| Summary | |
| Daphne Andrews’ West Virginia House of Delegates Campaign | |
| Richard introduced Daphne Andrews as a West Virginia primary candidate running for the House of Delegates in District 99. Daphne, a constitutional conservative and defender of the First and Second Amendments, highlighted her commitment to fiscal responsibility, opposition to solar farms and the climate change green agenda, and her desire to attract American businesses to the state. She also expressed concern about the state’s direction in green energy and the welfare of children, citing a recent case in Boone County where the skeletal remains of a child were found after the family was reported to child protective services. Daphne also criticized the use of puberty blockers for children with depression or dysphoria. | |
| Legislation, Green Energy, and Kabletown Project | |
| Daphne and Richard talked about Wayne Clark, the founder of the Green Energy caucus for West Virginia, and his efforts to pass bills related to solar energy and zoning. Daphne brought up concerns about the Kabletown project and that environmental damage does not appear to be properly mitigated. Richard expressed his opposition to COVID-19 mandates and recalled a bill that was introduced in the 2021 legislative session that was passed by the House but destroyed by the Senate, with Senator Trump leading the charge in gutting the bill. | |
| Covid-19 Impact and Medical Freedom Discussion | |
| Richard and Daphne discussed the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on their lives and the healthcare system. Daphne shared her experience as a frontline worker during the first wave of Covid-19 and her frustration about the lack of preparation and understanding of the disease. She also highlighted the negative impact the pandemic had on children’s education and the health of senior citizens due to isolation. In addition, Daphne expressed her support for medical freedom and religious exemptions in vaccinations, being disappointed by Governor Justice’s veto of the recent bill to provide some religious exemptions. | |
| Election System Integrity and Preferences | |
| Richard and Daphne discussed the integrity of election systems in their state, specifically focused on the use of electronic voting machines and paper ballots. Richard expressed concerns about the potential for inaccuracies with electronic voting machines, referring to issues in other states. Daphne, who has experience working the polls, explained her preference for the Jefferson County’s system that uses a thumb drive inserted into the tabulator and paper ballots printed as a backup, but also emphasized the need for uniformity across the state to avoid confusion and doubt. Richard expressed his preference for hand-counted paper ballots. | |
| Strengthening Families, Reducing Abortions | |
| Richard and Daphne discussed ways to strengthen families and reduce the rates of abortion. They agreed on the need to focus more on the education of youth to avoid the root cause of abortions, which is sex outside of marriage. | |
| Promoting Education and Opportunities Beyond High School | |
| Daphne discussed the importance of promoting education and opportunities beyond high school for students in West Virginia. She emphasized that her husband, formerly a coach at Washington High School, taught all of his student athletes the values of God first, then family, then studies, and finally sports. Daphne observed that most of his students went on to college or joined the military with success. | |
| Property Tax Assessment and Voter Registration | |
| Richard and Daphne discussed the issue of property tax assessment increases, with Daphne expressing support for capping or eliminating this tax. They also discussed the automatic voter registration at the DMV, with Daphne expressing dislike for this practice, citing a personal experience where her voter status was incorrectly changed. They both agreed that voter registration should be done through a form filled out deliberately, and not through an automatic system that could potentially lead to voter fraud. | |
| Second Exit Road for Shannondale Community | |
| Richard and Daphne discussed the need for a second exit road from the Shannondale community, which they both agreed could be a lifesaving measure in case of emergencies like forest fires. Daphne shared her personal experience of surviving a house fire and her opinion that the community needs a second exit. Richard suggested that the funding for such a project would likely require state support. They both agreed that the potential benefits of the second exit far outweighed any potential costs. | |
| Daphne’s Comparison of Opponents Mike and Wayne | |
| Daphne discussed the differences between her and her opponent, Mike Allers Jr., highlighting his support for unions and the Liberal West Virginia AFL-CIO’s endorsement of both him and Biden. She also criticized Mike’s stance on the Hope Scholarship and his lack of understanding about West Virginia. Furthermore, she revealed that Wayne Clark is involved in the green energy caucus and talked about not giving subsides to unproven technologies, like the company Form Energy company, which is developing an iron air battery. Daphne also mentioned that Wayne, another opponent, had previously been backed by the West Virginia Tea Party but later disappointed them with his actions. | |
| Addressing West Virginia Tourism Concerns | |
| Daphne mentioned that Wayne Clark only talked about tourism in his current campaign cycle, noting that he has not done anything to promote tourism. Richard joked that the Blake Solar project is the current welcome sign for tourists entering Jefferson County. Daphne also expressed her concern about the direction of the state, stating that the current government was not listening to its people. She, along with like-minded individuals, planned to take action for the people of West Virginia by going to Charleston to implement an agenda that is not controlled by special interests. | |
