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McGeehan, Wilson face off in W.Va. House District 1

WEIRTON - Two familiar faces are going up against each other to represent the northernmost district in West Virginia’s House of Delegates.

Longtime Republican incumbent Pat McGeehan of Chester has been challenged for the seat by Democrat Quincy Wilson of Weirton.

McGeehan is a graduate of Oak Glen and the U.S. Air Force Academy. He is in his fourth year as dean of students at Madonna High School and serves as the majority leader in the House of Delegates.

Wilson is a graduate of Weir High School and attended West Virginia University. In recent years, he has worked in public education and has served as a football coach at both the high school and collegiate levels.

Both candidates express a continuing concern for the state’s oversight of the Hancock County School District, with the goal of finding a way to get the district back to financial independence. Wilson also would like to focus on adjustments to the state’s HOPE Scholarship program and the West Virginia School Aid Formula, to make sure school districts are funded as appropriately as possible. McGeehan has noted the need to improve secondary roads through the district and reinforce quality of life matters in the communities.

McGeehan said he thinks data center development should be judged on a case-by-case basis, but some limitations need to be established.

"In general, I think that such data centers should be limited to old industrial properties such as brownfield sites, which can help with their proper containment," he said. "Such constraints upon where these facilities can be located need to be established either by rules and regulations from the state government’s agencies, or, if necessary, by force of new laws - for the developers of thee data centers must also be required to bear the full costs and compensation for any demands they may place upon local infrastructure and our power grid."

Wilson takes a cautious approach, saying current regulations need to be adjusted to make sure the local communities have a greater say.

"Data centers are a hot topic. There already have been some guidelines to make it easy for these companies to come in and put centers in our counties," Wilson said. "I would like to see bills introduced to bring back more local control so that the money can help those in the community it serves."

With the distribution of opioid funds, they take slightly different approaches to how money should be allocated, while keeping a focus on the need to support those affected.

"I think it’s important to remember who the opioid crisis has affected the most; our youth," Wilson said. "I would like to see that money go towards after-school programs, summertime activities, counseling, and our local food banks."

McGeehan, meanwhile, wants to see money being used to solving the opioid crisis, not just perpetuating the underlying issues or establishing new levels of government oversight.

"Our objective should be helping people overcome addiction, and not just managing it indefinitely," McGeehan said. "In short, I favor prioritizing groups and institutions, identified at the local level, that have proven results in a more sustained recovery."

McGeehan says the region should focus on cultivating opportunities in advanced manufacturing and skilled trades, but also locally owned enterprises.

"We need to move away from the failed model that has a focus on importing large corporations, corporate enterprises which have no real loyalty to our area," McGeehan said, noting a need to build upon the local industrial heritage.

He said investment in infrastructure must involve a voice from the local communities, acknowledging, though, the limitations often put upon them and the need for support at the state and federal levels while allowing local officials to see the work to its end.

Wilson sees a need to invest in manufacturing and technology as part of economic development opportunities, with an eye also on the expansion of West Virginia Junior College which currently offers in-person, online, and hybrid programs in various healthcare, business, and technology fields.

He also sees a need to invest in the state’s highways and other infrastructural elements as a boost for the economy.

"I believe as a part of tourism, which is a major industry in West Virginia, we can beautify not only our roads, but our local state parks and infrastructure," Wilson said.

Both expressed a belief in being available to their constituents, pledging to make themselves as available as possible if elected to serve.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)