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Change comes slowly in Mingo County

WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — Those who follow politics in Mingo County don’t think the resignation of David Baisden as Mingo County Commissioner Monday is the end.

Baisden pleaded guilty to federal charges of extortion. He resisted giving up his county commission seat until his sentencing in January. Amid pressure from voters and State Auditor Glen Gainer he finally relinquished the seat this week.

“A lot of people here like David Baisden. He’s done some good things for people in Mingo County,” said reporter Kyle Lovern of the Williamson Daily News. “It’s my feeling that many politicians in these counties like Mingo, Lincoln, Logan and McDowell have that sense of entitlement.”

Baisden’s was a classic case of southern West Virginia politics. He demanded of Appalachian Tire he be given the same price for a set of tires on his personal vehicle  they gave to the county for its fleet of vehicles. When they refused, he ended the county’s purchasing agreement with the company and took the county’s business elsewhere.

“He doesn’t feel like he did anything wrong or it wasn’t that wrong,” said Lovern. “You hear some people say that, ‘Oh they got him for trying to get some tires at a discount, that’s not that bad.’ So you still have some supporters for him.”

Lovern said however, the problems arise when a person finds themselves on the wrong side of the politically connected.  Jobs are almost always connected to nepotism and in extreme cases like the one which brought down Judge Michael Thornsbury you could even find yourself framed for criminal activity.

“There’s a lot of people would would love to see change.  People like me,” Lovern said. “I can remember as a little kid seeing them buy votes at the polling place.  That’s just how it was.  They’ve cleaned it up a little, but elections can still be bought.”

Lovern said few believe federal investigators are finished there. The biggest question around Williamson is, “Who’s next?”

But for Lovern and those seeking change in the politically charged climate it won’t be easy.  He expected with Baisden and Thornsbury out, others with political power and a sense of entitlement will step in and the cycle would begin anew.





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