Mid-day Friday, Chuck Miller was officially appointed to the Fayette County Commission, filling the seat left vacant after the untimely passing of Commissioner Greg Fernett.
Miller says he applied because the county needs help, and he feels he will be able to accomplish what needs to be done:
“…The county needs help. There’s a lot of things that need done. The pool area… the flame at the [memorial] building—that’s a big issue with me… We need affordable housing… I’ve got a son and daughter. You know, they make pretty decent money, but, you know, they can’t afford a home. So that’s one thing I will be looking forward to, you know, making a difference in that county and all Fayette County, not just one part, but every part of the county.”
West Virginia code dictates that county commission vacancies should be filled within 30 days by an appointee of the same political party as the previous commissioner. The seat will be on the ballot in the general election next fall. According to state code, the executive committees for political parties in Fayette County will nominate candidates.
Miller said it is his intention to run:
“If I’m put on the ballot for November, I will run for commission. I’m planning on that. I want to fill the four years that Greg Fernett had left. And I want people to know that I’m not filling in Greg, that I’m not taking his spot. I’m taking the Commission spot. Greg was a good man. He was a good friend. I want to keep things going. He did a lot for the community, and I want to keep that rolling.”
Until that election and possibly after, Miller says he wants to hear and address the concerns of Fayette County’s citizens.
“Come to the county commission meetings. I think everybody needs to be here to have their voice heard. I mean, it’s not a bad thing: we need to hear from them. I mean, I’m going to be out, I’ll be out in the community, and I’ll be talking to business owners. I’ll be talking to people. They’re going to see me. They probably get sick and tired of me, honestly, but I’m going to be out, and I’ll be talking and addressing the issues that they have.”
