Something to Think About
Don Michael, WVFB Director of Governmental Affairs
History “under the
radar” . . . with a legislative
twist – Years ago a good
friend shared a tidbit that
deserves a place in West
Virginia history. I thought it
was “cool” at the time, but
didn’t think more about it
until this year’s legislative
“
session. Following
the session I was at
the NCAA tourney in
Raleigh, NC with my
son, a cousin and the
good friend in question
– Dr. Jimmie Dale
Hissem, D.D.S. from Salem,
WV. I asked Jim to share his
historical experience with the
group and they were amazed.
celebrity prepared to leave North Bend, he caught
Jim outside the pool area and gave him a one-onone performance (a capella) of his new song. It was
nearly a year later when Jim heard the song on the
radio – Take Me Home, Country Roads – and realized
the young camper he had befriended was none other
than John Denver. On March 7, 2014 the West
Virginia Legislature adopted Take Me Home, Country
Roads as one of our official state songs. There
was great fanfare in and around the Dome during
the announcement as all in
earshot joined in singing one
was great
in and around of America’s most recognized
songs.
There
fanfare
the Dome during
the announcement
as all in earshot
joined in singing one
of America’s most
recognized songs.”
Jim notes, “The experience
happened over 40 years
ago, around 1970 or 1971 . . . too many years have
gone by.” The season was summer and the site was
North Bend State Park in Ritchie County, where Jim
was chief lifeguard. Park employees were alerted a
celebrity-type would be camping during the week and
didn’t want any special treatment . . . in other words,
provide the usual homespun hospitality and service
afforded all guests. The camper’s identity was not
revealed to park staff, thus he would blend in . . .
which he truly did!
To make a long story short, Jim taught this
unknown guest how to dive and they had many
conversations during the week, with their favorite
topic being home-built airplanes – “We talked more
about building airplanes than anything else.” As the
guest’s camping experience was nearing an end, he
mentioned his love for music. Jim was somewhat
in a fog because he rarely listened to music, but
he responded, “I wish someone would sing a song
about West Virginia.” The next day as the unknown
As I reported last month,
water issues drove the 2014
Legislative Session. The water
bill (SB 373) establishing the
Water Resources Protection
and Management Act and
Aboveground Storage Tank
Act was a 40-page document
when it passed the Senate.
By the time it was rewritten in the House and a
multitude of amendments applied, it had grown to
90 pages. Legislation was completed on the bill
on the final day of the Regular Session, shortly
before adjournment at midnight. A few key points
include: Large-quantity users of water (any person
who withdraws over 300,000 gallons of water in any
30-day period from the state’s waters and any person
who bottles water for resale regardless of quantity
withdrawn) will be required to register with the DEP
and provide requested survey information regarding
withdrawals of the water resources. “Large-quantity
user” excludes farm use, including watering livestock
or poultry on a farm, though farms may voluntarily
report water withdrawals to assist with the accuracy
of the survey; Aboveground storage tanks exceeding
1320 gallons will need to be registered and subject
to an annual registration fee to cover the cost of
maintaining and overseeing the inventory and
see Michael, page 25
West Virginia Farm Bureau News 5