Fairmont interested in home rule if it's expanded - WOWK 13 Charleston, Huntington WV News, Weather, Sports

Fairmont interested in home rule if it's expanded

Posted: Updated:
  • GovernmentGovernment

  • Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:02 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:02:13 GMT
    Credit: MountainStateUniversity.edu
    Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has announced Karen Bowling of Beckley as Cabinet Secretary of The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, starting July 1.
    Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has announced Karen Bowling of Beckley as Cabinet Secretary of The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, starting July 1.
  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 1:43 PM EDT2013-05-21 17:43:57 GMT
    The three locks on the upper Monongahela River will be open to recreational boaters this weekend during limited hours.
    The three locks on the upper Monongahela River will be open to recreational boaters this weekend during limited hours.
  • Monday, May 20 2013 2:50 PM EDT2013-05-20 18:50:08 GMT
    Helen Holt, now 99, was West Virginia's first female secretary of state. She received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from WVU during Sunday's commencement.
    Helen Holt, now 99, was West Virginia's first female secretary of state. She received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from WVU during Sunday's commencement.

FAIRMONT, W.Va. (AP) - Fairmont is interested in joining the state's "home rule" pilot program if the Legislature extends and expands it.

Fairmont City Manager Jay Rogers tells The Times-West Virginian that the program has benefited the municipalities that have participated in the program.

Rogers says uncertainty, personnel changes and other factors prevented the city from applying for the program when it began in 2007. Those obstacles have since been removed.

The program allows municipalities to pursue increased governing powers. A draft bill would extend the pilot until 2018 and allow another four municipalities with at least 2,000 people to participate.

Huntington, Wheeling, Bridgeport and Charleston took part in the initial five-year phase.

___

Information from: Times West Virginian

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.