Charles E. L. Booth is challenging incumbent Wetzel County Surveyor Henry M. Parsons for that position.

Charles E. L. Booth is the son of Madelyn “June” Booth of New Martinsville and the late Charles E. “Bud” Booth. He is the grandson of the late Harold F. and Gladys Lancaster of Wileyville and the late Russell Lee and Gladys Booth of Pine Grove. He has one sister, Amie (Dr. Robert) Honeman of Gaffney, S.C., and one brother, Steven (Jane) Booth of Sidney, Ohio.

Booth is married to Lisa Adams-Booth, has one step-son, Ryan Lowe, and one son, Jack Booth, both of New Martinsville.

He is a life-long resident of the City of New Martinsville and a 1984 graduate of Magnolia High School. He graduated cum laude from Glenville State College in 1999 with an associate in science in the field of land surveying. He is a member of the First Christian Church. He is also a member of the West Virginia Society of Professional Surveyors and the owner/operator of Booth Land Surveying, located in New Martinsville which he started in 2002.



Henry M. Parsons has served as Wetzel County surveyor since 1968. Parsons and his wife, Vivian, reside in New Martinsville. They have two daughters, Kathy Friedline of Mobile, Ala., and Beth Pantone of Summerville, S.C.

Parsons is the son of the late Roy and Frances Parsons of Pine Grove. He has two brothers, James Parsons and Roy Parsons. He graduated from Pine Grove High School and Fairmont State College with a Bachelor of Science degree.

Parsons has held the positions of Director of Emergency Services, County Flood Plain Manager, and Public Information Officer for Wetzel County. He is a member of the West Virginia Association of Land Surveyors and has served as vice president, a member of the ethics committee, and as a state director.

Parsons was the West Virginia 1997 Surveyor of the Year. He is a past member of the National Society of Professional Engineers and served as president and treasurer in the local chapter. Additionally, he is a member of the Parkersburg Little Kanawha Chapter of Licensed Land Surveyors.

He is a member of the Bayer/PPG Community Advisory Panel, New Martinsville United Methodist Church, and New Martinsville Lions Club.

He has owned and operated Parsons Surveying since 1963.



What makes you qualified for this position?



Booth: I have been working in the field of land surveying since 1984. I began working, at that time, out of the Wetzel County Surveyor’s office and did so until 2002. I believe my 18 years of experience working in the County Surveyor’s office, as well as the day to day operation of Booth Land Surveying since 2002, have given me the knowledge of research, field work, and interaction with the public. Through this experience I have gained the ability to understand how to work with the residents and owners of local businesses of Wetzel County, as well as other surrounding counties. The profession of surveying is an ever changing field. The State Legislature regulates the Profession of Land Surveying and its members must follow rigorous standards and attend continuing education classes. Education is a must, as things have changed tremendously since I began working in 1984. The Surveying Program at Glenville State College prepares students by first teaching the methods used by our forefathers and then the modern way of doing surveying. One must be able to adapt and advance in order to stay current in the surveying field. I believe my education, experience, and ability to to adapt, qualifies me to be the Wetzel County surveyor.



Parsons: The following experiences and education qualify me for the position of Wetzel County Surveyor. While in high school I worked for a surveyor. I graduated from Fairmont State College with a bachelor of science degree.

Taught mathematics and drafting at Paden City High School for four years. Worked in the PPG engineering department for several years.

“I have attended over 150 surveying workshops and seminars including a one week seminar, sponsored by the Friendship Force in Moscow, Russia.

I have been a licensed professional surveyor for 40 years and have conducted a wide variety of more than 6,000 surveys in West Virginia.



What is the difference between being a private surveyor and being the county surveyor?



Booth: Some county business is related to criminal matters and deals with the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Other business may actually be related more to County Commission issues. The county surveyor may also be appointed by the Circuit Court Judge to act as a Special Commissioner on Civil Cases along with several others to resolve land disputes. All three of these examples can be done by a private surveyor, as I have done all three in this county as owner of Booth Land Surveying. As a licensed professional surveyor, I took an oath to uphold the standards of my profession, put forth consideration for, and the welfare of the public ahead of my personal gain and advancement. I believe I practice these acts in my daily interaction with the public, whether it be in my dealings for my private business or in business related to county issues. In the end, there really is not a huge amount of difference in the act of being a private surveyor or the county surveyor. But in closing, one must remember that as Wetzel County Surveyor, your responsibility and duty is first to the residents of Wetzel County and then to one’s self.



Parsons: The difference between a private surveyor and county surveyor is that you are either working for private parties or you are working for the public under the direction of the county commission.