Oak Hill: Supporting levies as a civic responsibility

OAK HILL — First thing this morning Larry Hamlin, 77, walked over to his local polling place to vote. Then he headed to the Tudor’s, where he’s a regular, for his usual meal of eggs, biscuits and bacon alongside a mug of steaming black coffee.

To Hamlin, a veteran, voting is important — something he’s constantly reminding his kids.

“I always tell them it’s a privilege to vote. There are millions and millions of people in this world that don’t have that,” he said between sips of his coffee. “And we just take so many things for granted.”

Mountain State Spotlight reporters are traveling around the state, asking West Virginians what’s on their mind this primary election day. To read other stories from this series, click here.

Along with voting for circuit and magistrate judge candidates he has good feelings about, Hamlin supported the levies that were also on the ballot in Fayette County. Here, the levies are to fund fire departments, law enforcement and public libraries.

Although Hamlin knows favoring the levies will likely mean increases in taxes, he thinks the responsibility of funding public services falls onto the residents.

“Even if the taxes go up, and I know they will, if these issues get voted in we need to do that. We need to accept the responsibility,” he added.

For the most part, Hamlin is pleased with his community. However, he does think local officials could do a bit more to fix and maintain the general infrastructure of the city, including the roads.

“I appreciate Oak Hill. I like the city. I wouldn’t live here if I didn’t,” Hamlin said. “There are just some things that I think could be done better. Nothing is so grievous that I’m mad or upset.”

Oak Hill: Supporting levies as a civic responsibility appeared first on Mountain State Spotlight , West Virginia's civic newsroom.