Charleston Chamber Releases General Election Endorsements

The Charleston Regional of Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee today released its endorsements for the Nov. 2 General Election.

“The Charleston Regional of Chamber of Commerce speaks out for the policies and reforms that create jobs, enhance our community and invest in people,” said Chamber Chairman Mike Basile.  “Central to our mission is endorsing candidates who share our vision for economic growth and opportunity for the citizens of the Kanawha Valley and West Virginia.”

In considering endorsements, the Chamber seeks to identify candidates who:  advocate policies that create high value jobs for West Virginia; strive to improve the quality of life for our citizens;  work with the Chamber on economic development public policy; support the responsible implementation of metro-services and metro-government; support responsible tax reduction; and work to keep young people in the state. 

As part of the endorsement process, the Chamber also considers a candidate’s effectiveness as a political, business or community leader, and whether he or she is accessible and receptive to the Chamber and the views of the local business community.

The Charleston Regional Chamber of Commerce endorses the following candidates in the Nov. 2 General Election:

U.S. Senate
Joe Manchin III (D)

U.S. House of Representatives 
Shelley Moore Capito (R)

Kanawha County Commission
David Hardy (D)

WV Senate 8th District 
Erik Wells (D)

WV Senate 17th District 
Brooks McCabe (D)

WV House of Delegates 30th District
Brian Hicks (R)
Erik Nelson (R)
Doug Skaff (D)
James Strawn (R)

WV House of Delegates 31st District 
Meshea Poore (D)

WV House of Delegates 32nd District 
Tim Armstead (R)
Ron Lane (R)
Ron Walters( R)

“By endorsing a candidate, the Charleston Chamber believes that he or she will be a strong and effective partner on policies to advance Kanawha County and West Virginia.  It does not mean that we agree with or endorse every position held by the candidate,” explained Chamber President Matt Ballard.  “We will pursue constructive dialogue with all candidates — those we endorsed and those who did not receive our endorsement in this particular election — on meaningful solutions to the challenges facing our region and state.

“We encourage our 600 business members and their 40,000 employees to vote for these candidates,” he added.

The last day for early voting will be Saturday, Oct. 30. Check with your local county clerk to determine the location and hours of early voting in your county.

Traditional polling locations across the state will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2.

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admin, October 15th 2010 | Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Announcements, Endorsements

Join the Campaign for Safety April 13

LevySign

The area’s business community will come together in a show of strength for safety on Tuesday, April 13, as the Charleston Regional Chamber of Commerce officially announces its endorsement of the upcoming safety levy at a 10:30 a.m. campaign launch in the parking lot of its 1116 Smith Street offices.

We hope you will join the Charleston Chamber and representatives of area fire, police and ambulance departments, as well as the Kanawha Valley Regional Transportation Authority, at this event to learn what the levy means to you, your business, your family and your community.

The levy, which is on the May 11 Kanawha County ballot, is a continuation of the existing levy and requires 60 percent approval to pass. Every vote counts. The levy raises $14.9 million annually for ambulance, bus, fire and police services.    Failure of the levy will result in dramatic cutbacks in vital services to our community.

We must not allow this protection plan to fail. If it does, we will see a loss in automatic response for vehicle accidents, reduced service in rural areas, a decrease in bus service and transportation for the disabled and a longer response time for 911 calls.

The levy is not a tax increase. Kanawha County households now pay about 14 cents a day to support 22 fire departments that respond first to emergencies, ambulances that respond to 90 percent of calls within eight minutes and transport more than 200 patients every day and busses that pick up thousands of passengers each day.

These are impressive statistics. They translate to the quickness and efficiency that often mean the difference between life and death.

The ambulance, police and fire forces are filled with men and women who make it their duty to protect our friends and families. They are there — for us — 365 days a year.

For just one day — May 11 — they’ll need our help. They’ll need our vote.

Please help us highlight the importance of the levy to our community by joining us at the campaign kick off on April 13.

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admin, April 8th 2010 | Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Announcements, Campaigns