Author: Richard Urban
Candidate website: joeearley4wv.com
| Summary | |
| Joe Earley’s Platform | |
| Richard introduced Joe Earley, a US House of Representatives candidate from West Virginia’s second congressional district. Early, a 20-year US Army veteran, outlined his platform which included designating cartels as terrorist organizations, holding China accountable for precursor chemicals, building a border wall, and a five-year moratorium on immigration. He highlighted opioid poisoning, American energy constraints caused by excessive government regulations, and advocated for the first and second amendment. Early also expressed support for pro-life policies. | |
| EPA Ruling, Congress Bills, and Conflict | |
| Joe discussed the recent EPA ruling impacting West Virginia coal production and the current state of American energy. Richard and Joie also touched on recent bills passed by Congress, with Joe expressing opposition to the $60 billion of funding for Ukraine. The conversation included discussions on the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the US’s inability to fight a multi-front war, and the damaging effects of Marxist professors in the US. | |
| Protecting Families and Opposing Warrantless Searches | |
| Richard and Joe discussed the importance of strong families and the role of government in protecting them. Joe stated that he does not support warrantless searches on American citizens as enabled by the recent FISA extension and that hi is against the recent extension of the FISA 702 law, which he views as a violation of the 4th amendment. Joe also emphasized the importance of adhering to Biblical principles and the US constitution and the Bill of Rights to govern our nation. The decline of two-parent, husband-wife families was identified as a core cause of societal problems, and Richard and Joe agreed on the need to strengthen these families. | |
| Balancing Budget, Reducing Taxes, and Revitalizing Industries | |
| Richard and the Joe discussed the issues of government spending and the sustainability of the current levels. Joe emphasized the need for a balanced budget, reduced tax load, and decreased size of the IRS. He also highlighted the importance of revitalizing the energy industry and creating more jobs. Joe also mentioned reducing subsidies to unproven technologies, such as solar, wind and iron batteries. | |
| Vaccine Liability and Parental Rights Discussion | |
| Richard and the Joe discussed the issue of vaccine liability and parental rights. Richard questioned whether people should have more freedom in choosing vaccinations, citing instances of injury from COVID-19 jabs. Joe said that vaccinations are considered as a preventative measure and that parents should have the right to decide whether to vaccinate their children or not. They further pointed out that the 1986 vaccine injury compensation program provides a shield of liability against pharmaceutical companies. The discussion also touched on the recent veto of the Religious Exemption Act for vaccinations in West Virginia by Governor Jim Justice. Joe indicated that he opposed Governor Justice’s veto and that Justice should have signed the bill. | |
| Pharmaceutical Advertising and Election Integrity | |
| Joe and Richard discussed concerns about direct advertising by pharmaceutical companies to consumers, arguing it should be unethical and against the law, affecting the patient-doctor relationship. They also raised concerns about election integrity, particularly regarding the 2020 election cycle, with allegations of fraud and ballot stuffing, leading to an illegitimate presidency. Joe indicated that corporations should not interfere in government proceedings, such as the Zuckerberg funding for ballot boxes, and should be held accountable for any negative actions. | |
| Addressing Bureaucratic Overreach and Waste | |
| Joe highlighted a problem in the government, specifically the conflated bureaucracy in agencies such as the Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, CDC, and National Institute of Health. Joe argued that these agencies, non-elected officials, have usurped Congress’s authority to legislate and create law, and are currently funded on an annual basis. The campaign proposed to decrease and eliminate wasteful spending across these bureaucracies, starting with the Department of Education. Joe suggested that, rather, each state could be given a billion dollars if the Department of Education was eliminated, and that the state could be held to the standard of creating a good education system without federal intervention. | |
Candidate website: hefestay.com
| Summary | |
| Concerns Over New Solar Farms Development | |
| Jack expressed concerns about the development of new solar farms in Jefferson County, highlighting issues such as the impact on farmland, potential environmental damage, and the long-term financial risks for the county. He argued that the initial presentation of the projects as beneficial to the community was misleading, and that the reality of the situation was quite different. | |
| Jack’s Concerns on Jefferson County’s Future | |
| Jack voiced concerns about the current state of affairs in Jefferson County, particularly the negative impact of the Solar Text Amendment and its aftermath. Jack expressed his belief that some commissioners have a hidden agenda, which he suggests is tied to financial gain, and that the situation is causing instability in the county. He also highlighted the problem of the budget and how it is linked to the solar issue, negatively affecting the county’s tourism and agritourism industries. | |
| Solar Panels, Budget Allocation, and Raises | |
| Jack expressed concern about the safety of solar panels in Middle Middleway Fire Department’s jurisdiction, as raised by Fire Chief and County Commission Candidate Michael Mood. He emphasized the need for more information about this issue. Furthermore, Jack discussed the challenges of budget allocation. He also mentioned his belief that the sheriff’s department officers deserve raises. | |
