House Candidates Respond to Questionnaires

Thomas Ditty


The Inter-Mountain posed the following questions to candidates for the 40th House of Delegates District.

Question 1: How much do you think the state should rely on gaming revenues?

Question 2: What is your stance on wind energy or other forms of alternative energy sources and what types of legislation would you propose to regulate them?

Question 3: What types of ATV regulations would you propose and how would you ensure they are being enforced?



Question 1: I don’t think that we should rely on gaming revenues. The reality and alternative is to rely primarily on revenues from coal and personal property taxes. That is not good either. I think West Virginia made a mistake when we opened gambling (especially local slot machines). This encourages middle and low-income people who don’t have extra to spend to waste money trying to get rich. It does provide money to the state and helps us keep a balanced budget.

Question 2: I support the development of wind and alternative sources of energy. I think a new national energy policy must focus on alternatives and reduce our dependence on oil. However, I think that it is a bad idea to place wind turbines on the ridges of Randolph and Pocahontas counties. These ridges are one of the major flyways of east coast birds. The turbines will kill many birds and bats and have the potential to alter our ecosystem balance. Also, wind turbines destroy the viewshed that many tourists enjoy when they visit West Virginia. I am not opposed to windmills in central West Virginia or the Ohio Valley.

I think we need legislation that protects the areas I mentioned and regulates the construction to areas with little tourism out of the migratory routes for birds. I also feel we need to create taxes on the exportation of energy created in West Virginia and exported to other states. An alternative would be to lower energy costs to West Virginians.

Question 3. I think that we should require a short, one-hour training course for very new ATV purchase. This course should be provided on-site by the selling business. I don’t think that it hurts for anyone to receive a refresher course in safety.

I also think that helmets should be required of anyone riding on dirt or road, or in speeds in excess of 20 mph. Lights should also be on. I believe that any law enforcement official should enforce these laws.