There was Hoppy; then there was … everybody else.
Of all the pleasant experiences this life has given me that will forever stand out is the rare opportunity to know and work with the late Kanawha County Commissioner Henry C. “Hoppy” Shores.
There are public servants devoted to the overall good like Hoppy. Then there are others.
I’m saying there never was nor will there ever be another of his equal. He cared; he was compassionate; he loved serving his constituents.
I’m not criticizing other public officials for not being on Shores’ level. They can’t help it. They are who they are and Hoppy was … well, unique and special.
There was only one Hoppy Shores to smile at me in December and ask, “all the lights working?” That was a reference to our Holiday Light display at Coonskin Park where a burned out or missing bulb could ruin the whole display for “my kids.” He worried that one child — any child — might be disappointed if lights malfunctioned.
“Got those sheep lined up and ready to run?” Shores would ask about our ever-popular sheep races at the Kanawha County Fair.
Hoppy didn’t want a sheep out of sorts for the big race.
He loved to hear the laughter of the children we tried to entertain. I recall standing next to him at Coonskin and hearing a carload of chattering, smiling children go by.
“Did you hear them?” he’d softly punch me in the ribs. “We made that bunch laugh, sure enough. They are leaving here happy.”
But Hoppy Shores was much more than fun and games. He fought for the “average” Kanawha Countian daily.
Over his decades of service, Shores battled for fairness and wanted the best for every Kanawha Countian. He came close to his goal of providing safe, drinking water to every household in Kanawha County. It grew tougher and tougher as more were added and the distance between homes became greater but he worked harder than ever into his 90s.
Shores never met a problem he wouldn’t try to solve on behalf of the taxpayers. There were no “favorites” in Hoppy’s world — just honest, hard-working fellow travellers who deserved all life had to offer. He worked for them constantly.
Often the only Republican on the commission, Hoppy’s bi-partisan spirit routinely won the day for constituents. Many times, what might have been a 1-2 vote against a worthy Shores-sponsored project became 3-0 through his art of persuasion.
Kanawha County was the better because Hoppy could help his fellow commissioners see the light.
And he was not a one-piece band. Both he and wife Bronson often praised Democrat Commission President Kent Carper.
In his quiet way, he’d compliment Carper.
Talking in his office about a recently-approved project, he’d often look into the distance.
“Wouldn’t have got that without Kent’s help,” he’d whisper. “Kent’s been good to us and the people.” Although a solid Republican, nobody ever saw — or heard — Shores do a negative thing toward Carper. They were valuable friends.
While steadfastly breaking no laws about a majority of commissioners discussing public business privately, Carper said he and wife Debbie developed a unique friendship with Hoppy and Bronson over the years. It was easy to see and good for the public.
Speaking of Bronson, she played a special role that only she was created for. She was Hoppy’s ever-constant companion and best advisor anyone ever had. Her political instincts are unequaled.
It will be strange to walk into their downtown insurance office with no Hoppy. We may all survive, but we will not be the same. Neither will the courthouse.
A legend has passed our way and we are all the better for it. Gosh, I miss him.
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A strange thing happened on Audrey Gay Smith’s revenge Mingo County Commission campaign.
You all remember Mrs. Smith, widow of the late elected County Commissioner Gavin Smith.
It was she who made herself available to replace her husband after his sudden, tragic death shortly after he was elected to the commission last year.
As Mingo elections tend to do, this appointment became controversial. Most, including County Prosecutor Duke Jewell, believed the widow was not eligible to replace her spouse because she was registered Independent at the time of his death. He, they knew, was registered Republican and, thus, his replacement had to be from the GOP, as they read the law.
Other thoughts prevailed, however. These especially came from the state Republican Executive Committee, and Audrey Smith was named as one potential replacement at the time. She was not appointed, however. Marty Fortner was chosen instead.
Audrey Smith and her supporters basically blamed Democrat Commissioner Diann Hannah for her not getting the job. Hannah said she could not support the widow because of her party registration, which Hannah agreed violated the law.
Mrs. Smith vowed to run for and fill the remainder of her late husband’s term when filing began this year. She apparently changed her mind. She said she’d let the voters make the “right” decision. Now, I guess, that involves circuit clerk.
Smith filed to run against incumbent Democrat Circuit Clerk Lonnie Hannah instead of for commission. Diann and Lonnie Hannah are brother and sister-in-law.
Mrs. Smith, who blamed all her appointment problems on Diann Hannah initially, may have changed her mind. Now she will try to take Lonnie out.
Although it isn’t often true, Mingo Countians have a habit of blaming Lonnie Hannah for every political move they disagree with.
In fact, snow on Horsepen Mountain is often Hannah’s fault somehow.
So I can only guess that Audrey Smith now blames Lonnie Hannah for orchestrating Fortner’s appointment so that now Lonnie deserves punishment.
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Anyway, the reality is that Big John White of Delbarton, is running for incumbent Republican Thomas Taylor’s full term. Also wanting that seat, in addition to Taylor, are Doug Kirk and Harold B. Davis, both of Lenore. Kirk is a Democrat and Davis is a Republican.
