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John Mattson
Member
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Posted: Sat Apr 5th, 2008 07:15 pm |
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I have lived in Morgan County a little over three years, but I am not unfamiliar with the issues we face each day. I was born in a small town in Maine at the edge of nowhere, yet ten miles from everywhere. When people came to my town, they came for the same reason that many people come to Morgan County – to get away from the city, get away from people, enjoy the peace and quiet, and sample our springs. So, when someone shares their compassion for the environment, heartache of increased development or the burden of heavy traffic, I can honestly relate and share their pain.
I first heard of Berkeley Springs while I was stationed in Japan in the late 90’s. While there, I worked with a civilian contractor who was from this area and he told my wife and me all about the springs. After 14 years of military life, and a few years working on the West Coast, a company contacted me about a job back on the east coast. So, after accepting a job near Ft. Meade, Maryland, the only logical place for us to live was here in Berkeley Springs. Despite my four-hour daily commute, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
My main concern with our current Commissioners (two of them anyway) is that they are not doing anything the People of Morgan County want. They hold hearings and invite people to Commission meetings but don’t heed their concerns and continue their “Back Room” politics – serving only their own personal agendas. My only personal agenda is to serve the will of the people and I will do everything I can to put an end to their form of politics and give the County back to YOU.
Many areas of the county are growing faster than we can keep up with, faster than we can control, and faster than the environment can withstand. If we do not act responsibly, our rural way of life will no longer exist, the water will be polluted even more than it is now, our streets will be more overcrowded, and many of us will still be commuting out of state to work every day. I believe everyone agrees we need to have rules in place, not only to protect our environment, but to protect our Residents as well. I don’t know if zoning is the answer because a complete and open-minded study of all our options has never been completed. The fact is whether we call it zoning or simply establish ordinances, we need to do something before it is too late.
In order to balance out the growth and increasing tax burden on our residents, we need businesses to come to our county, and I don’t mean just along the “Tourist Mile” through Berkeley Springs. We need new businesses in every part of Morgan County. If you look across our borders, you will see many businesses that should have opened in Morgan County. We need businesses that will provide long term, stable employment and continued growth – not just jobs but careers. Federal government offices, technology industry, and many other businesses are opening all over our neighboring counties and across our state lines.
Along with those businesses, we need more support businesses for our residents and future businesses to leverage off. We have waited too long for a Wal-Mart or a Target; a Lowe’s or Home Depot. We need competition and a variety of other fast food and chain restaurants and grocery stores to choose from.
We also need to use Common Sense to obtain our Common Goals. We do need a new courthouse, but building a $40 million replacement and financing our unborn children’s future is unreasonable. We need to explore all options to raise money and build what we can afford, not simply what few want.
We need a Commissioner that is open minded and who will establish and maintain a good working relationship with our local neighbors, state leaders and national representatives. We cannot clean up our rivers and restore our local environment on our own. We have some great local organizations that are doing their best, but they can’t do it alone. They need a Leader that will reach out to other local, state and federal officials and create a Team that will work together, upstream and downstream, across the valleys and over the mountaintops to preserve our environment.
These are just a few of the issues we all live with and discuss around the barber’s chair on the weekend, but other issues will arise and there will be a lot more ongoing activity
All I can hope for is that if you agree with my views, you will provide me the opportunity to serve YOU. I have the experience, attitude and work ethic that are required of the Leader that you deserve. I need your support and ask that you vote for me in the Primary election on May 13th.
If you have any questions, concerns, or just want to chat and learn more about me, don’t hesitate to call me, send me an e-mail or stop me the next time you see me and ask whatever is on your mind. I have nothing to hide and will openly and honestly answer any questions you have.
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