County commission and Mylan executives discuss recent layoffs

MORGANTOWN — In the wake of hundreds of layoffs announced late last week for Mylan Pharmaceuticals’ Morgantown operations, Mylan representatives were invited to attend Wednesday’s regular meeting of the Monongalia County Commission.
Scott Marshall, head of site operations for Mylan’s Morgantown manufacturing plant, said the reduction of about 15 percent of the 3,500 employees — both union and non-union — was needed to ensure the company remains viable going forward.
“As the regulatory landscape continues to change and continues to evolve, we’ve had to evolve with that,” Marshall said, explaining that the company continues to work with the employee union to identify anyone interested in a voluntary layoff as well as with multiple agencies regarding “out-placement.”
Prior to the meeting, Commissioner Tom Bloom said he was interested in hearing a commitment from Mylan about its place in the local community.
“We still remain one of the largest manufacturing sites in Mylan’s fold throughout the world,” Marshall said. “Our obligation remains to Monongalia County as well as to West Virginia. We’ve been embedded in West Virginia since our founding. We’re glad to be part of this community and this action, as tough as it may be, we felt is necessary for the future.”
Bloom said he was appreciative that the Mylan contingent accepted the commission’s invitation on short notice.
“I think one of the things the commission has been very concerned about is when you lose 15 percent, that’s not just property owners or businesses, but they’re the coaches and the people who make up this community,” Bloom said.
While the commission was in session, Governor Jim Justice announced an informational meeting to be held Thursday at Lakeview Golf & Resort in order to provide information about state and federal resources available to assist those employees facing layoffs.
The meeting will be divided alphabetically by last name:
A-F 9 a.m.
G-L 11 a.m.
M-R 1 p.m.
S-Z 3 p.m.
For additional information, contact WorkForce WV at 304-558-8414.
In other news from Wednesday’s meeting, the commission:
Heard from Chief Tax Deputy Kelly Palmer, who said 2017 taxes must be submitted to the tax office by the end of the day Monday to avoid publication on the delinquent tax list.
Announced Rachel Shockley (Mountaineer Middle), Chloelle Fitz (St. Francis) and Lea Hatcher (St. Francis) — in no particular order — as the winners of the 2018 County Government Essay Contest.
The actual place each received will be announced during the May 2 meeting.
Nolan Cook (South Middle), Francesca Cain (Mountaineer Middle) and Michael Lewis Payton, Jr. (Clay-Battelle Middle) were listed as honorable mentions.
All local entries will be forwarded on to the state contest, held by the County Commissioners Association of West Virginia.
Set a public hearing for shortly after 10 a.m. on May 23 to hear a zoning change request for the West Run Planning District.
The request, for Morgan District tax map 4B, parcels 67, 68 and 68.1, would change the parcels from neighborhood residential (R-2) to high-density residential (R-4).