CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Add those with the Williamson Daily News to the growing list of people calling for the immediate resignation of Mingo County Commissioner David Baisden who plead guilty to a federal extortion charge this week.
“It’s a travesty, but it’s the good old boy mentality of politics in southern West Virginia,” said Kyle Lovern, an editor with the Williamson Daily News.
Baisden has indicated he’ll wait until shortly before he is sentenced on Jan. 14 for extortion to submit his resignation. He broke the law by ending Mingo County’s business with Appalachian Tire when the company denied him the county price for tires for his personal vehicle.
Baisden has stepped down from his purchasing role for Mingo County, but he is still being paid as a member of the Mingo County Commission.
“He (Baisden) has not been to the last four meetings. He’s really not making any decisions, which he shouldn’t,” said Lovern. “If he continues to stay in that position the rest of the year, he’ll be making $9,000 to $10,000, or even going into January, because his sentencing is not until the middle of January.”
Up to now, the two other members of the Mingo County Commission, John Hubbard and Greg “Hootie” Smith, have refused to publicly call for Baisden’s resignation.
The next Mingo County Commission meeting is scheduled for Oct. 16 at 9 a.m.
Lovern was a guest on Friday’s MetroNews “Talkline.”