A victory and slight defeat during the recent legislative session were the main topics at the W.Va. 2/I-68 Authority meeting held in New Martinsville April 14.

Executive Director Charlie Clements gave a report updating members and the public of the happenings in Charleston during the session.

The victory he referred to was the defeat of Senate Bill 72 which would have expanded the authority to include Cabell, Jackson, and Mason counties. This has been a recurring suggestion in Charleston. “We’ve been able to suppress those bills for several years,” said Clements. “This year we had a fight on our hands.”

The bill was introduced by Sen. Evan Jenkins (D-Cabell), but Del. Tal Hutchins (D-Ohio) amended it, requiring it to return to the Senate. Supporters of that amendment were Delegates Randy Swartzmiller (D-Hancock) and Robert Beach (D-Monongalia). It was then sent to the House Judiciary Committee where Del. Scott Varner (D-Marshall) offered an amendment that would require the current authority members to vote to admit the additional counties. Co-sponsors of the amendment were Delegates Tom Azinger (R-Wood), John Ellem (R-Wood), and Alex Shook (D-Monogalia). The amendment was adopted and the bill was passed in the House. “I felt that we could live with the House version of the bill as we would have the final say as to whether or not they could join,” said Clements.

However, the Senate would not concur with the House amendments and a conference committee was appointed. “At this point, I thought we were in big trouble,” said Clements, based on the appointed committee members; four of the six were from the Huntington area. The committee’s report would admit the three counties on July 1, 2009.

On the final night of the legislative session, Sen. Donna Boley (R-Pleasants) and Sen. Andy McKenzie (R-Ohio) tried to ask Sen. Jenkins questions, but were ruled out of order. However, Sen. Jeff Kessler (D-Marshall) and Sen. Mike Oliverio (D-Monongalia) made very strong arguments against the bill. “When the final vote on the passage of the bill was taken, the bill failed with 12 yes votes and 21 no votes. Senators Kessler and Oliverio did a wonderful job. They convinced those on the fence to vote down that bill,” said Clements. He also applauded Del. Hutchins and Sen. Varner, “It took a lot of fortitude on their part.”

“We need to thank Del. Dave Pethtel (D-Wetzel) and Del. Tim Ennis (D-Brooke) for keeping me informed as to the status of the legislation as it made its way through the House and for keeping the issue before the other legislators,” said Clements. “I also received help in the Senate from Sen. Larry Edgell (D-Wetzel).”

He encouraged the authority members to thank any representatives from their area who were instrumental in defeating the bill; he also sent formal thank yous to those legislators involved.

Authority member Jack Boley of Pleasants County added Clements to the list of people to thank. He said he saw the group’s executive director in action in Charleston. “He was worth every penny we pay him plus a whole lot more,” said Jack.

While that was a victory for the group in Charleston, a defeat came at the hands of Gov. Joe Manchin who vetoed their $50,000 line item in the budget. “The governor vetoed everything in the budget that he didn’t put in there,” tempered Clements. “It’s not like he picked on us.”

Doolin resident Glenn Mullett asked where the authority receives its funding. Chairman Don Shenefiel explained that when it was formed by the legislature 11 years ago they were allowed to collect $500 for the 10 counties represented on the authority. However, he said, “It’s been several years since we’ve asked for that.” The group was given a $50,000 grant during the special legislative session in the summer of 2007.

In another matter, Jack Boley mentioned his encounter with Congressman Alan Mollohan recently.

While attending the dedication of the new smokestack at the Pleasants Power Station. Sen. Donna Boley cornered him about how he could help with highways. “He kind of took offense to that,” relayed Jack.

But he came back after a tour of the facility and met with 15-20 people on the topic and explained the funding process. He said any federal money had to be requested by the state before it would be taken up by a committee in Washington, D.C. “He (Mollohan) said he would like to go to a meeting with the governor and the state highways commissioner. He said he’d like to confront them about what they’ve been telling us,” noted Jack.

A tentative meeting between some authority representatives and Gov. Manchin has been set for May 19.

“The governor’s been there almost four years and we haven’t gotten a mile and I’m not very happy,” said authority member Tony Chiffalo of Marshall County. He noted that in the 11 years of the group’s existence, they have seen 11 miles of W.Va. 2 improved to four-lanes. In fact, of the 120 miles from Parkersburg to Weirton, only 30 miles are four-lane highway.

Perry Keller of the Division of Highway’s Planning and Research told the group the 1.6 miles of W.Va. 2 between Washington Lands and where the four-lane ends at Consolidated Coal is a “design build” project and is currently being bid.

They hope to have work starting there in June, but Keller said, “I wouldn’t hold my breath.”

He said the bidding process on a design build project is quite extensive; this is only the second project of that type in West Virginia. “Whoever they choose will be anxious to begin, I’m sure,” said Keller, noting he would expect work to begin in July.

Keller also mentioned the project at The Narrows, the four-lane section of W.Va. 2 just north of Glen Dale that is currently reduced to three/two lanes depending upon construction. They are working to correct a slip under the southbound lanes. He said that quick fix is about halfway completed and he hopes “for something that really means something, not just a Band-Aid” to come from over $8 million in funding that will probably be used in that area.

“We’re building what we can and what we have funds for,” Keller told the group. “It’s just like your bank account. If you want to buy something new, you’ve got to forego something.”

He did give the authority some good news when he said, “It does seem that W.Va. 2 is creeping in (to the governor’s top road priorities).”

“If the overall attitude toward development on the Ohio River corridor changes, then we’d like to know about it,” Shenefiel told Keller.

Finally, the group voted unanimously to make a plaque and resolution naming Don Bailey as an honorary lifetime member of the authority. He was the DOH’s representative to the group for 10 years.

“He attended virtually every meeting and really made a contribution to the authority,” said Shenefiel of the now retired Bailey.