Last week, the Editorial Board met with candidates for the Preston County Commission, Don Smith and Lynn Housner. The candidates were largely in agreement on the big issues and basic methods of addressing those issues. With that in mind, we don’t think the residents of Preston County could go wrong by electing either one of them.
Smith brings the benefit of his experience. After five years on the commission, he knows how it works and what is reasonably within the commission’s power. He’s also built up a list of contacts in other agencies and amassed strings to pull if need be.
Housner brings fresh ideas and his strong connections to West Virginia University. He also has eight years of community service under his belt and an unbeatable determination.
On the matter of roads, Smith and Housner agree that there is still much work to be done. Smith pledges his work with the DOH and DOT will continue and he’ll strive to keep clear and open communication regarding road status. He also noted that the funding mechanism for roads needs fixed; as he said, the gas tax is not enough to fund the DOH and fix the roads. Housner, however, would like to see the commission partner with WVU. This would make Preston County a test site for new road maintenance and repair technologies and methods, including new asphalt mixes that may last longer. By Housner’s estimate, the research dollars would largely cover the expenses, rather than putting the cost burden on taxpayers.
Both Housner and Smith agree that acid mine drainage is an obstacle to clean water in Preston County, but that it may also present a unique opportunity. Acid mine drainage contains many of the rare earth elements used in electronics manufacturing and harvesting those could give the county an economic boost. Housner has already spoken to WVU about extracting the minerals and metals; all that would be needed is to secure funding, which, he says, the commission should help WVU secure. Smith, on the other hand, thinks the best starting point is to secure Abandoned Mine Land grants and involve the Department of Energy to create settling ponds. The rare earth elements can be obtained from there. Smith’s hope is if the county gets the ball rolling, a private company will want to come in and take over the operation, bringing new business to the county.
The key difference between Smith and Housner is with whom they believe the Preston County Commission should partner. Smith believes the work starts within and between governmental agencies, but also emphasizes the importance of private-public partnerships. He already knows the ins and outs and how to get the work done. Housner sees better using WVU’s knowledge and resources in Preston’s future. WVU is always developing new technologies and could put Preston County on the path to innovation. Both candidates know what Preston County needs and have solid ideas for how to bring Preston into a brighter (cleaner, more smoothly paved and more prosperous) future.
