Formation of U.S. Route 50 Association

Meeting of Regional County Commissioners

Re: Formation of U.S. Route 50 Association

CandleWyck Inn

November 18, 2003

Invited were the Commissions of Hampshire, Mineral, Garrett, Grant, Preston, Taylor and Barbour Counties. All parties expressed positive interest.

Attending were: Com. David C. Beard, Garrett Co.; Comm.

Les Shoemaker, Jr, Donald P. Cookman, & O’Grady Bradfield, constituent Michael O’Brien (Hampshire Review), Hampshire Co.; Adm. Cindy Whetsell, Grant Co.; Comm. Jack Bowers & Janice Larue, Co. Coordinator Michael Bland and constituent Wayne C. Spiggle, Mineral Co.; Comm. L. Darwin Wolfe & Victoria A. Cole, Preston Co.

A discussion paper on the formation of the Association was reviewed and amended. The amended version is attached.

Certain action items were discussed as follows:

Action Item	Discussion	Assignment
Structure of the Assoc.	Eastern Panhandle and Frederick Co. Va. should be invited.	Hampshire Commission to contact and report back.
“	Chambers / Commerce, Planning Commissions, Tourism Offices should be invited.	Commissioners to contact. Facilitator to inform about next meeting.
“	Co. Comm. to decide and invite rep. of public safety.	Each Commission to decide whether this is to be the Sheriff/ 911, etc. & invite to next meeting.
“	All meetings: Public Non-partisan Held at places thru-out region. Include WVDH
Action Item	Discussion	Assignment
Structure of the Association	We will begin with an informal structure and decide later whether formal incorporation and 501© 3 needed. Funding could be channeled through a designated Co. Comm.	Facilitator (Spiggle) to propose a simple procedure format at next meeting. (Bland & Cookman to assist.)
“	Some work of the Assn. may be accomplished through designated sub-committees.
Promoting the Association	State and Federal Delegations should be informed and involved.	Each Co. Commission will make contact. Facilitator will keep them in the info. loop.
Purpose & Mission	Refer to Strategic Plan (attached)	Agreed upon in principal at this meeting
Activities & Outcome of the Association	“	“

Wayne Spiggle was asked to assume the role of facilitator until a more formal structure is adapted by the Association. Michael Bland agreed to provide assistance and advice.

The next meeting will be held at the Garrett Co. Court House on Friday, January 30, 1:00 p.m. The major agenda item will be a review of existing studies and/or design work that now exists for U.S. 50 east of Clarksburg. The WV Division of Highways will be asked to make this presentation. The strategic plan will be reviewed and other organizational items will be discussed. Please mark your calendars now.

Respectfully submitted,

Wayne C. Spiggle, M.D.

US 50 MEMORANDUM

MEMORANDUM

OCTOBER 10, 2003

TO: HAMPSHIRE/MINERAL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, SHERIFFS, CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICES.

FROM: WAYNE C. SPIGGLE

RE: FORMATION AND STRATEGY OF PROPOSED ROUTE 50 ASSOCIATION

The very positive reception of my suggestion to form a U.S. Rt. 50 Association, prompts this follow through to recommend an approach to its formation and operative strategy. Thank you for your consideration and congratulations again for holding the recent hearing on the need to improve U.S. Route 50. Regional cooperation is essential to maximize efforts for the public good and those who attended the hearing certainly thought the exercise was worth while.

Purpose and Mission of a Route 50 Association
The mission of the Association is to improve U.S. Route 50 from the Virginia line to Clarksburg WV so that this road will fulfill modern day safety standards and will more effectively function as an essential transportation artery complimentary to Corridor H and other transportation initiatives. In order to accomplish this goal the Association must:
• be representative of the entire region affected;
• become cooperators, not competitors, on this issue;
• agree on the priorities involved in Rt. 50 improvement;
• present a unified front to responsible governmental agencies;
• actively inform the public about what must be done and how to do it;
• assess Department of Transportation budget priorities and make certain this region is in full parity with the rest of the state;
• celebrate our successes and remain positive in our approach.

Forming the Association
The Hampshire and Mineral Commissions will communicate to their colleagues in Grant, Preston, Taylor and Barbour Counties and obtain their participation and willingness to invite their Offices of Economic Development and the Sheriff. Each Commission will also ask the Chamber of Commerce in their county to be involved.

Therefore, voting members of the Association will be representatives of the County Commission, the Sheriff’s office, the Economic Development Authority and the Chamber of Commerce in each of the aforementioned counties.

The public at large will be invited to participate as ex-officio members.

Activities of the Association
Meetings of the Association will be held monthly, rotating the place so that an even number of meetings are held in each of the membership counties. The voting members will elect officers and further develop strategy. All meetings will be open to the public and a representative of the Department of Transportation will be urged to attend each meeting. Proceedings of each meeting will be reported to all constituencies in order to encourage a representative process.

It may be that the Association will choose to broaden its membership to include Garrett County, Md and/or other jurisdictions that are impacted by U.S. Route 50 traffic.

Expected Outcome of the Association
It is expected, that by presenting a unified front, a cooperative approach, a studied assessment and a successful public information program, the current unacceptable status of U.S. Rt. 50 will be transformed into a modern and safe roadway. To the extent that this is done, U.S. Rt. 50 will function more effectively as an essential regional link to economic development opportunities, thus enhancing the quality of life and future prospects for the entire region.