KJV Isaiah 5:20 “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”
My fellow West Virginians,
We have a problem. We are upside down. On the waters of human events, our ship of state has capsized. As our people cry out for help, our “captains” are too busy looting the vessel to help anyone onboard. Meanwhile, their evacuation helicopters hover overhead, ready to whisk them to safety–and the cries of the people fall silent beneath the waves.
Our life rafts–the constitutions of both our state and our republic–were cast aside long ago to take on more merchandise. Protection of life, liberty, and personal property–the legitimate purposes of government–were deemed too burdensome to make good progress, and with a predictable result.
Indeed, we have witnessed in West Virginia government within the last year an outright disregard, if not hostility, toward those very people who save lives and property: volunteer firefighters and EMS workers.
Meanwhile, West Virginia’s legislature appropriated a string of bills in the name of “economic development” for Woke, corporate Bill Gates green energy projects or other projects of special interest, totaling over $1,000,000,000 dollars of our taxpayer money this year alone. This transpired at the same time as our first responders in fire departments and EMS services across the state begged for support.
The response from our captains of state? A special session to appropriate hundreds of millions more in frivolous spending and special projects, while providing only $12 million to cover all fire departments across the state–and not a dime for EMS. This vote came only a week after one of my constituents, due to scarcity of EMS resources, waited 6 hours for service while suffering a heart attack–a fact I made clear on the floor of the House of Delegates during debate.
The contrast is clear and revealing. The WV Uniparty establishment cherishes its special projects and Chinese-style cronyism & economic planning over the lives, livelihoods, and values of our people. As Thomas Jefferson stated, “Merchants have no country.” As it stands, the special interests–the “merchants”–control all levels of government in WV, and business is brisk.
Throughout the state, powerful interests are profiting handsomely through hidden agendas and private/public partnerships–often at taxpayer expense. Those who stand in principled opposition to these agendas are painted as obstructionists, troublemakers–the enemies of progress.
These principled public leaders are often targeted or harassed by powerful interests who weaponize local offices and authorities. In Jefferson County, for example, Prosecutor Matt Harvey is attempting to remove two duly elected Jefferson County Commissioners from office–for doing their jobs in a way that he does not appreciate. For background context, the June 16, 2023 resignation of Commissioner Clare Ath precipitated circumstances requiring the Jefferson County Republican Executive Committee to submit three legally qualified names for consideration by the Jefferson County Commission in accordance with WV code.
In addition, WV code §3-1-9(h) requires meetings of county party executive committee meetings to be held according to party rules and to make business open to members affiliated with the party. However, according to complaints filed in circuit court by local citizens, the Jefferson County Republican Executive Committee did not follow its own bylaws or the open inspection requirements of WV code, opting for a secret vote rather than the voice vote specified in JCREC bylaws. This alone should be enough to invalidate the vote and require a new meeting in compliance with WV code and JCREC bylaws.
Yet, certain interested parties would have Krouse and Jackson overlook this legal deficiency in order to carry on with business as usual–business which includes an agenda item appointing a new commissioner from an apparently improperly constructed list of nominees. Both Commissioners Krouse and Jackson have communicated to Commission President Stolipher in writing their willingness to continue commission meetings without this item included, but to no avail. It appears that the business of the Jefferson County people is being held hostage by Stolipher and Hardy until Jackson and Krouse capitulate to their demands and appoint one of the improperly selected nominees. If the past resolve of these commissioners is any indication, they will be waiting for some time.
This petition for removal of the two commissioners, filed by Jefferson County Prosecutor Matt Harvey, appears as a strongarm technique to remove two conscientious, duly elected commissioners from their positions, creating two additional vacancies to be filled without challenge…presumably by any means the JCREC chooses, regardless of code or bylaws.
The effect of this collusion, if successful, would be a hostile takeover of the Jefferson County Commission, and a disenfranchisement of the voters who elected them.
But all of this begs the question: Why are these draconian actions being taken to force this illegitimate appointment? Is it because Krouse and Jackson have been stalwart advocates of taxpayers and champions of transparency in Jefferson County government? Is it because they have stood in vehement opposition to the liberal Biden administration’s Green New Deal subsidized solar scams?
Is it because Jackson, the current Republican frontrunner candidate for State Auditor, is on a mission to restore openness and accountability to government throughout the state?
Are certain individuals in Jefferson County and around the state terrified of someone who can’t be controlled and won’t be bullied–someone who represents citizens over special interests?
Throughout the Mountain State, we see government agencies out of control, money being mishandled, transparency thrown aside, and an attitude of arrogance from those in government toward us, the citizens. The spirit of government of, by, and for the people has largely been turned upside down.
In contrast, as the Republican frontrunner for State Auditor, Tricia Jackson stands poised to begin the statewide work of righting the ship, mending the sails, and restoring public confidence in our institutions of government. To do this requires the strength of character and fortitude currently being displayed by Commissioner Jackson in Jefferson County.
Ultimately, we do well to realize that the Swamp and Uniparty are not after Commissioner Jackson. They are after us, our state, and our children’s futures. Like President Trump, Jackson simply stands in their way and refuses to budge.
And this is why they are desperate to stop her by any means–and why they will fail. The time has come for transparency. We must stand with Commissioners Jackson and Krouse. We must help them rescue West Virginia from the Swamp.
God Save America,
Delegate Henry C. Dillon
WV House of Delegates, District 29