Kudos to Keyser Police Department

Yesterday afternoon I was walking off some turkey before my next meal by walking around Keyser. I could feel a few drops of rain, so I figured I would walk over through Keyser Square in case it started to rain heavy I could walk under the awning.

As I was walking past Clements Jewelry store I caught some movement out of the corner of my eye. At first I thought it might have been a reflection in the store window, but when I looked I saw some one moving in the store. The store was closed and all of the lights were off. Being a business owner, I thought some one might want to check this out. I called 911 on my cell and Mineral County transferred me to Keyser PD. I told them what I had seen and that it might be nothing, but wanted to let them know.

It took less time for Keyser PD to get on the scene, than it did for Mineral County 911 to transfer me to Keyser PD on the phone. Turned out it was only John Clement doing some Christmas decorating while the store was closed with the lights off as not to attract attention. Had the lights been on, then I might have recognized him and not called it in. As a business owner I hope if someone sees someone walking around in my store after hours they will also call police and report it even if it is only me.

My hats are off to the Keyser PD for the quick response time and working hard on a holiday when I sure they would rather be with their families. I give thanks for your service on Thanksgiving Day keep up the good work.

WVGOP Think Tank coming to the Potomac Highlands

The WVGOP Think Tank is the official think tank of the West Virginia Republican Party, and is visiting the Potomac Highlands to get your input. The WVGOP Think Tank is dedicated to gathering and sharing the ideas and visions of Republicans across the state as we work to develop a plan for victory in 2010 and beyond.

It is dedicated to including the thoughts and ideas of all Republicans who wish to attend the meeting. Our energies will be devoted to working with all Republicans, and increasing Republican influence in government.

Republicans can, and will, legitimately disagree. The goal of finding common ground in battling our opposition and winning the hearts and minds of West Virginians.

We invite you to join us in those efforts. April 22nd, 2009 at 7:00 at Grand Central Business Center, 2nd Floor Meeting Room, 1 E Piedmont St. Keyser, WV 26726. Light refreshments will be served. Please RSVP by calling (304) 788-6554 or (304) 788-2513

Governor cuts Ribbon on Potomac Valley Hospital

Governor Joe Manchin was in Keyser today to cut the ribbon on the new Potomac Valley Hospital. The Hospital is scheduled to open on December 5th of this year.

Shown in the picture is hospital owner Hal McBee, WV Governor Joe Manchin and Dave Vanscoy.

Governor Manchin announced that funding has been secured to install a new traffic light at the Pin Oak Lane enterance. Part of the funding will be supplied by the taxpayers of Mineral County through a "Tax Incrimental Financing" district, part by the hospital itself and remainer coming from the state.

The nearly 200 people where in attendence to hear the governors remarks. Liller Paving and the Candlewick Inn recieved recognition from the governor for sucess with their small businesses.

Thank You Secretary of State

I recently converted to a new type of business. I must say that I was thoroughly impressed with how easy and FAST the entire process was. I have my new certificates in hand in under 5 business days. I was notified via email of each approval from the various departments involved. The website was fairly simple to navigate and use. Overall, I was very impressed...I guess we are Open For Business!!!



For more information on business registration visit http://www.business4wv.com/

The Democratic Congress Strikes Again Against the Little Guy

Count another victory for the Democratic Party over the interests of the small businessman.

To get the needed funding approved so our troops could continue to defend freedom, President Bush was strong armed into approving a minimum wage hike from $5.15 to $7.25. Fewer than 1.7 million workers make minimum wage, although the Democrats claim as many as 5.6 million of the nation’s 130 million workers could see their salaries rise. They cannot say for certain because a percentage of those workers will likely find themselves out of a job.

Very few working families rely on minimum wage jobs alone to support their families. The very small number that do qualify for welfare. Many of the rest work such jobs as part of a combination package of part time employment. About fifteen years ago I was supporting a family on two minimum wage jobs and one that paid a few dollars over that. Other minimum wage workers are spouses or significant others of high wage earners who work for a little extra income or to pass the time.

Before anyone starts talking corporate greed, they must understand that the majority of major corporations already pay over minimum wage. Most businesses that pay minimum wage operate on a small scale. Local bookstores, restaurants, and other small city downtown establishments pay minimum wage. One can hardly accuse these businesses with their razor thin profit margins of “corporate greed.”

How does a small business like this cope with the hike? It lays off workers while the owner him or herself works more hours. Since the cost of labor represents such an important factor in a business’s profitability, the extra pay obligation may be the determining issue in whether or not a small business fails. Certainly it presents a higher obstacle to an entrepreneur just getting started. Some owners already pay employees “under the table” and raising the minimum wage only encourages more skirting of the law. Others will pass the costs onto the consumer. Beware parents with children in day care settings, your bill is about to go up.

For the most part, the market has determined that low level service employees of companies such as McDonalds will make almost what the projected minimum wage hike will be. That means the Democrats did not overly antagonize their big business donors. As usual the small businessman bears the brunt of liberal victories over “corporate greed.” They should be sure and send a letter of appreciation to their Democratic representatives in Congress.