Jefferson County is a unique place to live. Geographically, it is within commuting distance to two very large metropolitan areas: Washington DC and Baltimore. The state capital in Charleston is considerably further away. In fact there are many capitals of other states that are closer to Jefferson County than Charleston. Large cities like New York, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are closer. Within the state of West Virginia, Jefferson County and the 57th District, our district, is further from the state capital than any other county or district in the state.
When my wife and I first moved here eight years ago from Montgomery County Maryland, I remember telling my auto insurance agent that we were moving to West Virginia. He asked where, and I told him: Harpers Ferry. He laughed and said – that’s really still Maryland. I didn’t appreciate the joke. Jefferson County is very different from our neighboring counties in Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania, and I’m glad for that. But this illustrates an issue with regard to our geography and its proximity to other states. In Jefferson County a large number of our neighbors commute to jobs outside the county – and outside the state. To a significant extent, for many people, the issues of government on the state level seem very far away. Conversely, it often seems to us that the legislature in Charleston does not understand the issues we face over 300 miles away. I’m one of those people that feel that way.
Jefferson County is unique in many ways. Because of that, we need leadership that understands our unique issues as they relate to geography, the economy, and managing growth, the education of our children and the maintenance of our infrastructure.
Elliot Simon
Local Issues
Jefferson County is a unique place to live. Geographically, it is within commuting distance to two very large metropolitan areas: Washington DC and Baltimore. The state capital in Charleston is considerably further away. In fact there are many capitals of other states that are closer to Jefferson County than Charleston. Large cities like New York, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are closer. Within the state of West Virginia, Jefferson County and the 57th District, our district, is further from the state capital than any other county or district in the state.
When my wife and I first moved here eight years ago from Montgomery County Maryland, I remember telling my auto insurance agent that we were moving to West Virginia. He asked where, and I told him: Harpers Ferry. He laughed and said – that’s really still Maryland. I didn’t appreciate the joke. Jefferson County is very different from our neighboring counties in Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania, and I’m glad for that. But this illustrates an issue with regard to our geography and its proximity to other states. In Jefferson County a large number of our neighbors commute to jobs outside the county – and outside the state. To a significant extent, for many people, the issues of government on the state level seem very far away. Conversely, it often seems to us that the legislature in Charleston does not understand the issues we face over 300 miles away. I’m one of those people that feel that way.
Jefferson County is unique in many ways. Because of that, we need leadership that understands our unique issues as they relate to geography, the economy, and managing growth, the education of our children and the maintenance of our infrastructure.