The Charleston Area Alliance regrets that the current exploration of metro government as a means of unifying government services in Kanawha County likely will be suspended.  

“Metro government is a way for citizens and communities to work together to meet the common challenges we face,” said Alliance President and CEO Matt Ballard.            

“We still believe metro government has the potential for giving more county residents a voice in their government, strengthening essential services, enhancing government effectiveness and saving taxpayers money.”  

The Alliance and its affiliate, the Charleston Regional Chamber of Commerce, have partnered with city and county officials for several years to create a public dialogue and educate the citizenry on the potential benefits of government consolidation. 

“Our Chamber supported the legislation to allow citizens to vote and have the option,” Ballard said. “The Alliance partnered with the city and county to bring in Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson and former Louisville Deputy Mayor Joan Riehm, and we attended the county’s metro-education missions and hosted public forums. 

“Helping government serve citizens more effectively and efficiently has always been a priority for the Alliance,” added Ballard.   

However, metro government cannot be imposed by fiat, Ballard noted.  

“It is up to the people of our state, counties and cities to decide how they should be governed,” he said. “More time is needed to educate the public on what positive changes government consolidation can mean for our region. As one veteran political consultant who successfully ran the Louisville, Ky., voter referendum told us, ‘This is the most complicated conversation you will ever have with the electorate.’ 

“We commend Senator Brooks McCabe for his tireless efforts to improve our region through metro government and commit to continue to work with him and other leaders on measures to improve government services and unify our region,” Ballard continued. “Considering today’s economic conditions and a stagnant population in our entire state, if we do not consolidate some governmental units in West Virginia, the people will end up paying higher taxes. It’s as simple to understand as two plus two.”