| Ambulance Services and Election Integrity | |
| Richard and Jack discussed the impact of budget cuts on ambulance services in the Blue Ridge area. Jack expressed his opinion that the consolidation of ambulance services was not the best solution, as it increased response times in many areas, like on the mountain and other outlying areas. In contrast, response times in other parts of the county were not significantly affected, or improved, such as in Charles Town. They also discussed issues of election integrity. Jack, who has worked as a pollworker for three elections, believed that the voting process in Jefferson County was being run well. He mentioned that votes could be verified using the paper ballots printed by the voting machines. However, Richard stated that to have such an audit, the challenging citizen or organization must pay 10’s of thousands of dollars to pay for the audit, which does not make that kind of challenge a viable solution for increasing election integrity. | |
| School Levies and Election Process Discussion | |
| Richard and Jack discussed the issue of school levies and the process of their elections. Richard expressed concern about the high percentage of property taxes allocated to schools and the potential for manipulation of the election process. Jack stated that levy elections should be held alongside general elections to ensure higher turnout and prevent special elections that can be repeatedly failed until passing. Richard planned to verify this information regarding changes to the election process that move school excess levies to the general election cycle. | |
| Property Tax Rates and Impact Fees | |
| Richard and Jack discussed the high property tax rates and impact fees in Jefferson County, with77 percent of the funds going to public schools. Jack believed that the impact fees were lowered to a small amount and should be increased to help the school burden and other public services. However, Richard suggested that the decline in school enrollment might not legally allow raising the impact fees. Richard mentioned that the funds were not being used appropriately, with a significant portion going to administrative staff and not teachers, who only received 2 percent of the excess levy funds. | |
| Jack’s Transparency, Experience, and Stability Proposal | |
| Jack differentiated himself from his opponent by emphasizing his transparency and his experience working with diverse groups of people, including his 25 years in the US Navy and 30 years at Lockheed Martin. He highlighted his ability to build collaborative efforts and listen to various groups before enacting decisions. Jack also expressed his concern about the county’s budget and the numerous administrator turnovers, and proposed to offer stability to the position. He mentioned being endorsed by multiple people in the county for his candidacy. | |
What is the deeper meaning behind the destruction of the iconic Francis Scott Key Bridge near Baltimore, Maryland? What is the real pillar of the United States of America?
Many events happened on February 16th, 2024, including the $400 million plus judgement against President Trump that show that this is an inflection point. Find out about these events and where we are headed and what is needed.
Mentioned in the podcast:
The most important factor in success or failure in life is preparing yourself for marriage with abstinence and character development and then finding a God-centered marriage partner. Many young adults are struggling with this, and the role of parents in helping them is crucial.
Multiple complaints have been filed with the West Virginia Department of the Environment, resulting in multiple inspections and the issuing of multiple notices of violations.
See the inspection reports, including pictures below.
View the complaints by selecting each file below:
https://www.visionroot.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Stormwater-Citizens-Complaint-WVR111837.pdf
https://www.visionroot.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AXExport-20240109-062143-9405-file0001.pdf
https://www.visionroot.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AXExport-20240109-062006-5710-file0001.pdf
https://www.visionroot.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AXExport-20240109-060526-5113-file0001.pdf
https://www.visionroot.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AXExport-20240109-055554-2656-file0001.pdf
Violations include, among others, no corrective action for construction areas and no provision for temporary seeding and mulching. In other words, soil will continue to run off during construction, unless this is corrected. “The majority of the sediment trapping structures on the site had been removed and converted to permanent storm water management ponds. Other trapping structures that were not converted had been removed. However, the site remained disturbed…”
Still, to this date, the violations have not been remediated to the satisfaction of the Virginia Department of the Environment. Yet, no stop work orders have been issued, and no fines have been levied. These regulations need teeth, in the form of stop work orders and hefty fines.
This project is a bellwether for what we can expect if other solar projects are built in Jefferson County. The solar text amendment needs to be repealed. It is not in accordance with our current Comprehensive Plan.
A thoughtful solar plan could allow solar development on brownfield areas, such as the county dump or the Millville quarry site, not on prime farmland. Perhaps much smaller solar projects could be built on existing substation land plots owned by power companies. But in no way is this carte blanch approach of allowing solar farms anywhere in urban zoned areas and as a permitted use anywhere else good for Jefferson County or its citizens.
