Economic issues await Commission candidates

PRINCETON — Economic development, an airport without commercial flights and a debt to the state’s regional jail system are among the issues facing a Democratic incumbent and an independent challenger vying for a seat on the Mercer County Commission.

Joe Coburn of Athens, the current president of the commission, is on the November ballot with Chad Belcher of Rock. Both candidates answered a questionnaire from the Bluefield Daily Telegraph concerning their views about issues facing Mercer County.

Coburn said he has had several public service jobs in the state and in Mercer County.

“I work full time as a commissioner. I take all calls and try my very best to help the citizens of Mercer County,” he said. “I have 24 years experience as a county commissioner and I have seen much progress and improvements throughout the years. I would like to continue this growth and improvement.”

Belcher, who said he was born and raised in Mercer County, joined the United States Marine Corps after graduating from PikeView High School.

“The Marine Corps no doubt instilled leadership traits and provided me with a world class education in people and cultures. I credit them with showing me the value of team work and loyalty. After four years I returned home to attend Concord University for a short time when I had the opportunity to take over a retail store,” Belcher said.

“Being the owner, the buck stops with me, and I am responsible for every issue and element that goes with running a business,” Belcher said. “I also oversee a new store beside my existing one, so I’m no stranger to managing. Being business minded is the most efficient way to run a county. That’s why I want to go to work for ours and breathe new life and bring an ambitious energy to our local area.”

The candidates were first asked to describe the greatest challenge the county is facing now.

“The most pressing challenge for the Mercer County Commission at this time is our ability to pay the regional jail bill,” Coburn said. “We have worked diligently during the past year to come up with funds to pay our regional jail bill down. The sooner we get this debt paid, the sooner we can help our employees.”

Belcher replied to the same question by stating: “I believe the most pressing challenge is providing all the county’s services and state mandates (some funded, some unfunded) with a budget that is shrinking and insufficient to carry the workload. We cannot continue to provide these services unless there is an increase in funds, primarily from the state government.

“We’ve already had to cut back on a number of services. We have to work with our legislators to the highest degree possible to notify Charleston that the state line does not end in Beckley,” Belcher said.

Another challenge facing the county is the loss of commercial service at the Mercer County Airport. Coburn said the county commission, along with the chambers of commerce, the cities of Bluefield and Princeton, the Mercer County Airport Authority and interested citizens continue to work on restoring air service.

“We have been in contact Senator (Robert C.) Byrd, Senator (Jay) Rockefeller and Congressman (Nick) Rahall. We have also received special help from Region I Planning & Development Council and their staff in this project. We continue to make contacts.”

Belcher said that he believed that county airport could have retained its air carrier if more vigorous action had been taken to find grants.

“I think first and foremost we should never have lost service at the airport to begin with,” Belcher said. “If our county leaders would have stayed on top of this key matter, I believe we would have got the funding we needed and kept our commercial service. However, looking forward, I believe if we lengthen the runway to allow more types of commercial traffic to come in, it will certainly make the airport more appealing.

“Complacency and lack of foresight will hinder the progress of any county,” Belcher said. “I believe that happened in this case and I think we need some new and modern ideas to sweep through the courthouse to rid it of these types of problems.”

Each candidate was also asked about the concerns Mercer County’s citizens have brought to their attention.

“We have many calls for help to get public water and sewer services to the outlying areas of Mercer County,” Coburn said. “We work with Region I Planning & Development on a regular basis to apply for funding for sewer and water projects. We also talk with our state senators and delegates to ask for their assistance in getting these projects funded. Our legislators do everything in their power to help the county.

“We also receive lots of calls about getting litter clean up and help with roads,” Coburn said. “The Mercer County Commission is in the process of adopting a Litter Control Ordinance to alleviate some of the litter problems in Mercer County. When we get calls for assistance with roads, we contact the Department of Highways and they do what they can to help us.”

Belcher said one concern county residents tell him about is the lack of diversity among businesses.

“One that is most often mentioned is the fact that every time a new business comes in town it’s either a restaurant or a bank,” Belcher said. “Not to take away from those industries, but people want to see a broader range of businesses come into the area with a better pay scale. That’s why it’s so important to have an inviting business climate to entice new industries to our area.

Residents also mention water projects, Belcher said.

“I think studies are good, but at times get in the way of progress. I believe we sometimes make a simple project difficult. Laying water lines and setting meters should not require five years of research,” Belcher said. “Improving infrastructure, primarily providing water to citizens who are long overdue, is one of my top priorities.”

Both Coburn and Belcher shared their thoughts about Mercer County’s equestrian park project, a plan to bring a major horse center to would provide a venue for year round activities.

“The Mercer County Commission is very committed to the equestrian project,” Coburn said. “We participate in the monthly meetings and contribute funding for the feasibility/engineering studies,” Coburn said. “We have worked and will continue to work with the cities of Bluefield and Princeton to discover ways to make this project successful. Access roads are vital to the equestrian project along with the continued help of the many citizens who have offered to help with this project.”

Belcher said the horse park project was worth examining.

“The equestrian park project is certainly an innovative idea that would help with some employment and act as a visitor attraction. I think the county should assist all it can, but be careful to have all its priorities in line when pledging help,” he said.

— Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com

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