Former Morgan County Commissioner dies

April 01, 2003|by DAVE McMILLION

BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. - Phil Maggio, a former Morgan County Commissioner who gained a reputation for being committed to the future of Morgan County, died Monday at Winchester (Va.) Medical Center.

He was 50.

Maggio, who served a six-year term on the Morgan County Commission, was outspoken about the future needs of Morgan County, especially in light of expected population growth in the county.

Maggio said he thought it was important for the county to have a strong, high-technology infrastructure in place.

In 1999, Maggio, along with other local officials, attended a conference with former Gov. Cecil Underwood in Shepherdstown, W.Va., to talk about the needs of the area.

Maggio said it was vital to begin the widening of W.Va. 9 and the upgrading of U.S. 522 so Morgan County residents could have better access to the rest of the Eastern Panhandle and the economic promise it offers.

"Preparedness seems to be our main concern," Maggio told Underwood at the time.

"His heart was in Morgan County and the future of Morgan County," current Morgan County Commissioner Tommy Swaim said Monday.

"It's a sad day here in Morgan County," Swaim said.

Maggio went off the commission two years ago after he was defeated by Commissioner Bob Ford, Swaim said.

Maggio had suffered respiratory complications in the past and became very ill once while on the commission, Swaim said.

Maggio also served on the Morgan County Planning Commission.

He was also a member of the Republican Club and co-chairman of the Warm Springs Public Service District.

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