It is only “good” for a few large landowners, and some real estate developers who will reap a large profit windfall, at everyone else’s’ expense.
Jefferson County WV Commissioners Krouse and Jackson are being prosecuted by County Prosecutor Matt Harvey because of their work stoppage in protest of the railroading of industrial solar farms in Jefferson County WV. Since Krouse and Jackson have already returned to work, Harvey should drop the petition to remove the Commissioners, unless he wants to join the likes of Fani Willis, Alvin Bragg and Jack Smith, prosecutors in President Trump’s cases.
December 13, 2023
Matt Harvey
Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney
P.O. Box 729
Charles Town WV 25414
Dear Prosecutor Harvey,
This is an open letter to question and analyze why you are continuing with the petition to remove my local Commissioner, Tricia Jackson, as well as my Commissioner Jennifer Krouse.
Ostensibly, your action was to compel Jackson and Krouse to return to work. Now that they have returned to work, why have you not dropped this petition?
Is it your job to determine who the rightfully elected representatives of Jefferson County residents are? No, it is not. That is the job of the voters. I, as a voter, do not want Commissioner Jackson and Commissioner Krouse removed. Also, you bring charges against Jackson and Krouse as if they have committed some crime, when in fact their actions were a protest against corrupt activities by a government official. Would not the normal order of business be for a crime to have occurred, and then for a jury of peers to decide if that is indeed the case? The Constitution provides for a clear separation of powers. Voters should decide about matters regarding elected officials. Yet, without any criminal activity occurring, you are seeking to remove my elected officials from office. This is wrong.
It is also very ironic that the person who is the instigating cause for the protest action of Jackson and Krouse is actually the person who has huge conflicts of interest. Even if they do not rise to the legal definition of a crime, which as we know, is open to interpretation, they still certainly are conflicts of interest. These conflicts of interest affect the welfare and well-being of all citizens of Jefferson County. Should not this be acknowledged and probed further to see if the financial interest of Stolipher in solar development is self-dealing that causes harm to the citizens of Jefferson County?
In your petition, you cover extensively how Jackson and Krouse are only thinking about their own agenda. However, that is false. They are thinking about the well-being of the whole county and its residents, not just a select few people.
One thing you do not mention at all in your petition, is the main reason that the entire situation came about to begin with. That one thing is the railroading of industrial solar development in Jefferson County by Steve Stolipher and his cronies. The main action that is behind this whole situation are Stolipher’s refusal to put discussion of the Solar Text Amendment on the County Commission Agenda. No doubt, Stolipher, was not happy with the removal of the Solar Text Amendment by Jackson and Krouse’s votes on September 7, 2023.
One point that you should be investigated is the huge conflicts of interest that Stolipher undeniably has. Whether some ethics committee panel decides that conflicts of interest rise to their interpretation of being legally acceptable, they are still conflicts of interest. To give a current example, President Biden continues to say that he has no conflicts of interest regarding his decision making process. Yet it is an incontrovertible fact that he has many conflicts of interest with regards to payments to his family from foreign entities in Ukraine, China and other locations.
Stolipher has multiple conflicts of interest regarding solar development. First, as a real estate agent, he makes commissions off of the sale or leasing of properties. Since solar farm leases are for up to 35 years, this will be a substantial amount. For example, if the real estate agent negotiating the $15,600,000 35 year lease for the Wild Hill Solar project hypothetically received just a 3% commission, that would amount to $468,000.
The current Comprehensive Plan specifies preserving the rural nature of Jefferson County, and does not support industrial scale solar farms on rural lands. County Judge Deborah McLaughlin expressed this in striking down the April 21, 2021 Comprehensive Plan text amendment. By lobbying during the 2022 Legislative Session for HB 4553, Stolipher is supporting state legislation that attempts to skirt local zoning regulations by allowing solar farms in any zoning district anywhere in the state as a matter of right. This is in direct contradiction to his responsibility as a County Commissioner to represent the best interests of all of his constituents, not just a handful of large landowners and farmers. In other words, this lobbying is self-dealing.
In conclusion, I urge you to drop the petition attempting to remove County Commissioners Jackson and Krouse. They have been looking out for the best interests of all of the citizens in Jefferson County. If voters want to remove Jackson and Krouse they will decide that issue at the ballot box at their next reelection.
Sincerely,
Richard Urban
Shannondale
Harpers Ferry, WV
Industrial scale solar farms are not in alignment with Jefferson County WV’s Comprehensive Plan. Furthermore, they are causing environmental damage and ruining fertile farmland. The idea that the under construction Blake solar project and proposed solar farms are providing vital income for struggling farmers is complete BS.