Homestead Exemption

Finding ways to stem the spiraling cost of running the regional jail remains a top legislative concern of county leaders in the Eastern Panhandle. Jail costs for Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan counties totaled more than $4.8 million for the 2011-12 fiscal year, which ended June 30, according to figures reviewed Monday at an annual summit of the region's state lawmakers and county officials. The combined regional jail costs of the three counties accounted for more than 10 percent of the statewide figure of $45.5 million, but Vivian Parsons of the County Commissioners' Association of West Virginia told the group that the issue is a major concern for counties across the state, too. In reviewing the figures, Parsons noted Berkeley County saw a 24 percent increase in jail costs since the 2010 fiscal year, while Morgan County had to absorb an 18 percent spike.

Two Eastern Panhandle lawmakers in the state House of Delegates have sworn off pork. Yet there is no guarantee that the state money they have declined to request for local projects, also known as “pork barrel” projects, will not end up being spent elsewhere in the state, according to the House Finance Committee office. For the second consecutive year, Dels. Jonathan Miller, R-Berkeley, and Eric Householder, R-Berkeley/Jefferson, have not filed any requests for Community Participation Project, or CPP, grants on behalf of their constituents.

Real estate values in Berkeley County are down about 6 percent from 2010, Berkeley County Assessor Patricia A. "Patsy" Kilmer told members of Berkeley County Council Friday. The council had convened as the county Board of Review and Equalization for the first time this year. Although residential values have continued to decline, Kilmer told council members they may hear complaints from taxpayers who saw assessment increases because of the lifting of a freeze on property values to benefit seniors instituted in 2007 by her predecessor, the late Preston B. Gooden.

MARTINSBURG, W.VA. - Growth and planning dominated the discussion Thursday when a quartet of Republican prospects for Berkeley County Commission introduced their platforms to the county's Republican Club at a reception in Martinsburg. "You take a ride in Berkeley County anytime of day, you're going to see traffic, you're going to see houses, you're going to see development," said candidate Ted Morgan, saying the county is behind in addressing growth issues. "We're being overrun, and my concern is we don't get run over," said Morgan, who called for a countywide recycling program and the adoption of a comprehensive land-use management plan.

Americans are killing themselves To the editor: Decades ago, Nikita Khrushchev made the statement that "America would kill itself. " At the time, I thought he didn't know what he was talking about. However, over the past 20 years, our country has gone downhill in many, many ways. One of our problems is the pollution we have inflicted upon our land, waters, air and ourselves. Just ride down the road. Or better yet, walk down any road and take a look at the trash thrown everywhere.

MARTINSBURG, W.VA. - Beginning today at noon, area residents will have the opportunity to avoid the 300-plus-mile trip to Charleston, W.Va., to gain a little insight on just how the state Legislature works, if only in the off-season. In addition to the 60-day regular session that begins each year in January, lawmakers are expected to take part in interim committee meetings, which are held to study issues and potential legislation. All of the meetings, which will be held today through Tuesday afternoon at the Holiday Inn in Martinsburg and other locations in the Eastern Panhandle, are open to the public, and elected officials are hoping area residents attend and participate in the sessions.

CHAMBERSBURG, PA. Homeowners in the Chambersburg Area School District might pay less in real estate taxes in 2008-09 as Pennsylvania's slot machine casinos are expected to bring in sufficient revenue that funds can be distributed to school districts for property tax relief. The exact amount will not be known until spring, said Business Manager Rick Vensel. Based on the allocation formula, which takes into account different components of income, tax rates, expenditures and aid for each district, Chambersburg will receive less than most of the 501 school districts in the state, he said.

CHAMBERSBURG, PA. - Homeowners in the Chambersburg Area School District might pay less in real estate taxes in 2008-09 as Pennsylvania's slot machine casinos are expected to bring in sufficient revenue that funds can be distributed to school districts for property tax relief. The exact amount will not be known until spring, said Business Manager Rick Vensel. Based on the allocation formula, which takes into account different components of income, tax rates, expenditures and aid for each district, Chambersburg will receive less than most of the 501 school districts in the state, he said.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - It's the growth, stupid. Paraphrasing the line that propelled Arkansas governor and 1992 Democratic candidate Bill Clinton into the White House seems the most apt analogy to describe the significance of this issue among the five candidates vying for the Republican nomination in the race for Berkeley County Commissioner this year. Berkeley County is growing and at a rate more than three times the national average, according to recent Census Bureau estimates, which placed it 56th on the list of the fastest growing localities in the United States.

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - Races like the 11-way battle for four seats on the Jefferson County Board of Education will draw interest in the upcoming May 9 primary election, but no contested races for state delegate seats in Jefferson County will occur until the Nov. 7 general election. There will not be any contested races for Jefferson County delegate seats in the primary election because only one candidate has surfaced on the Republican and Democratic side for the 56th, 57th, and 58th House of Delegate seats.