Data Center, EMS, Corridor H Route Are Top Issues in County Election
Commission president Rosenau faces rematch against opponent he defeated by 2 votes in 2020. Plus, Fearless Canaan Weather Forecasts now available to all, and data center updates.
By Mat Cloak, contributing writer
A seat on the Tucker County Commission, the county’s governing body, is up for election this fall with two candidates offering different perspectives on a wide range of issues including the proposed power plant and data center complex, funding for emergency services, and Corridor H.
Incumbent County Commission President Mike Rosenau is once again facing Republican Jon Bush. The pair ran for the same commission seat in 2020, when Rosenau won by two votes.
Bush shared his views in an interview with Country Roads News, while Rosenau answered questions via email.
Background
There are three seats on the commission. Members are elected to six-year terms. Every two years, one of those seats is up for election.
Candidates for the seat on the ballot in this year’s election must live in the Shavers Fork District in southwestern Tucker County, which includes Parsons. However, the vote for commissioners is countywide.
Rosenau was first elected to the commission in 2008. In 2014, he was defeated by Patrick Darlington, who resigned from the commission in 2019. Bush was appointed to serve out the remainder of Darlington’s term. In 2020, Rosenau and Bush squared off in the election narrowly won by Rosenau.
In addition to Rosenau, the current members of the commission are Fred Davis and Tim Knotts. County commissioners decide among themselves who will be the commission president.
Previously registered as a Democrat, Rosenau registered as an independent candidate for this election. “I work for the residents of our county, not a political party,” Rosenau said. “As a commissioner, I need to make my decisions on what I feel is best for everyone in Tucker County. I also hate all the fighting.”
Rosenau believes some of the biggest challenges the county faces include attracting stable, well-paying jobs and affordable housing, and coping with a shrinking workforce.
In addition to his previous two years on the County Commission, Bush served on the Tucker County Ambulance Authority Board for about two years.
Bush owns and operates Piccolo Paula’s Cafe in Parsons and Tuscan Grille Catering Services. Bush previously owned and operated Big John’s Family Fixins in Canaan Valley.
As for his political party affiliation, Bush stated, “I’m not a loyalist to either party at this point. I’m a guy who’s looking for common ground between the parties.”
Bush stated he was asked to run for commissioner because, “When I sit down with people of all areas in the county, I don’t have a bias against upper and lower parts of the county.”
Bush said he would like to see the commission be a more equitable, unifying force. He also said he believes that Rosenau dominates the commission, and that Davis and Knotts “are rubber stamps.”
“All parts of the county are not represented equally and that needs to change,” Bush said.
Bush views the recent closure of Mettiki Mountain View Mine, the proposed power plant and data center complex, education, and EMS funding as critical issues for the county.
Data center
A proposed power plant less than two miles outside of Thomas that would supply electricity to multiple data centers has been the most prominent topic of debate during the past year.
As a retired employee at the Mt. Storm Power Station, Rosenau said of the proposed power plant outside of Thomas, “It has been approved by the Air Quality Board. The land transaction is between a private landowner and a private company. The State of West Virginia set guidelines for proposed data centers throughout West Virginia, not just Tucker County.”
During a commission meeting last summer, Rosenau said that one of his biggest tasks as a commissioner is to make the county “financially secure.” That responsibility, he said, makes it challenging for him to oppose a data center project that would bring in millions of dollars in new property tax revenue. “It’s hard for me to say, ‘I’m not for that,’” Rosenau said.
Bush said he would like to see the proposed power plant moved east, further from the towns of Davis and Thomas. “The majority of people just don’t want it in their backyard, and I get that,” Bush said.
He added, “it’s probably going to happen, but let’s make sure we decide where it’s going to happen.” Bush said he would like to see Thomas and Davis retain their lifestyles, businesses, and environmental integrity as the ongoing development of Corridor H brings taxes and jobs to the county.
EMS funding
Funding for emergency services in the county continues to be an unresolved issue. Rosenau and the County Commission implemented a 2 percent recreation fee in 2024.
Rosenau considers the 2 percent recreation fee to be one of the commission’s biggest accomplishments. “The commission believes this is the fairest way for everybody to pay their small share. This fee is not on business to pay. The fee is a pass-through and is on the person participating in the activity,” Rosenau said.
Timberline Mountain filed a federal lawsuit in August seeking to overturn the fee, arguing it violates state law and the U.S. Constitution.
Bush believes voters should decide on a fee or tax in the county. He said a 1 percent sales tax, “across the board, except on goods that are essential for living, like groceries, gas, and medical needs,” might be the solution.
Corridor H route
The route Corridor H will follow from Davis to Parsons is a long-standing debate in Tucker County. State officials favor a route between Davis and Thomas, saying it is the safest and most efficient option. Many environmentalists and others prefer a route north of Thomas to avoid splitting the two communities, among other reasons.
Rosenau supports the state-favored route that goes between Davis and Thomas.
Bush stated that he is interested in reading the long-delayed National Environmental Policy Act report that will assess the environmental impact of the two proposed Corridor H routes. He added, “I’d like the state to truly consider what Tucker County residents want for the highway.”
The primary election for county commission is May 12. Voters will only see Jon Bush’s name on that ballot since Rosenau registered as an Independent. The general election is November 3.
More News
Fearless Canaan Weatherman Forecasts Now Available to Everyone
By Mat Cloak, contributing writer
Canaan Valley’s Fearless Weatherman, also known as Bob Leffler, is now publishing his winter weather reports on Substack, a newsletter service. Leffler’s emailed weather report previously was limited to 300 recipients by his email provider, Yahoo. Substack has no limits on recipient lists.
Leffler moved his service to Substack shortly after Country Roads News profiled Leffler and his complimentary winter-time weather reports. Country Roads News is also published and emailed via Substack.
Visit the Fearless Canaan Weatherman Substack page to read his winter weather reports and sign up to receive his forecasts by email immediately when he publishes.
Tucker United Hosts Forum to Discuss Environmental Report
Community group Tucker United is hosting a virtual forum at 7 p.m. February 25 featuring Harvard health researcher Michael Cork to discuss the proposed power plant near Davis and Thomas. Cork was one of the authors of a recent study commissioned by Tucker United. The study estimated that the power plant would result in $19 million to $35 million annually in health-related costs.
Click here to register to participate in the virtual event. People can also view the live event at watch parties in Stumptown Ales and St. John’s Lutheran Church in Davis, and at Gradient Projects in Thomas.
In other data center news:
The West Virginia House of Delegates voted 78-16 to advance a package of rules related to data center certification. Seven Republicans and nine Democrats opposed the measure. The final vote came after the chamber rejected concerns raised by a handful of lawmakers that state laws don’t adequately protect local communities. The measure awaits action in the state Senate.
The Washington Post published a story Thursday documenting the nationwide trend of data center developers building their own private power plants to fund their facilities. The story includes a look at the proposed facility near Davis and Thomas.
Excellent article Dan, thank you for the coverage. Great journalism!