Thursday, April 03, 2008
WV Senate Majority Leader Attempting To Stop Planned Closure of Williamson Job Service..
On Thursday, April 03, 2008, I sent a request to the office of Governor Joe Manchin III, asking that he reconsider his administration’s decision to close the office of the Williamson Job Service and Unemployment Compensation scheduled to take place this month, on April 15th.
I feel strongly that this service should remain readily available to the citizens of Mingo County, without the added strain of traveling to neighboring Logan County. This service has been extremely beneficial in the past, assisting many local residents with acquiring gainful employment.
I have spoke at length with Albert Totten, former manager of the Williamson Job Service, about the effect he feels this closing will implement on Mingo County.
Mr. Totten commented that the loss of this office will certainly mean a lower level of services for the citizens of Mingo County. He mentioned the fact that residents seeking services would have to travel to either the Logan County office, or the Pikeville and Prestonsburg office in Kentucky.
"Please know that I fully realize that there are less federal dollars available for the various services being provided by the federal and state agencies," stated Totten. "However; once this office is moved to Logan, it would be very difficult if not impossible, to ever open one in Mingo County again."
Delegate Steve Kominar and I have scheduled a meeting here at the Capitol for Friday afternoon, April 4, in an attempt to speak with state officials to halt the plans to close the Williamson office. Scheduled to be present at the meeting are Jim Pitrolo, Legislative Liaison to the Governor, and Ron Radcliffe, Executive Director of Work Force for West Virginia. Several Mingo County officials have also been invited to attend.
I feel strongly that this service should remain readily available to the citizens of Mingo County, without the added strain of traveling to neighboring Logan County. This service has been extremely beneficial in the past, assisting many local residents with acquiring gainful employment.
I have spoke at length with Albert Totten, former manager of the Williamson Job Service, about the effect he feels this closing will implement on Mingo County.
Mr. Totten commented that the loss of this office will certainly mean a lower level of services for the citizens of Mingo County. He mentioned the fact that residents seeking services would have to travel to either the Logan County office, or the Pikeville and Prestonsburg office in Kentucky.
"Please know that I fully realize that there are less federal dollars available for the various services being provided by the federal and state agencies," stated Totten. "However; once this office is moved to Logan, it would be very difficult if not impossible, to ever open one in Mingo County again."
Delegate Steve Kominar and I have scheduled a meeting here at the Capitol for Friday afternoon, April 4, in an attempt to speak with state officials to halt the plans to close the Williamson office. Scheduled to be present at the meeting are Jim Pitrolo, Legislative Liaison to the Governor, and Ron Radcliffe, Executive Director of Work Force for West Virginia. Several Mingo County officials have also been invited to attend.
# posted by Joe Kinzer @ 10:49 PM 