For the unexpired short term of Gavin Smith, incumbent Republican Fortner wants to stay. He’s being challenged by Democrat legislator Nathan Brown and longtime Mingo Republican Chair Russell Deskins. Both Brown and Deskins list Lenore addresses.
For County Clerk, incumbent Democrat Larry Yogi Croaff of Edgarton wants to remain.
Croaff is being challenged by Democrat Renee Smith of Kermit and Republican Bethany Goad Cisco of Matewan.
Croaff replaced longtime county official and Clerk Big Jim Hatfield at the last election when Hatfield retired due to Ill health.
As noted, Lonnie Hannah, a Williamson Democrat, wants another term. Audrey Smith lists herself as a Gilbert Republican.
There are seven Board of Education candidates, who run on a non-partisan basis: James E. Baisden of Dingess; Justin Billy Endicott of Gilbert; Eric Evans of Williamson; Barry Scott Grimmett of Lenore; Amy Dearfield Hannah, of Delbarton; John Warren Preece of Delbarton; and Tom Slone, of Williamson.
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Someone needs to tell Evan Jenkins what he wants to be when he grows up. Obviously he can’t figure it out on his own. This, now ex Chief Justice and Justice of the Supreme Court, cannot even determine which political party he represents.
And that was before court party memberships were thrown into disarray by the legislature.
If one looks up “opportunist” in their dictionary, they get a photo of the Cabell County politico.
Jenkins can’t say he can’t find many balls to play with on the playground. They all seem available to him.
He’s been a state legislator — both Delegate and State Senate — a federal Congressman and a Supreme Court Justice and Chief.
He generally has sported a broad smile in all of those roles. But he must not have ever been happy. How could he ever be happy while yearning for other positions of power? He must have been a miserable child.
Regardless, he’s always been pleasant to me. That helps a lot. I like a pleasant Supreme Court Justice.
Jenkins has crossed paths with Governor Jim Justice over the years. In fact, were it not for his state legislative career, Justice would have appointed Jenkins about as many times as he’s been elected to office.
The Delegate/State Senate service had little or nothing to do with Governor Justice, but he soon became a Jenkins benefactor.
Jenkins was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 2015 to 2018. He was first elected to represent West Virginia’s 3rd Congressional District in 2014, after switching his political affiliation from Democrat to Republican. He’s since switched back although Supreme Court members run as non-partisans now.
Jenkins served in the West Virginia State Senate, representing District 5, from 2003 to 2014.
In any event, we’ve not confirmed what the next opportunity knocking on Jenkins’ door may be.
But he’ll land on his feet, you can figure that one for sure.
* * * * *
Perhaps absence truly makes the heart grow fonder. It felt as if my friends in the Cabell County Clerk’s office were emphasizing that last Friday when I telephoned.
The phone was answered by a male voice, informing me I had reached voters’ registration. Ah ha! Just what I was looking for.
When I told the recipient that I was looking for the list of those who filed for office before the deadline, he told me “the employee who handles that is off this afternoon. You’ll need to call back Monday.”
Not the end of the world, of course, but perplexing nonetheless. And yes, I know how to file a Freedom of Information Act request.
The point is why should I have to? Clerk Phyllis Smith claims to be running a modern, efficient voter registration office.
Yet there’s no employee present on Friday afternoon who can simply READ the list of candidates? Amazing.
Although it may be difficult to determine by his responses, he didn’t SOUND overworked. Maybe he was.
And yes, as I said, I could get the list in other ways and places but I’ll wait until Monday.
Then maybe the whole staff will be off.
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While there’s no problem filling this column space, I hope most candidates have seen we’ll give you at least a fair shake in sharing your campaign thoughts and ideas. Press releases are always welcome and we will treat most of you with respect.
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As astute reader (and THAT includes most of ours) called to guess that some sort of confusion was involved in Kanawha Delegate Moore Capito’s failure to follow through on his “big announcement.”
Readers will recall that Capito had a Greenbrier Resort fundraiser months ago where he promised a “big announcement” would be made. But those in attendance heard nothing major.
My friend speculates that Jenkins had contracted with Capito to make his resignation announcement at The Greenbrier. But some complication effectively cancelled it, meaning Jenkins was forced to tell the news himself and away went Capito’s earth shattering announcement.
Simple enough?
There’s always a plausible explanation for everything.
* * * * * *
Speaking of explanations, the new House District 23 may be begging for one. There, incumbent Republican Evan Worrell is being challenged for re-election.
One of his opponents has a fundraiser coming up at the Dog Haus Biergarten and it’s more or less a “who’s who.”
Worrell might be in trouble since the list is topped by Republican State Senate President and Lieutenant Governor Craig Blair. Putnam GOP Senator Eric Tarr is also listed as is 2024 Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Miller.
Miller is additionally the son of GOP Congresswoman Carol Miller.
Also on the committee are Jason Moses, Vicki Dunn-Marshall, Randie Lawson, Jeff Mullins, Bill Cole, Kyle Cox, Geoff Sheils, David Fox, Tony Stroud, Mike Bonner and Teresa Damron.
Wow …