By Stephen Smoot
West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner had a schedule planned out to promote voter education at Pendleton County Middle/High School and also recognize businesses that have operated in the county for a century or more. A road mishap pre-empted the former, but not the latter as he helped the Pendleton County Chamber of Commerce recognize establishments in business for 100 years or more.
Those honored were the Harper’s Old Country Store, Pendleton Community Bank, and The Pendleton Times. While PCB was inducted last year, the remainder served as part of the inaugural class of honorees.
Festivities opened with a check presentation by Pendleton Community Bank to the Pendleton County Chamber of Commerce to support Trout Fest. Dayne Davis, representing PCB, stated “the 100 years we’ve been around, the community is in our name. That’s the epitome of what we are.”
Jared VanMeter, executive director, responded and said “Pendleton Community Bank has always been a huge supporter of the chamber and Trout Fest.”
Warner, a little roughed up by his accident but cleared to continue by Pendleton County Emergency Rescue, first shared his unique connection with the venue hosting the establishment, Historic McCoy House. Interestingly enough, his family lineage ties him not to the Warners of Pendleton County, but the McCoys.
Additionally, one of the businesses honored, The Pendleton Times, was carefully and lovingly operated and published for generations by the very same McCoy family and it endeavors to carry on that family legacy as well as is possible.
Then came the award presentations. Warner explained the importance of the West Virginia Centurion Chamber of Commerce, describing it as “the most prestigious award . . . of the West Virginia business community.” Since 2019, the West Virginia Secretary of State’s office has honored long-established businesses thus.
After the presentations, he shared an important update. Due to irregularities in some states in recent election cycles, the United States Department of Justice ordered states to provide voter roll information. Secretary Warner replied that both West Virginia state law and the United States Constitution prevent him from legally turning over the information.
Warner then praised county clerks across West Virginia, naming Elise White, Pendleton County Clerk, by name. He shared that their diligent work had erased hundreds of thousands of names that should not be on the rolls, then added that the same officials had led an effective charge to register as many eligible voters as possible.
His visit to Pendleton County Middle/High School, which will be rescheduled, was part of that effort to enroll young people in larger numbers.
Warner also touted a bill that would open working in polling stations to qualified 16-and 17-year olds.
