By WILSON BUTT
Last Monday Mercer County had about as many politicians running around the county as we normally do at election time. Several notable gatherings in the county brought them out in droves. Even the rain, snow and dark clouds didn’t hamper their spirits as they helped celebrate the new Mercer County courtroom facilities in the new courthouse annex. The dedication ceremony had two very special greeters passing out programs — youngsters Tyler Clark and Emily Aboulhosn handled that job quite well.
Gov. Joe Manchin, Supreme Court Chief Justice Brett D. Benjamin and Congressman Nick Joe Rahall, D-W.Va., all had several heartfelt remarks for the crowd and praise for the dedication and hard work that the Ninth Judicial Circuit and the Family Court have put forth. Manchin spoke of riches, not of those of the wealth of money or possessions, but of the riches of having a loving and supporting family. He touched upon the idea that the wealth of family and family support is far more important to many West Virginians than all the riches in the world, a concept that the governor understands and can identify with citing his own family background. The governor has it right — families who provide love and support for their children strengthen and enable to them to thrive and succeed.
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Later in the day Manchin and many other local government and political leaders attended the grand opening celebration of K&K; Music Company and Randomworld, Ltd., located on Washington Street Extension in Bluefield, that is owned and operated by Jimmy and Linda Knowles and their family. Congressman Nick Rahall, who was also on hand for the dedication, was exiting toward the door when he came over for a few moments not only to hello but also to say, “I am going to run (for Congress) again.” We enjoyed a few laughs about some not-so-important items and then we both had to leave — the congressman keyed in a few strokes on his Blackberry to confirm the next scheduled visit in his busy day — and I to go to the school to get my grandchildren.
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Sheriff Don Meadows stopped by to chat for a moment. The sheriff mentioned how much he was enjoying his job. “I love it,” he said. “It’s all about serving the people. Sometimes just listening to them or giving folks some good friendly advice is all they need. Sometimes it takes more than that. Being able to serve people is what I like to do.”
Meadows said he is definitely going to be a candidate for sheriff. Jim Dent mentioned that he is going to be a candidate for magistrate in Mercer County. Dent was appointed to fill the position vacated by Harold Buckner when Buckner retired. Dent said, “A lot of people and several of my friends still think I am working for the U.S. Marshall’s office as a court bailiff in the Federal Court in Raleigh County and I would like them to know that I am a magistrate here in Mercer County.”
Jim, I promise you, we’ll let them know. Dent is also a former Bluefield City Police chief.
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The West Virginia Parkways Authority and turnpike General Manger Gregg Barr have been laying low since the toll rate increase took effect Aug. 1. Last Friday, I took a trip up the turnpike to Beckley. The pavement is still rough as a cob in some places and I did not see any obvious improvements. The last press release posted on the agency’s website was Aug. 6. In that release the turnpike folks promised to soon begin several road and bridge rehabilitation projects and Parkways Director of Maintenance Ron Hamilton said, “patrons should begin to see significant improvements in pavement ride quality over the next couple of years.” The only other recent significant information I could find was that the turnpike’s revenues were up 30 percent. In the meantime I guess we’ll just need a few more wheel alignments while we are waiting on those improvements.
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There you have it, a few comments on items of interest to the area. It sure got cold and dreary but I hope that the blue skies soon return to brighten your days. In his closing remarks Gov. Manchin quoted Sir Francis Bacon: “If we do not maintain justice, justice will not maintain us.” Sir Francis Bacon understood the words quite well for Bacon himself once pleaded guilty to charges of corruption after accepting bribes. He had never been wealthy, the lure of easy money led him astray, and justice did prevail. The irony is that Bacon had a treasure of wealth in education and intellect.
Wilson Butt, a resident of Bluefield, is a retired Department of Highways official.
