The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

November 5, 2008

In big voter turnout, Wyoming County overwhelmingly passes excess levy

By Mary Catherine Brooks

PINEVILLE — Voters turned out in record numbers across Wyoming County, but there were no real surprises in the local election.

“It may be the biggest turnout that I remember,” said Mike Goode, county clerk. “I think it’s up by 10 percent.”

Despite the heavy turnout, the election process ran smooth throughout the day, Goode noted. “Of course, nothing is perfect,” he said. “We had a few minor problems, but we had rovers (trained county staff) all over the county that could be there in five minutes.”

The excess levy, commonly known as the textbook levy, was overwhelmingly passed by county voters. With 36 of 36 precincts reporting, the levy passed with 5,766 (77 percent) for and 1,712 (23 percent) against.

School officials had predicted drastic cuts in personnel, free textbooks and materials for students, transportation, among other items if the excess levy was not approved.

This excess levy will generate $7.3 million for the school system over the next five years — providing funding for everything from personnel to extracurricular activities.

“We’re very grateful voters supported the continuation of the levy,” county Schools Superintendent Frank Blackwell said.

The state provides funding for a 200-day school year based on the number of students enrolled in county schools, Blackwell explained. “Anything extra is paid by local dollars — those local dollars come from the excess levy,” he said.

Also, for the first time, every student will have insurance for any school-related accident included in this excess levy funding, Blackwell said.

These monies also pay for the personnel the county carries over those reimbursed by the state Department of Education, according to officials.

More than $1 million is earmarked for textbooks.

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Only two county races were contested: the assessor and magistrate.

Mike E. Cook, the Democratic nominee, faced Republican challenger Peni Adams for the assessor’s seat. Incumbent Michael W. Cook was defeated in the primary election. While Cook and Adams battled early, he took a commanding lead then held it.

With 36 of 36 precincts reporting, Cook had 4,603 votes (64 percent) and Adams had 2,633 votes (36 percent).

Three Democratic nominees — J.R. Boles, Craig Cook, and Kim Farmer — faced Republican challenger Gerald Jackson for the three magistrate seats. Jackson trailed slightly in the early returns, though the Democrats’ lead decisively increased as the returns continued to be posted.

With 36 of 36 precincts, Farmer had 5,010 votes (31 percent); Cook had 4,297 votes (27 percent); Boles took 3,642 votes (23 percent); and Jackson garnered 3,017 votes (19 percent).

— E-mail: mcbrooks@register-herald.com

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