-year veteran in the County Assessor’s office, Moye served that office as mapper, updating the tax maps and map indexes for that office. Moye, proficient in Auto-Cad and other computer aided cartographic methods, also holds a degree from Bluefield State College.
Moye began his career in the assessor’s office as an appraiser. Of the numerous candidates, both those personally expressing interest and also those proposed by various interests to the County Commission, Moye was the unanimous choice of Commissioner’s Joe Coeburn, Karen Disibbio, and Jay Mills who also expressed their confidence in Moye’s abilities and work ethic.
Moye, sworn in by Judge Derek Swope, will officially take office on July 1st, 2008. He makes his home near Princeton with his wife Linda and son Mike. The County Commission’s courtroom was packed with well-wishers and supporters. He received a generous round of applause.
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An interesting coalition of attorneys and political leaders and from both parties provided support for Moye, tendering his name as a potential appointment for Clerk of the County Commission.
The Mercer County Democrat Party executive committee now faces the task of placing a name on the November ballot and supporting a candidate to fill the unexpired term of Clerk of the County Commission. The next meeting of the Demo executive committee is scheduled on July 14.
The committee does not necessarily have to choose Moye as the party’s candidate. Moye has the support of the people he will be working with at this time. The Mercer Demo Executive Committee may be pressured to hold a special meeting to select a candidate for the Democratic side of the ballot. It is certain that they will be pressured to select Moye.
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Several people have asked what the salary is for the Clerk of the County Commission in Mercer County. According to the Secretary of State’s publication “Running for Office in West Virginia in 2008”, the annual salary was $53,460 at the time of publication, not including benefits.
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As the world’s eyes focus on the gathering of OPEC in Jeddah, noted attendee Ali Al-Naimi, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral resources will have significant influence on the direction taken. Al-Naimi got his start in the oil business working for Aramco at age 12 as an errand boy.
While many are blaming OPEC for the high prices, others are blaming oil companies, oil executives, Congress, Bush, Cheney, Democrats, Republicans, commodities traders, speculators, oil refining capability, the U.S. auto industry, drivers, et al. The only one that isn’t responsible for part of the problem is the gas pump attendant and he receives the abuse.
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Beth Walker, Republican Candidate for the WV Supreme Court of Appeals, will be visiting here in Mercer County July 23. She has plans to be on the radio with Craig Hammond and meet with voters.
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Republican Candidate for Congress Marty Gearheart was on WV Metro News last Wednesday to discuss gas prices and Congressman Nick Rahall’s positions on whether additional drilling could have an effect on oil prices. Gearheart also says he has contacted Rahall about the possibility of the 3rd District Congressional Candidates appearing together to make presentations regarding the issues important to the voters.
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Republican party officials indicate that there signs that the party is strengthening in the coal fields. On July 31 (Thursday) the GOP Executive Committees of Logan, Boone, Lincoln, and Mingo Counties are holding a Lincoln Day Dinner at the Logan Country Club in Chapmanville with former Gov. Arch Moore as the featured speaker. Party officials indicate that a tremendous amount of interest has been generated and they expect an overflow crowd. Moore celebrated his 85th birthday last April. Moore, WV’s only three term governor, has been quite active this political season, supporting the Repub-lican party and Shelley Moore Capito, his daughter, seeking re-election to the U.S. Congress.
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Bluefield Virginia’s “Sunset on the Square” provided an evening of entertainment last Saturday. A lot of folks turned out to celebrate the first day of summer and the longest day of the year with movies and fun. Pat Jones, Mayor Jimmy Jones’ wife, spearheaded the event.
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There you have it, a few words on politics and items of interest to the area. I hope you have more blue skies above you.
Wilson Butt, a Bluefield resident, is a retired Department of Highways official.
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