Recorded Attendees: Gary Howell – Mineral County Planning Commission, Charles Baker – Hampshire County Planning Commission, Evelyn Baker-Hampshire County Planning Commission, William Wood-WVDOH Charleston, Wayne Spiggle-Mineral County Commission, Ken Musgrave-Mineral County, Brian Car – WVDOH Charleston, Marc Bashoor-Mineral County Emergency Management, Craig Jennings-Preston County Commission, Melinda Jensen-Hampshire Review, Richard Fagley-Garrett County, John Lusk-WVDOH, Frank Whitacre-Hampshire County Assessor, Janice LaRue-Mineral County Commission, Dave Moe-Garrett County Development, Les Shoemaker-Hampshire County Development, Mona Ridder-Cumberland Times-News, Elaine Blaisdell-News Tribune, Mark White WVDOH Charleston.
Opening & Introductions: Lunch took place at the Pines in Keyser, WV. Janice LaRue welcomed everyone to the meeting. New to the group was Craig Jennings from Preston County who was introduced first. This meeting was somewhat smaller than most as there were a lot of scheduling conflicts.
Old Business: Taylor County's lack of attendance in an official capacity was brought up. No response arrived from the letter sent to the group. Wayne Spiggle placed several phone calls, but none were returned. Craig Jennings of Preston County offered to make personal contact with the Taylor Count Commission.
State Senator Clark Barnes offered to set up a meeting in Washington with Senator Robert C. Byrd. With the Democrats in power in Washington, this may allow for additional funding for US 50 projects. It was also indicated that Clark Barnes serves on West Virginia’s Roads and Transportation Senate Committee, and is the Minority Whip. Robert Schadler is the Minority Chair of the House Roads and Transportation Committee, both being from this area should help with upgrades to US 50 from the state level.
Ken Musgrave has the frame work of the Power Point presentation. He needs additional content. Gary Howell will work with him, and it was suggested that Frank O’Hara be contacted for the content that he already has. Evelyn Baker states that Hampshire County had statistics they would like to include.
Richard Fagley spoke on US 50 being used as an evacuation route for DC in the event of an emergency. Marc Bashoor said that was above the level of local planning, but the emergency services of the regional counties were working together and will be holding a Homeland Security Drill. It was brought up that at the last meeting it was stated no money would be used to upgrade roads for evacuations, but Gary Howell indicated that the Defense Highways Act created the Interstate Highway System for that reason and that was a precedent.
Wayne Spiggle spoke on the group becoming a member of “West Virginians for Better Roads.” There are no dues for this group, and it may help to gain exposure and explore avenues of funding. The group had statistics that the WV road fatality rate is 50% above the national average, and leads the nation in narrow roads.
A brief discussion reviewed the scenic highway information from the last Preston County meeting.
Janice LaRue gave a report on the DOH meeting from Mineral County day. The state is holding off on the WV 93 extension, which affects a section of US 50. She indicated that with some prodding they may move sooner on this.
Bill Woods returned from a morning meeting on the North-South US 220 Corridor which will overlap some section of US 50 to be determined. This is on track and public meetings will be held soon.
With the completion of the Tier One study, this indicates a 4000 ft wide corridor where the road will be located. Dave Moe suggested that we request that a form of 109th Congress Bill S.719 or H.R.5031 be reintroduced this session to provide funding from the ADHS, as well as an extension of corridor D east from Clarksburg to Virginia.
Citizen Concerns: None
March Meeting:
Grant County will host the next meeting on March 21st at a place to be determined.
Meeting Adjourned at 2:07.
