In last week’s article regarding the official dedication of the FOC Soccer Complex we neglected to mention one of our associate members who was instrumental in assisting with the field’s completion.  Please accept our apology Rish Equipment Company, and thanks so much for all of your assistance and contributions.

REGISTRATION DEADLINES

If you plan to vote in May’s primary election, April 17^th is the last day to register to vote at your county clerk’s office. It is also the last day to mail a voter registration application or to register at one of the state’s voter registration offices. April 17^th is also the last day to file a change of political party for the primary or to register to vote after moving to a new county within the state.

For more information about these and other deadlines, check out the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Election webpage at http://www.sos.wv.gov/elections/Pages/VoterRegistrationCalendar.aspx.

Most of all … exercise your rights and VOTE!

EARLY VOTING SCHEDULE

Early voting for the May 8^th primary election begins April 25^th and concludes May 5. For more information contact your County Clerk’s office or the West Virginia Secretary of State’s office.

According to the Public Information Office of the West Virginia Legislature, the following Interim Meetings schedule has been determined for the remainder of the year through the opening of the 2013 regular session. (NOTE: Locations remain to be determined.  Notification will follow once locations have been released).

Federal actions meant to limit the mining and burning of Appalachian coal are reaching unprecedented levels. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Office of Surface Mining and other agencies are seemingly doing all they can to put the coal industry – and the economic benefits it provides to our state and region – out of business.

U. S. Senator Joe Manchin will be the featured speaker for a Roundtable Discussion on the Impact of the Federal Government on the Appalachian Coal Industry on Wednesday, April 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Walker Training Building at Walker Machinery in Belle, WV.

Hosted by FACES of Coal, in conjunction with the WV Coal Association and Friends of Coal, the event seeks input from coal economy stakeholders to discuss and determine the effect of EPA, OSM and other federal agencies policies on the West Virginia and Appalachian economy.

Given your role in West Virginia’s coal economy, your input is needed for this important discussion. Please plan to attend. RSVP by Monday, Apr. 9 by emailing Bryan Brown at bryan@browncomm.com.

DIRECTIONS:

The Walker Training Building is located in Belle at 1400 E DuPont Avenue, Belle, WV 25015. Coming from Charleston, take US Rt. 60 to the Midland Trail exit. Follow the road underneath the underpass, cross the railroad tracks and take a left on DuPont Avenue. The Walker Training Building sits on the right.

Despite coal production slowing and severance taxes heading downward, state sales tax revenues are surprisingly high, according to West Virginia Deputy Revenue Secretary Mark Muchow. He says withholding taxes are up more than nine percent and personal income tax and sales tax revenues were both above where state officials estimated they would be for the month. Muchow says he expects coal production to continue to slow through 2012 and into the next fiscal year. The state's general revenue fund had an $8.6 million shortfall in March, but according to Muchow the state is still on track for a sizable surplus this year. For more click here