By Stephen Smoot
Since taking over as Governor of West Virginia, Patrick Morrisey has invited the people of the state to join him on a fitness journey he calls “the Mountaineer Mile.” Last Saturday, he came to Franklin to join the Treasure Mountain Festival parade and greet Pendleton County during its biggest regional party.
Before he took part in the parade, the governor addressed one of Pendleton County’s most important concerns. In 2024, an act of the West Virginia State Legislature established the Emergency Medical Services Salary Enhancement Fund. Different counties have applied it in different ways, but Pendleton County used it to boost the stipend amounts used to pay volunteers for EMS service and distributed those amounts on a regular basis instead of annually.
In county commission meetings, emergency officials reported repeatedly the positive effect on reducing the amount of time on call response. This has helped also as the expansion of “adventure tourism” creates a rising need for emergency medical, fire, and rescue services.
Last year, however, the program did not receive funding and the Pendleton County Commission has worked to help through 2025.
Morrisey shared that he is “looking forward to discussing with the legislature different ways to provide assistance.” He explained that “we’re trying to do things a little different” and avoid “one shot money that creates a cliff.” That refers to the budgetary concern that an entity could become heavily reliant on help that can disappear too easily.
He said that their intent is to “do something more permanent” and also that “we really value all EMS workers and all they’ve done. It’s so important.”
Morrisey additionally shared broader concerns. He stated that “in West Virginia, we have so much need to lift up our standard of living” and has in the past two weeks released major initiatives on energy generation and rural health that will be spotlighted in the next two weeks.
The youngest of four siblings, Morrisey shared that “I didn’t grow up with much money” and took pride in being the first from his family to graduate from college, waiting tables and working odd jobs to support himself through school.
“I set up my law firm when I got out of school and I nearly went bankrupt,” he added. “But I came out of that process stronger (and) overcame the obstacles I had from a lack of money.”
Morrisey emphasized the importance of principle as a shaper of his policies and processes. “That’s how I solve problems,” he noted. “I identify the problem, apply principles to the problem and the solution comes from there.” Principled service in office, according to Morrisey, includes being “not afraid to take on the tough challenges.”
His reason to serve, he explains as to help “to lift our people up to a better place, as opposed to someone who may not be in there for the right reasons.”
He went on to say that “I’m also a believer in listening, which is why people see me out at these public events.”
“We’re here in one of the most rural parts of West Virginia, meeting hundreds of people to listen to what’s on their mind. That’s a great day,” he commented.
