Shott to wins 24th Delegate District

By CHARLES OWENS
Bluefield Daily Telegraph

November 05, 2008 12:28 am

— BLUEFIELD — Republican John H. Shott turned back a strong challenge Tuesday from Democrat Mike Vinciguerra Jr. to capture the 24th District House of Delegates seat in Mercer County.
With 19 of 19 precincts reporting, Shott was the apparent winner with 3,120 votes to 2,696 for Vinciguerra, according to unofficial returns.
Vinciguerra and Shott were competing for the House seat currently held by Delegate Eustace Frederick, D-Mercer. Frederick didn’t seek re-election to the post.
Both candidates shared similar themes throughout the campaign, including a need to complete the King Coal Highway project in Bluefield, support for the proposed multi-purpose equestrian park project, and the need to restore commercial air-service to the Mercer County Airport.
During an earlier interview with the Daily Telegraph, Shott said it will take help from Charleston, including new statewide initiatives and tax relief, to help promote growth in Bluefield. Shott said he is working with a local technology committee to ensure the availability of high speed telecommunications in Bluefield with ample redundancy, and is working to try to bring a veterans outpatient clinic and long-term housing project to Bluefield. Shott said lawmakers also need to look at prevailing wages, and the structure of the West Virginia Public Service Commission, and how it determines the need for utility rate increases.
Both candidates also supported tougher ATV regulations, and both also campaigned on a theme of tax relief. Shott called for the complete elimination of the food tax except on harmful foods.

He also proposed repealing the business franchise tax; reducing or eliminating the personal property tax on inventory, machinery and equipment; reducing the gasoline tax; reducing the corporate income tax to 6 percent; and increasing the homestead exemption. Shott also proposed repealing all 19 business tax credits.
Shott, an attorney since 1975, also is a former assistant prosecuting attorney; a member of the West Virginia State Bar; member and former president of the Mercer County Bar Association; a member of the board of governors of Bluefield State College; a member of the board of directors of the Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce; a member of the board of directors of the Mercer County Building Commission; a member of the board of directors of the Hugh I. Shott Jr. Foundation; a member of the board of directors of Pocahontas Bankshares, Inc.; a member of the Rotary Club of Bluefield; and served as a member of the Mercer County Board of Education from 1986 to 2004, including as the board president from 1994 to 2004.
– Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com