Corwell, Fitzwater face off for Clay County Commission seat

I have proudly called Clay County home since graduating from Glenville State University in 2006. I earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with a focus in Marketing from Glenville State University, followed by a Master's Degree in Adult and Continuing Education and a Certificate in Educational Leadership and Administration from Marshall University.

My professional background includes six years as a licensed banker and financial advisor, more than three years in real estate sales throughout Clay and Nicholas counties, over eight years teaching business courses at Clay County High School, and more than two years in tourism management with Rail Explorers USA.

Although I have never held elected office, I have dedicated much of my adult life to serving our community. I am a trustee, teacher, and member of Pleasant Dale Baptist Church; Vice President of the Big Knob Hunting Club; a board member of the Clay County High School Athletic Hall of Fame; and Chairman of the CCHS Local School Improvement Council. I have also spent more than 12 years coaching youth sports at various levels throughout Clay County.

These experiences have allowed me to work with people from all walks of life, understand the challenges facing our community, and develop the leadership, financial, and organizational skills that I believe would serve our county well.

I'm running for Clay County Commission because I love our people, I believe in our community, and I want to help build a better future for our children, grandchildren, and generations to come.

During my years in the classroom, I heard far too many students say, "I can't wait to get out of here," or "There's nothing here for me." Those words have stayed with me because I know the potential that exists right here in Clay County.

I want to help change that mindset by creating opportunities that give our young people a reason to stay, build careers, raise families, and take pride in calling Clay County home.

We cannot solve tomorrow's challenges using yesterday's thinking. I believe it's time for a new generation of leadership that recognizes our challenges, embraces our potential, and is willing to do the work necessary to move Clay County forward.

1. Fiscal Responsibility

Clay County's financial challenges have limited our ability to invest in essential services, infrastructure, and improvements that our residents deserve. Our substantial regional jail expenses and other financial obligations place tremendous pressure on an already limited county budget.

We must make financial responsibility a priority. I would work to closely examine county expenditures, identify opportunities to reduce unnecessary spending, address outstanding financial obligations, and develop a sustainable plan that allows us to begin investing in our future rather than continually struggling with the challenges of our past.

2. A Safer, Cleaner Community

The condition of neglected, abandoned, and condemned properties throughout Clay County has become a serious concern. Some of these properties have become locations for illegal dumping, drug activity, and other unsafe conditions. Many are located along our main roads, in residential neighborhoods, and even near our schools.

We must work together with property owners, law enforcement, community organizations, and appropriate government agencies to address these concerns through property cleanup, enforcement of applicable laws, and available redevelopment resources.

Our residents deserve to feel safe and proud of their communities. With tens of thousands of visitors coming to Clay County each year, we also have an opportunity to create a cleaner, safer, and more welcoming environment that benefits both our residents and our growing tourism industry.

3. Economic Growth and Opportunity

I truly believe outdoor recreation and tourism can play a major role in Clay County's economic future. Through my professional experience in tourism, I have witnessed firsthand how investing in activities that showcase our natural beauty can create jobs, attract visitors, and generate economic activity.

I have a vision for developing Clay County into an outdoor recreation destination by expanding recreational opportunities, supporting small businesses, building partnerships, and encouraging responsible private investment.

However, economic development must benefit the people who already call Clay County home. My priority would be helping local residents create and grow businesses, generate employment opportunities, and keep more tourism dollars circulating within our community.

When our residents have good jobs, our businesses grow stronger, families become more financially secure, and our county benefits from an expanding tax base.

Clay County operates with one of the smallest county budgets in West Virginia, making responsible financial management absolutely essential.

My first priority would be to thoroughly review the county's finances, identify opportunities to reduce unnecessary expenditures, and establish a realistic approach to addressing our outstanding financial obligations.

At the same time, I would actively pursue state, federal, and private grant opportunities to address critical community needs without placing additional financial burdens on our residents. However, we must also carefully evaluate grant requirements and any long-term financial commitments they create.

My six years of experience as a licensed banker and financial advisor have provided me with a strong foundation in budgeting, financial planning, and responsible decision-making.

I believe every taxpayer dollar should be managed with accountability, transparency, and a clear understanding of how it benefits the people of Clay County.

