By Heather Clower
The Parsons Advocate
A new year brings a lot of new changes and for Tucker County those changes involve personnel filling for elected official positions. 2020 brings another election year that will be filling nine positions across the county. In order to file your intentions to be considered for a position, you must fill out a packet of necessary documents that can be picked up at the Tucker County Clerk’s Office. The opening date to file is January 13 and the final date is January 25. County Clerk Sherry Simmons stated to accommodate those wishing to file in person on the 25; the office will open from 9 a.m. to noon. Any applicants submitting their forms prior to or after these dates will not be considered. Simmons also welcomed anyone interested in filing to come by the office and one of the will assist in the completion of the packet.
What are the upcoming offices that are up for consideration for 2020? The first office is that of the Assessor. Each office consists of a filing fee which is set by the State of West Virginia based on the county’s tax class and the salary associated with each position. Tucker County is considered a four tax class, which means to file to be a candidate for Assessor comes with a filing fee of $487.87. The successful candidate for this position will serve a four year term with an annual salary of $48,787. Once the new Assessor takes his position, he or she will be required to partake in training. It is the job of the Assessor to obtain a full and accurate description of personal property within the county. Every three years, the Assessor is required to visit each of the properties, though the market values are obtained annually. By February 1, the individual must submit the Land and Personal Property Books to the Board of Equalization and Review. By March 3, documentation of assessed values must be submitted to Recorder or Clerk of Cities and Towns, Secretary to the Board of Education, State Board of Education, County Commission, and Public Utilities. The list of duties for the Assessor continue for another page of information that can be found online at the West Virginia Association of Counties at www.wvaco.org
The next position coming up for election is for County Commissioner within the Shavers Fork District. This district covers those who vote at St. John’s United Methodist Church, the Tucker County Courthouse Annex, and the historic Tucker County Courthouse. The term for each of the three county commissioners is six years and their main priority is to serve as the governing body of a county. According to the WVACO, the powers of the commissioners are limited to “the manner described by law.” The document further states that, “The county commissions’ powers must be expressly conferred by the Constitution or by Acts of the Legislature.” Specific duties assigned to the county commission as set forth by The West Virginia Constitution, Section 11, Article nine include the following: the custody, through their clerks, of all deeds and other papers presented for record in their counties, with responsibility for their preservation or disposal as may be prescribed by law, the administration of the internal police and fiscal affairs of their counties, with authorities to lay county levies, under regulations as may be prescribed by law, and to serve as the judge of the election, qualifications and return of their own members, and of all county and district officers, subject to regulations as may be prescribed by law. Again, more information regarding the full description of the position can be found on the WVACO site. The annual salary of the county commission offices sets at $39,178 resulting in a filing fee of $391.78
For $10, a hopeful candidate can file for consideration to fill the position of Conservation District Supervisor. This position is compensated based on attendance to events and meetings. There are 14 conservation districts in West Virginia with all counties except Berkeley and Kanawha Counties selecting two, non-partisan representatives. To be eligible to file for the position of Conservation District Supervisor, which is a four year term position, you must meet certain criteria, including owning land within the county he or she is running in, be an active or retired farmer with a minimum of five years farming experience, and at least five years of land management experience or experience within related fields. A strong, working interest of the conservation of natural resources is also a priority for anyone interested. Some of the responsibilities filled by the successful candidate include being involved in the financial management of the district and the development and implementation of plans on topics such as prevention of soil erosion as an example.
Tucker County also has two Magistrates who serve the county, both positions being up for re-election in 2020. There are two divisions a hopeful candidate can decide to run in, Division I or Division II, which Simmons explained is not determined by geographical location nor does your political affiliation play a role. The fee to file as a candidate for Tucker County Magistrate is $575.00 with a salary of $57,500.00 annually over the course of a four year term. According to West Virginia Code, the candidates must be at least 21 years of age, possess at least a high school education or equivalent, be a county resident, and must have not been convicted of any felonies or misdemeanors involving moral turpitude, or an act or behavior that gravely violates the sentiment or accepted standard of the community. The candidates also may not be of immediate family of any other serving magistrate within the county. Once elected, the successful candidate must first attend and complete a course of instruction in rudimentary principles of law and procedure, which is given in accordance with the supervisory rules of the Supreme Court of Appeals. Magistrates must continue to attend educational courses throughout their term. Failure to do so could result in neglect of duty. Before taking office, the Magistrate must also take an oath of office conducted by a county Circuit Court Judge or the Chief Judge. Time devoted to this position depends on the number of citizens served and the workload set forth by the judge.
Prosecuting Attorney will also be a position up consideration. The filing fee for this position is $1,008. with a salary of $100,800. with a four year term. Those filing must be permitted to practice law within the state of West Virginia to be considered for this position. As stated in the WVACO guidelines, the prosecuting attorney is chief legal officer of the county in both criminal and civil cases. In criminal cases, the Prosecuting Attorney is responsible for assisting in the investigation of all crimes and law violations whereas in civil matters, they act as legal counsel for the Tucker County Commission and other county officials. In addition to prosecuting misdemeanor and felony crimes within the county, they are responsible for requesting warrants, trying cases in magistrate and circuit court, present information to the Grand Jury for indictment, represent the Department of Health and Human Resources in child abuse and neglect cases, represent the state in juvenile delinquency cases, and many more.
It is also time to elect a new County Sheriff to serve a four year term. State code states a Sheriff cannot serve more than two consecutive, four year terms. The filing fee is $487.87 with an annual salary of $48,787. The job of Sheriff is to serve as the county wide, chief law enforcement officer responsible for policing the county, keeping the peace, and has the power to make arrests. It is also the job of the Sheriff to serve as the county’s treasurer and collect all taxes levied by the county. Other duties assigned to this position within the WVACO guidelines include to serve and execute all returns, notices, and processes issued by the courts which must be served within the county, act as bailiff in court proceedings, enforce court order, administer transportation of prisoners and others meeting criteria, issue concealed carry license to applicants, and much more.
Two seats on the Tucker County Board of Education, serving four year terms, will also be on the May ballot with a filing fee of $25. According to the West Virginia Legislature in Chapter 18 Article five, each county school district shall be under the control and supervision of a board of education composed of five individuals elected by the population without regards to political affiliation, though no more than two can be elected from the same magisterial district. To be eligible for this position, the candidates must reside within the county, not be employed by the county board, and may not hold any public office. Those filing must hold a minimum of a high school degree or equivalent, and must attend orientation. Once in office, each member must partake in no less than seven hours of training annually, and take oath prior to taking office prescribed by section five, article IV of the Constitution. Similar to the position of Conservation Supervisor, the compensation for serving on the Board of Education is based per meeting attended, with an annual estimate of $3,800.
Once an individual has properly filed for office, notices will be posted outside of the County Clerk’s Office with the names of those who are running for each position. The general public is welcome to stop by and read the postings to keep up to date on those wishing to be considered for each position.
