Published: August 02, 2009 05:40 pm      

Delegate Cliff Moore takes on role as McDowell County Manager

WELCH — When he’s not working as a lawmaker in Charleston, Delegate Cliff Moore will now have a new assignment in McDowell County.

Moore, a Democrat serving the 23rd District in the House of Delegates, began work last Monday as the new McDowell County Manager. He doesn’t foresee a conflict between his new job and his duties in the Legislature.

“I think when this was all contemplated, that was the number one question,” Moore, who is serving his third term in the House, said. “The answer to that is there isn’t a conflict because I think with my position with the Legislature, we can always continue to work back on that level to bring resources back to the county, and at the same time be able to identify those situations in the county where there are needs, and work with people in the county to resolve those needs in a very positive fashion. It’s an advantage to have someone in that position who can kind of serve a dual role.”

The county manager position will be similar to that of a county administrator or county planner.

“I guess the county manager is almost like being the executive director or chief administrative office of any agency,” Moore said. “You work for a board, and in this case I work for the will and pleasure of the County Commission, and conduct those activities and executive functions that will hopefully result in a more effective county operation and services to the people of the county. I want to thank each of the county commissioners ¯ president (Gordon) Lambert, commissioner (Judy) Cortellesi and commissioner (Ray) Bailey for investing their trust and confidence in me to allow me the chance to take this position and to make it work to the best that we can for the people of McDowell County.”

While he will be out of the county when the Legislature resumes, Moore said he won’t be far from home.

“I’m just a phone call away, and a two-hour drive away,” Moore said. “If they need me to come back home I can do that.”

Moore said he wants to do everything he can to help the county and its employees.

“We are going to get together and construct a plan that is good not only for them and the county, but the long term,” Moore said. “But the key to the process is the good and wonderful employees we have. We have some good ones and we want to make them better.”

Several major construction projects are nearing a conclusion in McDowell County, including work on the new $232 million federal prison project at the Indian Ridge Industrial Park in Welch, and a new high school and elementary school being constructed along a 17 acre educational campus in Bradshaw.

“If I didn’t think things were moving in the right direction, I wouldn’t be here,” Moore said. “But I do want to be a part of the resurrection and revitalization of McDowell County and southern West Virginia.”

– Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com