I recently sent the following email to each of the five Jefferson County, WV Board of Education members and Superintendent Chuck Bishop, seeking details about how the Board of Education has spent our tax dollars. The current School Excess Levy was voted in by the voters of Jefferson County on November 3, 2020. It took effect on July 1, 2021, and extends until June 30, 2026. the amount stated hat has been raised each year is $22,412,937, or about $2582 for each of about 8682 students.
The reason I sent the letter below is that the accounting for what our tax dollars are spent on is very opaque. I believe in the necessity for transparency, honesty and accountability on the part of our Board of Education.
If the Board of Education cannot detail clearly where our tax dollars have gone and/or if they have wastefully spent our hard-earned tax dollars, then the next Excess Levy should not be approved. If you pay $1000 per year in property taxes, $400 goes toward the excess levy.
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Addressing County’s Pressing Issues and Funding |
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Mike Mood, a candidate for the Middle Way district seat on the Jefferson County Commission, discussed the county’s most pressing issues. He highlighted the need for increased funding to support public safety, education, and other essential services. Mike emphasized that the county’s tax base is insufficient to meet these needs, and that the construction of new houses is exacerbating the problem. He suggested that the county should focus on attracting commercial growth to improve its tax base and reduce the burden on residential growth. Mike also mentioned that a public hearing on increasing impact fees for new construction is scheduled for November. |
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Listen to the Podcast
| West Virginia Congressional District and Election Discussion | |
| Richard and Steven discussed the upcoming election and Steven’s candidacy for the US House of Representatives in the Second Congressional District. Steven explained that the district, which covers 27 counties and spans 10,000 square miles, was redistricted in 2020 due to a loss in population. He also highlighted the unique aspects of West Virginia’s constitution, which makes gerrymandering of Congressional seats virtually impossible. Steven, who lives in Hardy County, expressed his love for the natural beauty of the area. | |
| John’s Background and Policy Support Discussion | |
| John shared his background, which includes graduating from Shepherd University, serving in the army in Vietnam, and being elected to the House of Delegates. He expressed his support for clean air and water, good public schools, reproductive freedom for women, an elected Public Service Commission, and the right to repair products. He also mentioned Delegate Kayla Young’s bill for the right to repair agricultural equipment and his intention to introduce a similar bill for all products if elected. | |
Richard and Tricia Jackson, primary candidate for West Virginia Treasurer, discuss how to tackle the issue of almost one half of all West Virginia births being outside of marriage. They talk about the need to present clear expectations and standards to children and youth. Helping children to develop emotional intelligence, and not just going by their feelings, was discussed as an important element of tackling this issue.
Richard discusses the idea of developing STAR (Students Teaching Abstinence & Responsibility) and other leadership clubs that emphasize character development and sexual abstinence.
Richard and Kevin KC” Christian, primary candidate for West Virginia Governor, discuss the benefits and efficacy of character and abstinence-centered education for youth. They dive into the process for forming an Urban Life Training Chapter in your local community. Kevin shares about the importance of putting base desires in check while looking forward to a successful marriage and future.
Link for forming an Urban Life Training Chapter: https://www.urbanlifetraining.org/index.php/chapters
Joe Earley, primary candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in West Virginia, discussed how the continued upward spiral of outside of wedlock births drives all types of societal problems.
Joe discusses the deleterious effect of unfettered internet access on our children, and much more.
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Jack Hefestay and Richard discuss the root cause of societal decline, the breakdown of the family. Richard presents a practical plan to tackle this issue.
Jack and Richard discuss the current dynamic of discussing God in the public square.
Richie Robb and Richard Urban discuss the importance of focusing on the cause of societal problems, which is family breakdown. In West Virginia, about one in two children are born outside of marriage.
How can generational change occur?
Could part of the solution be banning cell phones in schools?
Join this crucial discussion by commenting below.
Guest Michael Marshall discusses how Montgomery County Md. makes LGBTQ indoctrination mandatory. LGBTQ books are included in English lessons for grades as young as pre-school. Since these are not part of the Family Life Education classes, parents are not notified and are not allowed to opt out their children.
This has caused an uproar from a diverse group of parents across the county.