Metro-Government and West Virginia Identity

In March, after several years of debate, the state Legislature authorized counties and municipalities to form metro-governments, giving them the ability to merge or share services upon voter approval. This option would help governments be more cost-effective and work more efficiently, the thinking goes, and create advantages for attracting federal funds and business development.

Not only has the Legislature signed off on the idea, but some county and local officials have publicly expressed support, such as Kanawha and Marion county commissioners Dave Hardy and Cody Starcher. The first step toward metro-government reality came last week, when Fairmont City Council and the Marion County Commission created a study committee to explore the option.

Several newspapers, including The Charleston Gazette and The Herald-Dispatch, have editorialized their support for allowing voters to decide the matter for themselves. The general public sentiment has yet to reveal itself.

In large part West Virginians identify themselves according to their cities, counties, major employers, and schools. They can be very protective of such, an example being the various controversies surrounding school consolidations in the 1990s. I too still proudly relate with Fraziers Bottom, Putnam County, and Winfield High School.

Today being West Virginia Day, we recognize our inception as a state and entry onto the national stage. But since 1863, West Virginia has often been framed nationally as a state that is slow to change and innovate. Implementing metro-governments, where beneficial, could be a mechanism to remind us of our ability to effect policy, and demonstrate that we aren’t adverse to change.