You’re lucky—this forum is unique to Wetzel County. You can learn about us face-to-face,” said David Hummel, candidate for circuit judge, as he and 18 other hopefuls spoke with the crowd assembled at the Wileyville Fire Hall on April 14.

Although the number of interested assembled citizens varied throughout the two-hour meeting because of a fire house emergency call, a total of almost 100 Wetzel citizens, candidates, and family members came to the Wetzel County Farm Bureau sponsored event. Each candidate was given five minutes to address the group and then after each candidate category, all were permitted to answer questions submitted to meeting moderator Bill Aiken, WVFB state field service representative. Responses were limited by time-keeper Marilyn Thomas of the WCFB. Robin Yeager of the WCFB introduced the evening events by reading a patriotic poem and all stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Board of Education candidates Amy Jo Dieffenbauch, Carolyn Lemasters, Linda Ritz, and Dan Snyder all believed in supporting children as the future of Wetzel County. Answering an audience question about busing kids out of county to a technical school, Snyder said he “couldn’t justify the expense” for only a few students, while Ritz said “My husband taught at the old vo-tech center...but we lost that—it was a mistake.”

Lemasters said, “We need vo-ag and tech classes, and nursing. Not everyone will be a rocket scientist.”

Dieffenbauch concluded, “Schools are our greatest community resource.”

Of those vying for county commissioner Bill Grimm could not attend because of surgery recovery, but Cindy Glasscock, Scott Lemley, Larry Weekley, and Steve Steele all fielded questions about using money from the oil and gas industry and surface owners’ rights.

Lemley said he would get input from citizens and try to use the money county-wide. Weekley said owners made a mistake in the 1930’s when they relinquished control of their land.

Glasscock and Steele believed improved infrastructure and grant emphasis would bring needed revenue to the county. Glasscock said, “The money is there. We need to access it.”

The lone contestant present for surveyor, Henry Parsons, said in answer to a citizen’s question about how the county chooses a surveyor on a particular job, “The county surveyor does not automatically get the county job. We have to bid for it—sometimes I work for free.”

Both competitors for county sheriff, incumbent James Hoskins and challenger John Cool, answered questions about law enforcement officers and how to handle the W.Va. 89 over-wide drilling rig problem. Hoskins praised his deputies and all officers, “Law enforcement officers put their life on the line every day. We never know when a routine traffic stop will be dangerous—I know, I have been there.” He also fielded a question about solving the ATV problems, “I would not risk lives in pursuit of an ATV in violation. It’s not worth it to endanger someone.”

Cool answered a question about law enforcement of oversized truck violations, “I would say those trucks need a pilot truck to go ahead.”

The three men running for circuit judge all expressed respect and admiration for their opponents. Hummel said his goal was to work with law enforcement to keep families safe. He hopes to use advanced technologies to expedite law proceedings.

Tad Greene said he wants to be circuit judge because of his love of the law, but he didn’t believe in judge activism. “I won’t make the law,” he said.

Fred Gardner shared this view, adding he would also advocate setting regular schedules for proceedings to keep the judicial process running smoothly and saving the courts and counties money.

Second District Senator Candidate Fred J. Brunner came to the meeting saying economic development was his main objective for his constituent area. He was disappointed in current West Virginia officials’ performance in that regard, “We get promises, but we rank 50th in income. . . We need to limit government size and growth.”

Candidates appearing who are unopposed also were Family Court Judge Bob Hicks, Magistrates Judith Phillips Goontz and Thomas J. Shepherd, and Fifth District Delegate Dave Pethtel. Prosecutor Tim Haught sent his absence regrets, noting he had a previous commitment to attend the Paden City Development Authority meeting, and Natalie Tennant, running for secretary of state, also had a scheduling conflict but sent her regards for a successful candidates meeting.

Goontz said the magistrates saw 1,766 cases in 2007 and Shepherd said he fondly recalled attending the 1993 campaign meeting in Wileyville. Both magistrates thanked the county for their continued support, as did Pethtel, who gave a brief summary of progress made with Senators Larry Edgell and Jeff Kessler in the county.

When asked about the surface owners rights bill which did not pass in the recent legislature, Pethtel responded, “I would like to see a balance between the oil and gas rights owners and the surface rights owners...It can economically benefit both sides.”

The WCFB also provided free hot dogs and homemade pies in response to which many attendees made donations to the Ronald McDonald House, a preferred charity of the farm bureau.

The next public forum for candidates will be a pie social on May 2. Everyone is invited to meet state and local candidates at the Wetzel County Democratic Women’s “Meet Your Candidates Night” 7 p.m., at the Byrd Center in Pine Grove.

There will be entertainment, an auction, and light refreshments will be sold by the membership.