Through my work in West Virginia's tourism industry, I have developed valuable relationships with state agencies, tourism professionals, and private businesses. I would use those relationships to help attract investment, expand recreational opportunities, and support economic development throughout Clay County.

The Elk River Trail and our surrounding natural resources offer tremendous opportunities for outdoor recreation, including biking, hiking, kayaking, fishing, and other tourism-related activities.

I would work with government agencies, private investors, and local organizations to encourage new businesses and services that complement these opportunities.

Most importantly, I want to help Clay County residents become the business owners, entrepreneurs, and employees who benefit from this growth. Whether it's lodging, restaurants, outdoor equipment rentals, transportation services, or other small businesses, we should be creating opportunities for our own people to succeed.

Economic development isn't simply about attracting visitors. It's about creating sustainable opportunities that improve the quality of life for the people who live here.

Essential community services should never be treated as optional. Emergency medical services, fire protection, and other public safety resources are critical to the health, safety, and well-being of our residents.

I have personally experienced situations where emergency services were not readily available, and I understand how frightening and dangerous those circumstances can be.

I would work closely with emergency service providers to evaluate their operational needs, identify funding challenges, and pursue sustainable solutions that improve service availability and response capabilities.

I also recognize the important role our public library plays in providing educational resources, technology access, and opportunities for residents of all ages.

My goal would be to support these essential services through responsible budgeting, stronger partnerships, and available grant opportunities while ensuring that the needs of our residents remain a priority.

I believe retaining our young people and attracting families begins with restoring pride in our community and improving the quality of life for those who already live here.

We must start from the inside out by addressing fundamental needs such as infrastructure, reliable utilities, safe neighborhoods, and access to essential services.

From there, we must focus on growing our local economy, supporting small businesses, and creating employment opportunities that allow our residents to earn a living without having to leave the county they call home.

As a former teacher, I understand how important it is for our young people to see a future for themselves in Clay County. They need to know that opportunity doesn't always have to exist somewhere else.

I want to help build a county where our children can envision a future, our families can prosper, and future generations can proudly choose to call Clay County home.

Our schools, churches, and community organizations already do tremendous work supporting Clay County families, often with limited resources.

During my years teaching at Clay County High School, I witnessed firsthand the impact of partnerships with organizations such as Mountaineer Food Bank, Clay Family Resource Network, Vision Appalachia, Appalachia Service Project, and numerous local churches.

I've had the privilege of helping distribute food baskets, provide clothing to students, and participate in projects that built tiny homes for those in need. These experiences showed me just how much of a difference dedicated individuals and organizations can make.

As a county commissioner, I would be an advocate for strengthening these partnerships, helping organizations identify resources and funding opportunities, and encouraging greater collaboration to meet the needs of our residents.

We have incredible people doing incredible things in Clay County. I want to help give them the support and resources they need to make an even greater impact.

Transparency and accessibility are essential to building trust between local government and the people it serves.

I believe residents deserve to understand how their tax dollars are being spent, what decisions are being made, and how those decisions affect their lives.

I would work to make county information more accessible, encourage public participation, and provide clear communication about the commission's priorities, challenges, and progress.

Most importantly, I believe being a public servant means listening. I may not always have an immediate answer, and we may not always agree, but every resident deserves to have their concerns heard and treated with respect.

Government should work for the people, and I intend to remain accessible, approachable, and accountable to those I represent.

I believe my education, diverse professional experience, community involvement, and work ethic have prepared me to bring a fresh perspective and responsible leadership to the Clay County Commission.

I've worked in finance, real estate, education, and tourism. Each of these experiences has given me a different understanding of the challenges we face and the opportunities that exist within our county.

I recognize that meaningful progress will not happen overnight. It will require difficult decisions, thoughtful planning, strong partnerships, and a willingness to challenge the way things have always been done.

I believe God has blessed me with the abilities, experiences, and desire to serve our community, and I take that responsibility seriously.

I'm not running because I believe I have all the answers. I'm running because I believe in Clay County, I see its potential, and I'm willing to put in the work to help us reach it.

Our county deserves leadership that is driven, committed, and authentic. I believe it's time for the next generation of leadership, and I would be honored to earn the trust and support of District B voters.